Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-08-06
WHO WAS IT?
The Borden Murder at Fall
River Not Yet Solved
Though Il Is Thought That Murderer
Belonged to Family.


FAIL RIVER, Mass. Aug. 5.-fonight
the mystery surrounding the Borden mar
ders came very close to a solution. Cr'ess
all signs fail there will he arrests tomorrow
The story of the attempt of Miss Lizzie
Borden TO purchase poison has been verified
by the highest authorities
There now seems no doubt that some one
in the family was anxious TO have the father
and mother ont of the way. The demeanor
of Miss Lizzie through the trying ordeal
OF being confronted with the man who SAYS
she asked about poison was half contempt
and seorn. Her conduct, as observed by
the police, since the affair happened, has
been strange and inasmuch AS she stood the
pointed questioning of all who interviewed
her, with n show of no other feeling than u
disinterested party.
1t is generally known among the close
friends of the family that Lizzie had no,
been upon the best of terms with the other
members of the household Ii is alleged
that she for SOME time previously did not
sit AT the same table with the other folks
but had her meals served on a separate
table.
The feeling of GOODNESS between the
members of the family is not accounted for
by either the police or ndighbors, The
murder hal hardly been discovered before
she told ncighbor that she was very sorry
rs she had arranged TO go to Marion on n
vacation.
Tonight il was learned that Miss Lizzie
had inquired at the drug store for hydrocy-
anic acid in diluted form, saving that she
wished to use it on furs.
Medical Examiner Dolan stated that the
acid would be of little use for such purpose
as it has no antiseptic qualities, but Is an
exceedingly injurious acid TO the human
system.
There is not the slightest doubt that Miss
Lizzie inquired for the deadly acid at
Smiths drug store, but whether for herself
or another person remains to be proven.
The police are acting slowly and care
fully in the affai-. giving way, no doubt, to
the feeling of sentiment, because of the
high social standing of the parties involved.
The strictest kind of guard is being KEEP,
on the house and all the inmates.
John Morse went out four times today on
various errands, and each time was followed
closely by detective patrolmen. Tonight
in company with the servant girl, he walked
TO the postoflice, but before reaching there
they were surrounded by "A crowd of 200O
or more.
Five policemen kept the crowds back
while the parties were returning to the Bor-
den homestead. The excitement is greater
tonight. if ANYTHING, than last night.
4 crowd of coo people is standing in front
of the house, but the police do not allow
stragglers to hang over the fence or loiter
on the sidewalks.
From all indications it would seem as il
the funeral services tomorrow would have
an official flavor. During the day the
clothes worn by the deceased persons were
buried near the house. Miss Lizzie kept
her room all day, and has been inaccessible
to all callers.
la public circles tonight it is being talked
that the two murders occurred after the
victims were rendered unconscious BY drugs
If this surmisc proves true then it will BE-
readily understood how extraordinary that
the tragedy should he enacted here on the
principal street without attracting public
attention.