The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-05
A Big REWARD.
$4,000 Offered For the Mur-
derer's Capture
TWELVE DEATH CUTS
Found on the Face and Skull Of
Andrew J. Borden.
HIS WIFE FRIGHTFULLY GASHED.
Suspicion Rests ON Members Of the Fam
fly- -Brother-in-Law Morse, IL is Said,
IL Being shadowed-There is No Evil
dencs Of . Struggle.
ESPECIAL TO THE NEWS,

lkfECfAL IO Newell
FALL RIVER. Mass, Aug. "a reward
of g, 900 has been offered for the appre-
hension Of the murderer of Mr.. and Mrs.
A. j. Borden.
FALL RIVER, Mass, Aug. 6.--Andrew J..
Borden and his wife were found dead at
their home, 92 Second street, at II o'clock
yesterday morning. Both had been
frightfully mutilated about the head and
face with an axe, cleaver or . razor. Mr..
Borden lay on q sofa in q room on the
foor Of the house. His head had been
cut and gashes from four to six inches
long were found on his face and neck.
Mrs. Borden was In her own chamber
on the upper floor, and the condition of
her husband. The police were notified
and Immediately began an Investigation.
Mr.. Borden was Q wealthy real estate
owner and mill man, aud was seen on the
street half an hour before he was found
dead.
Medical Examiner Dolan, assisted by
other physicians. held an autopsy on the
Mr.. Borden sustained twelve cuts on the
face and skull, varying in length four to
eight inches, also suffered fracture OF
the skull, two by four inches and three
inches deep. His wife's head and face
were battered all out OF shape.
There was no doubt In the minds OF the
physicians that the victims met death at
the hands Of murderer. The stomachs
OF both were removed and placed In al
cohol, to be sent to Boston for analysis,
with view of determining whether or
not milk poisoning was attempted.
Police suspicious rest on persons who
were in the family circle, particularly on
Jnhu w Mnrea hpct N Il 0f Mr.
Borden by his first marriage; also on the
daughter Lizzie, who first discovered the
body Of her father. John w. Morse is 66
years OF age and came here from Hast
inRs, Iowa, two years ago. He becams
very intimate with Mr.. Borden and the
tion of his time with them. He came
from New Bedford at noon "Wednesday
and spent the night at the Borden home
stead. He left there yesterday morning
1t 3 O'Clock, and was next seen on tho
premises about 20 minutes after the
bodies were discovered.
After the most careful searching 1t has
been decided that neither of the victims
engaged In Q struggle, both being struck
down instantly and hacked to pieces
afterward. The police say the only mo-
tive for murder was gain, else one Of the
victims would have bsen spared.
The fact that 80 little ado was made by
and 80 little attempt was made at first to
discover the possible murderer, Is
strengthening the police In the opinions
they now hold. At one time the police
threatened to place Morse in custody,
but 1t has been decided to keep him un-
der CLOSE surveillance until further de-
velopments. The murder has caused
the greatest sensation known hero since
the Granite Mill fire.
The theory most generally accepted Is
% follows: IL 10 supposed that the mur-
derer was concealed about the house
when Mr.. Borden came in and no one
saw him enter. A soon as 1t became
quiet he is thought to have gone up stairs
with the intention OF numbering Mr..
Borden. Before he could accomplish his
purpose, Mrs. Borden's attention was
probably attracted. In view Of the fact
that Mrs. Borden made no outcry, 1t is
thought that she must have been killed
6rst and instantly. The murderer pro-
badly followed her ipto a spare room and
struck her from behind.
Everything was in perfect order in the
room and IL gives rise to the belief that
she was not aware that she was being fol-
lowed. After being sure Of his work the
murderer probably went down stairs,
where Mr.. Borden had fallen asleep on
the sofa, and there dealt him the awful
blows that ended his life.