The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-27
SHE WAS
y: =: !. BURIED
H-.rwgriG srf
....:..' !. !: !: ALIVE.
Belief That Borden Doomed
His wife to a FTighIful
Death.

Poultney, VI, March 27.--Workmen re-
moving a cellar wall under dilapldated
building just north OF the bridge that
crosses Fair Haven river. n quarter OF
mile above Carver's Falls. have ap-
parently upearthed evidence which solves
the mystery OF murder that occurred
20 years ago
The discovery was made by accident
The laborers We're removing some heavy
nat stones at the base OF the wall. when
suddenly the earth gave way and they
ie1 into pit about eight feet deep
When they had recovered from their
fright and confusion an examination was
made and the pit was found 90 be about
seven feet square. with a solid stone
wal about 20 inches thick surrounding
il.
In the centre of the pit was set solid
iron post about four feet high and four
inches In thickness, and attached TO this
post was a heavy iron chain three feet
IN length and linked 10 this chain was
a heavy and old-fashioned pair of hand
cuns and nearby was "A heap OF human
bones
The men were rescued from their posi-
tiOn and inquiry was made concerning
the premises. IL was learned that about
20 years ago. Perry Borden, young
Frenchman. came into this neighborhood
and hired out 10 work on a farm He
proved TO be a good hand and Mr.. Ham
ilton' his employer, kept him for nearly
five years
lie was economical and frugal and
saved nearly all Of his wages. He often
spoke OF "A little girl I'm Canada, who was
TO become his wife. At last he went 10
Montreal 10 bring her home. Before go
ing however he spent nearly three
months in building the structure which
the men are now removing.
One day In May 1881. Borden appeared.
accompanied by charming and exceed
ingly pretty French girl. about 20 years OF
age, whom he introduced as his wife They
occupied the little house already PREPARED
Tor them aud everything apparently went
along pleasantly for time. The young
VIE was Witty and vivacous and attract
ed considerable attention from some OF
the young men i'm the neighborhood
AT last Mr. Borden became alous with
MS young wife and forbade her WISHING
a certain tavern that was kept tnearby.
The young and high tempered wife would
not submit 60 be dictated to by her hus-
band and continued To occasionally visit
the old inn. one dark stormy night in
November, 1881. she was at the place
when at about 10 o'clock Borden came 10
the door and called for her.
she arose and went with him Pretty
fri. nds after that. A few days later in
qnries were made concerning her and
Mr. Borden said his wife had deserted
him and fled to Canada. No steps were
ever taken 10 ascertain the facts I'm the
case and the disappearance remained Un-
solved.
Mr.. Borden remained at the old home
FOR year. then he locked mp the windows
and left for parts unknown.
He was not heard again until 1882. when
he suddenly appeared in town. lie said
he had been at sea for the 80 years he
had been away.
He was familiar with nearly every sea-
port ia the world. His mind seemed some
what Sha ttered and he was sulen, and
morOse al times and some thought dan
gerous. lie would never have anything
10 say about his wife and no one I'm this
vicinity heard him mention her name af-
ter his return from sea. He went TO the
little house by the banks OF the river and
two years the neghbors car
rying in provisions enough 10 appease his
hunger. He finally became sick and the
town took charge Of him.
lie died Sept. 20. 1897. and was buried i'm
the Pottersheld. The discoveries made
by the workingmen led everyone TO be-
licve that Perry Borden put handcuffs on
his young wife, chained her to Ehe iron
post and locked her up IN this under
ground cellar TO die slow and horrible
death.