Impressions of An Older Lizzie

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 2:18 am

We've had items posted about Lizzie as a youngster growing up- what her teacher thought of her- what her older friend thought of her after she joined the church, what her uncle Hiram thought of her.
During the trial, while waiting in jail, there was opportunity to examine the woman Lizzie Borden because she now was in the public eye. These impressions can be found in the newspaper accounts through to her death.
Here is one, not widely published, though we should have it's source- but I couldn't find it in the Casebook, the Sourcebook, or the Evening Standard..

Anyone can source this?

Anyway, here is a statement, dated June 14th, 1893, during the trial, paper unknown, from The Crowell Collection which Harry transcribed:

"DEFENDS MISS BORDEN.

A Friend in New York Says She
Is a Much Maligned Person.

New York, June 14. -- Miss Lizzie Borden's guilt or innocence is discussed in every circle of society. At an afternoon tea in an elegant West End Avenue mansion yesterday the ladies eagerly debated the vexed question.

The hostess listened intently to the expressions of her guests, and after things had quieted down a bit said: 'Ladies, I have something to tell you which will doubtless surprise you all very much -- but before I began I want your opinions on a photograph which I have here.'

The picture, that of a sweet-faced young woman, was shown, and all agreed that the person whom it represented must be lovely. Such a sweet expression, such lovely eyes, and so modest, such were the different opinions given. 'None of you see anything vicious or wicked in that face, do you?' asked the hostess. 'Oh, no' was the general answer. 'Well,' continued the hostess, 'that is a photograph of Lizzie Borden, whose supposed crime you have been canvassing. She gave it to me about six years ago

'Lizzie Borden is one of my best friends. I was born and brought up in the same town with her. I have known her intimately for twenty-five years and I tell you it is impossible that she could ever have committed the awful crime for which she is being tried for her life. I wish it were possible for me to tell you what an awful shock it was to me that morning I took up the paper and read that Lizzie Borden, my old schoolmate and friend, was suspected of having killed her father and mother.

'I cannot understand how such a mistaken impression regarding the character of Lizzie Borden has gotten possession of people. Instead of the coarse, stolid creature she is represented, she is a refined, cultured woman. Strong in character, loyal to her friends, kind-hearted and charitable, capable of great self-restraint and repression. It is not true that her father was mean and parsimonious. He was a typical New Englander, frugal in all his ways, and no different from the other men of the town.'"

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 3:23 am

Can't be in the *Casebook* or *Sourcebook*, as I'm positive I haven't read it before...& I've read both those books at least twice. Thanks for that Kat, very interesting. One thing I noted as a sign of the times -- "...capable of great self-restraint and repression" listed as vituous. To an *unhealthy* degree, I wonder??

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 3:02 pm

I've heard the story before, but never actually read the article. I can't even say for sure now where I read the story.But thank you Kat. It will make for some interesting research.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 9:38 pm

Thanks, Kat, I've read that somewhere before, but, don't recall where? Author perhaps? Goodbye, Lizzie Borden keeps coming to mind.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 12:30 am

In Rebello, Mrs. Holmes talks about Lizzie, pg. 8+:

"Lizzie Borden: Her School, and Later Life, Noble Woman Though Retiring," Boston Herald, August 7, 1892: 6.

"Mrs. Charles J. Holmes and unidentified friends of Lizzie's were interviewed by the Boston Herald. A partial listing of comments are listed below.

'As a child, she was of a very sensitive nature, inclined to be non-communicative with new acquaintances and this characteristic has tenaciously clung to her all through life, and has been erroneously interpreted. ...At the usual age, she was sent to the Morgan Street School, embracing primary and grammar grades. ...As a scholar, she was not remarkable for brilliancy, but she was conscientious in her studies and with application, always held a good rank. ...She entered high school about 15 or 16 years old. It was then held in a wooden building on the corner of June and Locust Streets, which was removed when the present mammoth structure [Bradford Matthew Chaloner Durfee High School was dedicated on June 15, 1887] was presented to the city.'

'Her life was uneventful during the few years following her leaving school. She abandoned her piano music lessons because, although making encouraging progress, she conceived the idea that she was not destined to become a good musician.'

'When a young girl, she accompanied her parents to Chicago and was there a member of the Sunday school class and punctual in attendance.'

'She was a girl who set up ideals and then tried hard to reach them. She was a girl who never danced in her life, and never attended parties where there was dancing. After her admission to the church, she even stopped attending theatrical performances.'

'She had an eye for the beautiful, and used to arrange the vestry for the orange teas and socials at the church and when complimented on her work would modestly disclaim credit ...'

'She was a great reader, and had a wonderful memory for books and writers by the hour. Lizzie read everything, Emerson and Carlyle, and all standard novels down to the popular stories of the day. Her father always had a good library.'"

--She did later go to a dance and we know she did eventually conceive a fondness for the theatre. After the murders, Lizzie gave herself permission to skip church and instead dine out and go to the theatre?