Tales From the Vault

Explore four unique and chilling tales unearthed from the vaults of the Delaware Public Archives. These stories, drawn from historical records, bring to life some of Delaware’s most intriguing and eerie events:

• “Would Anyone Care for a Bon-Bon?” recounts the 1898 murder-by-mail of Mary Elizabeth Dunning and Ida Deane, poisoned with bon-bons sent from California.
• “How to Get Away with Murder” delves into the life of William Albert Fitzpatrick, a convicted murderer who astonishingly received a pardon just six years after his conviction.
• “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” highlights the remarkable life of Sarah Green Moore, an African American undertaker from Middletown, Delaware, who made her mark in the early 20th century.
• “Would You Pass the Spurtle?” tells the harrowing tale of Sarah Kirk, who was tried for petit treason in 1787 after being accused of murdering her husband.

Using primary source documents preserved in the Delaware Public Archives, these tales weave together a fascinating tapestry of Delaware’s past, offering a glimpse into the darker corners of its history.