Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Among the ax and hatchets found in the basement was one with what proved to be cow's blood.

Were axes used to slaughter cattle? Does anyone have an explanation why that would be in a city household?

I think this is one of the (many) weird things about this case!

goddessoftheclassroom @ Wed May 26, 2010 6:51 pm wrote:Among the ax and hatchets found in the basement was one with what proved to be cow's blood.

Were axes used to slaughter cattle? Does anyone have an explanation why that would be in a city household?

I think this is one of the (many) weird things about this case!

I don't recall reading anything about a cow; but it would make sense that they would have one for milk. They did refer to the out building as a barn ... now a gift shop. That seems strange today to have a barn with animals so near a downtown area but it was a different time.

Maybe someone else has more info on what type animals might have lived on the property.

Bridget testified that about a year before the murders Andrew kept a horse in the barn. The barn at the time of the murders still contained a carriage and sleigh. Morse would occasionally visit by horse [and carriage I assume] and keep the horse in the barn. There was hay in the loft.

Andrew owned two farms in Swansea, at least one a dairy farm as they received their milk each morning from that farm. I don't believe there was ever a cow at 92 Second St.

The only other creatures in the barn were pigeons which Andrew one day killed. Some authors say they were Lizzie's pets but there doesn't seem to be any proof of that.

I knew about the Borden's having had a horse. I'd bet Lizzie and Emma were annoyed when Andrew gave up such a status symbol and convenience.

But what was an ax with cow's blood doing in that house? I guess it was brought from the farm, but I till think it's weird.

Bridget testified that the wood was chopped at the house by a man who came from the farm.

We know there were cows on at least one farm since the Borden's received a daily supply of milk.

Victoria Lincoln speculated the axe had been used to kill an ailing cow.

Harry @ Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 pm wrote:Victoria Lincoln speculated the axe had been used to kill an ailing cow.

I hate to say it, but I suspect that, then as now, cows that outlived their milk-giving days tended not to be kept around for very long. (Besides, they could still be eaten.)

Ok, the man-from-the farm-chopped-the-wood makes sense. Thanks.

I had been harboring a thought that someone had planted the hatchet with blood on it, not realizing that the blood could be determined to be a cow's.