UPDATE:

CONGRATULATIONS TO LINDA ROSE OF BUENA PARK, CA. WHO PURCHASED BOTH BOOKS FOR A TOTAL OF $500 – AT $250 EACH SHE GOT A BARGAIN!

STAY TUNED – MORE COMING!

Have you been looking for a free copy of the Preliminary Hearing in the Lizzie Borden case?  Have you been wanting affordable copies of Len Rebello’s Lizzie Borden Past & Present? And have you been on the hunt for the Fall River Historical Society’s The Knowlton Papers? Well, you’ve landed in the right place.

Central Police Station, where the Preliminary Hearing was held.

First, here’s another free and easy access to reading the entire transcript of the Preliminary Hearing.  Just click:

PRELIMINARY HEARING

EMAIL ME FOR PASSWORD.

I also have it as a separate page on this blog as you can see at the top of this page, but here you don’t have to do a cut and paste into WORD for printing.  You can print directly from this Writeboard format.  You can also export it to your hard drive!  How cool is that?!

It is, after all, the Season of Giving.

I’ll be giving lots more real soon as I’m about to trim down more of my Lizzie Collectibles at bargain basement prices.

Are you looking for these?

Well, I’ve got several of each and the prices will be the best you can get.    I’ll be posting more info about them along with lots of other collectibles soon, but if you can’t wait and want to be assured you get one (or both), email me at phaye@npgcable.com and make an offer.  (Some of the Rebello’s are autographed by the author and come with mylar covers.  All have the dust jackets.)

The season of Christmas is upon us and warrants a peek at how Lizzie Borden’s family celebrated.

And what is Christmas without a showing of that famous “It’s a Wonderful Life” film?  This version has Deadwood’s Al Swearingen, Marshal Hilliard, and Little Lee-ann Wilber along with Andrew, Emma, and of course, our dear Lizzie.

Just click on the titles to get started.  And be sure to have your sound on!

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE WITH THE BORDENS!

Those lovable Bordens – when they were young -  have a happy time decorating their Christmas tree!

LIGHTING THE CHRISTMAS TREE!

And here take notice of how those Bordens stick together.

SNOW FIGHT! CO-STARRING INSPECTOR FLEET

Image by Danny Evans

….seem to be everywhere. And they are mostly copied from one place to another, i.e., YouTube to MySpace to Hulu to Blog posts, and on and on.  Video Regurgitation.  Some are really bad and some are quite entertaining.  But consider all the cell phones with video capability out there.  And those B&B tourists who have them and do a minute video and call it their Lizzie Borden movie.  Here are some samplings.  (Just click on them).

Salem Exhibit “MySpace” Video

Excellent bio with the lovely Helen Pierce, courtesy of Hulu.

“Emma Bordon the Axe Killer’

The next one is a “legitimate” from the old t.v. series and taken from Lillian De La Torre’s play.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents The Older Sister

The following is my own personal favorite of the short, original creations:

They all have one thing in common:  The continual perpetuation of Lizzie Borden as a one-dimensional, axe-wielding persona encapsulated in an inaccurate quatrain solidifying her as a demented psychopath.   She was not.  She was a woman of taste and deportment.  She was a woman with a strong sense of her Borden roots, a strong belief in God and the hereafter, exquisite taste and a quick, intelligent mind.  She valued those friendships that demonstrated their loyalty and, likewise, unforgiving to those who had, or whom she perceived to have demonstrated betrayals.  There’s something to be said about that when it comes to her love of animals.

Lizzie Borden was not a psychopath.  But she’s endured as a pop culture icon with a false image so embedded in the minds and imaginations of those who study not closely – albeit widely – on the internet.  The content of almost all of the videos  proves the point.  It seems hardly a week goes by without someone, somewhere on the internet making reference to Lizzie Borden but most always in the context of that one dimensional persona.  “I’m gonna go Lizzie Borden”, “The committee will do a Lizzie Borden on the proposed budget”, yadda, yadda, yadda.

What is particularly sad is when the Fall River Historical Society finally publishes it’s book,  Parallel Lives, (at a retail price of nearly $50 and a limited market for heavy reading on the Borden case) it will have limited sales (we’re not talking the new Harry Potter book here) and will fail to alter her pop culture image amongst the masses.  Anyone who thinks differently can’t see the forest for the trees.  Nonetheless, this book promises to be of the same quality as the FRHS’s first book, The Knowlton Papers.  Further, its new findings and photos will ensure its worthiness as a “must have” acquisition by Bordenia collectors and scholars.

As an example of the general disregard by the masses to the facts of the case, it was pretty much proven BACK IN 1893 that the murder weapon was a hatchet, not an AXE, for one thing, and anybody who’s read even one book on the case would know that.  But it doesn’t matter, as 90% of the time she is identified with the axe, not a hatchet.  The masses like their psychopathic, pop culture icons the way they are.  That’s why they don’t bother with research by digging into available facts in books, forums, or subscribe to periodicals.

Education.  Ain’t it a bitch?

Lizzie has sat down and made out a list for what she is thankful for on Thanksgiving, 1891:

I’m thankful for all the things I get to do at Central Congregational Church.  (They like me!  They really, really like me!)

I’m thankful I got accepted as Secretary to the Women’s Board of the Fall River Hospital.  (They all like my penmanship).

I’m thankful Emma knows how to keep her mouth shut.

I’m thankful I’m a Borden.

I’m thankful I have so many books.

I’m thankful father pays my bills at McWhirrs, Gifford’s and other places for things I “got”.

I’m thankful I don’t have bright red hair.

I’m thankful Dr. Bowen lives nearby.  (He is so handsome!)

I’m thankful I don’t have to do any housework, except the care of my room – which Emma does mostly anyway.

I’m thankful Abby has no shoes with good tread when she clumsily wobbles up and down the stairs.

I’m thankful Aunt Lurana’s neuralgia is not getting worse.

I’m thankful father called off the investigation of “that robbery” this year.

I’m thankful nobody used those horse-car tickets.

I’m thankful Mrs. Holmes and Anna Borden invite me to their homes so I can use a real bathroom.

I’m thankful father didn’t cut back my $4.00 a week allowance when I implored him to give me more – that miserly, degenerate b…..d.  (Oh, but I dare not put my true thoughts down on paper).

I’m thankful Emma finally gave me the bigger room.

I’m thankful I got to go on the Grand Tour last year, and oh, how I pray to return.

I’m thankful I have an aversion to pigeon pie.

I’m thankful Uncle Morse won’t be here for dinner, that smelly, secretive old coot.

I’m thankful my new gloves match my new hat.

I’m thankful I have a knack for decorating.

I’m thankful for my loyal friends – few as they are.

I’m thankful Central is so close now that Father sold our horse.

I’m thankful Father keeps accumulating more property.

I wonder what I’ll be thankful for this time next year?

The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast/Museum Gift Shop is a splendid choice for selecting a Christmas gift for your friends who share your interest in Lizzie Borden.

(Click on images for larger views)

Susan Hauck, who gives tours and works in the Gift Shop was Curator for the outstanding GalleryX Exhibit of “Lizzie Borden – A Tale of Two Cities” held in New Bedford.

On my recent visit to Fall River, I took Bob Dube, owner of Maplecroft to the B&B and to chat with Susan whom he had thrilled (along with Gift Shop Manager, Dee Moniz) with a complete tour of his home.  Bob said to me:  “This stuff is really good!”

The Gift Shop offers up so much more than what is illustrated at their website as can be seen in these images.   There are skateboards, buttons, magnets, jewelry, postcards, memory booklet by Ed Thibault, CD’s by yours truly, glassware, hats, T-Shirts, golf shirts, cups, mugs, buttons, etc.

Viewed here are some of “diggings” discovered when the old Leary Press was demolished.  Lee-ann Wilber, B&B/Museum Manager, was able to salvage these finds and are on display for all to see.

So if you can’t get to Fall River, you can contact the Gift Shop by calling 508-675-3333, place your order, and they will ship promptly.  So why not get that unique Lizzie gift for your special friends.  You won’t find this stuff at Walmart. 

The once beautiful Gothic Glamor Girl of Fall River, the Central Congregational Church on Rock Street, suffered her last years as the Abby Grille.   As seen by clicking these images,  you get an “up close and personal” view of the progressive decay and neglect to her exterior.

Around the 10th of this month, vandals broke in through a basement door and did extensive damage to the interior of Abby Grille.  This structure was the former Central Congregational Church – Lizzie Borden’s church – and was recently auctioned off and remains held by Millenium Bank.

I happened to be driving by at night and noticed a big blue dumpster parked inside the gate.  I went in and asked what had happened.  Seems the vandals took all 19 fire extinquishers off their mounts and sprayed everywhere.  They broke out glass from interior doors, damaged some of the beautiful stained glass, took doors off hinges, scratched and chipped the beautiful woodwork, etc.  They left skid marks believed to be from skateboards.

“Gabe” overseeing the cleanup, provided me information on what had happened and allowed me to take pictures.  Much was being hauled away in the dumpster.

Up until this sad event, the interior was still basically intact, but now her wounds have scars and injuries that most likely will never be completely healed.

I have to wonder what putz was or is in charge of this property at Millenium Bank.  Is it some $60,000 a year “Assistant Vice President of Property Disposition” who hadn’t the foresight to adequately seal and secure the buildings?  Did this person not think of sealing all windows, particularly the stained glass?  Or did this putz merely say to an administrative aide to buy some new locks for the doors and the gate?

Last summer when they auctioned off the kitchen equipment it pretty much took care of anyone acquiring it for a restaurant because that acquisition and installation expense would be added to the hefty needed repairs cost.

If the Bank had any smarts they would gut the entire building before letting the inevitable wrecking ball knock her down.  The woodwork throughout, the organ (estimated value at $65,000), the doors, chandeliers, cabinetry, original hardware, etc. etc.  could be auctioned off piecemeal.  This would allow the bank to recoup some money back.

Meanwhile this iconic Gothic architecture structure continues in its state of terminal cancer.    Abandoned, stripped, raped and spit upon.  No one cares enough to save her.  Not even the so-called “Preservationists”, as ineffective as their history proves out.

By contrast, in all the years I’ve been going to Fall River (since 1977), I have never even seen grafitti or any type of vandalism to the below murals so familiar to those passing enroute to 92 Second Street.

There are many tangible and intangible assets in Fall River.  One of those tangible assets can be found inside the closed and “locked” Kuss Middle School.

This structure houses those fabulous murals painted by John Mann around 1936 as a WPA project.  They depict Fall River’s history from the Indian era to the era of the cotton mill.  You can read about them HERE. This property is already looking beaten up.  Practically screams out:  “Invade me!  Tear me up inside!  Bring your spray cans!”    So here’s my own shout- out to Meg Mayo-Brown, Superintendent of Fall River Schools who has direct responsibility for school property:

WHAT ARE YOU AND THE FALL RIVER SCHOOL COMMITTEE DOING TO SAFEGUARD THOSE MURALS?  WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THEIR FUTURE DISPOSITION?

Inquiries have been made thru proper channels.   Let’s hope a lesson is learned here.

Posted in Fall River History Tagged: abby grille, Central Congregational Church, Fall River, john mann murals, kuss middle school ]]> http://phayemuss.wordpress.com/2009/11/20/vandals-add-to-decay-damage-of-abby-grille/feed/ 1 phayemuss PB150335_0002 PB150330_0007 PB150331_0006 PB150333_0004 PB150329_0008 PB150332_0005 PB150334_0003 PB110212_0125 PB110211_0126 http://phayemuss.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/fall-river-visit-snippets/ http://phayemuss.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/fall-river-visit-snippets/#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:32:55 +0000 phayemuss http://phayemuss.wordpress.com/?p=3966 ]]>

Lucy S. Macomber headstone at Oak Grove Cemetery.  She was a school chum of Lizzie’s (the class ahead of her) and listed as the 17th bequest in Lizzie’s will, receiving $1,000.

Fall River Locust Street residence of Grace Hartley Howe and Louis McHenry Howe.  He wrote her many letters to this address while he resided with Franklin and Eleanor in New York.

Grace’s Fall River cottage home on Martha Street with lovely view of the Taunton River.  She lived here during her years as Postmistress of Fall River and until her death in 1955.

Grace’s uncle, Jerome C. Borden had several daughters.  Cousin Bessy was a favorite and Grace’s mother wrote her daughter frequently about Bessy, Bertha and Fanny.

During the 1880’s & 1890’s it was fashionable to have yourself photographed in front of your home or business by a traveling postcard photographer.  The below image shows 3 ladies in front of this home only one door down from Central Congregational Church.

This is a similar view of that area today where both houses still stand.

The one nearest the now defunct Abby Grille, as shown below, has had some recent modifications.

It is now the “Old Firehouse Smoke Shop”

Posted in Fall River History, Fall River, MA, Oak Grove Cemetery Tagged: abby grille, Central Congregational Church, Fall River, Grace Hartley Howe, Louis McHenry Howe, lucy macomber, old firehouse smoke shop ]]> http://phayemuss.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/fall-river-visit-snippets/feed/ 0 phayemuss PB150304_0033 PB110206_0131 PB150318_0019 Bessy 130-rock-street PB150323_0014 frontside front frontclose http://phayemuss.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/time-aint-it-a-bitch/ http://phayemuss.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/time-aint-it-a-bitch/#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:39:47 +0000 phayemuss http://phayemuss.wordpress.com/?p=3954 ]]>

So do you have too much time on your hands but still can’t get done what needs to get done?  Feel like you are pressured for producing?  Feel like you are falling back on deadline promises?

Have you been unemployed for a long while and feel like there’s not enough time to make up for what you’ve lost?  Are you stressed that you are at the half century mark of your life and know that the  second half provides you less time than the first?

Is Time  slipping away or stretched out before you?  Do you yearn for “down time” or “me time” or are you already wallowing in it wishing you had more structured and lucrative activities to fill your Time?

Are you stuck at home most of the Time without discretionary funds for travel, eating out, donating to charities, I-phone upgrades, or gifts for friends?

Ever wonder what happens in the world “all the time”?

Well, click on this world clock.

Now, next time you put off getting that pedicure, meeting Mr. “Could be” Wonderful,  or publishing a long delayed magazine already paid for by customers, or just anything else, consider what has occurred in the world by that passage of Time.

Sometimes when we fail to meet deadlines, it’s not about Time at all.  It’s about money.  So much Time and so little money.   And when the clock keeps clicking and the money doesn’t come in….we move backwards.  We move further away from our goals, our youth,  and our Center of Contentedness.

I’ll be doing a review shortly on Julie’s new book that came out last month:  FDR’s Shadow the Force that Shaped Franklin & Eleanor Rooswevelt . I wanted to wait until I got a chance to review those letters – and more – at the FDR Library which I did just recently.

Julie M. Fenster’s, award winning author and historian,  new book

Julie has reciprocated in helping me with my own research at the FDR Library in Hyde Park, NY.   We now have much to discuss of our own insights from that very private and revealing correspondence.

Julie was, of course, focused on the Holy Triangle of Louis, Franklin and Eleanor – the Grace Hartley Howe connection a stunning by-product towards understanding the “inner man” of Louis.  I, of course, was interested in the Grace-Louis correspondence specific to the Lizzie connection.  Why, after all, was Grace a major legatee?  I got my answers.

When Grace died her daughter Mary and son Hartley inherited her personal papers, which included the letters written to her from Louis and these were subsequently donated to the FDR Library to be deposited with Louis’ other papers.

Side note:  Mary Howe Baker sat with Eleanor Roosevelt and other notables in this TIME Mag article May 20, 1933.   Grace was in Fall River at the time.

A print of this collage, which I created back in 1999, still hangs on the refrigerator at the Lizzie Borden B&B.

(click on image for larger view)

Back from visit Northeast with scads of voice mail, emails and snail mail to catch up on. Some pointed reflections that I may elaborate on later:

1. Twisted Restaurant in Hyde Park.

2. Two FR senior guys at Rosario’s – turns out one has a home at Rim Country Club Estates here in Payson.

3. Letters from Mary Hartley to Grace Hartley at Vassar in 1897…re “cousin in the news again”.

4. Letters from Mary Hartley to Grace Hartley Howe full of gossip about the “Rock Street people”.

5. Victoria’s Secret girls at the Lizzie Borden B&B.

6. Long chat with Michael Martins and Dennis Binette re Lizzie, their book, etc. (photos selected, galleys done, index done; awaiting blueline, altho new stuff still coming in).

7. Scallops and Lobster at the Liberal Club with Manny A. and his wife.

8. GalleryX Exhibit piece “Two Sides to Every Story”….couldn’t find artists contact info or I would have purchased it right then and there.

9. Interior of Abby Grille (Central Congregational Church) since the recent vandalism. Sickening. I’ll post pictures later.

10. “Blood Relations” in New Bedford Saturday night, then our mad dash back to the Eagle. What a ride!

11. FDR’s house, Vanderbilt Mansion, Val-Kil – thank you Margaret, D.A.R. member, and resident of Hyde Park.

12. Max the cat in window of the “bahn” late at night; red glow background (from Exit sign), foggy. Stunning effect.

13. Blueboy in parlor – couldn’t stop laughing.

14. Ken Champlin telephone calls.

15. Fall River Library – new piece by Macomber donated in memory of Jerome C. Borden – my personal fav.

16. Visit to FRPD and chat with Asst Chief Moniz.

17. Nice visit and Chinese lunch with Bob Dube. (Wonderful new look to the parlor).

18. Mayor’s office re disposition of WPA artist project of murals at Kuss Middle School.

19.  Viewing the grounds at Vassar in Poughkeepsie where Grace and Mary Howe attended.  (Grace lived in an apt there while Louis lived with the Roosevelts a their huge house).

Lots to do, little time. More later.