Mondo Lizzie Borden

I have to admit it. I collect Lizzie kitsch.

I own a Lizzie Borden bobblehead (and sell them too!), a large and a small Lizzie Borden Living Dead Doll (these are great and I highly recommend them, but buy them in boxes, sealed, for the collectable value), some home-made and artist created items such as bookmarks, notecards, a Lizzie decorated purse, pinbacks, buttons, paintings, t-shirts, original cartoon stills, some hatchet earrings, a hatchet keychain, a hatchet moneyclip, and even this really cool boxed tableau vivant with Lizzie Borden as Little Red Riding Hood!

I love a good odd buy.

A few months ago I bought a large Lizzie doll, one that was hand designed, made up and decorated as a killing Lizzie. She is dressed in silken black fabric with a veil and a hat decorated with black feathers.

Her hands and face are blood-spattered and she carries a hatchet in the front of her garment, tucked away. I thought she was very cool and a good price. But now I sort of wish I hadn’t. Truth be told, she scares me.

BACKSTORY: In the January 1998 edition of The Lizzie Borden Quarterly there was a story titled “Lizzie Yes, Lizzie No,” which debated the question as to whether the woman in the group shot was Lizzie Borden. The image was thought to have been taken by the Gay Studios of Fall River (date unknown), and was then on sale by the photo’s owners through the auction house Swann Galleries. The owner had the image posted on the web stating “Gay’s Studio was the most important photographic studio in Fall River in the late 19th century. The quality of the image does not come through when reproduced here. When viewed in person, it becomes immediately apparent that the photo is indeed Lizzie Borden.”

This just in from an “intrepid reporter”:(from page 13 of The Valchemist, Journal of the Connecticut Valley Section, American Chemical Society.

Obituary
William L. “Bill” Masterton passed away on June 19, 2005. He is survived by his wife Loris with whom he shared 52 years of marriage; two sons, Fred and Reynold “Peter”; and four grandchildren – Meghan, Jennifer, Jessica, and Kevin. Bill lived in both Mansfield, CT and his family homestead in Center Conway, NH.

He served in the US Army in 1946 and 1947 and was stationed in Korea. He earned his PhD in chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1953, and was professor of chemistry at the University of Connecticut from 1955 until retirement in 1987. During his tenure at the University, he received an award as Best Teacher in 1966, and his freshman chemistry classes were always “standing room only.” He served as president of the UConn Chapter, American Association of University Professors. He is perhaps best known for writing several editions of the freshman chemistry textbook Chemical Principles with co-authors Emil Slowinski (early editions) and Cecile Hurley (later editions).

He recently turned his lifelong interest in the famous Lizzie Borden case into a historical novel, Lizzie Didn’t Do It, defending his theory that Lizzie was innocent, and giving his version of the events of August 4th 1892. Bill was also an avid trout fisherman and strong supporter of causes such as Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and colleagues.

I heard a rumor that William Masterton, author of Lizzie Didn’t Do It! had passed away last year but I couldn’t confirm it until now. I was pointed to this post on a FreeList site that tells the sad news and the details of the condition that lead to his death. Using my resources, I was not able to locate an newspaper obituary in either Connecticut or Massachusetts. If anyone does have this info or a copy of the obit I would appreciate it. You could send it to me by email.

It is with overwhelming sadness that I report the recent death of Dr. William L. Masterton, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut, Storrs.

Many of you may have used various editions of his (and co-authors’) best selling high school or college general chemistry textbooks and/or problem and lab manuals. He also ventured forth into the realm of forensic science/history with his published and very highly rated book, “Lizzie Didn’t Do It,” about the famous Lizzie Borden case that took place in the 1890s in Fall River, MA.

I can attest through first-hand experience that, not only was Bill a great lecturer in general chemistry, but his two graduate thermodynamics courses were superb.

After suffering a massive stroke while at dinner in Conway, NH, on June 16, CPR was administered without success. He was then airlifted to a hospital in Maine. His wife, Loris, two sons, and a grandson made it to his bedside from Storrs, Germany, and Pennsylvania. Bill died while still in a coma at 4 am on June 19 (ironically, Father’s Day).

Bill’s funeral and burial will be held in Conway this Thursday, June 23. A memorial service is planned for later in the year, most probably at UConn. I will provide the date, time, and location via e-mail before then so you can attend.

Sorry about the very sad news.

Laddie

Ladislav H. Berka, Ph.D.
Research Professor of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Masterton’s book was positively reviewed by The Lizzie Borden Quarterly. He also wrote many pieces over the yearsfor the now defunct Quarterly. To read about his articles and Letters to the Editor please visit the LBQ Bibliography.