Lizzie Borden Society Forum

A thought occurred to me last night.
With Y2K and all of our fears, I was wondering what it was like for Lizzie and Emma for their new Millenium, and did they celebrate like it was 1899???
Any thoughts??
Pammie

I couldn't guess, but Maplecroft would have been a lovely place for a party. PBS did a terrific show about the turn of the 19th century, I think it was called 1900. Someone here probably has more information on it, but I remember it was a wonderful broadcast. It could give some insight on how Lizzie and Emma may have celebrated.

That's an interesting question, it hadn't even occurred to me before that they too lived thru a turn of the century!

I don't know that much about the late Victorian period, but I don't recall offhand hearing about people having any irrational fears about it or anything (unlike the Y2K hysteria)!

Lizzie probably enjoyed it thoroughly--she adored giving lavish parties at Maplecroft as xyjw mentioned. So I expect she would have had a ball--literally!

Emma I think would be another matter. We know she was shy, she didn't enjoy entertaining as her sister did, and I can't picture her as the partying kind under any circumstances. After all, one of the supposed reasons she left Maplecroft was her disapproval of all Lizzie's "friends" and their parties.

I suspect Lizzie danced in the New Year (Century?), while Emma probably kept to her room with a proper book for awhile before putting out the light and trying to sleep thru the racket.

Poor Emma!

Where are these Maplecroft parties discussed- and what are the sources? It's news to me! Where does xyjw say that? Thanks!

Technically, the Century turns in 1901, not 1899-1900. Did the American Victorians know that, is the question as well.

Good point, Kat!!!
I never thought about that.
Pammie

My paternal grandmother was born in 1899, and lived to be almost 103, with her wits about her. She lived through two appearances of Halley's Comet. The first time, when she was a girl, she said there was widespread fear that the comet's tail would brush the Earth, scorching it into oblivion.
It's amazing, looking back over the centuries, how many generations believed they were living in The Last Days.
She also remembered the headlines when The Titanic sank (she was almost 13): "That was big news," she commented.
She could also sing the Mary Phagan (sp?) song, and whenever something looked amiss, she would comment: "It looks like Who-Shot-Lizzie."

I think Lizzie might have spent the New Millennum by herself. After the trial noone wanted to be associated with her after the trial.

Or maybe she spent the time with the actor friends of hers.

DJ, what is the Mary Phagan song? I've been to her grave in Marietta. Just curious.

The Little Mary Phagan Song? If it's the one I'm thinking of, the lyrics may be found at http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/littlemary/littlemary.html

Was there a movie made about Mary Phagan? I looked at the lyrics to the song and the story sounds so familiar.

JoAnne @ Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:21 pm wrote:Was there a movie made about Mary Phagan? I looked at the lyrics to the song and the story sounds so familiar.

Yes, there was a movie, released in 1988, titled, The Murder of Mary Phagan, which was a made for TV mini-series; it is a little over 4 hours long, minus the commercials. The Mary Phagan song is in this movie.

See Customer Reviews at: http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Mary-Phaga ... 6302308070

I also found this web site; apparently you can download the movie online: http://www.moviesumo.com/The-Murder-of- ... 32070.html

This movie is one of my favorites - very well done.

Societygirl1892 @ Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:03 am wrote:Good point, Kat!!!
I never thought about that.
Pammie

It's just a sticking point- it doesn't change the substance of your question.
What is your speculation, Pammie?

(But what is the answer from the poster who says there were parties? )

Yes, Kat, Doug65oh has kindly answered the question. It was sort of a folk song, and even more relevant to my Grandmother because she was from Habersham County, Georgia. Also, the song has a "child labor" setting, and my Grandmother went to work in a textile mill when she was 12 (forced out of school by her stepfather), for a dollar/day, sun-up to sundown. He took her money, too.
However, she was a remarkably cheerful older person. She worked in textile mills until she was 72 or 73, and was "ratted out" (she did not look her age) by someone who was forced to retire at 65.
I mentioned the Mary Phagan song because, of course, it involved a sensational murder case and trial.

I'm sorry but I don't know what you are explaining?
I'm responding to Pammie's topic question about the New Millenium- and NESpinster remarked- partial:

Lizzie probably enjoyed it thoroughly--she adored giving lavish parties at Maplecroft as xyjw mentioned. So I expect she would have had a ball--literally!

- my question is about these suppopsed parties at Maplecroft?

Sorry, also,, but I've not been following the Mary Phagan side-topic links.

Sorry about any confusion Kat. Go up and read my post, I meant to say Maplecroft WOULD have been a great place for a party. I prefaced this comment with "I couldn't guess". My point was really about a PBS broadcast called 1900. (Not to be confused with 1900 House.) It was a really good show about the turn of the 20th century, and I said it MAY give some ideas about what the New Year could have been like for Lizzie and Emma. I have no idea if they ever had any New Year's Day parties.

Yes thank you for coming back! I did read that closely. I did see you said "would have been."
I guess my questioning is to NBSpinster, who has as yet not returned to explain.
Thanks anyway- it's appreciated!

Societygirl1892 @ Sat Jul 11, 2009 4:22 am wrote:A thought occurred to me last night.
With Y2K and all of our fears, I was wondering what it was like for Lizzie and Emma for their new Millenium, and did they celebrate like it was 1899???
Any thoughts??
Pammie

Lizzie and Emma never experienced a millenium just a turn of the century starting on January 01, 1901. I'll bet Lizzie was hooping it up in New York big time while mousey little Emma was hiding at home with a good book like NESpinster mentioned. Poor Emma is right.


-1bigsteve (o: