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Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= The Springfield Daily News Wednesday, 8 June, 1927 Taunton, June 8 - The will of LIZZIE A. BORDEN, of Fall River, the principal figure in the famous BORDEN murder case, in which she was acquitted on a charge of killing her father and stepmother with an axe in 1892, was filed for probate here yesterday, disclosing the fact she left no bequest to her sister, Miss EMMA L. BORDEN of Provi- dence, her nearest of kin, with whom she is said to have quarreled some time ago. The estate, estimated to be valued at close to $700,000, is divided, after special bequests aggregating $85,000 are paid, between her cousin, Mrs. GRACE H. HOWE of Fall River and Miss HELEN LEIGHTON, an intimate friend, living in Brookline. The principal bequest is $20,000 to the Animal Rescue league of Fall River, in which MISS BORDEN was deeply interested. Her shares of stock in the Stevens Manufac- turing company also go to this society. MISS BORDEN ex- plained in her will that she made this bequest on account of her love for animals, because their needs are great and because there are so few who care for them. MISS BORDEN also left $2000 to the Animal Rescue league of Washington, D.C. Other bequests include $10,000 to CHARLES C. COOK of Fall River and Tiverton, the executor named in the will, "for his long and faithful services" in caring for her property. He is also given the so-called Baker lot on French street near the BORDEN home at Fall River. Servants Get $5000 Each Servants who had been in her employ for five years or more were given $5000 each. Her chauffeur, ERNEST ALDEN TERRY, JR., was given $2000 and the so-called Belmont lot. His wife and daughter were also remembered with a bequest of $2000 each. To two schoolmates of half a century ago, LUCY S. MACOMBER and ADELADE B. WHIPP, both of Fall River, she left $1000 each. Mrs. MARGARET L. STREETER of Washington, D. C., whom MISS BORDEN was accustomed to visit, will receive $5000 and the "diamond and sapphire ring with five stones which she always liked." Mrs. MINNIE E. A. LACOMBE, another friend at Washing- ton, gets $5000 and $200 goes to her son, S. HOWARD LA- COMBE. Teacher Remembered GERTRUDE M. BAKER, a teacher in the B. M. C. Durfee High school at Fall River, was given $1000. To her cousins, GEORGE E. ROBINSON, EDSON M. ROBINSON and PERCY V. ROBINSON, all of Swansea, get $1000 each. DR. ANNIE C. MacRAE of Fall River, who attended her professionally, receives $1000, and a similar sum is given ELSIE F. CARLISLE, formerly of Fall River and now living in California, who attended her as a nurse in a recent illness. Othe bequests include - Mrs. MARY L. ORTERS of Sharon, $5000. If she is dead the gift is to go to her husband, HENRY L. ORTERS. WINI- FRED F. FRENCH of Fall River, $5000. If she is dead the bequest is to go to her sister, SARAH H. FRENCH. CATHERINE M. McFARLAND, Fall River, $5000; ETHEL H. ENGEL, Los Angeles, $1000; ALICE I. SODERMAN, Fall River, $2000, with a jewelled watch and chain, and to ELLEN B. MILLER, her housekeeper, the contents of her room. Navy Aide in War MRS. HOWE of Fall River, who will share the estate with MISS LEIGHTON, is the wife of LOUIS MAX HENRY HOWE, assistant to the chairman of the national crime commis- sion at New York. MR. HOWE was assistant to FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, assistant secretary of the navy, during the World war. In addition to half the residue of the estate, MRS. HOWE was given a diamond and amethyst ring and second choice of the furniture and bric-a-brac in the BORDEN home at Fall River. She is also given permission to be buried in the lot of MISS BORDEN in Oak Grove cemetery at Fall River as far as the latter has permission to grant this request. MISS LEIGHTON, who is one of the directors of the Animal Rescue league at Boston, met MISS BORDEN about 10 years ago through her interest in the work of the league. She formerly lived near MISS BORDEN at Fall River and after her removal to Boston kept up her friendship through the work of the league in both cities. MISS BORDEN left MISS LEIGHTON three diamond rings and a sapphire brooch, an inlaid mahogany desk and reading lamp and first choice of all rugs, books, china, pictures and furniture in the BORDEN home at Fall River. MISS LEIGHTON and MRS. HOWE were each left a half- interest in the ANDREW J. BORDEN block at Fall River. This office building, which contains the Academy of Music and some of the best retail shops in Fall River was assessed for $317.000 when MISS BORDEN bought her sister EMMA'S half interest in the property three years ago. The only mention of her sister EMMA in the will is the following. "I have not given my sister, EMMA L. BORDEN, anything, as she had her share of my father's estate, and is supposed to have enough to make her comfortable." In signing her will, MISS BORDEN first wrote the name "LIZBETH A. BORDEN," the name she assumed after her acquittal of the murder charge, and then under- neath, LIZZIE A. BORDEN. The witnesses to the will were ELLEN R. NOTTINGHAM, CARL A. TERRY and CHARLES L. BAKER. The last two are members of the law firm of BAKER, SEAGRAVE & TERRY of Fall River. ===============================================================================