The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-08-15
THINK SHE WAS INSANE.


Theory of Government Officers in Lizzie
Borden's Case.
FALL RIVER, Mass, Aug. 15.-The Bor-
den murders and the arrest of Lizzie Bor-
den are still the great topic of discussion.
Neither Medical Examiner Dolan or City
Marshal Hilliard have heard anything
from Prof Wood, who is analyzing the
stomachs of the victims and comparing
the spots of blood on the axe and carpet
They say if there is any truth in the re-
ports that Wood has discovered that 5he
blood upon the axe and carpets is the
same, it is very strange he has not heard
1t officially.
The police to-day have been engaged in
chasing down suspect and testing state
ments made in many letters sent to the
Marshal. 1t is Lizzie Borden's side of the
story that is now attracting the attention
of the police. Officers Harrington and
Dougherty have searched Rhode Island
unsuccessfully for the man who drove the
suspect to Newport
1t is an open secret in police circles that
the government officers believe that Miss
Borden was insane at the time of
time of the murders, If she committed
them. Some evidence relating to the pri-
vate life of Miss Borden, now in the hands
of the police, bears directly on this side
of the case and strengthens the opinion
of the high police authorities who have
said that Miss Borden was not conscious
of her deeds, if she was implicated.
Reports from the Jail are to the effect
that Miss Borden is almost Frustrated,
her nerves are shattered and she is COM
pletely broken down from the terrible
strain on her mind. She has all along
fully realized her position, and her re-
markable determination served her well
for the time but now that she is openly
accused of the awful crime the strain has
proved too much for her.
The tide of public sympathy is turning
strongly now in favor of Miss Borden.
| The story about the revengeful sailors
changed the opinion of hundreds who be-
| lieved Lizzie Borden guilty of the crime
| of killing her father and stepmother and,
although the story has been pretty thor
/ oughly exploded, she still has the sympa-
thy and confidence of many. Already
there is a strong feeling beginning to de-
/ velop itself against those who sought to
/ weave the web Of guilt about the young
woman.
/ The crime and the circumstances fol-
lowing stand unparalleled in the history
of crime in America. 1t was murder in
cold blood, planned with nicely Of ar
rangement and consummated with
unfaitering nerve, ferocious in design, in
human In every detail of its accomplish
ment. This, it is alleged, was done by
woman, mature in years, serious in tenn
permanent, treligious and dutiful in daily
life. The mystery is yet only partially
solved. 1t still presents grave doubts
and contradictions. The discrepancy be-
tween the chm paaaar of the erina and tha
character of Il accused-between the
motive neocessaiY and the motive estab-
lished-is notable. The basis of the
charge against Lizzie Borden is essential
ly of a negative character. If she didn't
do it, who didl they ask. Who else could
have done iti The corroborative evidence,
the direct testimony against her, is dis
connected and far from conclusive. 1t is
not impossible, if improbable, that
further developments will weaken instead
of strengthen the charge against her.