Lizzy Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty-one.
How's that for a little rhyme? In just a few short days, it will be the anniversary of the gruesome murders that inspired the passage above.
On August 4, 1892, Andrew Jackson Borden and his wife, Abby, were murdered in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. The rhyme above is a little off. Andrew suffered 11 whacks to the head while he slept on the sofa. Abby was dealt 19 blows while she was cleaning an upstairs room.
The number one suspect in their murders was their daughter, Lizzy. For the time, it was the trial of the century. I mean come on...how could a woman murder anyone like that? Yep, that was what a lot of people said. Anyway, after a long, hard trial, Lizzy was released from police custody. If you haven't heard the story, I highly encourage you to do a little research. It's a very interesting piece of historical information!
The house that Lizzy Borden grew up (and possibly committed these heinous murders) in is now a bed and breakfast. The business also gives ghost tours. I've taken the tour twice. The first time, I went with my husband, the second with a friend. On my first visit, there was a large crowd and not much ghostly activity was experienced.
The second visit was different. My friend and I were the only ones taking the tour that day. We heard a voice in the house and my friend's camera stopped working. The camera began working again after leaving the house. AND THE CAMERA WAS A FILM CAMERA!!!
How's that for a ghost story? Have you been to the Lizzy Borden house? Did you have any experiences?
I remember seeing the tv movie about Lizzy Borden with Elizabeth Montgomery, I'm pretty sure it scarred me for life.
ReplyDeleteI've always said OJ is the Lizzy Borden of our time. How soon before they give ghost tours at that murder house in Hollywood? Or do they already?
I haven't seen the movie, I should look it up on Netflix....But yes, the Lizzy Borden case was a lot like the OJ Simpson case. A lot of people think that if forensic evidence in Lizzy's time was anything like it is today, she would def have been convicted. I think the mere burning of her dress would have been enough to do the job today!
DeleteThe movie was good. And creepy. As I recall. Apparently her folks were no picnic.
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m17HMKwEQyI
I don't want to say anything untrue, I'm not an expert on the topic, but I can say a few things with regards to Lizzy's parents. Abby Borden was Lizzy's step-mother. The two women never got along. Andrew Borden was a very wealthy man but lived very frugally...as in they didn't have electricity and ate stale/half rotting food...when they could have been living the high life. It was a source of many arguments between Lizzy and her father. There is also speculation (it will never be proved, of course) that Andrew was sexually abusing his two daughters. So yes Mardra, Lizzy's parents were no walk in the park!
DeleteVery cool! I only know this story by the rhyme, but I love that they turned the house into a B & B.
ReplyDeleteThe house itself feels very creepy to me. Just an overall sense of something else...not sure how else to describe it. And as soon as you step through the door, you're plunged into another era.
ReplyDeleteI was totally fascinated with her story. Brings back memories. I had a friend named Lizzie...she knew the rhyme and had all kinds of info about Lizzy Borden and had us all captivated. At that time of my life I would stayed at the B&B in a heartbeat had there been a chance. Nowadays, probably not! I'd tour it though. You can actually do a group rental of the whole house or a floor. Chills!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would still stay there in a heartbeat if I could!
DeleteLove the history of Lizzy Borden. Have never been to the home and you have reminded me of what I failed to go see while I was recently living in New England. Next time... it's Lizzy and I face to face. Or face to ectoplasm... either way, good times!
ReplyDeleteGlad I could remind you! New England is so rich in its history, it's hard to remember what's left to see. I know my hubby and I didn't see nearly as much as we would have liked while we were there.
Delete