Updated 03/10/07
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In 1893, fresh on the heels of the
sensational "Lizzie Borden Trial" in New Bedford, a man murdered his wife who
refused to pay his $10 bail for him. Just hours after being released from his 30
day sentence for drunkenness, Daniel M. Robertson slashed his wife's throat in
front of their 16 year old daughter, Helen. The ensuing arrest and conviction
attracted 10,000 onlookers downtown, received national attention, fueled the
fires of the Temperance movement and gave Robertson the dubious distinction of
being the only prisoner ever hanged at the then new Ash Street Jail and the last
man ever hanged in Massachusetts.
This article
will figure prominently in both the murder and his trial. Robertson
mentioned in 3rd District Court proceedings for drunkenness.
A
Murder Most Foul New Bedford Evening Mercury article from the day of the
murder.
Obituary
of Mary Robertson from New Bedford Evening Mercury September 13, 1893.
A
Plea For Fair Play Letter to the Editor from the New Bedford Evening Mercury
September 11, 1893.
Evening
Standard Sept 11 1893 There were two newspapers in the city in 1893 and
here's the Standard's version of the crime.
City's
Only Execution. Article from New Bedford Standard Times December 6,
1964
Another bizarre murder in New Bedford, MA occurred in 1930.
J.W.
Robison faked his disappearance, not once, but twice, and returned to murder
his wife and family.
Lizzie Andrew Borden of Fall River was arrested and
found innocent of the axe murders of her father, Andrew Borden and step-mother,
Abby. The Lizzie
Borden Society Forum discusses one of America's most famous, unsolved
murders. Click this link to register and join the forum
Join LBS Forum
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