Lizzie Borden Society Forum

http://lizzieandrewborden.com/MondoLizz ... it-posted/

Check it out! The Fall River Historical Society has posted another tantalizing tidbit. This one is a big mystery. What say you?

Gee, it could be almost anyone. We haven't seen photos of a lot of people she knew.

I'll guess Dr. Annie Campbell MacRae.

Are you gonna tell us if we're right?

Could it be Helen Leighton or Gertrude Baker? Kind of reminds me of Gertrude according to the image at this site. http://www.zimbio.com/Lizzie+Borden/art ... cue+League

How fascinating to see this old picture.

I wouldn't be surprised if she's not a relative, as she resembles Lizzie quite a bit to my eye.

Patsy, if it's either H.L. or G.B., the "mystery woman" would appear to be Baker.

Could it be Adelaide B. Whipp, an old classmate and friend?

Alice Soderman lived near Lizzie on High Street - she was a draftsman. Like Lizzie, she never married.

or

Dr. Annie MacRae? sp?

It's def. not Gertrude Baker the English teacher. They weren't that close and I believe LB met her through Helen long long after the trial.

It's got to be Hannah Reagan with those clues;

1. An important figure in the life of Lizzie Borden.

2. Lizzie never forgot her kindnesses.

3. Lizzie held her memory dear.

DJ @ Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:16 pm wrote:Patsy, if it's either H.L. or G.B., the "mystery woman" would appear to be Baker.

Yes, if so the picture does seem to resemble Baker more.

Can hardly wait to find out the identity of this person. So many possibilities.

Well, after re-reading the clews, I don't think it's Dr. Annie Campbell MacRae. It had to have been somone who died before Lizzie did.

Her housekeeper, Nellie?

Her hairstyle looks pretty and sharp. I think she was a woman with a profession.

Hannah Reagan is a real good guess, Fargo.

Watch when we finally do hear the answer we'll probably go, "Of course!"

(Stef, you can email me with the answer to this, and I won't tell a soul.)

I'm now leaning toward her keeper at the Taunton jail, Matron Wright. She had known Lizzie as a child and was very kind to her at Taunton.

I don't think it was Hannah Reagan. There's no facial resemblance at all. It is also hard to imagine Lizzie considering her a friend after her "Emma, you have gave me away, haven't you?" testimony at the trial.

I lean toward it being Helen Leighton. After studying the picture of the mystery woman and the picture on the link posted by Patsy I think it could be Helen. I think she is a striking looking woman whoever she is though.

It would help if we knew what year the photo was taken. What say you, Stef Koorey?

Sorry gang, I can't say or I will lose my citizenship or something. Penalty of death stuff.

Your guesses are well thought out! I enjoy reading them. I will pass them along to Michael Martins.

Happy hunting and happy 4th to you all!

It shouldn't be that hard - how many people were "kind" to Lizzie?

The police matron Wright is an excellent guess, Harry. I think it's even better than my "Nellie" guess. I'm gonna go with Harry. Final answer.

I'd guess Mary Rice Livermore, but that's not her face.

The problem with it being a schoolmate is that I don't know who died before her that went to school with her. The Holmes family was certainly good to her, as were the Ramseys/Covells/Remingtons.

When Lizzie went to jail, she was thankful she knew the matron who was kind to her at such a difficult time for Lizzie. Yup - she fits all three clews.

Here's a comparison for Hannah Reagan:

And Mary Livermore:



(I think Augusta's right on)

Miss Mystery Photo appears to have a widow's peak, though.

I clicked around on that first link with the photos of Baker and Leighton and found this:

http://phayemuss.wordpress.com/2010/07/ ... -at-birth/

It makes sense that Lizzie would leave that person money in her will. I never heard of this woman Alice until I read Lizzie's will again.