It was a balmy, very breezy full-moon Halloween night in Fall River with lots of Lizzie afoot. The Eagle hosted a performance of Lizzie Borden Live and the old house on Second Street was hopping with trick or treaters and 12 guests on tour and having the annual Halloween seance at 10:30. Here’s some of the Halloween fun!
It’s hard to know just how much cooking Lizzie was compelled to do in her lifetime what with Bridget Sullivan and Abby Borden manning the old black stove on Second Street and servants being at hand at Maplecroft. Apparently Lizzie did don an apron from time to time and a few of her favorites have filtered down via word of mouth or the odd reference by friends.
Recently a lady who stayed at the Second Street house commented that her father, when he was a little boy, recalled Miss Lizzie keeping a dish of chocolate covered peppermints in a dish in the front hall so as to be handy for youngsters who passed by- these were of the peppermint patty type, wrapped in foil.
Mrs. Florence Brigham, the curator of the Fall River Historical Society for many years, had in her possession handwritten 3 x 5 recipe cards in a box of her late mother-in-law Mary Ella (Sheen) Brigham. Lizzie’s favorite meatloaf recipe was among the gems in the box. Mrs. Mary Brigham gave testimony at the trial and was a good friend of Lizzie and Emma Borden, and a frequent caller at Maplecroft, her home being very nearby on Belmont St. After Emma and Lizzie parted ways around 1905, Mrs. Mary Brigham stopped dropping by at Maplecroft. This recipe was given to the Fall River Historical Society some years ago by the son of Mrs. Florence Brigham and has been published in the society newsletter.
Here is the recipe as written, and the modern day trial adaptation which works very nicely. Recipes were frequently written with little direction as it was assumed a lady ought to know how to put the basics together without being told as she would have been taught by her mother from an early age.
Lizzie’s Version
1 pound steak, 1/2 pound pork steak, 1 egg, 1 small onion, 3 soda crackers, herbs, salt, pepper. Grease tin, cover loaf well with hot water and bake about one hour.
A modern approach: One pound ground sirloin (15-20% fat for flavor), 1/2 pound ground pork, one large egg for a binder, one small onion (red or vidalia), 3 Uneeda brand soda crackers pulverized into crumbs (or soup/chowder crackers will work), 1/2 tsp. dried basil, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. dry mustard, 1/2 tsp. black pepper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan or spray with PAM, mound thoroughly mixed ingredients into the pan, cover with aluminum foil and bake one hour. Good served with a little ketchup on top, or catsup as it was spelled years ago. November is a good month for comfort food. If this recipe is too much trouble- Almac’s Diner on President’s Avenue in Fall River has superb meatloaf, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, luscious enough even for The Hill clientele of the 1920’s!
WPRI Eyewitness News- Video and article at the link below.
With the proliferation of Lizzies popping up at haunted hayrides, ghost tours and Halloween venues all over the country, Lizzie duds are in demand for the season. The same fashion ensemble used for the Living Dead Dolls series is now available up to a woman’s size 12 in a “dead ringer” three piece in black and scarlet, selling for $44.95.(hatchet not included).
Those leg o’ mutton sleeves are de rigeur of course, but the rest of the costume is easy to manage from your closet and tool bench, being a long skirt, boots and weapon-in-hand. Lizzie’s frizzie bangs and tight little bun complete the look, and perhaps a slightly crazed glint in the eye. Internet tips on Lizzie costuming urge red hair, but of course Lizzie was not a redhead- light brown hair is listed on her passport from 1890.
Don’t forget the costume contest Saturday night at the Eagle on North Main Street, a special feature of Lizzie Borden Live ! , the award-winning play starring Jill Dalton. First prize will be a night’s stay at the famous house on Second Street. Strap on your corset and come on down!
With Halloween fast approaching, a few fearless souls are looking for a frightful weekend getaway at a spooky location. The Travel Channel had placed the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast in the top 10 spookiest destinations 8 years ago at #1, even above the Winchester Mystery House. Lizzie’s place is still on the top ten list, at #1 along with #2. The Bell Witch Cave in Tennesee, #3 The Villisca Axe Murder House in Iowa, #4 The Stanley Hotel in Colorado, #5 Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Kentucky, #6 Sorrel Weed House, Savannah, Georgia, #7 Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, #8 Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pa., #9 The Myrtles, Louisiana, #10 Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, Chicago. http://www.toptenz.net/10-creepy-places-in-america.php This Saturday 12 intrepid people will attempt to stay the night at Lizzie’s house. Rooms have been booked for months. October is second only to the murder anniversary month, August. Will the annual Halloween seance turn up any new clues?
To the growing catalogue of Lizzie-related tunes, here’s one from a “thrash metal” band album called Doomsday for the Deceiver. To learn more about this band and their music, visit the link at http://www.flotsam-and-jetsam.com/band.html or listen to the Lizzie song, She took An Axe at this Youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Jq35QPWVE
SHE TOOK AN AXE
A young maiden with a demon in her soul,
A twisted mind with secrets to unfold.
An innocent face, a deceiving smile,
Under no suspicion, servant to Belial.
The axe came down…Blood all around…
She lurks possessed, without a sound,
Butchers her Dam when no one is around.
The next day her Sire feels her wrath,
She has no remorse in her merciless bloodbath.
CHORUS
She’s Miss Lizzy, she feels no pain
The axe came down
She’s Miss Lizzy, she strikes again,
The axe came down…Blood all around
REFRAIN
Lizzy Borden took an axe, gave her mother forty whacks,
When she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one.
REPEAT REFRAIN
REPEAT REFRAIN
Now before the jury with a solemn face,
These legendary murders…she left not a trace.
Lizzy found it so simple to take their lives,
Today she walks free…Axe by her side…
Opening tomorrow:
October 28 Artists and Fall River Natives Jim Charette and Mark Delisle present Boneyard, a series of paintings, prints, photography, music, video and more inspired by Oak Grove Cemetery. The gallery opening will be from 6-9PM on Wednesday, 10/28 at the Cherry & Webb Gallery, 139 South Main Street. Jim and Mark grew up on opposite ends of Oak Grove and attribute the formation of their life-long friendship to their old “stomping grounds”. As such, this cemetery holds a special meaning to both Jim and Mark. Both artists have generously agreed to donate a portion of the profits from the sale of their artwork to the Friends of Oak Grove. Please mark your calendar and consider attending this event and support these two local artists.
Lizzie was acquitted in her own home town tonight at Superior Court in a repeat of the mock trial redux which was so well attended last month in New Bedford. Will she make it three in a row next month in Taunton when the excellent cast takes the stand again? Read all about tonight’s trial in the Herald News article by Debbie Allard with some superb photos by Jack Foley.http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x637610488/NOT-GUILTY-Lizzie-retrial-falls-in-line-with-history
Something to watch for- The Lizzie Borden Collection-coming soon. The site page is worth a visit to hear the great sound file and graphics. Visit the site at http://www.thelizziebordencollection.com/ Bloody Rare is a site specializing in fine rare books and original movie posters in horror, science fiction, fantasy, mystery and crime.
Today's Lizzie Inquest Quote:
"Q. My question is when he (Uncle John Morse)came there.
A. I don't know. I was not home when he came. I was out.
Q. When did you first see him there?
A. I did not see him at all.
Q. How did you know he was there?
A. I heard his voice.
Q. You did not see him Wednesday evening?
A. I did not. I was out Wednesday evening.
Q. You did not see him Thursday morning?
A. I did not. He was out when I came downstairs.
Q. When was the first time you saw him?
A. Thursday noon.
Q. You had never seen him before that?
A. No sir.
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