The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-09-29
The BORDEN ROBBERY.
Fall River Police Claim to Know Who
Committed 1t.
FACTS FOR LIzzIE's TRIAL
Now Evidence About the Burglary In
June. 1891. That Are Expected to Have
m Important Bearing on the Trial Of
Miss borden I'm November

FALL RIVER, Sept. 29-New light that
will, no doubt, have an important bear
ing on the trial of Lizzie Borden has been
thrown upon the robbery OF the murdered
Mr.. and Mrs. Andrew j. Borden, which
occurred on June "a, 1891. 1t will be re-
membered that the facts OF this robbery
had been kept secret and were not
brought to the public notice until after
the mysterious murder of the old couple.
The police, after long investigation of
the matter, were perfectly satisfied that
but this never occurred, because, 1t is
stated. Mr.. Borden declined to press the
charge.
Mr.. Borden reported the robbery on the
afternoon OF the date mentioned, lie said
his own room over the kitchen had been
entered and n desk used for his private
papers broken open. From this desk bad
been taken $50 in bills, $50 In gold coin, a
number of horse car tickets for use by di-
rectors OF the company, ladys gold
watch, a lady's gold watch chain with
tassel charm, a lady's pocketbook made
OF Russian leather and some trinkess OF
more or less value. All the articles ex-
cent the money and tickets belonged to
Mrs. Borden, and in the stolen pocket
book was lock of hair which the old
lady dearly priced. The private papers
OF Mr.. Borden were scattered about inside
the desk, and some of them appeared to
have been the subject Of scrutiny by the
thief.
Captain (then Inspector) Desmond and
Inspector Perron were put on the case:
They found that none OF the members OF
the family had been away from the house
during the day. All the doors, rs far as
they knew, were locked the night before,
II "a IN ic1a ia I'm
The burglary was committed some time
in the forenoon. The first clue the in
spectors found was in door at the head
OF the stairs which opens into Mr.. Bor-
den's room.
A tenpenny nail was found sticking
from the keyhole., The head OF the nail
was on the outside of the door. 1t was
first thought that the lock had been
picked. but minute examination showed
that IL had not been tampered with at
all. A thorough search of the premises
Jailed to reveal any traces Of the burglar.
The officers reported what they had
)eirned to Mr. Borden, and later had a
talk with Mrs. Borden. Lizzie Borden.
Emma Borden aud Bridget Sullivan. The
detective Swallowed crooks, and other Off
GERS rode on the horse cars To find, If pos
sible, someone using the stolen tickets.
Conductors had seen none or the paste
boards; neither did the officers find trace
Va ahJs xNOuC Va tuC otoiCh property Woo
ever recovered, although pawnshops and
other places where professional burglar
would try to palm Oft his ill-gotten goods
were searched.
Finally the Inspectors sent for Mr.. Bor-
den ana told him that they could arrest
the taief at any time. They told Mr.. Bor-
den something which astounded him, and
the case was dropped very quietly at the
old gentleman's request. lie told the
police authorities that he. did not care
about the money or the watch, but he
wanted the chain and lock of hair, be-
cause Mrs. Borden priced them beyond
all worth. The detectives had worked
very secretly in the matter. Newspaper
men were kept in the dark about the
whole affair until the exciting hours fol-
lowing the discovery of the murdered old
couple. Then the fact that a mysterious
robbery had occurred was developed, but
the police were loath to give any inform
alton To tue reporters.
Some OF Mrs. Borden's friends, who be-
came possessed oil some facts regarding
the tneft, made statements which were
worked on by the newspaper men. Chief
Hiliiard was seen in his Office. He showed
a great deal of surprise and when uues-
toned about the matter said: Pm not
ready to 20 into that matter yet. l must
find IL any one has been giving informa-
tion from this department. Some Of your
statements are true, some are not No,
sir; will not talk about the matter"