El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-08-11
THE BORDEN MYSTERY.
After Seven Years 1t Still Remains
UnSOlVed.

After Seven Years 1t Still Remains
Unsolved.
Next Friday will be the seventh an
niversary of the murder of Mr.. and
Mrs. Andrew j. Borden. 1t will be re-
called that this aged couple were kill
ed by an assassin with an axe in the
forenoon of day when travel was at
its height, when they were in their
home in Second street, but two blocks
away from the city hall, when their
daughter, Lizzie, and servant girl,
Bridget Sullivan were the only people
about the premises.
It will be recalled that the daughter
was accused and imprisoned, that che
stood trial and was acquitted, and that
the whole case ia still wrapped in mys-
terry.
Lizzie A. and Emma, the daughters
of the thrifty old man of seventy years.
and the sole heirs to half million OF
dollars, live together in the aristocratic
section of the city. Two miles OF city
buildings separate them from the old
homestead on Second street, now occu-
pied as two-family house. They sell
dom see it, and never when they can
avoid it.
AT the time of the trial it was urged
as a motive for the crime by the police
that the prisoner desired to enter
social life, which was denied her be-
cause of her fathers penurlousness
and her stepmother's influence over
him. The money that has come to her
by death has certainly not aided her
in attaining her desire, ii that has
been her desire at any time. Were 1t
not for the presence of those friends
who held to her during the trial and
who still cling to her, her life would
be cherries, for social hate has enter
ed into 1t.
The new home she purchased on
French street had been occupied by
family who frightened it in every con-
cetveble way. Since the Bordens
moved in heavy iron bars have been
placed on all the cellar windows. the
blinds are rarely opened and heavy
vines have been trained to obscure the
piazzas from all passers by. The only
servants employed are single work
girl and man of all work. He drives
the family carriage.
Shortly after the Misses Borden went
to live in their new home they made
successful overtures for the removal OF
| a tenement house that adjotned their
property too closely. The lot OF which
| it stood is vacant but its surface 10 car
peted in green, and it is bounded by a
stone wall that runs around the north
sides of the property.
lv opposite the house which offered
chance for close observers. 1t was
bought by representatives of the two
girls, and they now have its lawn
carefully kept, despite the fact that
| it is across the street and protects no
view.
Lizzie Borden travels frequently,
but does not remain away any great
length of time. She does not sign her
own name on the hotel registers.
Emma, on the contrary, seldom goes
out of the state. The two girls fire.
ouently 60 out in their carriage to-
gether. They ride frequently along
the country drives or over to their
farm in Swansea.
Sometimes they go shopping TO-
pether, but as rule that is done out
of town where attention and possible
rebuffs are avoided. They both have
frequent consultations with their law
per- Andrew J. Jennings, who stood by
them so we'll, and their agent. Mr..
Cook, who looks after all their prop
erty and who has all the direct deal
in s with the numerous tenants.
They have never been known to go
to church in the past six years. They
take no part in church matters, and
many of the church people have cut
them forever.
Lizzie recently began to take music
lessons. 1t is also said that she takes
lessons in painting. Her hobby ap-
pears to be street pianos and hurdy-
gurdies. These instruments are wheel
ed up to her door night after night and
the neighbor remark that dollar is
the reward that is paid for a long
grinding. A woman with an accordion
or a tambourine is quite as acceptable
as the lively piano civilizations of
| sway Down in Georgia."
The only pet on the premises is q
black cat. It was sent from New York
by a fancier, and has grown from kit
ten hood to be lord of Miss Borden's
| back wall. She fondles and pets it,
and it follows her about the yard like
dog.
| Much of the women's money is being
spent in charitable way, but they
strictly epioin anyone from remarking
in public concerning it. They have
contributed freely to local hospitals, to
other kindred institutions. to the sup
port OF families they knew in their
younger days. to the children of the
poor, when application is made to them.
In this respect Lizzie's generosity has
been remarkable.
| The rewards that were offered for the
apprehensio of the murderer still hold
good provided some one turns up to
| earn them.-New York World.