Lizzie Borden: Democrat or Republican? Listen to WSAR Radio Friday, August 29, 2008 at 8:00 am

I was invited back to WSAR Radio – this time to talk about one of Fall River’s most accomplished – if not notorious – women – Grace Hartley Howe – also a cousin to Lizzie Borden. Tune in if you’re in the area.

What was, if any, Lizzie Borden’s political affiliations? August 26th is “Women’s Equality Day” and as every indication tells us Lizzie was one to assert her rights, (by virtue of her sense of entitlement or legally) she most likely exercised her right to vote as ratified by the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Did she vote for the first time for Democrat James Cox or Republican Warren G. Harding? In 1924, did she vote for Calvin Coolidge who had been Harding’s Vice President, or did she vote for progressive Democrat John Davis?

She didn’t have much of an opportunity to exercise her hard-fought right to vote before she died in 1927. But because of her cousin, Grace Hartley Howe (1874-1955), Lizzie Borden may very well have been a staunch Democrat.

Grace Hartley Howe as Fall River Postmistress

Grace was one of the two major legatees in Lizzie’s Will. Her mother, Mary Borden, was the daughter of Cook Borden, Andrew J. Borden’s uncle. Grace married Louis McHenry Howe (1871-1936) – first secretly and then a second ceremony in Fall River on May 6, 1899.

When Louis Howe met Franklin Roosevelt in 1911 he began a life-long career of service and devotion to FDR, becoming not only his best friend but private secretary when FDR was Secretary of the Navy and later chief political strategist and “keeper of the secrets”. Louis McHenry Howe is attributed as having encouraged FDR to fight his battle of infantile paralysis and persuaded him to continue on with his political career. He was FDR’s speech writer, confidant, manager, mentor and trouble shooter.

After Roosevelt was elected his first term as President of the United States, Louis lived in the White House and Grace lived in Horseneck Beach, with Louis coming home on weekends. Grace busied herself raising her two children, Mary and Hartley, and often went weeks at a time without seeing Louis. But in the 1920’s and 1930’s and beyond she would be a tireless fundraiser, campaigner and active member of the Democratic Party. I would not doubt that Grace received political contributions from Lizzie for Democratic and social causes to which she was involved.

During the 1920’s it’s very likely Lizzie and Grace visited each other in their respective homes in Fall River, Horseneck Beach in Westport, New York and Washington, D.C. During this time the Howe’s and Roosevelts also visited at each other’s homes. Lizzie very well may have visited Grace in Westport when Mary and Hartley were growing up. And would Lizzie and Grace have discussed politics?

Grace Hartley Howe is seated to Louis’ right, who is directly across from Eleanor Roosevelt

When Louis died in 1936, it was Eleanor Roosevelt who called Grace in Fall River and gave her the news. Prior to his funeral services at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River, which both Eleanor and FDR attended, Mr. Howe was honored in Washington.

Prior to Louis’ death, Grace’s work within the Democratic Party coupled with the cache of her husband’s service, she was on an upward trajectory. Below is the article of how she became appointed to the Secretaryship of the Democratic State Committee in 1933. She was a Delegate at the 1934 Democratic Convention.

And after Louis’s death, FDR appointed her Postmistress of Fall River. Grace continued with her many political, civic and social activities. Grace resided on Locust Street (shown below) in Fall River, a few short blocks from Lizzie’s home, “Maplecroft” on French Street. Grace lived there when Lizzie died June 1, 1927.

In 1938, two years after Louis died, Eleanor Roosevelt came to visit Grace as told in this FRHN article that recaps Grace’s life and service to the Democratic party.

Grace died in 1955 after being in a coma for many weeks. At that time she lived in a lovely little cottage on Martha Street (still there) in Fall River with a nice view of the Taunton River.

Throughout her husband’s political career it was rarely reported in the papers of the link between Lizzie Borden and the Howes. That link would be too close for comfort. Notoriety from an 1892 scandal certainly was not needed to surface and hinder the ultimate goal of making FDR President. But it was Louis McHenry Howe himself who was the source of the “Emma did it” theory. I found verification of this in Fulton Oursler’s book, Behold This Dreamer! during his visit to the White House. But although Louis said it tongue in cheek, the Bordenia urban legend was born that Grace’s husband believed Lizzie’s sister did the awful deed of August 4, 1892. The story Louis told Oursler was typical of his sense of humor. (I’ll address that in a future blog entry).

With her relative and close friend, Grace Hartley Howe, so entrenched in democratic politics through her husband Louis McHenry Howe, could it be that Lizzie Borden was a Democrat? I say yes. In an interview after Lizzie’s death, Grace remarked of the many charitable acts and donations to which she gave. I just bet some of Lizzie’s money went to those very causes in which her cousin Grace solicited.

And here’s the part that has never failed to amuse me: Had Lizzie Borden lived a mere five more years she very well might have been invited to the White House. Think of it: Through her cousin’s friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt, Lizzie Borden, accused and acquitted of the most sensational crime of the century, might very well have chatted it up with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States.

Discreetly, of course. ;

Louis McHenry Howe

From TIME Magazine – Monday, April 27, 1936:

On election night 1932, in the first hour of his triumph, he (Franklin D. Roosevelt) gave credit to those to whom he was most indebted: “There are two people in the United States, more than anybody else, who are responsible for the great victory. One is my old friend and associate, Colonel Louis McHenry Howe, and the other is that splendid American, Jim Farley.”

Watching the DNC Convention speeches this evening, I was reminded by my friends here in Fall River, Swansea and Somerset as we gather round Ken’s 60″ HD screen that Louis McHenry Howe wrote many of FDR’s speeches. I’m not the only one here watching his tv while blogging with a laptop – we must be embedded! haha. I actually love politics and have been watching this year’s presidential race more closely than I have in decades.

Short tonite but a special toast to Keri – see you shortly! I know you are watching, too!

Obama-Biden

Keeping things in perspective (for those OCD on Lizzie Borden) the big news isn’t about the opening of Leonard Pickel’s “True” Story of Lizzie Borden EXHIBIT. It’s about Barrack Obama selecting Senator Joe Biden as his VP running mate.

I volunteer at Obama headquarters here in Payson so my energies are often channeled elsewhere. I have little time to copy, cut, and paste into a blog some newspaper write ups on the current litigation between Fall River’s B&B “Museum” and Salem’s “Exhibit” – stories that anyone can get automatically with a Google alert. Stories that every Podunk town picks up from the AP wire services. These are but minnows in the pond of the bigger fish in the sea. But some lives are so constricted and singularly focused in search of that which will promote themselves. I rather devote time to issues that ultimately can serve millions.

At Headquarters we are very excited about:

Mr. Cool and

Mr. Earthy

In October I’ll be attending a business conference in Chicago which will give me an opportunity to meet people from his main Campaign Headquarters there that I’ve been coordinating with here in Payson.

Bob Dylan’s Lizzie Borden Rhyme

Bob Dylan’s “Greatest Songs” album, which came out in October of 2007, had a clever promotional campaign: A Facebook application lets you put in the words on the sheets of paper he peels off (as illustrated above) in his music video Subterranean Homesick Blues. You get to substitute your own words, save it as a YouTube video and email it to friends. I saw this on Stef’s mondolizzie blog but she didn’t provide the link. I looked it up with a Google search and made up my own with an original little ditty. I mean, don’t we get weary of the same old inaccurate quatrain? It’s also a cool way to send birthday greetings to people.

There’s music with it. And after you see it, just click “Create Your Own”.  

CLICK HERE

ENJOY!!

“The True Story of Lizzie Borden” – or Maybe Not

EXPANDED UPDATE – SEE BELOW

UPDATE: According to this USA Today’s AP report, Mr. Pickel is planning to open up his alleged “True Story” of Lizzie Borden this weekend. CLICK HERE

Mr. Pickel continues to be under the erroneous assumption that most people don’t know what state, let alone what city, in which the Borden case took place. To that I say: “Mr. Pickel – just ask the Fall River Historical Society how many decades people have flocked there ONLY to see the Borden case exhibits. Inquire at Oak Grove cemetery how many people traversed their grounds solely to find Lizzie Borden’s grave until they finally painted footprints on the pavement guiding folks to the Andrew J. Borden family plot. Ask Robert Dube and the Silvia’s how many people have come on to their property or stopped to photograph “Maplecroft” for the past 40 years.

Most importantly, people have been flocking to 92 Second Street since Day One. Indeed, within days of the murders wagon and carriage drivers would transport disembarking passengers from steamers of the Fall River Line coming from New York and Boston requesting to be taken to the “Lizzie Borden house.” This was reported in the local papers shortly after the crime and continued when Lizzie moved to French Street. Visitors to Fall River for the past 116 years have continued to drive by 92 Second Street just to get a gander of the famous structure.

For 116 years local, regional and national papers have continued to write articles about the case. Dozens of books have been published, several documentaries have been made on “Fall River’s” Lizzie Borden. The #1 best selling book on the case, Victoria Lincoln’s A Private Disgrace, has had over a dozen printings and is still in print. Royalties continue to be paid out to her daughters, Priscilla Williams and Louise Lowe Kittredge. This book, written by native of Fall River who emphasized “Fall River’s” close-knit families, left no doubt in the reader’s minds WHERE this crime took place. People who have read only one book on the case, most always have read this one.

And when 92 Second Street was opened up to the public for the first time as the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast/Museum in 1996, it put Fall River on the map as a tourist destination for all those interested in unsolved murders and the Lizzie Borden case.

The Lizzie Borden case is as iconic to Fall River as the JFK assassination is to Dallas.

If you can’t even quote the truth about the general public’s awareness of where these crimes took place, what confidence can one have in your ability to present the “true story” of Lizzie Borden at your Salem “exhibit”?

Get a clue, Lenny. Get a grip on the “true” story.

UPDATE:

Looks as if Pickel is already hawking his wares OUTSIDE the facility on a display table with some schlock emphera. This may be an indicator to the “quality” of his exhibit. Also, his statement regarding the exclusion of the Bence testimony on Lizzie’s attempt to buy poison is incorrect. It was excluded because it was deemed to be “too remote in time”, not because no poison was found in the bodies. This news footage uses an old image of the B&B at 92 Second Street, Fall River but includes the newly found photo from Emma’s cabinet photo album of Lizzie as a young girl.

CLICK LINK BELOW

FOX25 TV NEWS CLIP

“The True Story of Lizzie Borden” is what Leonard Pickel proposes to reveal to $10 ticket holders ($8 if you use his online $2 discount coupon) at his EXHIBIT, EXHIBIT, EXHIBIT (get it?) in Salem, MA. The “True” story??? Just how does he know what is true?

First and foremost: Lizzie Borden was acquitted on June 20, 1893 in that sensational Trial held at the New Bedford Superior Court. No one else was ever brought to Trial. The Who, How and Why continues to be a major mystery in this most compelling unsolved classic crime. Indeed, from books, blogs and bumper stickers we repeatedly see the phrase: “Lizzie Borden – Did she or didn’t she?” It is absolutely presumptuous of anyone to state – be it in a book, blog, bumper sticker, lecture, Youtube video, or anything else – that they can reveal or know the “true” story. Nobody does.

2005 photo of Leonard Pickel from his Haunted Times magazine website

The person with the most means, motive and opportunity certainly was Lizzie, but it was never conclusively proven and no one knows for certain if she did it. The good money says of course she did, but no one can prove or show that is true.

So I have to wonder just what TRUTH to the Lizzie Borden story Mr. Pickel will impart to his visitors? Is the “true” story going to reveal that Lizzie alone committed the murders? Even the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum and the Fall River Historical Society do not and never have been so presumptuous as to state whether or not Lizzie did it. Nor have they ever claimed to know the truth about Lizzie. Too many questions remain. Far too many.

Lee-ann Wilber, General Manager & co-owner of Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum

Since the opening of the B&B in 1996, the tour scripts have been written for the tour guides to give facts of the case without asserting that Lizzie or anyone else in particular did the deed. They do not purport that Lizzie did it or didn’t do it, or that Uncle John or Bridget or William Borden committed the murders, or that Lizzie had a boyfriend named David Anthony who did it, or that her sister Emma did it, or that even Phoebe Bowen did it. Nor do they state that it is true that Lizzie was a lesbian, actually strangled or cut off the head of Abby’s cat, or that she was actually a shoplifter. None of this is known to be the truth.

But Leonard Pickel, by virtue of the name of his proposed EXHIBIT and from what he’s stated in newspapers, has the audacity to assert he will exhibit The True Story of Lizzie Borden. What yellow brick road is *he* on? The true story of Lizzie Borden will never be known. Whatever it was, Lizzie took it to her grave. Maybe Mr. Pickel has visited “the other side” and knows something we don’t.

Mr. Pickel is also repeatedly quoted in interviews that Fall River has never “embraced” Lizzie nor had the support of the city. Not true. There was a Lizzie Borden symposium in 1986 of which the city and community organizations supported. But it wasn’t until the highly successful 4-day 1992 Lizzie Borden Centennial that Fall River realized money could be made and that Lizzie was a source of new revenue for tourism dollars that they fully embraced her. She’s in both Chamber and City promotional brochures, city department websites, and the “LIZZIE BORDEN MUSEUM” is a prominently displayed huge BLUE I-95 highway sign on the approach to the Braga Bridge just entering Fall River.

Here’s the August 9th Boston Herald’s report of the current litigation wherein Pickel demonstrates his lack of knowledge regarding the relationship between the City of Fall River and Lizzie Borden.

In my opinion, Mr. Pickel not only does not have his thumb on the pulse of what Lizzie means to Fall River, he doesn’t have his hand on the hatchet to exhibit the True Story of Lizzie Borden.

Lizzie Borden Mini Movie

From YouTube comes this really clever and original video on the Lizzie Borden story uploaded about 2 weeks ago.

LIZZIE BORDEN ADMITS GUILT!

NEWS FLASH: Incredible email received today. Wonder if it’s a hoax? And yes, I did respond. Here it is:

“—– Original Message —–

From: XXXXX

To: phaye@npgcable.com

Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 1:51 PM

Subject: Lizzie

I have 4 books from her library, 2 signed and 2 initialed. One is the travel/art guide she carried on her European trip with notes and comments. Also a play with Nance O’Neil’s

sig and Porter’s Fall River Murders !893. I bought them from her chauffeur’s nephew about

30 years ago. If anyone knows the value of such items it would be you – can you help me?

Many thanks. Robert XXXXX”

I’ve X’d out his email address and last name for obvious reasons.  Over the years, I’ve received emails such as this from time to time.  Some turn out to be golden – others, not so much.  Awaiting his reply to my response.

***********************************************************

Write your own “story” about Lizzie Borden and email me and I’ll post them to this blog.

You can find this very simple and quick program here.

And while we’re being silly -

Here’s a little ditty I wrote back in 1998:

My name is Nellie McHenry

And I’m a stringer for the Press.

I once scored a special interview

With a damsel in Distress.

She was the household maid

To a family of some fame.

You’ll remember Lizzie Borden?

Well, Bridget was her name.

And she told me with great confidence

Of something Lizzie said

About her stepmother Abby

Who soon after was found dead.

Now Lizzie told this Bridget

Who, of course, told it to me

That Abby made a “groaning” sound

When slaughtered horribly.

I am that very person

To whom this Bridget spoke.

My name is Nellie McHenry

But the story is a joke!

Lizzie Borden and an Unhappy Family

The period immediately after the crime up through the end of the Preliminary Hearing has always been of more interest to me than the Trial itself. So many clues into the twisted fabric of this enigmatic case can be found in that span of time.

This particular New York Times article of August 24, 1892 has always been one of the most interesting to me because it is so generously sprinkled with the seeds from which grew so many speculative theories on this case. First, read the article about Lizzie’s letter.

While Lizzie testified to writing such a letter to Emma, it embellishes beyond that to which she actually testified at the Coroner’s Inquest held August 9th thru 11th, 1892. The day following the NYT article, the Preliminary Hearing began and, of course, Lizzie did not testify nor Emma. Keep in mind that it was the day before the Preliminary Hearing in which the incident of Lizzie and Emma having an argument where Lizzie alledgedly said “You have given me away, Emma” and “I won’t give in one inch” as Matron Reagan testified. If you believe Matron Reagan, and I do, what was the issue?

Clearly tongues were wagging freely to investigative journalists and neighbor to neighbor up to the Preliminary Hearing. Comparatively, the period from the Hearing to the Trial, people who would later testify were more circumspect, especially in reference to harmony or disharmony within the Borden household.

Two weeks before the murders Andrew bought back the Ferry Street house, giving Emma and Lizzie a tidy $2,500 each (considerably more in 1892 purchasing power). Suddenly, “the girls” were flushed with cash. Lizzie and Emma immediately left town and that house and traveled to New Bedford and Fairhaven, respectively.

But there was much more going on in that two weeks leading up to August 4th, 1892. More information came out in the newspapers about the family background, trouble in the household, and even speculation of how the dastardly deed could have been done. The murders were all that anyone was talking about and soon they would be reading what people sworn to the truth would be telling the court.

It was during that period between the crimes and the Preliminary Hearing that we learn about things Lizzie said of her stepmother, Abby, and of various observations of the personal dynamics within that home. Most everything that the Government would gather to build their case on motive was during this period. As to means, something new would have to wait until the end of November when Alice Russell’s conscience (bless her soul) got the best of her. You won’t read about the “dress burning” incident during this period. But could it actually have been the issue, been the topic, to which Lizzie and Emma had words which Matron Reagan overheard? Did Emma tell Attorney Jennings Lizzie had burned a dress the morning after she was told she was suspected and Lizzie was determined to deny it?

Back to more snippets of unhappiness in the household is this article from the Fall River Daily Globe, August 24, 1892, page 7: Edwin Porter was the Globe reporter who wrote The Fall River Tragedy (George R. H. Buffinton, Press of J. D.Munroe, 1893) published immediately after the Trial. Within this article is a portion typical of the veiled sarcasm when speculating the scenario of the murders and how the “intruder” did it that one cannot help but consider Porter as the unknown “Todd Lunday”. (The Mystery Unveiled: The Truth about the Borden Tragedy: Fresh Light That Must Be Convincing to All Readers. Providence: J. A. & R. A. Reid, 1893). Or, maybe Lunday was the paper’s editor, James O’Neil, who penned those god-awful anniversary articles which were so anticipated and popular by the working class “below the Hill.” In any case, there are clues a-plenty to that unhappy family here.

The following article gives us more clues about unhappiness within the Borden household.

Draw your own conclusions. By the way, just what is YOUR idea of cordiality?

LIZZIE BORDEN ART – NOT ON eBAY

Original art work – particularly drawings and paintings of Lizzie Borden herself – run the gamut of grotesque to incredibly unique and exceptional in artistic achievement. I’ve come across so many (not on eBay) but done by people interested in the case and have traded or bought many of these. On a few occasions I’ve actually just asked friends who have talent to draw me scenes which I describe. I’ve kept all of these in a scrapbook over the years. Last month a fellow local quad rider and geocacher made one for me because I most always leave a little “Lizzie” treasure on our runs. And now, a non-local friend of mine, who happens to be an artist and knows my interest did this one below, which I’m buying.

This sketch was taken from the classic Lizzie photograph when she was about 30 years old. I think this photo of Lizzie was taken when she went on her Grand Tour in 1890. Compare the two:

I think this drawing looks more like Lizzie probably looked at age 38 – 5 years after the 1893 Trial, after the 1897 broohaha over the Tilden Thurber shoplifting incident and the “engagement” nonsense splashed in the papers re her supposed engagement with Orrin Gardner. I think by then, 5 years later, she came to realize she was a social pariah in her own home town – but still a Borden, a pedigree that always made her feel entitled. And so she was already depressed and unhappy at 38. She would, however, always remain dignified and refined, and conduct herself in public with the deportment expected of the era. But I think her inner angst and demons might very well have reflected upon her visage. Perhaps she softened upon meeting Nance.

But if I had bumped into Lizzie in 1898, this is pretty much how I would expect her to look – more aged, more troubled, more pissed off, but ever so the proper lady.

Lizzie Art

Here’s some really cool original Lizzie Borden-themed artwork done for items sold on eBay. The first 4 are by Tammy Shelton and the other three are by Joyce Kenney. Good stuff!

Bathsheba Spooner, Hannah Piggen, and Rachel Wall

At the time of the Lizzie Borden case it was speculated that a jury would not convict because of the abysmal result of the last female hanged for murder – one Bathsheba Spooner. But Spooner was N0T the last female executed in Massachusetts prior to the Borden case.

While much is often made of Bathesheba Spooner, who was executed in 1778, as being the last female to have been executed in the State of Massachusetts prior to the Lizzie Borden case, the below list tells us something quite different. In fact, it shows the last two women executed by hanging were in 1789, both in Suffolk County, MA., and a mere 104 years before Lizzie was charged and tried for the murders of her father and stepmother.

Those not familiar with the Bathsheba Spooner case, here is a recap:

“In March 1778, Joshua Spooner, a wealthy gentleman farmer in Brookfield, was beaten to death and his body stuffed down a well. Four people were hanged for the crime: two British soldiers, a young Continental soldier, and Spooner’s wife, Bathsheba, who was charged with instigating the murder. She was thirty-two years old and five months pregnant when executed. Newspapers described the case as “the most extraordinary crime ever perpetrated in New England.”Bathsheba was the mother of three young children and in her own words felt “an utter aversion” for her husband, who was known to be an abusive drunk.

A year before the murder, she took in and nursed a sixteen-year-old Continental soldier who was returning from a year’s enlistment under George Washington. The two became lovers and conceived a child.

Divorces were all but impossible for women at that time and adulteresses were stripped to the waist and publicly whipped. Bathsheba’s pregnancy occasioned a series of desperate plots to murder her husband, finally brought to fruition with the aid of two British deserters from General Burgoyne’s defeated army.”

As the daughter of the state’s most prominent and despised Loyalist, Bathsheba bore the brunt of the political, cultural, and gender prejudices of her day. When she sought a stay of execution to deliver her baby, the Massachusetts Council rejected her petition, and she was promptly hanged before a crowd of 5,000 spectators.” -Murdered by His Wife, Deborah Navas, University of Mass. Press, 1999.

For additional information, see also Laura James True Crime Blog entry.

But in going over the list, I was struck by the name “Hannah Piggen”. (Some things you just can’t make up.) In 1785, Hannah Piggen, unknown age (#120 on list here) was executed in Middleton, MA. While little can be found about her, she has the distinction of being the last female to be executed for concealing birth. Not suprisingly, this “crime” was gender specific, i.e., any “concealment” by the biological father was not an issue. Had the unfortunate Hannah lived today she could have dropped the baby off at the nearest fire station and skulked away in the dark of night, to name but one option.

Also of interest to me was the other “Hannah” behind Ms. Piggen. This girl (nay, child) was a Native American girl, #121 on the list, and was only 12 years old. She was hanged for murder. Wonder who she murdered? Someone who raped her?

THE LAST WOMAN TO BE EXECUTED BY HANGING IN THE STATE OF MASS. PRIOR TO THE LIZZIE BORDEN CASE WAS NOT BATHSHEBA SPOONER – IT WAS RACHEL WALL. RACHEL WAS A NOTORIOUS WOMAN PIRATE AND CAN BE READ ABOUT HERE. SHE IS NO 127 ON THAT SAME LIST ABOVE.

I think we can put to rest the notion that Bathsheba Spooner was the last female to be put to death by hanging in the State of Mass. prior to the Lizzie Borden case, as is so frequently mentioned in books about Lizzie.

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION

(Recycled post)

We know Nance O’Neil is connected to Lizzie Borden. But actress Drew Barrymore? Yes indeed, and only by “six degrees”.

1. Actress Drew Blythe Barrymore

(b. February 22, 1975)

2. Her grandfather was actor John Drew Barrymore

(b. John Sidney Blythe, February 15, 1882, Philadelphia. - d. May 29, 1942, Hollywood, CA.)

3. He was the brother of actor Lionel Barrymore

(b. Lionel Herbert Blythe, April 28, 1878, Philadelphia – d. November 15, 1954, Van Nuys, CA.)

4. Lionel Barrymore married the daughter of McKee Rankin*

(b. February 6, 1844, Canada – d. April 17, 1914, California)

5. McKee Rankin was theatrical manager to Nance O’Neil

(b. Gertrude Lamson, October 8, 1874, Oakland, CA – d. February 7, 1965, Englewood, NJ)

6. Nance O’Neil was a friend of Lizzie Borden

(b. July 19, 1860, Fall River, MA – d. June 1, 1927, Fall River)

*Doris McKee Rankin (1888-1946) married Lionel Barrymore at age 17 in 1905, divorced December, 1922. (Time Magazine, May 19, 1923)

Source: (McKee Rankin and the Heyday of the American Theater. David Beasley, Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2002.)

Tags: drew barrymore, nance o’neil

Response to Leonard Pickel’s Open Letter re: Lizzie Borden Museum

The litigation I referred to a while back between Fall River’s Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum

and the proposed True Story of Lizzie Borden Museum in Salem

can be read HERE as told by the Fall River Herald News.

I indicated I would comment on Mr. Pickel’s “open letter” below. My brief comments appear in color below:

“Leonard Pickel
http://www.lizziebordenmuseum.com | lizziebordenmuseum@gmail.com | 70.22.220.232

I find it interesting that a museum, which has not opened to the public as of yet, (we are working hard on that people, trust me!), has been dragged through the mud as much as The True Story of Lizzie Borden has.

“Home Haunter?” Do you even know what that means? I have built Attractions for Universal Studios, Madison Square Garden and 6 Flags Parks across the country. I have over 30 years in attraction design, own and edit the industry magazine, and own a convention. I am no hack!

Why don’t you at least wait for reviews of people who have been through the museum, or perhaps even tour the museum yourself, before casting disparaging criticism on the level of experience quality, amount of preparedness or fact checking. I think many people are wishful of a first class operation and anxious to see that is exactly what it turns out to be.

I contacted the FRHS many years ago about getting photos, and they assured me there would be no problem. Then when I was ready to purchase them, everything was different. They have been trying to put together a quorum to even have a meeting for 2 months now. We will be open before they decide if they are willing to assist us in developing the museum content. Sounds like you got the run-around. The FRHS is very proprietary about Lizzie. They are, of course, the repository of and safeguard to much of the physical evidence presented at the Trial. They have regularly scheduled Board of Director’s Meeting. Just how savvy are you, Mr. Pickel? hmmm?

I had all the most of the photos I needed already, what I was looking for was photos with the best resolution available. I just spent $15,000 enlarging photos for the museum, most of which have never been enlarged, or enhanced. Very exciting! You paid too much. Not very prudent for a business man. That’s a lot of $10 admission tickets just to cover costs of those enlargements. And you’re wrong about them never having been enlarged or enhanced. I have 3 feet x 5 feet enlargements in my collection which I’ve used for presentations going back to the mid 1980’s. But perhaps you have better resolution.

While a Lizzie Borden attraction has been in my thought since 1992, I did not have the funding and the right location at the same time until January of this year. I am a busy guy and was not willing to devote the time to fully develop this back burner project until it was real! By then time was short. If you’ve been successful with your Haunted House attractions at premiere venues, why didn’t you have the funding since 1992?

We are behind on opening because of building permit, construction, and contractor delays, and may not be able to open on Monday due to a Fire Alarm panel programming issue. But I am sure we will be open by the end of the week. Then I worry about the web site!! Your website is your branding. It is a primary marketing tool. A rush to open may sacrifice quality, and for visitors, initial impressions are lasting.

Will we be where we want to end up when we open? No. A museum as a constant work in process. We will be critiqued and fact checked by every person walking through the attraction, and we will make changes and corrections to the museum content as we go. Add better photos as they become available, and nuances as we or others thing of them. “Critiqued and fact checked.” You got that right.

We are in this for the long run! Taking our time now to get it right is what is important. “get it right’….I would certainly hope so. Advertising the “true story” puts the burden of TRUTH on you, Mr. Pickel.

As for the lawsuit rumor, there are some people who think they own Lizzie! And that no one is allowed to do anything with her without their permission, which they do not give anyone. Maplecroft tried to open a B&B at one time, and those plans were squashed by the self appointed owners of Lizzie. Too bad, I would have loved to spend the night at Maplecroft, wouldn’t you! “Maplecroft” DID open as a B&B, albeit for a short while. Nice research, Leonard.

So now they think they own the idea of a Lizzie Borden Museum, and no one can open one because they own it! They own Lizzie Borden!! I haven’t heard any person, organization or entity say they “own Lizzie Borden”. That’s YOUR phrasing. Clearly, the issue has been the word “museum”.

Sorry… I thought we were free in America, that pursuit of happiness thing, and monopolies were against the law. Monopolies? Monopolies? They ain’t got no stinkin’ monopolies.

The other thing that is against the law is slander! And when you announce a lawsuit in the newspaper, you had better stop wining and moaning and file the thing! All I have gotten so far are angry temper tantrum emails from some attorney, demanding that we take “Museum” off the logo and signage, demanding that we give them our URL, demanding that we take “Lizzie Borden” off of our logo and signage! Because they own Lizzie! Chill, dude your professionalism is showing.

So either file your lawsuit or shut the hell up! Someone didn’t shut up.

The sad part is that The True Story of Lizzie Borden is the best thing that ever happen to the B&B and the FRHS. There are 600,000 tourists that come to Salem each year. And most of them have no idea where Fall River is, or that Lizzie Borden lived there. Only an hour and a half south, we will drive more people to Fall River than the Fall River Tourism Board (if there even is such a thing), could ever dream of doing! Read my type Leonard, your exhibit is NOT the best thing that ever happened to the B&B and the FRHS. It hasn’t happened yet. The B&B has done very well for well over a decade. A first class exhibit in Salem would probably drive more tourists into Fall River, but not that much. People interested in the Borden case come to Fall River anyway. Why? Because its where the House is. Because it’s where the evidence artifacts are. Ask yourself why Willie Sutton kept robbing banks.

Our plan was to have an internet terminal, so people could find out the hours of the FRHS or rent a room at the B&B while in the museum. An internet terminal. How early 90’s. People have cell phones with internet access, text messaging. Again, good research, Leondard. Good out-of-the-box thinking.

But why would we do that if they are going to be ugly about the whole thing. If they don’t want the exposure, we can always tell people that, the Murder House is still a print shop, that the FRHS’s Borden exhibit is about the size of our men’s room, and that Fall River is in Rhode Island! Your charming professionalism is exceeded only by your creative wit, as displayed here.

-end

Note: I hope the trademark issue is resolved with no further litigation than the current Restraining Order and Temporary Injunction. I hope the Salem exhibit DOES open and I hope it is a first class operation as is the B&B and the FRHS. But “first class operation” means accurate information. And it has been very apparent to me that ever since Mr. Pickel had this idea (by his own admission back in 1992), he has done little to acquire or read source documents or become knowledgeable about the case and its principles. Something a curator would do. Something an historic B&B owner and manager would do. Something enthusiasts do. Like I said, I’m not holding my breath.

From Lizzie’s A-Twitter Be it Salem or Fall River!, 2008/08/03 at 7:17 AM”

HUZZAH! TO KERI RODRIGUES!!

YES, SHE KNOWS ALL ABOUT LIZZIE BORDEN, BUT THIS BLOG IS FOR BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO MY FRIEND KERI WHO LANDED A GREAT JOB WITH THE BRISTOL COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE. IT’S THEIR GAIN AND WSAR RADIO’S LOSS. GOOD FOR YOU, KERI!!!

KERI’S NEW JOB IS DESCRIBED IN TODAYS FALL RIVER HERALD NEWS HERE.

KERI’S BLOG IS LOADED WITH CONGRATULATORY COMMENTS!

YOU GO, GIRL!

Borden Murders Timeline – Lizzie Borden’s Fated 4th of August

From the Fall River Herald News here is a video extract of the re-enactment tours given at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast on the 116th Anniversary of the crimes, August 4, 2008.

Investigating the murders

NEWS FLASH: LEONARD PICKEL, WHO IS TRYING TO OPEN A LIZZIE BORDEN MUSEUM IN SALEM, WROTE A LENGTHY AND RATHER WHINEY “COMMENT” TODAY, AUGUST 3RD, TO MY BLOG ENTRY OF JULY 31ST – WHICH I AM POSTING HERE IN FULL. THERE ARE MANY INACCURACIES IN THE SECOND HALF OF HIS DIATRIBE AND I WILL ADDRESS THEM SHORTLY. MR. PICKEL’S “OPEN LETTER” MOST LIKELY WAS IN RESPONSE TO THIS ARTICLE IN TODAY’S FALL RIVER HERALD NEWS.

“Leonard Pickel
http://www.lizziebordenmuseum.com | lizziebordenmuseum@gmail.com | 70.22.220.232

I find it interesting that a museum, which has not opened to the public as of yet, (we are working hard on that people, trust me!), has been dragged through the mud as much as The True Story of Lizzie Borden has.

“Home Haunter?” Do you even know what that means? I have built Attractions for Universal Studios, Madison Square Garden and 6 Flags Parks across the country. I have over 30 years in attraction design, own and edit the industry magazine, and own a convention. I am no hack!

Why don’t you at least wait for reviews of people who have been through the museum, or perhaps even tour the museum yourself, before casting disparaging criticism on the level of experience quality, amount of preparedness or fact checking.

I contacted the FRHS many years ago about getting photos, and they assured me there would be no problem. Then when I was ready to purchase them, everything was different. They have been trying to put together a quorum to even have a meeting for 2 months now. We will be open before they decide if they are willing to assist us in developing the museum content.

I had all the most of the photos I needed already, what I was looking for was photos with the best resolution available. I just spent $15,000 enlarging photos for the museum, most of which have never been enlarged, or enhanced. Very exciting!

While a Lizzie Borden attraction has been in my thought since 1992, I did not have the funding and the right location at the same time until January of this year. I am a busy guy and was not willing to devote the time to fully develop this back burner project until it was real! By then time was short.

We are behind on opening because of building permit, construction, and contractor delays, and may not be able to open on Monday due to a Fire Alarm panel programming issue. But I am sure we will be open by the end of the week. Then I worry about the web site!!

Will we be where we want to end up when we open? No. A museum as a constant work in process. We will be critiqued and fact checked by every person walking through the attraction, and we will make changes and corrections to the museum content as we go. Add better photos as they become available, and nuances as we or others thing of them.

We are in this for the long run! Taking our time now to get it right is what is important.

As for the lawsuit rumor, there are some people who think they own Lizzie! And that no one is allowed to do anything with her without their permission, which they do not give anyone. Maplecroft tried to open a B&B at one time, and those plans were squashed by the self appointed owners of Lizzie. Too bad, I would have loved to spend the night at Maplecroft, wouldn’t you!

So now they think they own the idea of a Lizzie Borden Museum, and no one can open one because they own it! They own Lizzie Borden!!

Sorry… I thought we were free in America, that pursuit of happiness thing, and monopolies were against the law.

The other thing that is against the law is slander! And when you announce a lawsuit in the newspaper, you had better stop wining and moaning and file the thing! All I have gotten so far are angry temper tantrum emails from some attorney, demanding that we take “Museum” off the logo and signage, demanding that we give them our URL, demanding that we take “Lizzie Borden” off of our logo and signage! Because they own Lizzie!

So either file your lawsuit or shut the hell up!

The sad part is that The True Story of Lizzie Borden is the best thing that ever happen to the B&B and the FRHS. There are 600,000 tourists that come to Salem each year. And most of them have no idea where Fall River is, or that Lizzie Borden lived there. Only an hour and a half south, we will drive more people to Fall River than the Fall River Tourism Board (if there even is such a thing), could ever dream of doing!

Our plan was to have an internet terminal, so people could find out the hours of the FRHS or rent a room at the B&B while in the museum.

But why would we do that if they are going to be ugly about the whole thing. If they don’t want the exposure, we can always tell people that, the Murder House is still a print shop, that the FRHS’s Borden exhibit is about the size of our men’s room, and that Fall River is in Rhode Island!

From Lizzie’s A-Twitter Be it Salem or Fall River!, 2008/08/03 at 7:17 AM”

******************************************************************

And now, an updated Timeline for August 3rd and 4th, 1892.

August 3, 1892	THE DAY BEFORE THE MURDERS
8:00 am	Abby goes across street to Dr. Bowen; tells him she fears she’s been poisoned.
9:00 am approx	Dr. Bowen crosses street to check on the Bordens; Lizzie dashes upstairs; Andrew rebuffs his unsolicited visit.
10:00-11:30 am	Lizzie attempts to buy prussic acid from Eli Bence at Smith’s pharmacy on Columbia Street. (PH310)
12:00 Noon	Lizzie joins Andrew and Abby for the noontime meal in the dining room.
12:35 am	Uncle John Vinnicum Morse leaves by train from New Bedford for Fall River.
1:30 pm	John Morse walks from train station & arrives at Borden house; Abby lets him in front door.
2:00-4:00 pm	John Morse and Andrew talk in Sitting Room; Lizzie hears their conversation. (TT141)
4:00 pm	John Morse hires horse and wagon at Kirby’s Stable and drives to Swansea in late afternoon. (CI 99)
7:00 pm	Lizzie visits Alice Russell in the early evening, states her fear “something will happen”.
7:00-8:00 pm	John Morse visits Frederick Eddy at Borden farm in Swansea, brings back eggs. (WS36-37)
8:45 pm	Morse returns from Swansea, talks in sitting room with Andrew and Abby. (CI99)
9:00 pm	Lizzie returns from Alice Russell’s, locks front door, and goes upstairs to her room without speaking to father or uncle.
9:15 pm	Abby Borden retires to bed.
10:00 pm	Andrew and Morse retire to bed.
August 4, 1892	THE DAY OF THE MURDERS (Note: Times given are based on various testimonies taken primarily from the Preliminary Hearing held August 25th to September 1st, 1892, and are approximated as close as possible). The “window of opportunity” for the murders to take place are indicated in RED.
6:15 am	Bridget goes downstairs, gets coal and wood in cellar to start fire in kitchen stove, and takes in milk.
6:20 am	Morse goes downstairs to Sitting Room.
6:30 am	Abby comes downstairs, gives orders for breakfast to Bridget
6:40-6:50 am	Andrew goes downstairs, empties slops, picks up pears, and goes to barn.
6:45 am	Bridget opens side (back) door for the ice man.
7:00 am	Bordens and Morse have breakfast in dining room. (Lizzie is still upstairs).
7:15 am	Bridget sees Morse for first time at breakfast table.
7:30 am	Bridget eats her breakfast, and then clears dishes.
7:45-8:45	Morse and Andrew talk in sitting room; Abby sits with them a short while before beginning to dust.
8:30 am	Morse sees Abby go into the front hall.
8:45 am	Andrew lets Morse out side door, invites him back for dinner.
8:45 am	Morse leaves for Post Office and then to visit a niece and nephew at Daniel Emery’s, #4 Weybosett Street.
8:45-9:00 am	Andrew goes back upstairs and returns wearing collar and tie, goes to sitting room
8:45-9:00 am	Abby tells Bridget to wash windows, inside and out.
8:45-8:50 am	Lizzie comes down and enters kitchen.
8:45-9:00 am	Bridget goes outside to vomit.
9:00 am	Andrew leaves the house.
9:00 am	Bridget returns, does not see Lizzie, sees Abby dusting in dining room, does not see Andrew.
9:00 am	Abby goes up to guest room.
9:00-9:30 am	Bridget cleans away breakfast dishes in kitchen.
9:00-10:00 am	Abby Borden dies from blows to the head with a sharp instrument.
9:30 am	Abraham G. Hart, Treasurer of Union Savings Bank, talks to Andrew at Bank.
9:30-9:40 am	Morse arrives at #4 Weybosset Street to visit his niece and nephew.
9:30 am	Bridget gets brush from cellar for washing windows
9:30 am	Lizzie appears at back door as Bridget goes towards barn; Bridget tells Lizzie she need not lock door.
9:30-10:05	Andrew visits banks.
9:45 am	John P. Burrill, Cashier, talks to Andrew at National Union Bank.
9:50-10:00 am	AJB deposits Troy Mill check with Everett Cook at First Nat’l Bank; talks with William Carr. (WS29)
9:30-10:20 am	Bridget washes outside windows, stops to talk to “Kelly girl” at south side fence.
10:00-10:30 am	Mrs. Churchill sees Bridget outside washing NE windows.
10:20 am	Bridget re-enters house from side door, commences to wash inside windows.
10:29 am	Jonathan Clegg (fixed time by City Hall clock) stated Andrew left his shop heading home. (TT173)
10:15-10:30 am	Andrew stops to talk to Jonathan Clegg, picks up old lock; Southard Miller (at Whitehead’s Market) sees AJB turn onto Spring St; Mary Gallagher sees AJB at corner of South Main & Spring; Lizzie Gray sees AJB turning north on Second Street.(WS10, 43)
10:30-10:40 am	Joseph Shortsleeves sees Andrew. (WS10)
10:40 am	James Mather sees Andrew leave shop (fixes time by City Hall clock)
10:30-10:40 am	Mrs. Kelly observes Andrew going to his front door.
10:30-10:40 am	Andrew Borden can’t get in side door, fumbles with key at front door, and let in by Bridget.
10:30-10:40 am	Bridget hears Lizzie laugh on the stairs as she says “pshaw” fumbling with inside triple locks.
10:35-10:45 am	Bridget sees Lizzie go into dining room and speak “low” to her father.
10:45 am	Mary Chase, residing over Wade’s store, sees man on Borden fence taking pears. (WS45)
10:45-10:55 am	Lizzie puts ironing board on dining room table as Bridget finishes last window in the dining room
10:45-10:55 am	Lizzie asks Bridget in kitchen if she’s going out, tells her of note to Abby & sale at Sargeant’s.
10:50-10:55	Mark Chase observes man with open buggy parked just beyond tree in front of Borden house.
10:50-10:55 am	Bridget goes up to her room; lies down on her bed. (WS3)
10:50-11:00 am	Andrew Borden dies from blows to the head with a sharp instrument.
11:00 am	Bridget hears City Hall clock chime 11:00.
11:05-11:10 am	Hyman Lubinsky drives his cart past the Borden house. (TT1423)
11:05-11:10	William Sullivan, clerk at Hudner’s Market notes Mrs. Churchill leaving the store. (WS10)
11:10 am APPROX.	Lizzie hollers to Bridget to come down, “Someone has killed father”. (TT244)
11:10-11:12 am	Lizzie sends Bridget to get Dr. Bowen. (TT245)
11:10-11:13 am	Bridget rushes back across the street from Bowen’s, tells Lizzie he’s not at home. (TT245)
11:10-11:13 am	Lizzie asks Bridget if she knows where Alice Russell lives and tells her to go get her. (TT245)
11:10-11:13 am	Bridget grabs her hat & shawl from kitchen entry way and rushes to Alice Russell’s. (TT245)
11:10-11:13 am	Mrs. Churchill observes Bridget crossing street, notices a distressed Lizzie and calls out to Lizzie who tells her “someone has murdered father.” (PH281-282)
11:13 am	Mrs. John Gormely says Mrs. Churchill runs through her yelling “Mr. Borden is murdered!” (WS9)
11:10-11:14 am	Mrs. Churchill goes to side door, speaks briefly to Lizzie, and then crosses street looking for a doctor. (PH283)
11:12-11:14 am	John Cunningham sees Mrs. Churchill talking to others then uses phone at Gorman’s paint shop to call Police.
11:15 am	Marshall Hilliard receives call from news dealer Cunningham about disturbance at Borden house.
11:15 am	Marshall Hilliard orders Officer Allen to go to Borden house. (Allen notes exact time on office wall clock).
11:16 – 11:20 am	Mrs. Churchill returns from giving the alarm. (PH284)
11:16 – 11:20 am	Dr. Bowen pulls up in his carriage, met by his wife, rushes over to Borden’s. (PH 273)
11:16-11:20 am	John Cunningham checks outside cellar door in Borden back yard, finds it locked.
11:18-11:20 am	Dr. Bowen sees Andrew, asks for sheet; alone with Lizzie for approx. one minute.
11:20 am	Officer Allen arrives at Bordens, met at door by Dr. Bowen. Sees Lizzie sitting alone at kitchen table.
11:20-11:21 am	Allen sees Andrews’s body at same time Alice Russell and Mrs. Churchill come in. (Where was Bridget?)
11:20-11:22 am	Allen checks front door and notes it bolted from inside, checks closets in dining room and kitchen.
11:20 am	Morse departs Daniel Emery’s on Weybosset Street, takes a streetcar back to the Borden’s.
11-22-11:23 am	Officer Allen leaves house to return to station, Bowen goes out with him. Allen has Sawyer guard back door.
11:23-11:33 am	Dr. Bowen returns home, checks rail timetable, goes to telegram Emma, and stops at Baker’s Drug store. Telegram is time stamped at 11:32. (PH274)
11:25 am	Off. Patrick Doherty, at Bedford & Second, notes City Hall clock time enroute to Station. (T589)
11:23-11:30 am	Lizzie asks to check for Mrs. Borden; Bridget & Mrs. Churchill go upstairs, discover body. (PH29-30)
11:34 am	Bridget fetches Doctor Bowen’s wife, Phoebe. (T250)
11:35 am	George Petty, former resident of 92 Second Street, enters the Borden house with Dr. Bowen. (WS21)
11:40 am	Bowen returns to Borden house. Churchill tells him they’ve discovered Abby upstairs. (TT322)
11:35-11:40 am	Officer Patrick Doherty & Deputy Sheriff Wixon arrive at house; see Manning sitting on steps, met at back door by Dr. Bowen, who lets them in. (T447)
11:35-11:40 am	Francis Wixon and Dr. Bowen check Andrew’s pockets and remove watch.
11:35-11:40	Officer Doherty questions Lizzie who tells him she heard a “scraping” noise.
11:35-11:40 am	Officer Doherty views Abby’s body with Dr. Bowen, pulls bed out to view her better. (PH330)
11:35-11:45 am	Morse arrives at Borden house, first going to back yard.
11:37 am	Officer Mullaly arrives.
11:39-11:40 am	Officer Medley arrives at 92 Second Street. (T686)
11:44 am	Doherty runs to Undertaker Gorman’s shop around corner and phones Marshall Hilliard. (PH331)
11:45 am	Doherty returns; Officers Mullaly. Allen, Denny, and Medley arrive.
11:45 am	Dr. Dolan arrives, sees bodies.
11:45 am	Morse talks to Sawyer at side door, later testifies he heard of murders from Bridget.
11:45-11:50 am	Morse sees Andrew’s body, then goes upstairs and sees Abby’s body.
11:50 am	Morse speaks to Lizzie as she lays on lounge in dining room.
11:50 am-Noon	Asst. Marshall Fleet arrives; sees bodies; talks to Lizzie in her room w/Rev. Buck, says “…she’s not my mother, she’s my stepmother” (PH354)
11:50 am	Morse goes out to back yard and stays outside most of the afternoon.
11:50 am -Noon	Deputy Sheriff Wixon climbs back fence and talks to workmen sawing wood in Chagnon yard. (TT452)
11:50-Noon	Doherty, Fleet and Medley accompany Bridget to cellar where she shows them hatchet in box on shelf. (WS6)
12:15-12:20 am	Officer Harrington arrives at the Borden house.
12:25 am	Officer Harrington interviews Lizzie in her bedroom (she wears pink wrapper). (WS6)
12:45 am	Marshall Hillliard & Officers Doherty & Connors drive carriage to Andrew’s upper farm in Swansea.
3:00-4:00 pm	Crime scene photographs are taken of Andrew & Abby. (PH160)
3:40 pm	Emma leaves on New Bedford train for Weir Junction to return to Fall River. (CI107)
4:30 pm	Stomachs of Andrew and Abby removed and sealed.
5:00 pm	Emma arrives in Fall River. (TT1550)
5:00-5:30 pm	State Detective George F. Seaver arrives from Taunton. (PH453)
5:30 pm	Dr. Dolan “delivers” bodies of Andrew and Abby to Undertaker James Winward.
5:35 pm	Winward & assistant remove sofa from house and store it in a room at his building. (BG8-5-92)
6:00 pm	Alice leaves 92 Second St. to return home for supper. (CI149)
8:45 pm	Officer Joseph Hyde, observing from a northwest outside window, sees Lizzie & Alice go down cellar.
9:00 pm	Officer Hyde observes Lizzie return to basement alone.

By 9:30 pm, all was quiet inside 92 Second Street. Morse slept in the room Abby was found killed. Lizzie slept in her room, Emma in her own room, and Alice Russell slept in Andrew & Abby’s room. Bridget slept across the street in the Dr. Bowen/Southern Miller double house with the Miller’s maid. Two Fall River police officers guarded the house from the outside.

Come morning it would be a brand new day with screeching newspaper headlines and a townsfolk aghast, appalled and mystified on how such a thing could happen.

116th Anniversary Weekend of Borden Murders

Tour Guide Kathleen describes discovery of the murders to visitors at the Borden house on July 31, 2008. (FRHN video)

How fortuitious that the fatal fourth of August falls on a Monday this year – 116 years later from the 1892 Borden murders that made Lizzie Borden an enduring fascination. This week day date allows for a long preceding weekend for the local media, particularly the Fall River Herald News, to do what it has continuously done from that very day (when it was known as the Fall River Globe), i.e., fill its paper with remembrances of the case and its iconic female enigma, Lizzie Borden. It is The Big Weekend for the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast and the Fall River Historical Society.

Also, more vehicles will pass through the beautiful entrance of Oak Grove Cemetery and follow the arrows painted on the pavement leading to the Borden family plot than any other weekend of the year. And traffic on French Street, already congested with insufficient curbside parking, will be heavily traversed with the “lookie-loos” getting a gander where Lizzie lived the rest of her life – the once stately abode she named “Maplecroft”.  Lizzie died in the add-on bedroom over the veranda she had built as seen in this photo.

So it’s no surprise that the papers are full of Lizzie. It’s that time of year. Always has been, and (as long as the case remains one of the great murder mysteries) it always will be. The anniversary draws more tourists to Fall River and thats good business for the City and its tourist attractions. We can also look forward to the annual re-enactments and (don’t hold your breath) the opening of the Salem “Lizzie Borden Museum”. Come Tuesday, August 5, 2008, the local and regional papers will be still be full of Lizzie.

Yep, one long weekend. A virtual Lizzie bonanza for the media looking to increase viewership, radio listeners and on-site visitors! Free publicity all around. Especially for a town long suffering in its economic development that could use an infusion of revenue. No wonder they love her. Go, Fall River! Go!

On Monday, August 4th, I’ll post an updated Timelime of events the day before and the day of the murders.