I was born several blocks from the Borden house many decades after the crime. My great grandparents lived even closer to the Borden house and my great grandfather who lived to be 96, attended every day but one of the trial. He was convinced that Lizzie did it. I agree after studying all the info on the case.
Actually, Andrew was not as tight with a buck as people say. He once gave a house to some relatives, decided he wanted it back and paid $5000 for it, which is around $150,000 today. The murder house DID have running water, including in the barn. And Fall River wasn't nearly as hot the day of the murders as later reports said it was.
He sold his own fathers house to Lizzie and Emma for $1 after buying out Abby's stepmother so her half sister and her family wouldn't be homeless. His actions in this caused a rift so Lizzie stopped calling her mother and just called her Mrs. Borden from then on.
There were cold water hand pumps and wash basins... but NOT hot running water with sinks/tubs and actual faucets and spigots or a flush toilet like the folks who lived on "The Hill" had that Lizzie was so envious of. There's a huge difference. Regardless, it was August and there was no such thing as air conditioning yet. The Borden's didn't have electricity for fans like the brand new houses on the Hill were getting, either. I bet it was hot as hell in that big old house. Also, the Borden's were still using an outhouse and chamber pots & candles and kerosene for lighting & burned wood or coal for cooking and heat, much to Lizzie's chagrin.
Yes, I just learned that he was not as tight as portrayed. I also read he put Lizzie through some schooling. He just didn’t want to move where the sisters wanted to live. She got away with murder. That’s my opinion…..
I was born and raised in Fall River. The legend of Lizzie Borden is ingrained on our brains at a very early age. Over the years, many theories as to the identity of the murderer have been hypothesized. Many native Fall River residents believe that Andrew Borden had an inappropriate relationship with his daughters. This abuse, coupled with the fear that Andrew was going to leave his estate to Abby and her family,supposedly was too much for Lizzie to bear. She just snapped. There is no doubt that these were rage killings. It was personal. It was overkill. Lizzie certainly had a motive. I believe she, and she alone, is responsible for the deaths of Andrew and Abby.
I agree 👍 everyone definitely has a theory as to what,how exactly and who really did it, and 130 years later we still don't know,and for that reason alone ,the Lizzie Borden house will always remain in business because those Lizzie Borden sleuths such as myself will be forever interested and intrigued by the case , I'd like to conclude my own personal opinion of who I firmly believe killed Andrew and Abby Borden , I believe it was a a man named Charles Sawyer . But again that's just my opinion so with that being said I do feel that Lizzie Borden is Innocent but that's just my opinion , because after 130 years nobody's solved the case. 💀🕵️🍲⚖️🕯️👢💉💊🗞️🕤🕥🕚⚰️🗝️♋📝💰🛏️🛋️🏛️🍐🍐🍐🍌🥀
The Narrator does a good job, but he does make a false statement at 47:05. Lizzie WAS NOT PROVEN INNOCENT! She was merely found NOT GUILTY. This is primarily because the prosecution failed to prove her guilty, NOT that she was innocent. Of all the known suspects in this case Lizzie is the ONLY person confirmed to be in the house at BOTH murder times. While it is true no physical evidence ties her to the murders the same is true for all other suspects BUT Lizzie is the ONLY suspect that has/had POTENTIAL PHYSICAL evidence that MIGHT have tied her to the murders. The bloody tub of clothes/rags in the basement BELIEVED to be her menstrual blood was never tested, the burned dress, the missing murder weapon (which may very well have been a Sad Iron NOT an axe or hatchet) never found or tested, the folded-up coat under Andrew's head was never tested for the presence of blood to determine if someone's blood other than his was on it. Remember this was in August, he may not have been wearing that coat at all while out, Lizzie could have gotten it out of a closet and worn it when murdering both of them and then put it under his head to explain the blood on it. A bonnet on her head to cover her hair could have also been in the basement tub, hence no blood on her and her hair still untouched. Look at the photo of Andrew on the couch, it looks like the coat was pushed under his head more than it looks like it was folded and placed before he laid down. I've always thought it amazing that no bloody footprints were found near either body too.
I wish there were better and more photos of the crime scenes; although gruesome, they could've given us a better idea of what the wounds looked like, if Abby had anything in her hands when she was found, precisely how the coat looked on the couch, as well as good pics of Lizzie on the day. There are so many if onlys...I wish we knew if AJ Borden had a will, and if so, what it said.
I think Lizzie, her uncle and the maid may have been in on the murders together. In my opinion, there is just no way that Bridgette could have been anywhere in that house and not have heard anything. I don't think there's any way should could have been anywhere NEAR that house (including washing windows outside) and not have heard anything. In fact, I'm inclined to believe that she served as the lookout while washing windows. I find it strange that the uncle went to visit without any luggage; not even a toothbrush. Weird!
@@LYBism Uncle John had an invite to come to the house to buy cattle on behalf of Andrew and himself, they were business partners. If your ready the trail transcripts uncle John and the family( Abby's family) stated that they were expecting him. He had no plans to stay.. he was told that he had another niece and nephew in town on waybos street so he stayed to visit with them. By the time he got back . The murder had accured.
@@kjay15993, and when Uncle John returned to the Bordens' home, the man who stood watch at the door noticed him literally pushing and fighting his way through the crowd that had gathered in front of the home, walking to the backyard, taking pears from the tree and proceeding to eat them. However, when questioned, Uncle John said he hadn't noticed the crowd in front of the home when he returned. How when he had to push and fight his way through the crowd? I've listened to many videos on this subject matter, as well as the reading of the transcripts on the Lions Den channel. Every account has Uncle John showing up unannounced. But, that's neither here nor there. That in and of itself neither proves or debunks Uncle John's involvement in the murders.
I think she hired someone to do it. Let them in unlocked doors and showed them where to go. Then helped them out taking the murder weapon with them. I can’t see her being able to wash up, potentially change which would involve stripping multiple layers and scrubbing her face and hair then redoing her hair which was not noted to be wet. Plus cleaning blood of yourself and clothes takes a hot second I can’t see her managing within such a strict time limit. I have seen a theory that the timelines off and the heat messed with Abby’s body therefore meaning they may have been killed closer together and eliminate the oddity of someone chilling for over an hour. But I just can’t see someone breaking in killing Abby ignoring two potential witnesses then killing Andrew and bouncing
Thanks. One correction: in the photo, what we see are not Andrew's boots, but ankle high slippers, later uncle Hiram said he found it hard to believe she was so solicitous of his comfort. ❤
I think that they were all in on it. Normally people would have wondered if the killer was inside and been running out of that house scared. The maid didn't even tell Lizzie to get out of the house. I think they hired someone. The Uncle had his alibi down to the minute like he knew he had too.
if lizzy didn't do it then the only other person is uncle john from her father's side who still a sleep up stairs when he spand the who night lizzy was looking for something in barn at the time eating pear when john is up stairs later on lizzy is up stairs didn't go in te guess room when things go wrong down stairs comes down stairs to see a mess and her aleady killed by john or the maide
The myth that his house had no running water has to end. He had limited running water in the kitchen and some other places, and the even had a flush toilet in the basement.
I am fascinated by this case and have been for years. This upload has been very very well researched and 100% factually correct . ( a lot of people don't research and upload a total disaster. Im very impressed with this hour long gem 💎
Arnold Brown's Book on the Borden Murders is very good. William Borden killed Abbey and Andrew Borden. William Borden was Andrew Borden's illegitimate son, that he conceived with a housemaid while his first wife was dying of cancer. He showed up as an adult and wanted Andrew to recognize him and settle an inheritance on him. Andrew agreed, but Abbey Borden refused. She would have become the laughing-stock of the town. Abbey was the focus of the attack. He wrote a letter of confession to the fall river police which they still have. He confessed to killing them and stated that Abbey had also insulted his mother. They never found the hatchet because he took it away with him. Lizzy may have known who did it, but she did not want it to come out that her father had a illegitimate child. Also she might have been afraid that her father had left a large portion of his estate to the son he always wanted. Andrew Borden's will was never found and never probated. As a result when she was found not guilty. She and Emma shared equally. William Borden hung himself from a tree in his own field when he was 41.
I remember when Brown’s book came out. There was an audible “guffaw “ rippling through Fall River. Having lived here all my life, I’ve heard hundreds of theories as to who committed the murders. The most accepted train of thought is that Andrew had an inappropriate relationship with his daughters. They were rage killings. It was personal. It was overkill. Not many Fall River residents believe that the illegitimate son of Andrew Borden committed the murders. It is widely accepted that Lizzie did the deed.
@@MargaretLaFleur-j5j There is a letter that the fall river police still have stating that I killed Andrew and Abbey Borden. It is mentioned in other books that I have read. A hatchet is NOT a women's weapon, it's a man's weapon. This man was mentally ill. He was admitted at least twice to the taunton mental asylum where he spent years of his life. He used to keep a hatchet on a string over his left shoulder. And he would talk to it like it was a pet or another person. Lizzy was in in Andrew's planned meeting with this young man. To placate Abby, he was not going to recognize him, but was going to offer him large amounts of money and possibly leave him something in his will. He had been to the bank that day, and they found large amounts of cash in his safe. Lizzy was probably the only Borden who recognized how dangerous he was. She wrote in her diary, I fear for my father's life. She told a neighbor, I'm afraid something bad is going to happen. Lizzie adored her father. Andrew Borden spent 28 years hiding the fact he had produced an illegitimate child. Lizzie was not going to allow the newspapers to make him a laughing stock, and blacken his name. Uncle John was also in on this clandestine meeting. He had gone the day before and picked him up at the farm and brought him back, where he spent the night in the barn. At 6am, he went down to the cellar and let him in, and brought him up and secreted him in his bedroom. Andrew tried to get all the females out of the house, so he could have a private meeting with him. Unfortunately to change her dress, she had to go into uncle John's bedroom.. And guess who she met. She probably said something to aggravate an unstable man. Bridget heard someone laughing upstairs when she was cussing in Gaelic, trying to open the door to let Andrew in. She assumed it was Lizzie because she didn't know anyone else was in the house. Lizzie was outside, exactly where she said she was. Bridget went to her bedroom, probably saved her life. Andrew who commanded people his whole life, thought he could handle this young man. He was wrong. After killing Andrew, William departed out through the cellar, killing Abby's cat with a hatchet blow on the way out. Lizzie came back in through the cellar and locked the door. She came upstairs and found her father dead. When Uncle John came home, the first thing out of his mouth to Lizzie was,"What happened." In other words, it wasn't supposed to go this way. The blood covered murderer and the hatchet walked away from the house before the keystone cops showed up. Lizzie protected her father's name. They disappeared the will. Maybe through greed, maybe because William Borden was mentioned in it. Lizzie and Emma wore nice dresses to her parents funeral, but they were not black. When criticized for it. She stated, "My father did not believe in it." She wore the stain of a crime she did not commit her whole life and even after her death. When she died, she was buried in the cemetery, next to her father. Lizzie is a portrait of a dutiful daughter. William Borden hung himself from a tree. Unknown if he gave his pet hatchet the death penalty too.
Thank you. i enjoyed as you have a pleasant voice. I have been fascinated with Lizzie Borden, and the murders, since i read a magazine article when I was 13 yrs. old. Then I saw the TV movie. I believe did it, as she the motive(money),means, and opportunity. Bridget was mainly outside cleaning the windows, yet come in to lie down. There is mystery, like did clean up, especially after the father's murder? Did the maid helper. Was some else involved. It so intriguing ,and we will the whole truth
I really question the decision to feature believed or rumoured stories. They either come from locals of the time or equally dubious reporting from various sources who have fuck all clue about the proven facts of the Borden family's lives or case. As for Mr. Borden? He clearly was a serious hard working man who had Daughters who were spoilt entitled women. And considering how life was for working class people at the time they were VERY lucky by comparison. Lizzie Borden was, I believe, a very bitter and selfish woman who blamed her Father for a lot of things which were down to her lack of action in her life. The murder was sign posted by many years of tension and events which, in Lizzie's mind, justified killing Mr. Borden. IN HER EYES, she WAS the victim NOT the 2 people brutally slaughter with a level of rage, that is, still disturbing today. Her attitude and behaviour during and after her trial points to a person who felt she had had the last laugh and had nothing to feel sorry for. Her words and expression in photographs say it all.
I don’t think her correcting the officer that Abbey wasn’t her mom isn’t … weird to me lol. She wasn’t. She was her step mother. Also, Lizzie was given morphine. It’s understandable she may not have “looked” emotional enough. I DO think she did it lol, but not the biggest deal that she clarified that that wasn’t her mom. And for ages, people crucify grieving folks for not reacting the way they think they should. It’s not measurable. It’s not science, and it’s not cool to bring up.
If guilty, why was she so stupid as to not pretend to show fear, grief? She did nothing to try to be seen as innocent, nor did she ever attempt to divert suspicion off herself or to cast blame on anyone else.
What if that A. Borden collapsed in the street from the bad food, ended up with a doctor, ... later was escorted home, only to find Abby's body in the guest room. I wonder if the old spinster would still get away with murder？The 12 men jury just couldn't imagine that a "respectable lady" could have committed such a bloody heinous crime. Andrew would definiely know who killed his wife. The question is, would he rat his daughter out for the hang？Poor Abby.
So with so many witnesses claiming various strange men near the house near the time of the murders there is reasonable doubt. I’ve also heard another axe murder took place in the same neighborhood during the trial. Though not presented as evidence I’m sure jurors were aware and that would give me reasonable doubt.
Andrew DID, in fact, start his undertakers business in it's infancy by building the coffins for funerals himself - by hand - over 40 years prior to his death. He also built furniture in the early days before he invested in real estate.
@@Ponderingwithdave Lizzie used a flat iron. The one she was "ironing her handkerchiefs with" when Andrew returned from his morning walk. They came in different sizes, weighing anything between 2-7 lbs. If you look at Abby's shaved head autopsy photo on YT the main wound is shaped like a pointed iron.
@@sarahholland2600 it's very interesting and would make sense , as a old iron would resemble the head of an axe I suppose , Thank you I love this input Thanks for comment , 🙂
@@Ponderingwithdave you're welcome. I don't understand why your channel hasnt got more subscribers. Your attention to detail & story telling are always on point.
You say Andrew went upstairs ? then the maid - Lizzie never asked for the step mother - the comment that she is not my mother says to me Lizzie didn't expect to get away with it but rolled with it and bingo she got away with the murders the only question is who else new what Lizzie was going to attempt ? .
Personally don't think she did it. Listening to this, I'd say at best, it was possible she was involved, as it's hard to believe someone could've snuck that by her, but there's too much going on to think that she could've did it herself. I mean, really, the only plausible way would either have been the nude method, which would be ultra rare for someone killing someone so viciously to think about that much detail, and had she burned anymore clothing during the actual time of murder, surely the smell would've hovered there. 😊
28:40 oh brother. Come on don't be so ridiculous. It isn't not treating women as equals to say they don't have the physical strength to apply a specific amount of force in a situation. That's not sexism. Women are physically and anatomically much weaker. Don't be silly.
I didn't say that exactly , they believed a woman couldn't inflict so much damage , which is nonsense , and women were not treated equally and are seen as weaker , some women are stronger than some men though
He was worth millions, and the house had no electricity or plumbing!! And, they should have been living on The Hill, with all of his other rich relatives, in a bigger house! So, yes, he WAS STINGY and CHEAP!!
@@kevinmalone3210 Every other rich person who lived on “The Hill” had electricity and plumbing! This miser was worth 10 MILLION dollars, indexed to today’s standards! This man was so stingy, greedy and cheap, he didn’t want to improve and add comfort to his family’s lives! He had plenty of money, he could have bought a brand new home on the Hill, with electricity and plumbing, and air conditioning for his family’s comfort, if he wanted to! No, he would rather sit there and make his family sit in a hot house, and get heat exhaustion or heat stroke, without electricity! He was worth 10 MILLION! He would have plenty of money left over, and more since since he was old, and still working to make more, because he was so greedy!! How would you like to not even be able to use a fan in the summer, and not have an indoor toilet??! These things must not “be necessary “ for you! Even if he spent 1 million on a new house, he would still have NINE million left, plus the money he was still making, because he was old, and still working, because he is so greedy! Is 9 million to have not enough for you??! You must be just as cheap and stingy as he was! 😂🤣
There is no evidence to suggest that Lizzie or Emma were gay. It was strange that both Emma and Lizzie never married. Being a Fall River resident, many of us believe that Andrew had an inappropriate relationship with his daughters. The sexual abuse theory has been floating around forever. These were rage killings. This was personal. It was overkill. Lizzie had a motive. Who knows if we’ll ever find out definitively who the killer was.
@user-us5pv8zw3z It's been speculated that Lizzie & Bridgette were lovers & once she moved into Maplecroft, she entertained actresses in parties, possibly having affairs with them It's rumored. People in the acting business were considered immoral, so no proper Christian would invite them into their home.
It was probably a ritual sacrifice because it was 1892 the house #92 on second street add that something happens on the year 92 like 1492 1792 1892 in my honest opinion
maid no killings the same were still going on in the area even when she was gone same simple with friends and family's pattern in murders jack the rip deal who died maybe when it stopped i would start there
Abbey could have taken the note with her when she left briefly that morning. Or Abbey could have lied to Lizzie about receiving a note excusing why she was going out so lack of a note proves nothing. Andrew could have heard someone coming, put his boots out & been attacked while Lizzie in barn. That would explain why he had boots on. Unless put on by photographer. Life is always way more complicated than 'obvious' police or prosecutor's theories. I remain unconvinced. She could be or possibly not be guilty ..
Bridgett testified the mutton was served for the first time that morning. The family thought maybe the milk had been poisoned. Bridgette was afraid to go up the stairs alone, so Mrs Churchill went with her. They were not both afraid. Get your facts straight.
