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[The Haunted History of the Lizzie Borden Murders (Part 1)]-[Episode 96: Lizzie Borden Part 1]

Morbid · B2 · 2019-10-20

True crime
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📋 Summary

The Chilling Atmosphere of 92 Second Street

The hosts of the Morbid podcast record this episode on-site at the infamous Lizzie Borden house in Fall River, Massachusetts. The atmosphere is palpable, with the hosts reporting that they feel "on edge" and "spooked" while recording in the very sitting room where Andrew Borden was brutally murdered with a hatchet. Throughout the recording, they describe hearing unexplained noises, such as a "legit distinct knock," and note that the house feels "freezing." They emphasize their intent to refer to the accused as "Lizbeth"—the name she adopted later in life—out of a superstitious fear of "pissing off any spirits" or getting "eaten alive" by the entities they believe haunt the property.

The Life and Frugality of Andrew Borden

Andrew Borden was a prominent but polarizing figure in Fall River. As a "badass real estate developer," manufacturer, and investor, he was well-off, yet he was famously "frugal" (a term used to avoid the more offensive "miser"). The hosts highlight his extreme penny-pinching: despite his wealth, his home lacked electricity, running water, and bathrooms. He famously "cut corners" to grow his fortune, and, according to historical accounts, he was even rumored to have "cut the feet off of dead people to squeeze them into smaller coffins to cut costs" during his early days as an undertaker.

The Tensions Within the Household

Lizzie and her sister Emma had a strained relationship with their stepmother, Abby Borden. Following a dispute where Andrew gifted a rental property to Abby’s half-sister, the daughters grew increasingly cold toward her. Lizzie eventually stopped calling her "mother" and began referring to her as "Mrs. Borden." The hosts note that the sisters felt their father was "not willing to spend it on the luxuries of life," which fueled resentment. Furthermore, Lizzie was described as a "lady of leisure" who was socially active in charity work, yet she was also rumored to be a "spinster" who may have been "into ladies," a detail the hosts suggest adds a "salacious" layer to the historical narrative.

The Lead-Up to the Murders

Two days before the murders, the entire family fell "violently ill," leading them to suspect they had been poisoned. While a doctor dismissed it as a stomach bug caused by eating "nasty" food, the suspicion of poisoning lingered. On August 3rd, Lizzie told a friend, Alice Russell, that she felt "as if something was hanging over me that I cannot throw off" and that she feared "somebody will do something." The hosts point out that this "premonition" served as a poor cover for her tracks, as it made her look suspicious in hindsight.

The Crime and the Aftermath

On the morning of August 4th, 1892, Andrew and Abby were killed. The hosts recount the gruesome details: Abby was found in the guest room with "over 200 pounds" of force having been applied, and Andrew’s face was "demolished," with "half of his eyeball hanging out of the socket." Despite the violent nature of the crime, Lizzie’s reaction was described by police as "stone cold." She changed her story several times regarding her whereabouts—claiming she was ironing, looking for lead in the barn, or picking pears—none of which could be verified.

Perhaps the most damning piece of evidence mentioned is the burning of a dress. Lizzie’s friend, Alice Russell, testified that Lizzie destroyed a dress "covered in paint" (or blood) in the kitchen stove shortly after the murders. The hosts conclude the first part of their series by noting that Lizzie was eventually arrested, but the trial and the subsequent "boiling of the heads" for forensic evidence remain topics for the second part of their investigation.

🎯Key Sentences

1
I don't want it.
2
That's a dick move.
3
I'm not into that.
4
I'm just saying.
5
Next subject.
Expand All

📝Key Phrases

1
kick back and relax
2
feel some type of way
3
get eaten alive
4
shit's going down
5
cut corners
Expand All

📖 Transcript

Hey weirdos, Elena here. If you're looking to kick back and relax with Morbid, Wondery Plus is the way to go. it's like having a cozy seat in our haunted mansion no ads just you and early access to new episodes You can join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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