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Writing History & Mysteries

When I'm not delving into historical research, I'm planning a character's demise.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Bread and Butter Murders 09

Tombstone of Henry Hoag(e) - Alabama Center Cemetery, Alabama, NY
SETUP: We left off last time with Polly preparing the final doses of arsenic laced brandy to do away with her husband Henry. Polly sent George Lester to get the doctor.  Henry was at death’s door when George got back. By the time Dr. Townsend got there it was too late—Henry was already dead.

***

 AND NOW THE SNIPPET:


 James Espy aided in laying out Henry’s body for viewing. Upon hearing the news of Henry’s death, friends and neighbors came over to the Hoag’s to pay their respects.

Reuben testified that Polly told him, “She was anxious to see Matthew Bardwell and wanted him to carry on [the shoe shop]. She said she was sorry that Matthew did not come to see Henry before his death. Said Henry told her Bardwell should work up the leather.”

Within only four hours after her husband’s death, Polly’s only thoughts were of Matthew. After catching his wife in bed twice with this man, it is doubtful Henry would have desired to see Matthew while drawing his last breaths of life; it would be equally hard to believe that Matthew would want to speak to the dying husband of his former mistress.

No one in town knew, however, that Henry had caught Polly and Matthew in bed together.


***
 
In 1856, in the rural town of Alabama, NY one woman's family suffered from multiple unexplained deaths. The town folk grew suspicious of the now remarried Polly Frisch. An investigation commenced, bodies were exhumed, an affair—exposed. Polly would be arrested for the murders of her first husband and daughters. Her fourteen-year-old son would testify against her. If found guilty, the punishment for such a crime was the gallows. Bread & Butter is the true story of Polly Frisch who poisoned her family with arsenic and the five trials it took to convict her.

The link to the other Weekend Writing Warriors is here. You're bound to find something to pique your interest.

The Sunday Snippet writer's on Facebook are here. Between the two there is something for everyone. Thank you for any comments you leave me. Much appreciated!

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The above excerpt is from Bread & Butter: The Murders of Polly Frisch, an 1850s true crime co-authored with my friend, Ellen Bachorski in 2000. We are re-releasing it into the modern world of POD in both soft and hard covers, as well as Nook, Kindle, etc. with a new cover, fresh edits and new info. 

April 1st release is only a few days away! I'll be making announcements on my Facebook page. To celebrate during the month of April and as part of the Blogging From A-Z Challenge I'll be posting tidbits about the book and other 19th century crimes every day of the month.  
Did I mention there will be a scattering of prizes?



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25 comments:

  1. Just how "former" of a mistress is she? Great snippet!

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  2. Her motives seem clearer now.

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  3. Ugh, what a horrible woman. Fascinating to read about, though. :)

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  4. How different some things are. Nowadays, the whole town would probably know about Polly and Matthew in minutes! Such a gripping story.

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  5. Such an interesting story. I wonder how the town would react if they knew the truth?

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  6. The twists and turns of this case are truly amazing. Should be a movie! Great 8!

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  7. Hmmm, and I'm starting to wonder if Matthew was complicit in the murders? What an evil woman! You've done a great job of writing this, Cindy. :-)

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  8. Wow, my comment. Oy, Could be read to look like I think you're evil, Cindy. lol. When will I learn to reread before I click "publish"??? :-)

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  9. yay for the release day! can't wait!

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  10. This woman gets colder with each snippet I read. Just bumped off her husband in a pretty gruesome and drawn-out way, and all she can think about is her lover? Ugh!

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  11. That's funny Teresa. :)
    Veronica, funny you should mention movie. I had a photography producer for a production company, whose TV shows & movies you would recognize buy a copy of the 1st edition off Amazon last fall. I imagine they do that kind of stuff all the time, but it still was a packing slip worth saving. :)

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  12. This is fascinating! She's so...detached. It's riveting.

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  13. Sounds like she was pretty sure nobody else knew of the affair.

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  14. Another picture well told of the secret times. Does anyone recall the roaring 20's where women murderers abounded in Chicago-my hometown?.

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  15. Oh, that final line says it all. Another fantastic snippet!

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  16. Oh my, there is a lot going on here. Great snippet!

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  17. Dirty laundry stayed in the hamper, back in the day...I'm sure it wasn't something he wanted anyone to know about. Boy, pretty heartless lady.

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  18. Cool as a cucumber, isn't she?

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  19. I'm fascinated by this story. The characters are so interesting.

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  20. This is crazy! What could possibly be her motivation? Was it munchausen (sp?) by proxy? It couldn't just be the lover angle/hates her hubby because she killed her kids, too...

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  21. She thinks she's so clever... I find myself quite annoyed with Polly because she was mostly right--she was pretty smart.

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  22. Ah--another piece of the puzzle revealed...great snippet!
    Nancy

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  23. Oh whoa! That woman is evil, isn't she? Great snippet :)

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  24. This snippet sent chills down my spine.

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  25. An intriguing twist there.

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Available in paperback and eBook formats

Available in paperback and eBook formats

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Carried by over 40 college/university libraries across the county, according to daily updates by worldcat.org, including Columbia University, Oklahoma State, Texas A & M, and Yale University Law Library.

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Bread & Butter the Murders of Polly Frisch

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