I read somewhere that this letter is in the hands of the Fall River Historic Society and that Lizzie was writing to her dressmaker (or something like that) - not to Nance O'Neil (her "alleged" lover). My understanding is that this reference was completely innocent - something like this: Lizzie dreamed of the dressmaker, because the dressmaker was making her a wedding gown in her dreams, and Lizzie wanted to get married - no Lesbian connotations intended.
Can anyone clarify further?
Q. "You have been on pleasant terms with your stepmother since then?"
A. "Yes sir."
Q "Cordial?"
A. "It depends upon one's idea of cordiality, perhaps."
FYI, Snok, ya got one too many "to's" in the heading. "Does anyone know to whom Lizzie was writing?" would have been just fine.
The whole "I dare not put my dreams on paper" has always struck me as pretty purple, so I, too, wonder of which "affectionate friendship" this note was a souvenir!
(Notice how I did not add "of" at the end of the sentence!) ;)
To the best of my understanding and going by memory the letter is at the Fall River Historical Society and it did come with an envelope addressed to a woman. I think it was her dress maker. I cannot think of her name off hand. As to what Lizzie meant no one knows. Depending on your bias you can come up with just about anything but in the end we don't know for sure.
DWilly is correct.
You can see the Issue of The Hatchet, Dec. 2004:
"The True and Amazing Story of Lizzie's Gay Note" by Sherry Chapman.
Also, in the current issue, Denise Noe has a run-down of any romances Lizzie may have had and includes the note, in:
"Did Lizzie Have a Love Life?"
It was written to Mrs. Cummings, Lizzie's dressmaker. The FRHS has the envelope, which specifies Elm Street.
I had looked for her there as a dressmaker or variety store owner or as "Fancy Goods" in the City Directories. I also checked ads. I never found her on Elm Street.
Bob Gutowski @ Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:01 am wrote:FYI, Snok, ya got one too many "to's" in the heading. "Does anyone know to whom Lizzie was writing?" would have been just fine.
The whole "I dare not put my dreams on paper" has always struck me as pretty purple, so I, too, wonder of which "affectionate friendship" this note was a souvenir!
(Notice how I did not add "of" at the end of the sentence!) ;)
Thanks for the correction. I just got to writing and forgot my grammer! Hard to believe I graduated from college with a degree in English, huh?LOL!
Suicide is painless It brings on many changes and I will take my leave when I please.
