Whatever happened to Eli?

RonRico · Post by **RonRico** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 9:09 am

Does anyone know what ever became of Eli Bence after the murders? I grew up near a Bence family in New Haven, CT. Tom Bence had horses and I worked for him as a boy just to be able to ride for free. (One of his horses, Gypsy, could actually do simple arithmetic with his hoof, but I digress.) Tom was born in 1899 so it would be about right timewise for him to be a son or nephew of Eli or one of his siblings.

I looked Eli up on a genealogy site and did find him and his family but not his offspring if any existed. His parents came to Fall River from England it seems and he had sisters and brothers.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 9:40 am

From Rebello, page 80:

"Eli Bence was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, January 18, 1865. ... He worked for several drug stores in Fall River, one of which was D. R. Smith's. He was employed there from 1890 to 1895. ... Eli left Fall River in 1894 to work in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He remained there until 1902. In 1903, he moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Two years later, he became the owner of his first drug store. ... Eli Bence was married twice. His first wife was Sarah J. Mayhurst of Fall River. He married his second wife, Annie Maxfield of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, on April 10, 1904.
Mr. Bence died in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on May 5, 1915. He was stricken while motoring with his wife. He was survived by his wife and two sons, Roy S. and Maxfield Bence of Pittsfield, two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Goff and Mrs. Minnie Dutton, and a brother, William Bence, all of Fall River. Mr. Bence was buried in Fairhaven, Massachusetts."

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 10:08 am

Just to add one detail to what Harry posted, Eli Bence is buried with the Maxfield family in the northern part of Riverside Cemetery here in Fairhaven.

Several times a year historical walking tours are presented in Riverside and Bence's gravesite is pointed out.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 2:52 pm

Thanks for the info you two! Was very helpful. I have often wondered what became of some of the names that we heard so much of during the trial, but then seemed to fade into the background.I always wondered what would have happened if Bence had been allowed to testify.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:43 pm

I think Bence's testimony at the preliminary hearing went a ways towards getting a "Probably Guilty" verdict.
Remember, at that time, there was no burning dress.

However, if one reads the opening statements at the trial, there is poison *testimony* in there. I can't figure the weight it would have had if the jury had been allowed to deliberate on his testimony...

Thanks, Har! That's good stuff. Very helpful!

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 2:19 am

Well I knew that he testified at the inquest and at the preliminary hearing, and that it played a part in proving Lizzie "probably guilty". But, I think if he had been allowed to testify at the trial it might have shown intent.What did Lizzie intend to do with prussic acid? That seal-skin cape story was a bunch of hokum. The poison story was mentioned in the opening statements.But Bence was not allowed to testify,because his testimony was deemed irrelevant.Which probably lead the jurors to believe it was either that, or that he was mistaken all together. But there were other people in the store at the time who knew Lizzie.It was not just Bence who witnessed this attempt at buying poison.In my opinion if it went a good way towards proving that she was "probably guilty", it might have gone a long way at proving she was guilty.She was refused poison, the so called woman's murder weapon, in front of witnesses in a drug store in the town where she lived.Maybe she figured that it would be brought up that she had tried to buy poison. Could this be why she picked the axe, a more manly murder weapon? To throw suspicion away from her?

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 4:49 am

Yes I'm in agreement that Bence at the prelim was a strong point against Lizzie- however, of the two men with him, one only knew her by sight on the street he thought- and the other knew her not at all.

Inquest
Kilroy
163 (70)
Q. Do you know Miss Lizzie A. Borden?
A. I have seen her. I know her by sight.
Q. Have you seen her since the tragedy?
A. No Sir.
Q. How long had you known her by sight?
A. Perhaps a year.
Q. Had you ever seen her in the store?
A. No, I saw her on the street.
Q. So you could identify her?
A. Yes Sir.

It would be interesting to know what stock the grand jury put in his identification, since their indictments led to this trial.

Personally, I have had trouble reconciling 2 weapons, poison and a hatchet. Two MO's. I may be in a minority, but I've not been convinced yet of Bence's story, though there is a possibility Lizzie could have snuck out of the house that Wednesday. However, Abby told Morse and Mrs. Dr. Dolan that Lizzie was home all day. Her alibi for the *poison incident* was the dead stepmother! But Bridget only saw Lizzie at meals, and not between...

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 5:29 am

The trouble reconciling the two weapons would be a point I was trying to make.Maybe Lizzie counted on that.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 6:05 am

I think it would be interesting to know what stock they put in it as well.
Its a shame we will never know some things. I would be inclined to believe he knew pretty much who she was, even if he did not know her name.It would be nice if he would've been a little clearer on the point of how often he saw her.But I put a lot of stock in identification by sight. Some crime victims can only identify their attackers by sight in a line up or to assist in making a composit sketch, I dont think it makes their identification any less credible.You really do excellent research Kat

It is so nice to be able to talk to others who know about the case.Before all I got were blank stares or some really bad axe jokes whenever I raised the subject

It's a wonderful change to talk to others who know the facts and keep me thinking

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 3:21 pm

Yes, exactly! Keeping thinking..that's why I can't ever settle on who did it.

It's nice to discuss the case with you too!

I suppose I should take into account Lizzie's words of Wednesday night to Alice, but taking into account those same words also seem so lame that Lizzie would attempt to buy prussic acid Wednesday in her own *neighborhood* and Wednesday night spill it out to Alice that they had been sick and someone may have put something in the milk.
Then to look at that same lame Lizzie story and counteract it with the possibility that Lizzie was clever enough to switch to a *man's weapon* to throw off suspicion is a contradiction it is hard for me to figure out.
It is just possible that Lizzie was out Wednesday, as I mentioned, because it is a suspicious day all 'round! We hear that Lizzie doesn't eat with the family but this day she was down for all the meals! What's with that? Trying to create an alibi for a bit of shopping?

I read lately that a very small amount of prussic acid in water was considered a medicine at the time.

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 4:18 pm

If she had perhaps only intended to kill Abby with poison (and later had to kill Andrew b/c it was obvious Abby was murdered) then she may have come to the table to ensure the proper person ate the proper thing....

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 6:42 pm

It's a tricky thing, poison, from what I understand. It's hard to target one person in a household unless one hands them the doctored food or drink personally- which brings attention onto one.
Uncle John came that day also. Lizzie didn't seem to want to run into him, so I can picture her making her appearance at dinner (noon) and then getting back up to her room in time to miss him- tho she says she heard him downstairs later.

I suppose with one less person in the household (Emma missing) then it might be more convenient to try to poison just one person, but then one person is added to the household: Morse. I think since both elder Bordens were sick Tuesday night if they were being poisoned, someone was no beingt too careful.

I also think that if the elder Bordens suspected the food, they would not have offered Morse a late dinner, which he ate.