Lizzie Borden Society Forum

The May 2008 issue of The Hatchet: Lizzie Borden's Journal of Murder, Mystery & Victorian History has been placed ONLINE for your reading pleasure! This issue is a full 86 pages in length and contains some more surprising discoveries.

Subscribers to The Hatchet can download your copy immediately or view a slideshow of the magazine at this address: http://www.hatchetonline.com/HatchetOnline/

IN THIS ISSUE:
"Meet the Emerys" by Leonard Rebello;
"The Borden-Swansea Link" by Kat Koorey;
"The Swansea Public Library" by Michael Brimbau;
"The Reverend and the Mill Girl: An Unsolved Fall River Mystery" by Richard Beherns;
"Lizzie Borden's Morgan Street School" by Shelley Dziedzic;
"Falling in Fall River" by Sherry Chapman;
"The Unfortunate Dr. Webster" by Glen H. Carlson;
"1892 and 1896 City Directory Entries" by Harry Widdows;
poetry by Larry Allen and Melissa Allen;
"An Intuitive Assessment of the Brown Theory" by Eugene Hosey;
and "My Ain Countrie" by Denise Noe.

PLEASE NOTE: The print on demand copy of this issue of The Hatchet is delayed one week. The creation package that The Hatchet utilizes is untested with LuLu.com, and in order to insure the best product possible, we are conducting extensive proofing and testing of the new print issue before we place it on LuLu for you to purchase. This testing should only take one week or so, and when the new issue is available through LuLu another email will be sent to all subscribers informing you of this and post the link here.

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As usual, the production values on this issue are wonderful. Stefani continues to do a beautiful job.

I'll be reading both this issue and the Literary Hatchet on my upcoming vacation.

And I'll see many of you in Fall River next week!

All I have to say so far is...WONDERFUL!! I haven't finished the entire issue but so far I'm really awe struck. The pictures included really brought some of these people to life for me. They stopped being just names and words on paper. I've finished the piece on the Sarah Cornell murder and I loved it. It was well researched, very well written, and very thorough. I can't wait to finish the rest of the magazine!

Now that I have my laptop, I can put the online 'Hatchet' on a CD and read in comfort without waiting for the hard copy (which I will purchase when available).

The first piece, "Meet the Emerys" by Len Rebello, was very good. I'd never seen a photo of the house on Wybosset (sp?). That was a real thrill! The photos of the Emerys are stunning. After all these years of reading about them, here are photos of them!

"The Borden-Swansea Link" by Kat Koorey was so packed full of information! Hats off to Kat for sharing what looks to me as complicated work, in an easy-to-understand way. The photo of the old photo album speaks volumes. I thought it was an excellent choice for the article. The photo of one of John Morse's brothers, William Bradford Morse, is an incredible find! I had no idea he had other siblings, or so many.

Michael Brimbau's article, "The Swansea Public Library", I thought was very well written. I think only a true book lover could have written it. It took me back in time in part, and was so thoroughly (but not in any way boring) described I felt like I was there. All of the photos were gorgeous! I caught the Latin phrase on the exterior photo and wondered if he would mention it. He did! He not only gave us a translation, but tied up the article nicely at its end.

Thank you, mb, for commenting on my piece. And for giving us such a beautiful article.

I am always at a loss when it comes to things like this. Even when I really like something I have a hard time finding the words to express it sometimes. I think it's because I have a fear of saying the wrong thing. I'm still not all the way finished, but here are my thoughts so far.

Micheal's piece on the public library was really terrific. On doing such an awesome job. The pictures included really made the words speak. Libraries are one of my favorite places in the world to be, because there is so much knowledge to be found if one only takes the time to look. This adds one library I must visit to my list!

Kat's review was very informative and I really enjoyed it. I've never read the book, and the over all summary and details on the author were very helpful in deciding whether or not I'd like to in the future.

I really enjoyed "Lizzie Borden's Morgan Street School" It made me feel nostalgic for an age I never knew. It made me think of little Lizzie walking to school every day carrying her books, perhaps neatly bound together in an age long before book bags, and a homemade lunch. Did she walk alone? Did she know any joy during recess from playing with the other children? Well done Shelley!

"Falling in Fall River" is one of my favorite pieces. I envisioned the entire thing as I read it, even down to jumping from the cement wall. I have often thought of going to the historical society to do research, and the description of the staff and how they went out of the way to help made the trip even more desirable. And I have to admit I also think Michael Martins is good looking. So sorry to hear about your injuries though!

Once again, Richard Beherns did an excellent job writing of a well-known (pre -?) Victorian lady. (His article previously on Hetty Green is still memorable, to me.) This time he takes on Sarah Cornell in his article "The Reverend and the Mill Girl". Well-researched, the story takes several twists and turns that Richard writes of with ease. It gives a solid background of the Methodist religion of that time and region. He traces Sarah's life well, as she goes from town to town trying to make fresh starts. When the Reverend of her new Methodist church hears of her misdeeds in the past, he has an intimate relationship with her, resulting in Sarah's pregnancy. She is found hanging near a haystack, the Reverend claiming innocence. The gross misjustice of the actions of three trials is incredible, and it is with some satisfaction to read what happens to Sarah's Reverend in the end. Photos and illustrations used in this article are superb (included is a copy of the note Sarah wrote the last night of her life, telling people who she was to meet in case something happened to her). Richard's article is tightly written, which in a less talented author's hands the tale could go on to almost no end. He gives a reader-friendly, well-told story of this sad woman's plight. Thank you, Richard, for a good and most educational read.

Kat Koorey's book review of "The Fall River Outrage" was excellent. It was a dry and emotionless book, and she is to be praised for saying what she felt, else why write a review in the first place? I have the book and have never felt motivated to read it. I can add that the cover looks boring! I think my reading days of Sarah Cornell may be over - happily so after Richard Beherns' fine article.

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Well, I think that is the purpose of doing a review from the writer's standpoint. I think a writer learns from a review that is total praise. They know what they did worked, and worked well. But, truly, I find most work in 'The Hatchet' to be superb.

I think a writer's negative reaction to a "bad" review is a normal thing. But, if the things the reviewer says are true and the writer can see it since it is now out in the light, they would be a fool not to swallow their pride and take the help so that next time around their piece is improved.

Mb - Well, you were brilliant with your library piece, if you had such a short time to write it!

Thank you, Allen, for your comments on my "Fall" article. The next year I went out there and had another axe-ident. Eventually I'll write it up and submit it to Stef.

Something Melissa (Allen) said in her post on this thread caught my attention. She enjoys libraries. I think a lot of us do. I would think that a lot of us read a LOT. So I am inclined to think that your Swansea Library piece was of interest to quite a few Hatchet readers. Another plus for it.

Please donate to the Edwin Porter grave marker fund.

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Thanks for posting the lovely library photos, mb. Providence has a gorgeous one, too. They get homeless people spending the day in there. That's good they have a place to go, but someone trashed the ladies' room one day.

One day I was waiting in line there for the doors to open, and my son and I were standing with all these homeless people. All of a sudden this guy comes running up and threatens the LIFE of this girl. Geez, he said he was gonna stab her and everything. I looked downwards and glanced at my son. He was looking downwards, too. It was best.

A local library I've visited is anything but quiet. All these computer keyboards with users clickety-clacking makes a lot of noise.

Andrew Carnegie had a lot of libraries built in the U.S. There's one in Ishpeming (Michigan's Upper Peninsula) he had built that was gorgeous! It looks like it's made out of sandstone, and has a dome. Inside, the second story has a glass floor. (This was used in the movie "Anatomy of a Murder" as the 'Law Library' James Stewart and Arthur O'Connell were searching thru.)

I saw another building in some other place that looked just like that one. I said, "There's a Carnegie Library!", and it was! I wonder if all of his looked the same. It was a great design, for a small town.

I still dream of the library of my youth, which was a rebuilt storefront in Sunnyside, Queens. Some of my happiest memories have to do with being there, or with bringing an armful of books home on a Saturday afternoon in the fall, reading one as I walked.

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I was glad to see another poetry submission from Melissa Allen in this issue. I have enjoyed every poem she has so far written for 'The Hatchet'.

Her latest, "Where Were You Lizzie Borden", is no exception. I thought it was excellent. As I've said before, I know nothing about poetry, but I do know what I like - and I liked this.

"Where Were You..." is a poem that is easy for all to understand. (Tho it may not have been easy to write.) I sense a lot of thought went into the piece.

Several lines especially that I think shows Melissa's skill at imagery were:
"Bridget tosses water at the panes". That's how I always envisioned Bridget doing those windows. Gee, she didn't rinse them till they were all washed outside. I would have liked to have been there that morning to see how those windows looked when she was done.

"So Andrew need not have wondered
What he should have wondered most." I think it's perfectly said, and it left me with an eerie feeling.

Also, "The table was set with care
For a meal no one would eat". She's done her homework well, to know that Bridget set the table well before the next meal. I don't recall this being mentioned in other poems. Again, I was left with an eerie feeling just from these lines. I had never thought of that before.

I thought Melissa was very perceptive in this work. It is a fine addition to 'The Hatchet' and should stand its ground with all other good Lizzie poems. Thank you, Melissa for sharing a memorable poem.

The picture of the needle and old spool of thread was great! I took it as referring to Lizzie's going upstairs to baste something on a dress that morning.

More, please, Melissa!

Please donate to the Edwin Porter grave marker fund.

I enjoyed Glen "Joe" Carlson's excerpt from his new book on the Parkman/Webster case. I thought his intro was great! I can appreciate all the research he has done for his book. Joe is no slouch when it comes to research. I think he does more than most writers, including myself.

I had lunch with Joe and his wife a while back, and he talked about this upcoming book. I've since been anxious for it to come out. I had read his "The Murder of Andrew Siegler", and it was a five-star book to me. I ordered his Webster book as soon as it became available but have not read it yet. Joe has won a couple of literary awards, and I wasn't aware of them. He is a fabulous writer.

I did not know there were so many publications on the case of Dr. Webster. And he didn't even mention Edmund Pearson's coverage of it in his anthology "Five Murders". Pearson's account was very confusing to me, and I found it boring. I never did get a good grasp on the story from his account.

They did an "American Experience" show on this case??!! That I have got to see.

Joe's reasoning of why he thinks Webster was innocent is fascinating. It sounds like he's got something there. Points given for following up on his instincts!

I enjoyed the intro, which starts out with Dr. Webster's execution. It was great reading, true sounding, and - not all authors can do this - he made me feel like I was right there. I think that was the very best way he could have chosen to begin his book.

I was wondering why Dr. Webster seemed to take his execution so calmly. Especially if he knew he was innocent (if he was). I look forward to reading the answer to that in the full text.

YES, mb - Joe did not give anything away in his Hatchet piece, rather he gave enough information to make people want to read his book.

How was Parkman killed? Why a conspiracy to make Webster look guilty? How could the court get away with having a bunch of Parkman relatives on the jury? Why was Parkman killed? And was the janitor ever seriously under suspicion?

My instincts tell me that this could likely be "The" book on the case. I think we can expect a very good read with this.

Thank you so much for your comments on my poem augusta. I am very happy that you enjoyed it.

I thought "Lizzie Borden's Morgan Street School" by Shelley Dziedzic was a pleasant piece. I've read where Lizzie went to school at, but have always forgotten the name of the school. Now I won't.

There aren't a tremendous amount of things that can be told about Lizzie and her school years, as to date almost nothing has been found about those years. Shelley included all that was available and wrote about the past, present and future (as she knew it) of the building.

This could have been an extremely dry piece. But Shelley peppered her article with some beautifully crafted imagery. The windows appearing as eyes, the little sticky fingers that had slid over the banister through its tenure, and a drop here and there of a description that sounded, and felt, Victorian were lovely.

She did not stretch it out beyond its need. The article was tight, which fit the piece. but it didn't feel tight. Her use of imagery seemed just the right amount, and I think that is what made the piece stand out. Other writers could have written this piece, given the facts, described the school, given us the few things known to have been said about Lizzie when she went there and called it 'the end'. But Shelley, with a turn of a phrase all her own, [/i]took us there - not only to the school, but at times back to another era with her Victorian flair.

I thought her photography was good. Her research was impressive. I especially liked the old photos of the school exterior and of a class being held there circa 1900. I'm glad those were sought out and included. Thank you, Shelley for a remarkable piece.

"1892 and 1896 City Directory Entries" by Harry Widdows is just what the title says it is. Harry gives us yet another important piece of source material, which Borden writers everywhere can use. I may use it so frequently, I'm going to print out a copy and file it so I can get at it quickly and without wearing out the pages of "The Hatchet". Thank you, Harry, for the time and work that went into providing this - an excellent perk for "The Hatchet" subscribers.

I was glad to see another poetry submission by Larry Allen ("Wanted", page 73).

The idea of a want-ad I thought was a very good one. I think it might be a first of its kind in Borden poetry.

I have mixed feelings about "Wanted". I'm not sure which Larry was aiming for - an anything goes poem, or a believable want-ad in the form of poetry. It left me confused.

I think I would have made it as a more realistic want-ad poem; thus taking out or altering some lines that nobody would really use in an ad.

Like "eyes of steel gray", "strong enough to keep you in line, Buster", "But you can't have everything", and the line about liking squirrels all over her. (I didn't understand that line.)

I think I would have changed some lines that were over-stated and make them more subtle. Like "must keep mouth shut", I would have changed that to something more along the lines of "able to keep confidences". In writing, and in acting, "less is more".

Some lines absolutely sparkled. "Handy with an axe"; "semi attractive woman"; describing her eyes as "steel gray" and others.

I hope that Larry submits more to 'The Hatchet'. I feel a spark of very good poetry in his work.

I totally enjoyed Eugene Hosey's "The Cutting Room" on page 70. Arnold Brown's book was an article I couldn't wait to read, but I know if I don't read 'The Hatchet' in order I'll never finish it.

Eugene handled Brown's book with such courtesy! I expected it to be a piece that ripped Brown up one side and down the other. In the first line, he makes an excellent point: "The publication of a nonfiction book that identified a mystery person as the murderer was the logical progression in the literature in the Lizzie Borden story." As he points out, "... fans and scholars need the shadowy, mystery killer in the ongoing debate," So, in that respect, Brown's book filled a void. I have never looked at it that way before.

It was very interesting to me to get a refresher course on what was in Brown's book, since I'll never read it again.

Eugene's opinions of the book were fair and simply stated, creating a top notch ending to a wonderful piece. Thank you. Eugene, for such a classy and informative article.

I thought that I might be bored with Denise Noe's 'Lizzie Whittlings - My Ain Countrie'. How much can be said on that poem, I thought.

I thought wrong. I was pleasantly surprised to read an excellent article. As always, I thought her writing was fantastic. She is obviously a well-educated or highly intelligent woman who could, if she wanted to, write way over readers' heads. But her writing style is easy, and interesting.

The choice of subject was a good one. Well researched - again, as always - she gives us a remarkable read on the history of the poem/hymn. The short biographies she gave us held one's interest. I especially liked the story of the Macduffs on which the poem may have been inspired.

Denise mentions a web site where we can hear the tune to "My Ain Countrie". With all this time I've seen mentions of this song, I never knew what it sounded like. I look forward to that a great deal.

I might have omitted the bios of Main and Hanna. I thought that bios in the piece may have been overdone with their inclusion. On the other hand, it makes the article very complete. This is a classic article - one where all known about the poem are gathered; invaluable to researchers.

Thank you, Denise!

Just got my Lulu color copy, and the cover is enchanting. Looking forward to reading it cover to cover on the subway home!

I always enjoy 'Writer's Ink'. This issue's focus on Michael Brimbau was entertaining. I think he is a very talented poet and writer, and his answers reflect that. I was especially curious to read his response to where he'd rather live, 92 Second Street or Maplecroft, since he lives next door to the latter. His answer stole the show. Good reading, plus we get the chance to know Michael a little better.

I loved Larry Allen's poem "Maybe" (page 81). I thought it was excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Larry!

THANKS...Augusta. Always nice to have feedback on a poem or two.
"Wanted" was just meant to show Lizzie at her most bombastic and sassy best. Somewhere I read she fed the squirrels so much at Maplecroft..they would come down from the trees and crawl up her arms and onto her shoulders. Don't know how true that is but it's a great story. I have 44 Lizzie Borden poems written so I hope you see more.
Larry Allen

And I want to add my congratulations to Denise Noe for the article
on "My Ain Countrie". To be able to go online and hear the tune at
the two web sites was a real treat. I very much enjoyed the article.
Larry Allen

Sherry, Sherry, Sherry! Last night, after enjoying your Bridget and Abby pages, I read, with growing horror, the "now it can be told" account of your trespassing and injury!

You knucklehead! You mustn't do anything to endanger the woman I love!

Bob, you are so sweet! Wait till you hear what I did the following year when I was out there.

Was that trespassing? I wouldn't have known it. Funny, there were a lot of people there and they didn't say a thing...

Larry - Oh! I hadn't read that about the squirrels crawling on Lizzie! That's good you used it.

I am no poet. (I read that non-poets are the best to critique poetry. I don't know if that's true ...) I don't pretend to be. I just share my personal and professional opinion. I worked doing critiques for some time, and I never could stop doing them - even if it's just a tv show my husband and I are watching. For 'The Hatchet' my opinions are meant to help. Even tho I'm experienced and give honest critiques, in the end it still boils down to the fact that it is one person's opinion.

With poetry, I only know whether I like it or not. And I'm sure there are things written that I take the wrong way.

It's good to know you have 44 more Lizzie poems! I truly look forward to them.