Lizzie Borden Society Forum

While researchng the trial of Daniel Robinson,arrested for murdering his wife in New Bedford I ran across this small article.

New Bedford Evening Mercury
September 11, 1893

A Plea for Fair Play

to the Editor:-
I trust that the philanthropists who interested themselves in behalf of
Lizzie Borden will continue their commendable efforts in behalf of the man who was arrested on Saturday for the murder of his wife.

I hope that, pending conviction, he will be treated as a member of Sheriff Wright's family, that he will be given the freedom of the corridors at the jail, fed like a fighting cock and that the deputy sheriffs in the pay of Bristol County will work their hardest to defeat the government and establish his innocense, if possible.
Fair Play




By the way, Daniel Robinson was convicted for slashing his wife's throat and sentenced to be hung at the Ash St. jail. The only hanging ever performed there, at the then new jail, and the last man hung in Mass.

that is interesting! Lizzie did get special treatment,
that is for sure.

Cool find, Kevin! So I guess it was perceived that Lizzie was fed like a fighting cock whilst in prison? I guess hotel food was considered the best of the best?

Hey, Nokatay!

Welcome to the forum.

To those of you from outside of southeastern, MA, the name "Nokatay" is one of the original Indian names for what is now known as West Island, a part of Fairhaven.

That's very interesting. It gives another glimpse into the opinion of the public about Lizzie's treatment in jail. Thanks.

Thanks for the related item!
I've just been reading about Lizzie in jail in the newspapers.
The spin put out was that since she was still innoncent, not proven guilty, then she should enjoy some respect..
I suppose that should go for everyone!

Ya - tell it to the judge!

Thanks for the welcome FG and all. I've been spending time reading the forums here. Some interesting stuff.

Rebello, 189, quoting from the newspaper:

"Correiro, the alleged murderer of Bertha Manchester, has been in confinement eight months and, as yet, no time has been set for his trial. Nevertheless, we have failed to hear a peep from the Boston Post, Mrs. Livermore or any of those good people who were standing on their hind legs and howling like Comanches over the law's delay in bringing another person [Lizzie Borden], resting under a like indictment, to trial, about a year ago. Can it be that these professional reformers and self-appointed champions of justice have grown weary of well doing, or do they think that it does not pay to espouse the cause of a friendless foreigner?"
Fall River Daily Globe, January 4, 1894: 4.

Thanks for that, Kat. Ouch, "standing on their hind legs".