The New York herald., 1874-09-29
The GREAT SCANDAL.
Francis ID. Moulton Indicted by the
Grand Jury of Kings Countrywide
ssMutual Friend' to be Tried for
LibeIling Miss Edna Dean Proctor.

Francis ID. MOuitOn Indicted by the
Grand Jury of Kings Countrywide
sNIutual Friend'' to be Tried for
LibeIling Miss Edna Dean Proctor.
'The mutual lrend," he who ''tied up the
storm which had lor SO long q time threatened TO
burst" over the devoted head OF the Pastor OF
Plymouth, is in q sea OF trouble. Two weeks ago
Francis d. Moulton was compelled to appear
before the United States Marshal on writ Of
capias, issued upon complaint OF Miss Edna Dean
Proctor, whose character, 1t Is alleged, was most
objectonably assaed by inference Qor the name
was not mentioned) in statement No. Of the
defendant in reference to the Beecher-Tilton
scandal Mr.. Moulton at that time appeared,
and agreed to answer before the United States
Court on or before OCTOBER S, IN the suit, which
was brought to recover damages In the
sum of $4,000. Having performed this duty,
he expressed himself as happy and undaunted. 1t
seems however, that his troubles were not TO end
so readily as he had anticipated. The friends OF
the air complainant and her relatives are both
influential and wealthy, and are determined upon
obtaining full and complete satisfaction for injury
done the fair fame and character OF the lady.
Hence 1t was that on Thursday last the Grand
Jury OF the Kings county Court OF Sessions who
have been In session for the past two weeks, en-
gagged chieny IN the finding OF indictments against
the common horde OF jailblrds were elevated to
high Importance and consequence by reason Of
the presentation OF Oil or indictment against
Mr.. Moulton. criminal indictment was sought
which II proved TO the satisfaction OF petit jury
upon trial, would impose penalty Of one years.
Imprisonment and fine. or potb at the discretion
OF the Court. The first count OF the Indictment t
charges Moulton with having procured the publ
cation OF an article charging Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher with having committed an outrage on the
complainant
The second count is that ne criminally SLAM
dered Edna Dean Proctor oy representing her to
have had Illicit intercourse with Henry Ward
Beecher. Miss Proctor appeared before the Grand
Jury ard gave her testimony bearing on the case,
and the result was that on saturday afternoon
the jury found q true bill OF indictment against
Francis De Pau Moulton. District Attorney John
his prayers In peace unmolested by The conscious
ness OF the "true oill' found against him by the
Grand Jury, but early on Monday morning he no.
titled him OF the fact. Shortly before eleven
O'Clock In the forenoon Mr.. Mouiton, accompanied
by Theodore rilton, drove up In front OF tnc
County Court House, and, alighting, entered
the Office Of the District Attorney where
Moore and Chief Clerk Faron. the cnet OF the
Office was absent but 1t was understood tnat thc
amount OF bail was fixed at 100000. rue DEFEND
ant In this suit, which VIII be tried In the City
Court, before Judge Nelson was permitted 10 dc'
part upon his own recognigance unti to-day,
when ne will furnish the necessary oonds.
Tne rumor circulated on sunday TO the effect
that IL was the intention OF certain Congrega-
tiOna ministers TO cali another council OF the
Church to inquire into the propriety OF advising
Mr.. Beecher tc "step down and out" Is contra
dicted In veil informed Congregational circles
Ev-Jldge Morris, counsel for Theodore rtlton,
tndlouan y denies the assertion made that his
cllept v anxious TO compromise by disseminating
nis suit against Mr.. Beechcr on condition that The
suit OF MiSa Proctor he Withdrawn against Montnn