Historic Crime: Stepping Back in Time
A large part of my research for Pretty Evil New England involved traveling to crime scenes, historical societies, libraries, and cemeteries. And every so often I hit the motherload, which is exactly what happened this past Friday when Bob and I drove into the Great North Woods of New Hampshire in search of answers to a historic crime. We’d planned to visit the library that housed the original newspapers that supposedly covered the Grand Jury hearing. But the library didn’t open till 1 p.m.
Let me back up a bit.
In the summer of 1880 and winter of 1881, a 22-year-old girl was accused of murdering the two most prominent families in town (Sorry for being cryptic, but I’m trying not to ruin the book). When six people die and there’s only one left standing, it’s a safe assumption that she’s probably the murderer. But what if she isn’t? What if she’s innocent?
This particular case intrigued me because it’s never legally been solved. Sure, people in town all thought the girl did it, but the state didn’t have enough reliable evidence to prove that. So, technically, I’m researching a 140-year-old cold case, much like the infamous Lizzie Borden case. And that’s exactly the mindset I need to keep in order to uncover facts the state might have missed.
Before I dragged my poor husband we drove two hours north, I’d formed a new theory about the case—not the story told to generation after generation (teachers used to tell this “murder mystery” to every class). I uncovered the specific type of arsenic used to kill the victims. I also found the murder weapon: a tainted demijohn of whiskey bought by one of the victims while visiting family out of town.
See why my crime writer antenna dinged?
These details I found in random newspaper articles in the Library of Congress that mentioned the arsenic and whiskey in passing as if they didn’t make a difference in the case. But they do! They make a huge difference, because the arsenic used was not your run-of-the-mill white arsenic that folks bought over the counter to kill rats (or unruly husbands ;-)). This was a “medicinal” arsenic compound called Fowler’s Solution.
Invented in 1786 by Thomas Fowler, physicians considered Fowler’s Solution safe to use as a general tonic or prescribed for a wide range of ailments and diseases, from impotence to leukemia. Nineteenth century women applied arsenic powder to whiten their faces—now we know why they all had alabaster skin. Fowler’s Solution gave women “beauty and freshness” by destroying the capillaries of the face.
Fun fact: Arsenic continued to be used in cosmetics well into the twentieth century, resulting in a common source of accidental poisoning.
I’d love to tell you I’ve confirmed my findings and found the real killer behind this intriguing historic crime, but I’ve only scratched the surface. I still need to chat with my consultant at the ME’s to see how Fowler’s Solution would react during decomposition. While I was up north, I interrogated chatted with the town undertaker, but sadly, my questions sailed right over his head. Admittedly, he might’ve been thrown by my excitement over decomp and putrefaction. 🙂
Anyway, back to my story. The library didn’t open for another hour, so we decided to take a little detour. In my flurry of phone calls to various people before we left, I’d unearthed the addresses of the two crime scenes (side by side houses). After the murders, one of the homes had been turned into a community center for kids, which is a beautiful way to transform a tragedy into a beacon of hope.
Once I got chatting with the folks at the community center, they summoned the local historian who gave me a research folder full of material on this historic crime. He also told me the third floor had never been touched. Never. Been. Touched! The entire top level was perfectly preserved from 1881, with the same wallpaper, the family furniture, handcrafted statues, and priceless first edition hardcovers in pristine condition… walls of books in breathtaking oak-and-glass cases.
When I tell you it was like stepping back in time, that’s an understatement. I was literally walking through the pages of my book, gazing at the same objects the victims and killer looked at every day.
I sat on the same couch and laid my fingers on the same ivory keys of the pianos.
What an amazing experience!
Engulfed by history, Bob and I were overcome by emotion. We could only stare — wide-eyed — taking it all in.
Here’s what the lower level of the community center looks like today…
The bowling alley and auditorium were built in 1927. And guess what? They invited me to do a book chat/signing when Pretty Evil New England releases November 1, 2020 — on the same stage that Aerosmith played on during the band’s early years. Gulp No pressure. 😉
UPDATE (Oct. 2020): PRETTY EVIL NEW ENGLAND is available for preorder! Read Chapter One to see if it might be a book you’d enjoy.
20 Comments
CINDY JONES
What an amazing find!
Sue Coletta
I know, right? I could barely believe it.
Just emailed you, Cindy. Got a name for you. 🙂
Sue Coletta recently posted…Historic Crime: Stepping Back in Time
Beth Camp
Thank you also for sharing those photos. What grist for you to tell the story — and a reminder of just how important hands-on research is. I suppose you’ve thanked your hubby. Thank you for your humor and tenacity. Looking forward to 2020.
Beth Camp recently posted…IWSG November: Researching the Unimaginable . . .
Sue Coletta
Thanks for the kind words, Beth! You’re right. There’s no substitute for hands-on research. I’ve uncovered many clues that way. It’s also fun! 🙂
Sue Coletta recently posted…Historic Crime: Stepping Back in Time
Rosi Hollinbeck
Holy smoke! It doesn’t get any better than that, does it? Thanks for sharing all the photos.
Sue Coletta
No, it doesn’t, Rosi. Imagine my surprise? I doubt I’ll ever get this lucky again. My pleasure! Hope you’re enjoying your weekend. 🙂
Sue Coletta recently posted…Historic Crime: Stepping Back in Time
June Lorraine Roberts
Wow, wow, WOW! What an awesome find and no better writer to investigate and this crime. Awesome girl!
June Lorraine Roberts recently posted…Rob Hart: The Warehouse
Sue Coletta
Thank you, June!!! Aww, stop. You’re making me blush. xoxo
Sue Coletta recently posted…Historic Crime: Stepping Back in Time
Priscilla Bettis
Holy cow, what a trip! Interesting about the arsenic. I already want to read how you’ll incorporate what you discovered into your book.
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…5 Lessons From My First Year
Sue Coletta
Thanks, Priscilla! Right? Mind blown. Who woulda thunk a town that endured such tragedy would preserve this floor of the house? Best. Discovery. Ever. I doubt I’ll ever be this lucky again. Even my husband (who is not a history buff by any means) can’t stop talking about it. The trip was that amazing.
Sue Coletta recently posted…Historic Crime: Stepping Back in Time
Margot Kinberg
Wow, what a trip, Sue! And what an absolute treasure it was to find that upper floor. I can only imagine how exciting that was! Thanks, too, for sharing the ‘photos. And now, of course, I can’t wait to read the story, and your take on what might have happened.
Sue Coletta
Margot, I thought you might like this discovery — a crime writer’s dream-come-true. It’s an experience I will never forget. Standing among their belongings also made it clear that I better not screw this up. The whole town is watching. 😳
Sue Coletta recently posted…Historic Crime: Stepping Back in Time
David E Hermens
Very interesting!
Sue Coletta
Thanks, David! It’s a compelling case, and perhaps, my all-time favorite research trip. 😊
Harvey Stanbrough
Sue. Astonishing.
Sue Coletta
Right, Harvey? I could never have imagined the town preserved that floor. What a find!
Amy Valentini
OMG! That turned out to be an exciting trip. When you said first editions, I was like oooooh!
I’m so glad some were ready and able to help you with your research, and even more excited they asked you to come back for a signing. Well, worth the two-hour drive…right? 🙂
Sue Coletta
Absolutely worth the trip, Amy! History has a way of bringing people together. We all felt so rooted to these families. It’s an experience I will never forget. Doing a book event there seems like the natural thing to do, as a way to honor the victims’ lives.
Garry Rodgers
Wow, Sue! A perfectly preserved 1881 scene above an Aerosmith gig spot. Like… score. Thanks for the pics and sharing your road trip. This Fowlers Solution stuff – any suggestion Steven Tyler tried it and shared it with the Stones? ps… Lizzie says hi
Garry Rodgers recently posted…DID LIZZIE BORDEN REALLY AX-MURDER HER PARENTS?
Sue Coletta
Hahaha. Keith Richards would be better preserved if he drank it. 😂😂😂
BTW, I had planned to touch on Lizzie, until your post dropped into my inbox. So instead, I linked to it. 😊 See ya over there in a few.