Lizzie Borden Society Forum

I was doing some reading and some reasearch and I got curious.

I know that Hanah Reagan was the matron at the Police station and she was in charge of Lizzie while she was locked up during the trial. I was just curious as to why she testified for the prosicution and why it was so important. What was she going to tell them? She ate cream of wheat for breakfast and a ham sandwich for lunch? Her sister visited her? I mean what was so important that she could tell? What was the prosicution trying to prove with her testimony?

IIRC, she testified that she heard Lizzie say to Emma, "You're giving me away!" or "You gave me away!" The prosecution wanted to suggest that this remark was a kind of confession.

However, I do not know WHAT Emma did to prompt this remark from Lizze.

This was an inflammatory statement and open to all sorts of constructions. At trial the defense tried to show Hannah Reagan had, in effect, recanted it -- and that the Marshall had prevented her from signing a declaration to that effect.

Hannah Reagan: trial, 1225+

Q. Subsequent to that was a paper drawn up for you to sign?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. In relation to this story?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Was it read to you?
A. Yes, sir. . . .

. . . Q. Who brought it to you?
A. Mr. Buck. . . .

. . . Q. Will you listen to this and see if this sounds anything like it:

"This is to certify that my attention has been called to a report said to have been made by me in regard to a quarrel between Lizzie and her sister Emma, in which Lizzie said to Emma, 'You have given me away,' etc., and that I expressly and positively deny that any such conversation took place, and I further deny that I ever heard anything that could be construed as a quarrel between the two sisters."

Does that sound anything like it?
A. No, sir. I don't remember one word that Mr. Buck said to me that evening.
Q. Will you say that that was not the substance of the paper that was presented to you?
A. I couldn't tell you, sir.

Charles Holmes: trial, 1516+

Q. (Handing witness type-written matter.) Mr. Holmes, is that a copy of the paper that was read to Mrs. Reagan as nearly as you recollect?
A. It is.
Q. Will you read it?
A. (Reading:) "This is to certify that my attention has been called to a report said to have been made by me in regard to a quarrel between Lizzie and her sister Emma, in which Lizzie said to Emma. "You have given me away," etc., and that I expressly and positively deny that any such conversation took place; and I further deny that I ever heard anything that could be construed as a quarrel between the two sisters." That is the substance of it. . . .

. . . she was asked if she was willing to sign the document, and she said she was willing if the marshal did not object.

Hannah Reagan; trial, 1227+

A. I asked Mr. Buck if he would let me have that paper, and I would take it to the Marshal to see what it was, and his words was---
Q. To see what it was?
A. Yes, sir.---and his words were---he says, "I can't give you this paper, but I will go with you to the marshal, if you will go down." and I says, "Yes." and I did go down stairs with Mr. Buck into the marshal's office.
Q. Did you express willingness down there to sign it?
A. No, sir.
Q. Did you say anything to Marshal Hilliard about it?
A. No, sir.
Q. Not a word?
A. Not a word.
Q. Did Marshal Hilliard say anything to you?
A. No, sir, not about that paper.
Q. Not a word?
A. He told me to go to my room, and he would tend---


John R. Caldwell, Trial: 1523+

A. Mrs. Reagan took the paper and went down stairs with Mr. Buck and went into Marshal Hilliard's office. I followed them there, and when I came in she was standing inside the railing. Mr. Hilliard came in, and she turned and said something to him which I did not hear, and his reply was---
Q. She said something to him?
A. She said something to him, holding the paper in her hands, that I did not hear, and his reply was, "If you sign that paper it will be against my express orders."



Cross Examination by Andrew Jennings (trial, 1230)

Q. What position do you hold, Mrs. Reagan?
A. Matron, sir.
Q. Matron of what?
A. Of the central police station; Fall River central police station.
Q. Who appoints you to that office?
A. I was appointed by the Mayor and the city government.
Q. And under whose orders are you at the station?
A. Marshal Hilliard's.
Q. And were at the time?
A. Yes, sir.

It seems they did everything except ask Hannah Reagan directly whether or not she made the statement. All the foolishness could have been set aside, Reverend Buck, the paper, Marshall Hilliard, etc.

goddessoftheclassroom @ Sat May 29, 2010 11:59 am wrote:IIRC, she testified that she heard Lizzie say to Emma, "You're giving me away!" or "You gave me away!" The prosecution wanted to suggest that this remark was a kind of confession.

However, I do not know WHAT Emma did to prompt this remark from Lizze.

I remember reading that Lizzie said that to Emma. The only thing is with me is that I don't Lizzie would confess to anything. Least of all something like that; she was to smart. Besides, I tihink she would have wanted the prosecution to earn their money. So much like her father, watching every penny. LOL!

Even if she did say that, it could have been a reference to something else. Of course, one would assume that the topic of every day during that time was Lizzie's predicament ... being accused of the murder of her parents. However, a conversation between sisters could be about something totally different ... even something fairly mundane.