Podcast Summary: Murder, Mystery & Makeup

Episode: A Victorian lesbian romance ends in madness, jealousy, and MURDER?? - Alice Mitchell & Freda Ward
Host: Bailey Sarian
Release Date: July 15, 2025

1. Introduction to the Case (00:00 - 04:30)

Bailey Sarian opens the episode by transporting listeners to the late 19th century in Memphis, Tennessee. She introduces the tragic tale of Alice Mitchell and Freda Ward, two young women whose deep friendship evolves into a passionate romance amidst the restrictive norms of the Victorian era. Bailey hints at the dark turn the story takes, culminating in murder driven by love and jealousy.

Notable Quote:

"Can love actually drive you crazy? You drive me crazy. I just can't see." (00:00)

2. The Victorian Context (04:31 - 10:45)

Bailey delves into the societal backdrop of the Gilded Age, highlighting the era's stark contrasts between opulent wealth and pervasive poverty. She discusses the transformative inventions of the time, such as the telephone and the light bulb, juxtaposed with the rigid social norms, especially for women. Victorian society's emphasis on propriety and the limited roles available to women set the stage for Alice and Freda's clandestine relationship.

Notable Quote:

"Mark Twain sarcastically dubbed [the Gilded Age] the final years of the 1800s. This was, like, what we know as the Victorian era." (02:15)

3. The Relationship of Alice Mitchell and Freda Ward (10:46 - 20:30)

Alice and Freda meet at Ms. Higby School for Young Ladies in Memphis. Despite being opposites—Freda being studious and traditionally feminine, and Alice a rebellious tomboy—they form a close bond. Their friendship, characterized by chumming—a Victorian term for affectionate interactions among friends—slowly transforms into a romantic relationship. Bailey explains the ambiguous nature of their physical affection due to the lack of clear historical records.

Notable Quote:

"Frida went by Fred and Alice went by Ali. I know, so unique." (15:00)

4. Separation and Strain (20:31 - 30:00)

In May 1890, Freda's father secures a new job, forcing the Ward family to relocate 80 miles up the Mississippi River to Gold Dust. The physical separation strains Alice and Freda's relationship. Alice's letters become increasingly volatile, alternating between expressions of love and accusations of Freda's perceived betrayal, indicating a toxic dynamic fueled by jealousy.

Notable Quote:

"The chumming had already turned into a serious love affair... inappropriate for the Victorian era." (25:45)

5. The Attempted Poisoning (30:01 - 40:00)

During a winter visit to Gold Dust, Alice purchases a vial of La Dunm—a potent opiate cocktail used as a painkiller but highly addictive and deadly in large doses. On a fateful night, Alice contemplates using the poison on herself and Freda to ensure they remain together forever. As Alice prepares to administer the fatal dose, Freda awakens, thwarting her plan. The confrontation leads to Alice attempting to kill herself instead, but she survives with severe health repercussions.

Notable Quote:

"My intention was to cut Frida's throat and then my own. But Joe's interference made me cut Frida again." (38:15)

6. The Murder and Arrest (40:01 - 55:00)

Despite surviving the overdose attempt, Alice remains obsessed with preventing Freda from marrying other men. On January 25th, driven by jealousy over Freda's interactions with suitors Ashley and Harry, Alice confronts Freda and her sister Joe at the steamboat loading area in Gold Dust. In a frenzied state, Alice slashes Freda's throat with a straight razor, resulting in Freda's tragic death and Joe sustaining minor injuries. Alice flees the scene but is quickly apprehended due to eyewitness accounts.

Notable Quote:

"Alice is really excited. She took him up on that offer and she ended up taking a steamboat... chumming up, being chummy." (45:30)

7. The Trial and Insanity Plea (55:01 - 1:10:00)

Alice's wealthy father hires top lawyers who advocate for an insanity defense, citing a family history of mental illness. The defense successfully portrays Alice as mentally unstable, influenced by Victorian prejudices against lesbian relationships. Psychiatric experts argue that Alice's behavior and obsessive love qualify her for an insanity plea. The jury rules Alice insane, sentencing her to the Western State Insane Asylum in Bolivar, Tennessee.

Notable Quote:

"Alice pleaded not guilty. So her defense argued that she was, quote, presently insane." (1:05:20)

8. Aftermath and Legacy (1:10:01 - 1:25:00)

Alice remains institutionalized until her mysterious death at age 25, with conflicting reports attributing her demise to tuberculosis or suicide by jumping into a water tower. The case garners significant media attention, sparking public discourse on lesbianism and influencing portrayals of lesbians in contemporary literature as often violent and masculine. Bailey reflects on the societal impact of the case, emphasizing its role in beginning conversations about LGBTQ+ identities.

Notable Quote:

"This case... really kind of like started the whole conversation about lesbians." (1:20:45)

Conclusion

Bailey Sarian's exploration of the Alice Mitchell and Freda Ward case intertwines a gripping true crime narrative with historical context, shedding light on the complexities of forbidden love in the Victorian era. The episode underscores how societal pressures and personal obsessions can culminate in tragic outcomes, while also highlighting the nascent conversations around LGBTQ+ issues sparked by such cases.

Note:
Advertisements and non-content sections from the transcript have been excluded to focus solely on the narrative of Alice Mitchell and Freda Ward.