The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-07-30


first to Mr.. tBeecher,who has prompt.
ed you to dissemination, and next
to Mrs. Tilton, who has joined in d
conspiracy which cannot fail to be
full OF peril and wretchedness 10 MANY 5; \
hearts. .h'oa2HiA 7
g / call you to witness that in nv
first brief examination before your
committee I begged and imploredyou
not to inquire into the facts of this
case. but rather seek to bury them beyond
all possible revelation. Happy fer all
concerned, had this entreaty been decided.
l. is now too late. The lost opportunity
for reconciliation and settlement,has pass
ed. The investigation, underta ken by
you IN ignorance of the dangers against
which Mr.. Beecher should nave warned
you In advance, will shortly prove itself
TO your surprise, to have been an act Of
wanton and wicked folly, fer which Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher, as its originator
and pubic sponsor, will heiatter fnd no
space for repentance though he seek It
carefully and with tears. This desper-
ate man must ho!d himself only, ana not
me, accountable for the wretchedD ess
which these disclosures will carry to his
own home and hearth, as they have
already brought to mine I will add that
the original documents referred to in the
ensuing sworn statement are for the most
part in my possession, but that apology
and few other papers are IN the hands
of Francis.D Moolon Truly yours.
Is (Sigbned} THEODORE Triton
az TnToN s SWORN STATEMENT. .- z
Sd. Whereas, The Rev. Henry Ward Beech
or has instigated the appointment OF 4
committee consisting of SIX members Of
his church and society to irqure and
report upon alleged aspersions upon bis
character by Theodore Tihon; and, its
Whereas, Mrs. Elizabeth r. Triton,
her home in50rder to cooperate with Mr..
Beecherin / conspiracy TO overthr8n the
credibiIity ard good repute of her late
husband as q man aud citizen:7 3Tfl
Therefore, Theadore Tilton, being thus
authorised and required, by published de-
maad made upon him by Rev Henry Ward
Beecher, and being now and hereafter
released by act of Mrs, Tilton from furth-
.er responsibility for the cpncealmrnt Of
the truth touching her Relations with
Mr. Beecher; therefore Theodore Tilton
hereby. sets forth under solemn oath, the
following facts and testimony: ID a~.v
1 :. That on the I'd of October, 1855, at
Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, marriage
between Theodore Tilton and Elizabeth
NJ Richards was performed by Rev, III /.
W. Beecher; which marriage, thirteen
years afterwards, was dishonored and
violated by this clergyman through
criminal seduction Of this wife and moth
er as hereinafter set forth.
3 That for the period of about fifteen
years extending both before and after
this marriage an intimate friendship exis-
ted beween Theodore Tilton and Rev
Henry Ward Beecher, which friendship
was cemented to such degree that in con
sequence thereof the subsequent, dishonor-
ing Ly Mr. lBeecher of his frierds wife
was crime OF uncemmol wrongfulness
and per6dy teE .Asf2fI3a IS
s. That, about nine years ago, Rev
Henry Ward beacher began, and thereaft
er continued, friendship for Mrs
Elizabeth r. Tilton, for whose native
delicacy and extreme religious sensibility
he often expressed TO her husband higl
admiration, visiting Der from time &c
time for gears, until the year of 1870
when, for reasons HEREAFTER stated, he
ceased such visits, during which period,
by many tokens and attentions be won
the affectlonate 1--we of Mrs. Tiltop,
where by, after long moral resistance BY
| her and after repeated assaults by him
upon her mind with overmastering argu
aents, lie accomplished the possession q
her person. maintaining with her after
] ward. during the period hereinafter stated
theorelation being regarded by her Dur
| ing that period as not criminsl or, morally
.4Erf u IL 5 nm al r. =