The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-13
A PLEA OF mot GUILTY"
Made by Lizzie borden mt the Preiimi-
nary Hearing.

Made by Lizzie borden mt the Prelimi-
nary Hearing.
FALL RIVER, Mass, Aug. 13.-Lizzie A.
Borden was arraigned In the Second dis
trict court before Judge j. G. Blaisdell
yesterday on charges OF homicide
arising from the killing of her father and
step-mother.
cation by a motley crowd Of curious peo-
Pile in no way directly interested, and
Miss Borden's friends at court were very
few In number. Mr.. Morse, Bridget Sui
livan, Miss Emma Borden and City Mis-
sionary Buck were present.
When asked to plead to the charge OF
murder Miss Borden answered In a faint
voice, "Not guilty" The clerk did not
hear her and again she replied In more
firm voice, "Not guilty." with considera-
BILE emphasis on the erst word. The case
was then continued till Monday, Aug. 22.
Mr.. Morse and Bridget Sullivan were
then held as witnesses In the sums of $500
each. Miss Borden was committed WITH
out bail. She left the court room leaning
on Mr.. Bucks arm and was closely fol-
lowed by City Marshal Hiliiard who
again placed her in charge OF Matron
Russell.
Yesterday afterpoon and evening there
wore strong rumors that the police
have produced the hatchet with which
the crime was committed. The police
are In possession OF . peculiar hatchet,
and the rumor that this particular hatch
ct was used, is greatly strengthened by
the strong wording OF City Marshal Hill
liard's complaint.
No hatchet like the one In custody can
be found In the local hardware stores.
Its greatest peculiarity 10 q claw on the
side of the head nearest the handle. The
handle is about 2 feet long and the top
OF the head is abont ~ by inches. II
Is said that the head OF the hatchet fits
into the murdererous wounds in Mrs.
Borden's head. The blade OF the instru-
ment Is represented as being very thin and
very sharp, measuring about 5h' inches
in the widest part. 1t is what is known
among farmers as an old fas h Toned thrash
hatchet, except for the strange claw. A
hardware man says that such hatchets
ing where spikes are driven, the claw be-
ing used In pulling out spikes. When
the police aut thorities were asked IL such
q Ratchet was in their possession, they
would neither admit nor deny 1t.
The matter, with all other evidence, is
now in control of District Attorney
Knowlton. The connection OF the hatch
ct with bloody deed OF some kind, Is
almost beyond doubt, as spots OF blood
have been found on the blade and han
die. Certain clothes covered with blood,
found In the cellar where the Ratchet was
found, are said to have an important
bearing on this part Of the case.
Marshal Hilliard said there was q great
deal yet to be proven before the crime
could be finally fastened upon Miss Bor-
cen. Much had been learned, but for all
that he could see, the trial would be long
and tedious. Medical Examiner Dolan
says that great deal will depend on the
accuracy OF the medical examination of
the body and the analysis OF the parts
sent to Boston.
Affairs arc more quiet in police circles
than for many hours. There is the re-
port of an unsuccessful search made In
the Chace mill woods ponds, which ac-
cording to the statement of man named
Ward, contained evidence of the crime.
Officers Doherty and Harrington found
nothing suspicious there