Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-06-21
Miss Borden Acquitted.

At New Bedford, Mass, yesterday
evening Miss Elizabeth A. Borden was
acquitted for the murder of her father,
Andrew 5. Borden, and stepmother,
Abbie Durfee Borden, August 4, 1892,
in Fall River, Mass.
The Justice concluded his charge to
the jury at 3:15.
The Jury filed into their seats at 4:30
aud was polled. Miss Borden was asked
to stand up. and the foeman was asked
to return the verdict. He announced,
"Not guilty"
After the verdict had been received
the District Attorney moved that the
cases against Miss Borden be not press
ed and the order of the court was TO
that effect.
Chief Justice Mason then gracefully
thanked the jurors in appreciation of
their work and faithful service.
The closing scenes in the trial were in
direct contrast with those which had
proceeded it. Heretofore, all had been
decorous and in keeping with the dig
nifty of the most digniiied court in the
country. But when the verdict of mot
guilty" was returned, cheer went up
which might have been heard half a
mile away through the open windows,
and there was no attempt to check it.
Her friends never doubted her inno-
cence. Public opinion has been in her
favor from the first, and everybody
seemed satisfied. The stately judges
looked straight at the bare walls.
Sheriff Wright was powerless to WELD
the gavel which Its ready for his use,
and not once during the tremendous
excitement, which lasted fully min
ute, did he make the slightest sign of
having heard it, He never saw the
people rising in their seats and waving
their handkerchiefs in unison with
their voices, because his eyes were full
of tears and were completely blinded
for the time. Miss Borden's head went
down on the rail in front of her, and
tears came where they had refused to
come for many long day, as she heard
the sweetest words that ever poured in
to her willing ears, the words ''not
guilty." Mr.. Jennings was almost cry
ing. and his voice broke as he put his
hand out to Mr. Adams, who sat next
to him, and said "Thank God, while
Mr.. Adams returned the pressure of the
hand and seemed incapable of speech.
Governor Robinson turned to the rapid
ly,dissolving jury as they fled out of
their seats, and cleaned on them with
fatherly interest in his kindly eyes,
and stood up as Mr.. Knowlton and MIR.
Moody came over to shake hands with
the counsel for the defense. AS soon
as possible the room was cleared.
When the spectators had finally gone
Miss Borden was taken to the room of
the justices and allowed to recover her
composure, with only the eyes of
friends upon her and the caresses ofde-
voted admirers. At the expiration of an
hour she was placed in a carriage and
driven to the station, where she took q
train for Fall Riyer-her home no long
er. probably, but still the only objec-
tive point for the immediate present.
The house is now inhabited by Emma
and woman who acts as housekeeper.
1t is believed that the girls will not
make it their permanent home, but will
very soon move inso some other house
in better part of the city. Emma is
the Administrative of the estate, and
the girls are worth couple of hundred
thousand dollars apiece.
Lizzie Borden returned with her
sister this morning to her home in Fall
River. A domestic in the family house
is reported to have said that the two
girls broke down completely when
they had entered their old home.