I Could Have Killed Him Twice, A Gilded Age Tale

In the 1880s, the tale of a young Black woman, Annie Cutler, unfolds with a deceptive promise of marriage that leads to betrayal and desperation. Lured to Philadelphia, Annie’s hopes are shattered when she’s abandoned and robbed by Henry Knight, culminating in a dramatic act of violence.

This presentation will delve into the complexities of this historical case, exploring the societal issues of race, gender, and class in 19^th-century America. We'll examine the question of whether Annie was a cold-blooded killer or a victim of circumstance, and discuss the challenges faced by Black women during this era.

This story raises timeless questions about love, betrayal, and the elusive nature of justice. We’ll confront the power of societal expectations and the agonizing pleas for mercy, as we unravel a narrative that explores the human cost of betrayal and the enduring quest for justice.

Kay Adams was born and raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas and attended the University of Mississippi and the University of Arkansas before relocating to Connecticut where she studied creative writing under author and essayist Scott Bradfield at the University of Connecticut. Kay spent 34 years working as an executive in the banking industry, retiring from her role as a Senior Vice President at the Bank of Arkansas in 2016. A lifelong voracious reader and creative writer, she is also a pastry chef, community volunteer, and mentor to her former associates. gildedageauthors.com

Nancy Markey was raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas and studied at the University of Arkansas and the University of Mississippi, graduating from Ole Miss with a degree in History. Nancy spent the next few years as a flight attendant before obtaining her law degree in Massachusetts. She is a labor attorney and historian who enjoys researching and sharing fascinating stories of the lesser-known residents of Gilded Age Newport. Her essays, “Abney vs. Twombly, A Gilded Age Tale of David vs. Goliath,” and “Redemption Among Rubble” were winning entries in local writing contests and published in Newport Life Magazine.  gildedageauthors.com