MASSACHUSETTS

Fall River

Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast

Who would suspect that this charming house in Fall River, Massachusetts was the site of a grizzly murder? In 1892, the entire country was talking about the murders once the news broke. Lizzie Border, charged with the murder of her stepmother and her father was born in July of 1860. Only the brave would stay at this bed and breakfast inn where they receive a breakfast similar to the one the Burdens’ ate before they died. Bandannas, Johnnycakes, sugar cookies and coffee made up the menu. This house of death stands, across the street from the bus station. The house offers guests a night of sleep in the murder rooms, the Andrew & Abbey Borden Suite, or in the John Morse room (where Lizzie's stepmother got whacked). The house is restored "to its original look at the time of the murders,"

Lizzy and her sister lost their mother in 1852 and her father, Andrew Borden was rich and only interested in making more money. He was worth $500,000 in gold but had no plumbing. He remarried a spinster, Abby Durfee Gray in 1865 when Lizzie was three years old and her sister, Emma was twelve years old.

Lizzy was a perfect child. She never dated and spent time in civic and charity work. She taught Sunday school at Central Congregational, an officer in the Christian Endeavor Society and member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Her sister Emma was a spinster, then forty-two years old and rarely left the house.

Both girls were at odds with their father and his new wife and usually about money. They referred to their stepmother as Mrs. Borden.

Abby was blitzed in the guest room making Uncle John's bed at approximately 9:00 A.M. Andrew was murdered about 2 hours later. They determined the couple died within one to two hours of each other.

At 11:15, Bridget, the family maid, heard Lizzie scream that someone had murdered her father. Lizzie sent Bridget for Alice Russell and Dr. Bowen. A neighbor, Mrs. Adelaide Churchill heard and responded to Lizzie's cries and asked about her stepmother. Lizzie told the neighbor that she was dead too. Bridget returned with Miss Russell and Dr. Bowen, who pronounced Andrew dead. After a brief search, Bridget and Mrs. Churchill found Abby's mutilated body upstairs. Dr. Bowen sent a telegram to Emma in Fairhaven. who returned home that evening.
Lizzie claimed she was in the barn with the tools and water pump when she returned to find her father dead. Witnesses who saw Lizzie after the murders testified there was no blood on her but a detective saw a foot-long stick in the flames. He found a hatchet head washed and rolled in furnace ash in the basement.
The authorities arrested Lizzie and tried her for both murders in June of 1893. Acquitted due to lack of evidence, Lizzie showed self-confidence and composure during the entire ordeal. Lizzie's attorney was George D. Robinson, a former Massachusetts Governor. The jury was sequestered for 15-days and took one hour to make a decision. Who could believe a good, wealthy Sunday Schoolteacher would kill her parents. Major newspapers, feminists groups such as "The Bloomer Girls," the Women's Christian Temperance Union and clergy jumped to her defense.
Lizzie inherited half of her father's estate and bought a mansion for herself and Emma in Fall River's best neighborhood. She was no longer welcome at Central Congregational. The citizens of her Fall River no longer accepted her. In 1913, Emma abruptly moved and never spoke to Lizzie again. She led a reclusive life but in 1904, when she was caught shoplifting.
Remaining single, Lizzie lived alone in her mansion, until she died of pneumonia in 1927. In New Hampshire, Emma read of her death in the news but did not respond. Ten days later, Emma died from a fall. Both left their assets to the Animal Rescue League.

Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast is found at 92 Second St., Fall River, MA Take I-195E to Exit 7, bear right. Take Rte. 81S, turn right at Walgreens (Rodman St.); turn right at first light (Second St.). Borden House is on the right after St. Mary's Cathedral

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