G is for GENESEE County

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. Would Polly be the first woman in Genesee County history to be hanged for murder?

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Today I thought I would share two photographs from the book.

This is the original Genesee County Court House where Polly Frisch was tried for murder. Yes, it still stands and is very well cared for. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is mainly used for bankruptcy court. Part of the new Court House can be seen in the back right.

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This is the court room of the old Court House, taken close to Polly's era. It looks the same today. Imagine the witnesses sitting up there and Polly sitting off to the side with her attorneys, as the jury to the right takes in everything.

Excerpt:

Court convened at 9:00 a.m., June 30, 1858, to begin the process of choosing a jury. Sheriff Pease brought Polly Frisch into court and led her to her seat by her counsel. She was wearing a black silk dress, black satin bonnet, a white shawl, and jet-black bracelets and necklace. A somber appearance emanated from her before the courtroom crowd. Her mood was as somber as her attire, exhibiting a calm and cool composure. The courthouse was packed with those who were required to attend and those who were merely curious. Women didn’t normally take an interest in the proceedings of these types of things, but this trial was different. Several women, believed to be from the town of Alabama, were among the onlookers.

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The hardcovers went live last week, and the paperbacks over the weekend on Amazon. I am hoping the ebooks will be up by the end of the week! Exciting times!

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