The Lucrezia Borgia of journalism. Illustration shows William Randolph Hearst, wearing a bright yellow dress, as Lucrezia Borgia painting poison from pots labeled Slander, Riot, Scandal, Malice, and Spite on various newspapers labeled San Francisco Examiner, New York Journal, Boston American, and New York American that are scattered on the floor; a large pot labeled Attacks on Decent Officials stands nearby, on the floor. Includes note: To poison the pages of a book, so that the mere handling of it might be fatal, was said to be a favorite method of the Borgias.. Date 1910 September 7. The Lucrezia Borgia of journalism. Illustration shows William Randolph Hearst, wearing a bright yellow dress, as Lucrezia Borgia painting poison from pots labeled Slander, Riot, Scandal, Malice, and Spite on various newspapers labeled San Francisco Examiner, New York Journal, Boston American, and New York American that are scattered on the floor; a large pot labeled Attacks on Decent Officials stands nearby, on the floor. Includes note: To poison the pages of a book, so that the mere handling of it might be fatal, was said to be a favorite method of the Borgias.. Date 1910 September 7.