On Feb 24, 2006, Allen posted, in the thread titled, Morse's history (Highlighting is mine):
Rebello:
page 70:
Profile: John Vinnicum Morse was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, on July 5, 1833. He was the son of Anthony and Rhody Morrison Morse. He was the brother of Lizzie Borden's mother Sarah Anthony Morse. Mr. Morse learned the butcher's trade. He was employed for two years by Charles and Isaac C. Davis who were in the meat business in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts. At the age of 22 Mr. Morse left Massachusetts, and moved to Excelsior, Minnesota, to reside with his brother William Bradford Morse. He resided there for one year and moved to Illinois where he was engaged in farming for fourteen years. In 1869, he went to Hastings, Iowa, to farm, raise horses and cattle. At this time, John Morse and his brother -in- law John Davidson were renting from Mr. Henry L. Lowry. A notice was given to Morse and Davidson to leave the premises by March 1, 1871. He purchased 40 acres of land in April of 1873 and another 40 acres in August 1873. In 1876, he purchased another 40 acres next to the land he purchased in 1873. His brother-in-law, John Davidson, and husband of Morse's half sister, Arabella (Ararabelle), owned a farm adjacent to Morse's farm.
While in Iowa, John Morse lived or boarded with various people and their families. IN 1870, he resided with the Davidson family. By 1880, the Davidson’s lived with John Morse. On Monday, May 10, 1886, John Morse, along "with Rappal" of Hastings, and John Gennung{Genung} of Hastings, registered at the Foster House, a local hotel in Hastings. "L.L. Rappal" Chicago, [Illinois]" was written under their names in the register. John Morse boarded with Mr. & Mrs. George C. Chapin and their three children in 1900. Mr. VanAusdale moved to Hastings in 1900.
Throughout his life, Morse traveled east during the summer and winter visiting Fall River; New Bedford; Warren, Rhode Island; and Boston. He maintained a small boat in New Bedford, and he visited friends and relatives. While in New Bedford, he would spend time at the marble shop of ex- Mayor Thomas Thompson discussing the existence of life after death. John Morse was fond of fishing and had an interest in having his fortune told. He oftentimes told the story of a gypsy in Hastings who refused to tell his fortune," You don't want it told." It was sometime after this, the Bordens were murdered.
Mr. Morse arrived at the Borden home on Wednesday, August 3, 1892. The next day, his brother-in-law and his wife were found murdered. It was early on in the investigation that John Morse became a suspect. He was able to account for his time the morning of the murders. His niece, Lizzie Borden, was charged with the murders and acquitted in 1893. John Morse testified at the inquest, preliminary hearing and trial of his niece. Ten days after the grand jury indicted Lizzie, John Morse left Fall River and arrived in Hastings on December 12, 1892. He returned to New Bedford to testify at Lizzie's trial. After the trial, he returned to Hastings, Iowa.
Mr. Morse died in Hastings, Iowa, on March, 1, 1912. At the time of his death, Mr. Morse resided with Mr. and Mrs. William Edwin VanAusdale in Hastings, Iowa. They were renting Mr. Morse's farm at the time of his death.
Funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church by Rev. M.A. Gable. Mr. John V. Morse was buried in Hastings Cemetery (Row 23). He was not married. He was survived by his brother, William Bradford Morse of Excelsior, Minnesota, and a half sister, Mrs. Arabella Davidson of Hastings, Iowa. Another sister, Mrs. Louisa A. Morse of Fall River, was deceased.
At the time of his death, John V. Morse's obituary described him as " a shrewd businessman, of even temperament, kindly disposition...his friends are numerous,...lived an honest, upright life...kind and considerate of the welfare of others, gave liberally to those in need...gave without ostentation and oftentimes in ways that the world knew not of."
A very different view of Mr. Morse was reported shortly after the Borden murders in 1892. A Boston Post reporter elicited the following statements from Mr. Morse's neighbors and those who knew him best. They described him as "frugal and self denying...eccentric, peculiar, never formed close relationships, and maintained and austere reserve. He was selfish, hard fisted in his business dealings, almost avaricious but scrupulously honest...
” His half sister (Arabella) described Morse as " a man who when crossed, would never forgive, a trait she herself shared."
page 76:
“A horse attached to a buggy belonging to John Oliver, of New Bedford, broke from its owner, Monday [June 19, 1893], and dashed through Russell's Mills and Apponegansett. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to stop its career, but not until it reached the 'Head' did anyone succeed in catching it, which was done by no less a personage than the noted John Vinnicum Morse."
Fall River Weekly News, June 21, 1892:5.
page 77:
"John V. Morse and Amos R. Caswell, a resident of New Bedford, purchased a lot in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, from George H. Howland on October 24, 1906. ( Registry of Deeds, New Bedford, Massachusetts, Book 267 and page 267.)
-----------------------------
"Uncle John Morse continues very poorly at the home of W. E. VanAusdale, and on Friday night, Dr. Bridges, an Omaha specialist, came down town to examine him. Miss Anna Morse, a teacher in the Minneapolis schools, came in Friday to be with her uncle." Mills County Tribune, February, 26, 1912:1.
http://tinyurl.com/oc8m56s
a plot that runs right up your Alley, Franz....or should I say, il too vicolo!