Table of Contents
1. Greetingz: Time for a Contest!
2. September Timeline
3. Updatz
4. Upcoming Eventz
5. Lizzie in the Newz
6. Web Site Additionz
7. Web Site Coming Attractionz
8. Lizzie Giftz— Perfect for the Lizzie Borden buff in your life!
9. Thiz and Thatz

1. GREETINGZ 

Contest Time!! I feel like giving things away this month. But you have to work a bit for your prizes. Below is an illustration of Knowlton and Moody walking on the street in 1892 or 1893. It desperately needs a caption. And the funnier the better! So here are the rules of this contest:

Click on the image and take a gander at the image. What ARE these men saying? Come up with a great caption to this picture and win!

Captions must be received by September 28th. Winners will be determined by a committee of three Borden buffs. The winning caption will be added to the image and revealed in next's month's Lizzie Borden Newzletter.

First place wins a pair of Pear Candles. Second place wins a Lizzie Borden door hanger (one side says "Enter at Your Own Risk" and the other "Please Knock and Axe Me if You Can Enter"), Third place wins a book of 31 old-time Victorian Children's Stickers.

Email your captions here

2. SEPTEMBER TIMELINE

These are the events related to the Lizzie Borden case that occurred in the month of September:

• Sept. 2, 1893: Lizzie and Emma move into Maplecroft
• Sept. 4, 1855: Joseph W. Carpenter born in Fall River; worked for Borden and Almy
• Sept. 13, 1822: Andrew Jackson Borden, first born and only son of Abraham and Phebe born
• Sept. 14, 1857: George B. Harrington, only child of Hiram and Lurana, born
• Sept. 17, 1885: Fall River Hospital founded
• Sept. 17, 1917: William Medley dies three days after auto accident at the age of 64
• Sept. 19, 1823: Sarah Anthony Morse, first wife of Andrew Jackson Borden and mother of Emma, Alice, and Lizzie, is born in Somerset, MA
• Sept. 24, 1913: Charles M. Allen dies in Fall River at the age of 68, first owner of Maplecroft
• Sept. 28, 1934: Charles Cook dies in Fall River at the age of 80
• Sept. 29, 1891: William Walker Jubb installed as 5th pastor of Central Congregational Church in Fall River

3. UPDATZ: Word-for-Word Performing Arts Company celebrated its 10th Anniversary with The Fall River Axe Murders by ANGELA CARTER. Directed by Amy Freed in collaboration with Jeffrey Bihr. The show premiered at The Magic Theater, Fort Mason Center, Building D, San Francisco, from August 7 - September 7, 2003. There are still some performances to attend! The show is getting rave reviews. Here are a sampling of what the critics are saying:

"Fall River 'Whacks' Borden Legend"

"Forty whacks! Did she or didn't she? Word for Word explores Lizzie Borden and her love of sharp objects."

Visit their web site for ticket information.

4. UPCOMING EVENTZ

The Shaw Festival announces a 20% discount to subscribers of the Lizzie Borden Newzletter to "Blood Relations" by Sharon Pollock, written 1980, June to November 30.

“a psychological rollercoaster ride”—the Toronto Star

Blood Relations by Sharon Pollock - at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, running now until November 30th.

Receive a 20% discount on tickets to see Blood Relations*

Lizzie fans like you, won’t want to miss this fascinating interweaving of fact and legend in Sharon Pollock’s Blood Relations. Although Lizzie was never convicted and walked away from the murder trial with her freedom, her notoriety never faded. Pollock picks up her story ten years later, when Lizzie’s relationship with a Boston Actress draws them both into re-enacting the events that led up to the murders.

Call 1-800-511-7429 to order tickets, or to receive Shaw Festival information.

*Tickets are for selected performances. Call the Box Office for details.
Quote discount code LF when ordering.

The Shaw Festival is one of the largest repertory companies in North America, and the only theatre that specializes in plays written by Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries — "plays about the beginning of the modern world." Productions run April to November in three different theatres, in a beautiful village 20 minutes down-river from Niagara Falls, and two hours from Toronto.

Visit their web site for ticket information.

Special Thanks to Kay Meilleur, Senior Manager Marketing Services, The Shaw Festival
for sending us these great photos of the show!

Photos of Michael Ball, Jane Perry and Laurie Paton by David Cooper.

5. LIZZIE (AND FALL RIVER) IN THE NEWZ

William Pavao, curator of the Lizzie Borden Museum at 92 Second St. has been very generous to us this month and posted detailed measured floorplans of the house in the Member's Only section of the Lizzie Borden Society Forum. To join the forum please stop by and sign up! You can visit the forum to lurk without joining as well. Here is the link

On August 6th, William Masterton, author of Lizzie Didn't Do It!, presented a lecture on the Borden Murders as a part of Fall River's Bicentennial Celebration. Several Lizzie Borden Society Forum members were in attendance and report that the event was successful. To read the comments by the attendees and read the article in the Fall River Daily Herald on the talk,
please visit the forum at this address.

Lizzie's personality was profiled using Tarot, Runes, Numerology, I-Ching, and Biorhythms. An interesting read, courtesy of Kathleen Carbone, who found the site.

6. WEB SITE ADDITIONZ

I have recently added several new pages to the Lizzie Borden Virtual Museum and Library. They include:

• New Lizzie items for sale
• Another humorous addition to the Writer's Corner by Sherry Chapman entitled "Dear Abby". Ms. Chapman's column presents advice to questions posed by members of the cast of characters of the Borden Murders — and who answers these queries? Why none other than Abby Borden!

7. WEB SITE COMING ATTRACTIONZ

• A new addition to "Dear Abby"
• New surprises!

Here is a list of the newest additions to the Lizzie Borden Gift Shop. Please visit the store at this address for contact information regarding purchasing these items.

Lizzie Borden T-Shirts--two designs. Now you can have your very own Lizzie Borden T-shirt. Original artwork decorates this unique and beautiful item. This design is in black and white. Brand new, never been worn, Tee. Size Large, white T with artwork on FRONT. Nothing printed on the back. 100% Cotton, pre washed, Fruit of the Loom brand. Not a silkscreen. Shipping is $2.50 to the continental US. $15.99. Both designs for $28.99.

Lizzie Borden 110-piece Puzzle. STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL 110-piece puzzle depicting a lovely pastel image of Lizzie Borden. Puzzle is 7.5 X 9.5 inches. Original artwork by Harry Widdows decorates this distinctive and unique item. Shipping is $2.50 to the continental US. $9.99.

Lizzie Borden's Home -- MAPLECROFT -- 110-piece Puzzle. STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL 110-piece puzzle depicting the lovely Victorian home of Lizzie Borden purchased in 1893 after her acquittal of the murders of her father Andrew and her stepmother, Abby. Puzzle is 7.5 X 9.5 inches. Original artwork by K. Koorey from a photograph by Stefani Koorey decorates this distinctive and unique item. Shipping is $2.50 to the continental US. $9.99.

Lizzie Borden's Will and Probate Records in hard copy format. Legal size paper, 25 pages in length. Lizzie Andrew Borden made her Last Will & Testament in 1926 just before the Great Depression of 1929. When she passed away on June 1, 1927 she was worth over a quarter million dollars. She had a chauffeur, live-in maids, two cars, a nice home on the corner of French and Belmont Sts., jewelry, many investments in Utilities, and owned several office buildings in Fall River. Lizzie shared her wealth with those family and friends who stood by her in the years after the trial. One interesting note is Lizzie's contribution to the Fall River Animal Rescue League for $30,000. Shipping is $2.50 to continental US. $5.95 per copy.

Lizzie Borden Door Hanger. Laminated Lizzie Borden door hanger, perfect for any room in your house. Double-sided with a different message on each side. Side A reads: "Lizzie Borden's Room Enter at your own risk!"; Side B reads: "Lizzie Borden: Please knock and axe me if you can enter!" Original artwork decorates this distinctive and unique item. Laminated so it will last! The words "copy" appear in the advertisement only and are not on the finished product. FREE SHIPPING to the Continental US. All others pay actual shipping fees. $3.95 each or 2 for $7.00

Lizzie Borden Mouse Pads. Now for the first time you can own a Lizzie Borden Mouse Pad! The perfect holiday gift for anyone interested in the Borden murders of 1892, the history of Fall River, or Victorian America. These high quality mouse pads are 3/16th of an inch thick and measure 9.25 X 7.75 inches.This stunning mouse pad depicts Lizzie in front of the 92 Second Street house in Fall River, Mass. in which both her father and stepmother were murdered (see image). While Lizzie was tried and acquitted of the crimes, not everyone believes her to be innocent. Did she or didn't she? Shipping is $1.50 to continental US. $16.95 each or 2 for $32.00

Complete Primary Source Documents PLUS important books on the case on CD-ROM: Police Witness Statements (46 pages + full index); Inquest (2 vols.); Preliminary Hearing (5 vols., 460+ pages); Trial Transcript (2 vols., 1,900 + pages). PLUS The Fall River Tragedy (1893) by Edwin H. Porter and The Trial of Lizzie Borden (1937) by Edmund Pearson --- both books are in PDF format and contain all photographs from the original editions. All documents and books are in PDF format for easy viewing on ANY computer or operating system (Mac, PC, Linux). Now you can own all of the important primary sources on one disk! If purchased separately in hard paper format, your total would be at least $250. This copy of the Preliminary Hearing is in CORRECT ORDER. The original is not. Includes an original introductory essay that provides much needed information on the preliminary hearing process and Lizzie's process specifically. The disk includes all four documents, two important books on the case (Porter and Pearson), plus a free bonus of a large collection of photographs related to the case in JPG and gif formats, including images of the primary participants in the murder mystery and photographs of the inside and outside of the murder house, 92 Second St. in Fall River, Mass. $49.95.

The Borden Murders and Their Aftermath, as reported in the New Bedford Evening Standard. One of the foremost and complete newspapers that covered the Borden tragedy of Fall River, Massachusetts, was the New Bedford Evening Standard. Almost all books on the Borden case draw heavily from its pages. Rich in detail, these news reports capture the flavor and atmosphere from the day of the crime to Lizzie’s ultimate acquittal. Now for the first time you can have a digitized transcription of the pages of this vital resource. Arranged by date, these articles if printed out would be over 460 pages in length. This collection does not include the trial coverage itself and is intended as a complement to the primary source documents found at this web site. These articles cover the daily side happenings during the period of the trial and the events leading up to it and its decision. Reading these pages is like being transported back in time to 1892-93 Fall River and New Bedford, Mass. Every attempt was made to make an exact duplicate of each daily article. This is a must for any Lizzie Borden buff who wants to read first hand about the excitement and drama surrounding the daily happenings of this extraordinary case. This important document is brought to you in PDF format for easy viewing on ANY computer or operating system (Mac, PC, Linux). The disk includes the extensive transcripts of the New Bedford Evening Standard plus a free bonus of a large collection of photographs related to the case in JPG and gif formats, including images of the primary participants in the murder mystery and photographs of the inside and outside of the murder house, 92 Second St. in Fall River, Mass. $19.95.

 Lizzie Borden -- The Murders and Their Aftermath, as reported by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. A little known upstate New York newspaper, the Democrat & Chronicle in Rochester, NY, devoted extensive coverage to the Borden murders in Fall River, Massachusetts and their aftermath in the years 1892 and 1893. In a series of 28 articles they present the daily happenings and events that were so captivating to the reading audience. The articles were transcribed and digitized using the exact spelling and factual errors to reflect the sense of the reporting of this real life drama and are made available for the very first time in this format. This well written and interesting series of articles is a welcome addition to any collector of material on one of the most horrific unsolved murder cases of all time. This collection is in PDF format for viewing on any computer system. The collection can be read with a free Adobe Acrobat Reader, available for download at Adobe.com. This unique and original collection has never before been offered for sale. Transcribed by Harry Widdows, famed originator of the Lizzie Borden Trial Transcript in Word format. $9.95

Lizzie Borden Screensaver! This specially created screensaver is for the Lizzie Borden buff, true crime reader, armchair detective, or historian. The screensaver contains over forty photographs covering the span of the 1892 Borden tragedy. Photos of Lizzie, the Bordens, the Morses, 92 Second Street, the victims, Fall River, Maplecroft, and the Oak Grove Cemetery graves are included. This unique and brand new item has never before been offered for sale. Created by Harry Widdows, famed originator of the Lizzie Borden Trial Transcript in Word format. This CD makes a great gift and installs in seconds on any PC running Windows. $11.95 includes FREE SHIPPING!

Lizzie Borden Bumper Sticker! Now for the first time you can own a "Lizzie Borden -- Did She or Didn't She?" bumper sticker. These high quality bumper stickers are made from the finest synthetic (polypropylene or polyester) materials.The color pigments are heat-fused onto the material.This makes the image resistant to weather,carwashes, etc. The stickers are flexible and easy to apply. Our bumper stickers are the standard 3" by 10" in size. The sticker is black and white (see image). Please note that the word "COPY" does not appear on the finished bumper sticker, it is used for advertisement purposes only. $4.95 each or 2 for $9.00, shipping is only 45 cents!

The Preliminary Hearing. 481 pages, 5 volumes. August 25 - September 1, 1892. Available for the first time in .pdf format on a CD-ROM. Searchable and complete. With introductory essay by Harry Widdows and Stefani Koorey. This copy does not require a word processing program to view as this disk's contents are in PDF format. In addition, this copy of the Preliminary Hearing is in CORRECT ORDER. The original is not. And finally, this copy of the Preliminary Hearing includes an original introductory essay that provides much needed information on the preliminary hearing process and Lizzie's process specifically. The disk includes the Preliminary Hearing plus a free bonus of a large collection of photographs related to the case in JPG and gif formats, including images of the primary participants in the murder mystery and photographs of the inside and outside of the murder house, 92 Second St. in Fall River, Mass. $29.95

The Murder of Bertha Manchester, 1893, articles of the crime from the Evening Standard, New Bedford, Mass., May 31 to June 13, 1893, on CD-ROM. Says Lizzie Borden scholar, K. Koorey, "The pitiful saga of the Bertha Manchester murder was an important addendum to the legend of the Borden Case. The murder was committed in similar style, with similar weapon, in daylight, upon an innocent woman. It’s splash upon the headlines May 31, 1893, just days before the beginning of the trial of Lizzie Borden for the hatchet murder of her father and step –mother, may have influenced a jury pool that was about to be chosen to serve in the 'Trial of the Century.'" Volume contains thirteen articles and several newspaper images. Also includes an original Introduction and Epilogue by K. Koorey. This collection is in PDF format for viewing on any computer system. The collection can be read with a free Adobe Acrobat Reader, available for download at Adobe.com. This unique and original collection has never before been offered for sale. Transcribed by Harry Widdows, famed originator of the Lizzie Borden Trial Transcript in Word format. $7.95.

 Lost Lesbian Lives contains three one-woman plays written by actress and playwright Marjorie Conn. It includes The Honeymoon Years of Eleanor Roosevelt & Lorena Hickok, Miss Lizzie A. Borden Invites You to Tea, Thar She Blows! Disguised as a Boy She Went A'whaling. These works and others represent Marj's unwavering commitment to recording and restoring the lives of lesbians, lives which have been all too often erased from history. The plays in this book focus on three very different women: Lorena Hickok, an early female reporter and the lover of Eleanor Roosevelt. Lizzie Borden, the subject of the 19th Century Trial of the Century, who was also the lover of a famous actress. Isabella Chase, a fictional character patterned after the real women who disguised themselves as men and served on whaling and other ships in the mid-19th Century. Each of them encompasses a part of the North American lesbian experience, and thus is a part of our history. All 3 plays are one-woman plays and have enjoyed productions in Provincetown, MA and New York City. Excellent monologue material for women (and men in drag) of all ages.

Excellent reading material. All 3 characters have in common their love for animals. 10% of the proceeds for this book is being donated to Greyhound Rescue Organizations. Lost Lesbian Lives is a captivating read by itself, and the perfect companion for those fortunate enough to see Marj perform one or all of these great plays. Happy Reading! $17, includes shipping. $17.00

10. THIZ AND THATZ

Of Interest:

• Happy Birthday Greetings to the following Newzletter subscribers:
  
  September 12 -- Ave
  September 13 -- Bob Cook

• Membership in the Fall River Historical Society: Membership to the Historical Society is available for the following rates: Individual ($25.00 per year); Family (2 adults and all children under 17 living at the same address, $40.00 per year); Lifetime ($500.00). Member benefits include: Member newsletter; unlimited free admission for museum tours for member and one guest; invitations to quarterly meetings; invitations to "Members Only" previews and social gatherings; 10% discount on Museum Shop and mail order sales; special travel opportunities; discounted research rates; other special member privileges. All memberships are renewable annually on May 1, excepting Lifetime. Museum membership is payable by check, money order, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express). The application can be mailed, accompanied by payment, to:

  Fall River Historical Society
  451 Rock Street
  Fall River, Massachusetts 02720
  
  Checks should be made payable to FALL RIVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Memberships paid by credit card may be faxed to (508) 675-5754.

— And now for some humor: (thanks John!)

DEEP THOUGHTS
1. Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

2. Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

3. Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals, dying of nothing.

4. Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they use to?

5. According to a recent survey, men say the first thing they notice about a woman is her eyes, and women say the first thing they notice about men is they're a bunch of liars.

6. Whenever you feel blue, start breathing again.

7. All of us could take a lesson from the weather -- it pays no attention to criticism.

8. Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200 and a substantial tax cut saves you 30 cents?

9. In the '60s people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

10. Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession and it bears a very close resemblance to the first.

11. How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

— Interesting web site finds from newzletter subscribers: (Thank you Sherry!)

Fall River's Centennial Banners
The Cotton Mills of Fall River

The Lizzie Borden Newzletter is published by the Lizzie Borden Virtual Museum and Library, (c) copyright 2002-2003. All rights reserved.