Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-28
AT TER 70 YEARS
Mystery of Perry Borden's
Wife's Death Is Solved.
Remains Found in Cellar Where She
Died, Chained to Post.
L hit on Mystery Which Has Ter Years Pu..
zIed Poultney, W.

PouitnCy, VT. March 2I.-Workmen
removing cellar wall under a dilapi-
dated building Just north of the bridge
that crosses Fairhaven river. a quarter
Of mile above Carvcr's Falls, have
apparently unearthed evidence which
solves the mystery of murder which
occurred 20 years ago.
The discovery was made by accident.
The laborers were removing some
heavy fiat stones at the base of the
wall, when suddenly the earth gave
way and they fell into n pit eight
feet deep. When they had recovered
from the fright and confusion an cx-
animation was made and the nit was
found to be about seven feet square
with solid stone wall about 20 inches
thick surrounding it. In the centc, of
The pit was set a solid iron post about
four feet high and four inches in thisk-
ness, and attached to this post was 4
heavy chain three feet in length, ana
linked tn this chain was Il heavy and
old-fashioned pair of handouts. and
nearby was Il heap of human bones
The men were rescued from their
position and inquiry was made con-
corning the premises. 1t was learned
that about 15 years ago Perry 3or-
den. a young. Frenchman. came INTO
this ncighborhood and hired ont to
work on a farm. He proved to ne a
good hand, and Mr.. Hamilton. his en-
pIoyer. kept him for nearly five years.
He was economical and frugal and
saved nearly all of his wages. He
often spoke of a little girl in Canada
who was to become his wife. At last
he went to Montreal to bring her home.
Before going, however, he spent near
" three months in building the stluc-
turn which the men are now removing.
one day in May, 1881. Borden ap-
poared. accompanied by n charming
and exceedingly pretty French girl
about 20 years of age. whom he intro
duced as his wife They occupied the
little house already prepared for them
and everything apparently went along
pleasantly for 4 time. The young wife
was witty and viva ious and attracted
considerable attention from som" Of
the young men in the neighborhool.
At last Mr.. Borden became jealous OF
his young wife and forbade her visiting
= certain tavern that was kept nearby.
The young and high tempered wife would
NoI summit TO DG QiCldtCu 10 DE HeT nus
hand ana continued to occasionally visit
the old inn. One dark, stormy night in
November, ISL. she was at the place,
when at about ~ O'Clock Borden came
10 the door and called Cor her. She arose
and went with him. Pretty Mrs Borden
never was seen by her friends after that.
\ few days later inquiries were made
concerning her ard Mr. Borden said Ms
wife had deserted him and ,fted to Cana
ia No steps We're ever taken to asccr-
tain the facts in the case, and Abe dsap-
learancc remained unsGlved -
MI Borden remained at the old HON
for year then he locked up the Win
duws and left for parts unknown.
He was not heard from again until 49,,
when he suddenly appeared IN town. re
said he had been at sea for the % years
he had been away. He was familiar VIII
nearly every seaport in the world. his
mind seemed somewhat shattered ana ne
was sullcn and mororSc at times ana
some thought dangerous. He would ncve.
have anything 10 say about his wife anu
no one iii this vicinity heard him meAslol
her name after his return from sea. IL
went to the little house by the banks OF
the river ard remained two years, the
ucighbors carrying in provisions TO an
rcase his hunger. He finally became SIGN
and the town took charge Of him.
He died on Scpt.9. 1881. ana was burfco
in the pottors ield The discoveries maj
by the wurkingmcn have led everyone 20
believe that Perry Borden put handcuiin
On his young wife. chained her 20 iile
iron post ana locked her up in TINS unacf-
ground cellar To die slow ana horflp4e
death.