St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-08-13
The Alleged Slayer of Her
Father and Mother Is
Arraigned.
Miss Borden Personally Pleads
"Not Guilty" to the Charge
Of Murder.
An Acrimonious Row Between
Counsel Over the Sitting
Justice.
The Young Woman Finally
Remanded to Jail With
out Bail.


district court before Judge J. c. Blais-
Cell this morning, charged with the
killing of her father and Stepmother.
The court room was crowded to sutfoca-
ton. Miss Borden's friends at court
were very few in number Mfr. Morse,
Bridget Sullivan, Miss Emma Borden
and City Missionary Buck were present.
Miss Borden, the prisoner, was repre-
scented by Andrew j. Jennings. Miss
Borden was dressed in dark blue
tabernacle gown and wore black
lace hat adorned with a few red
berries. She looked in much bet
ter condition than she was in
last night Just before her arrest.
Miss Borden entered the court room
leaning on Missionary Bucks arm. She
was somewhat nervous, but did not
show feeling by either tears or tremb-
ling. She was given seat beside her
counsel and her sister Emma, and Rev.
A. +. Buck occupied seat in front of
the prisoners dock.
The Trial
was commenced by the entering of
plea signed and sworn to by the pris-
oner. 1t reeited that the prisoner OBJ.
Jected to the opening of trial before
Justice who was already sitting at an
inquest held to determine who CON-
united the crime charged against her.
ms plea was overruled for the
time being, and the judge asked
for the reading of the COM
plant. The reading was waived, and
Mr.. Jennings said he would enter
plea OF not guilty. District Attorney
hnoWltOn, who was conducting the
prosecution, insisted that Miss Borden
plead herself. Augustus B. Leonard,
clerk OF the court, asked her to stand
up. which she did firmly and without
assistance. She was asked to plead to
charges of homicide, and did so in
very weak voice, at first saying Not
guilty" The clerk did not hear her
and she raised her voice, saying Not
guilty." putting strong emphasis on the
first word. Mr.. Jennings then began to
argue for the acceptance of his plea
that his client should not be examined
at an inquest. The proceedings were
Contrary to All Law
and justice. He. as attorney for Lizzie
Borden. had been refused permission to
enter and guide his client while an in-
quIry was being made. 1t was not to be
expected of human nature that the same
Judge could act at an inquest and a trial
and decide fairly in both cases. The
proceeding was wholly unprecedented.
District Attorney Knowlton entered
demurrer against the plea. He said he
knew OF more than twenty cases i'm his
career where similar proceedings were
gone through with, and they failed to
attract attention because the crimes
were not attended by such extraordi-
nary circumstances as those which pre-
coded this arraignment. The matters of
an inquest and the matters of trial were
entirely distinct. and it was not compli-
mentary to his honor's judgment to say
that he could not act fairly in both
cases. There was bot sparrlng, the
prisoners counsel displaying pugna-
cIous powers. The governments de-
murrer was finally sustained, and Mr..
Jennings filed an exception. He moved
for trial at once. District Attorney
Knowlton objected on the ground that
an inquest was still going on. He
Asked for a Continuance
until Monday, Aug. %, and it was grant
ed. Mr.. Morse and Bridget Sullivan
were then held as witnesses in the sum
of $500 each. Miss Borden was asked
to stand up, and was committed with
out bail. She left the court room lean
ing on Mr.. Bucks arm, and was closely
followed by City Marshal billiard, who
again placed her in charge of Matron
Russell. She will probably remain in
charge of the local matron until week
from Monday. At that time it is ex-
pected that preliminary trial will be
commenced before Judge BIaisdelI.
The Borden safe was opened this morn
ing after a Boston locksmith had been
at work at it about eight hours. The
contents will not be given for publica-
ton. They consist of large amount of
cash and some few papers. They were
bundled and tied with a strong cord,
and, after Attorney Jennings and Off
Ger harrington had affixed their sigma
lures On the outside, the bundle was
taken to the Safe Deposit and Trust
company and deposited. The guard has
been taken from the neighborhood of
the house, with the exception of one
officer, and John V. Morse is again at
liberty. If Miss Borden is able to be
removed she will be taken to Taunton
jail.
A Peculiar Hatchet.
This afternoon and evening there
were the strongest rumors that the
police have procured the Ratchet with
which the crime was committed. The
police are In possession of a peculiar
Ratchet, and the rumor that this par
tlcuiar Ratchet was used is greatly
strengthened by the strong wording of
City Marshal billiards complaint pub-
Ilshed today. No Ratchet like the one
in custody can be found in the local
hardware stores. Its greatest pecuI-
iarity is claw on the side of the
head nearest the handle. The han
die is about two and half feet long
ND ba for of
and a half by four inches. 1t is said
that the head of the Ratchet fits into the
murderous wounds in Mrs. Borden's
head. The blade of the implement IS
represented as being very thin and
very sharp, measuring about five and a
half inches at the widest part. 1t is
what is known among farmers as an
Old-fashiOned thrashwood Ratchet. ex-
cest for the strange claw. A hardware
man says that such hatchets are proba-
ply used in laying heavy planking
where spikes are driven, the claw being
used in
Pulling Out Spikes.
When the police authorities were
asked if such Ratchet was in their
custody, they would neither admit nor
deny if. The matter, with all other evil
dence, is now in control of District At
Ratchet with a bloody deed of some
kind is almost beyond doubt, as spots of
blood have been found OH the blade and
handle. Certain cloths 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. Tonight Marshal billiard said |
that there was a great deal vet
to be proven before the crime could be
finally fastened upon Miss Borden.
Much had been learned. but for all that |
he could see the trial would be long and |
tedious. Medical Examiner Dolan saws |
that a great deal will depend on the
accuracy of the medical examination of |
the body and the analysis of the parts |
sent to Boston. Tonight affairs are |
more quiet in police circles than for
many days. There is the report of au |
unsuccessful search made in the Chace |
mi