Lizzie Borden Society Forum

I have a very odd question. We all know that before the murders, when she was still living with her father, stepmother, and Emma, Lizzie went to church, taught sunday school, and belonged to the temperance movement. So, obiviously, then she didn't drink. But, after the trial, when she and Emma were at Maplecroft, we know that Lizzie was throwing partys with those "actor types" (which Emma didn't approve of) and having a good time.

My question is- Did she servce alchol at these partys and was she drinking. I am not talking falling down drunk but social drinking. You know, the have a class a wine with dinner kind of thing.

Does anyone know if she was drinking or not? Or did she keep true to the temperance movement?

I don't know.
But also, we don't know that Lizzie "was throwing parties" at Maplecroft- (plural)- do you know where you got that from?
Do you think she had parties at Tyngsboro?
I'd be more interested in whether Lizzie drank before the murders, actually. Even if she was taking some medicine that had hypnagogic properties, over-the-counter or not. Just something that might have lowered her inhibitions.

I just remember reading somewhere that she was keeping company with the actor types and thats was the reasoning for Emma moving out. I just assumed that she was having parties and such. Maybe I read the stuff wrong.

I'd be interested in if she drank before the murders too.

I think Victoria Lincoln was the one who stated Lizzie "entertained" the socially unacceptable actors. I'm going from memory now, because I don't have that book anymore.

Even if Lizzie didn't "drink", she most likely consumed alcohol on a regular basis. The popular patent medicines were mostly alcohol, and even the most staunch member of the Temperance movement probably had no problem taking a dose or two of the popular "medicines" for a sick headache or nervous feeling.

I wonder if Lizzie actually sought out the actors/actresses whom she allegedly entertained, or if they saw a good thing and latched onto her. If she had been cast out of the Fall River social circle, she may have been easy prey for anyone looking for a free ride. She was probably still looking for acceptance and they may have given her what she was looking for.

I think you are right Sally. I am thinking too that because that she wanted to be accepted and the society that she wanted to be accepted by didn't want anything to do with her.

So, I think that maybe the people she was entertaining were taking her for everything she was worth.