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.

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 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.

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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.

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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?