New-York tribune., 1874-08-01
DENIALs FROM OLIVER JOHNSON.

he CONTRADICTs TWO OF MR.. CARPENTERS STATE
MENTs, AND DOUBTS MR.. TILToNs vERACIrY.
Oliver johnson was called upon yesterday by
TRIBUNE reporter and interrOgated relative to his
knowledge of the quarrels between Mr. Carpenter
and Mr. Tilton year or two ago. when Mr.. Carpen-
ter was reported as indulgiug in free abuse OF
Mr.. Tilton, and declared, among other things,
that Mr.. Tilton's head was turned by his success
but Mr.. johnson would not give any informa-
ton of the facts, saying that they occurred before
he became intimately acquainted with these people,
and he could not speak from personal knowledge
Mr. johnson was asked in reference to his notewor-
thy remark to Mr. Carpenter (referred to in the lat
ters statement published on Wednesday,, my lips
are sealed by a solemn promise. but if should dis
close what know, the roof of Plymouth Church
would come right OFT" Mr.. Johnsons explanation
of the remark was as follows:
In the earlier period Of the scandal. when knew
nothing except what Mr.. Tton had told me- and which
then simple enough to think might have some
truth in it, may have made some strong remark as TO
the effect which disclosure would have IN Plymouth
Church / have recollection, however. of
using any such language but II did 1t was qualified
by other remarks. and by circumstances which put an
entirely different meaning upon it from that which it
would suggest when taken markedly by itself In reality
knew absolutely nothing of tho scandal except what
Mr. Tilton had told me. There time, frankly
own, when l credited mis- story; but when found him
telling many contradictory tales, and proving
false to his promises, lost ail faith in
him, and came, all too slowly, to the con-
clusion that he had accused Mr.. Beecher falsely
and formed a conspiracy to ruin him. Ny lips are no
longer sealed by promise OF silence. can honor
ably tell all know, which in substance is this: that Mr.
Tlton told cOnfdenally, long ago 1870, of his
accusations against Mr Beeeher cOnfessing at the
time that he had himself been guilty OF the same things
for which he excused himself the ground that. he
alleged his wife had broken their marriage covenant,
that it no longer binding upon him. hope to
be forgiven for being msled as was by accusations
which now believe to be utterly false.
Reporter-Is 1t true, Mr.. Carpenter says that you
once prepared statement for Mr. Tilton to sign re-
gard to Mrs. Woodhui
Mr.. Johnson-The truth which Mr.. Carpenter in his
desire TO Mr.. Tilon, has but partially stated is
this: Mr.. Carpenter TO long before my
ton with The Christian UniOn to ask ME If something
could not be done help Mr. Tlton in his poverty
increasing the circulation Of The Golden Age. told him
I would gladly do anything in my power to help Mr..
Tton but there obstacle to the of any
such effort which he alone could remove. 1t his
association with Mrs. Woodruff and his public indorse-
ment OF her that killing The Golden Age Mr.. Car
pener with in this expressing his disgust at
the Woodruff memoir He thought he could per
suade Mr. Tton to publish card acknow
edgine that he had made great mistake in writing that
memoir and in his intimacy with its subject; and he
asked me to write a card which, if accepted by Ms
Tilton would answer the purpose. did so, bat Mr.
Carpenter could persuade Mr. Tilton TO It, He
asked me IL 1 thought Mr.. Beecher was friendly TO
nltOn and would be willing 10 aid him. told him that
had no authority speak for Mr.. Beecher. but that
felt sure he would be glad to have The Golden Age
ceed. But said long Mr.. Ton stands before the
public as the indorser of Mrs. Woodruff 1T will of
be impossible for Mr. Beecher to say word publicly In
his behalf Mr. Carpenter agreed with me in this. and
said would do his best to persuade Mr. Ttou to make
"A public retracton Of his folly