Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-29
Tilton's Arrest.

| es of lbelling Henry War. Beecher and
brought before Justice Kelley, of Brooklyn at
| five O'Clock this afternoon. He was seated in
his parlor when arrested, and treated the
matter with the utmost composure. His bail
was fixed at 81 500, but upon his giving his
word of honor that he would appear at ten
o'clock, tomorrow morning, with bondsmen,
he was allowed to go until that time ON his
own recognizance. The prosecutions are
basel on his recent statement arraigning Mr..
Beecher.
Tilton was arrested at the instance of vii.
liam j. Gaynor, recently from Boston, where
he had a law office. He is member of the
| Brooklyn Argus staff. He says his only OBJ
ject in causing the arrest is to bring out all
| the facts. Great excitement prevails in
! Brooklyn.
| The Brooklyn Eagle extra, issued at 8 80
| to night, contains the following;
| AT ten minutes past five o'clock this even
| ing Theodore Tilt1n was arrested at his resi-
dence, on a warrant issued by Justice Riley,
in which he is charged with libel OH crimi-
nal complaint.
Shortly after four o'clock, just as Justice
Riley was leaving the bench, two gentlemen
entered the court room, and one of them APP
proaceing his honor said,
II wish to obtain a warrant for the arrest
OF 1neOOOre luton, 1or UDcl.
'What is your name, Sir?' asked the
Judge.
"My name is William j. Caynor, and re.
side at SO First Place
son what grounds DO you wish to get this
warrant"
"On the grounds of certain articles pub
lished in the Eagle and Argus"
The articles were shown and after survey
ing them Justice Riley drew us the following
| affidavits Estate of New York Kemp coun-
ty, S. S. William j. Gaynor of No. 80 First
placed being duly sworn deposeth and says
that Oh the 20th day of July, Theodore Til
ton did, falsely, ma ;iously and scandalously
frame, make, write, compose and cause to be
published in the Brookly niArgus in said coun-
ty, Gu the ooh Ct July, 1874, certain false,
scandalous and libellous writing, concerning
and against Henry Ward Beecher, of the city
of Brooklyn, in said county to the purport
and effect OF the following, to wit: Second
that for period of about fifteen years extend
ing both before and after this marriage, an
intimate friendship existed between Theodore
Tilton and the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher,
which friendship was cemented to such de-
gree that in consequence thereof the suisse
quent dishonoring by Mr.. Beecher of his
friends wife was a crime Of uncommon
wrongfullness and perfdy.
Third, That about nine years ago the Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher began and thereafter
continued friendship with Mrs. Elizabeth
Tilton. for whose native delicacy and extreme
religious sensibility he often expressed to her
husband a high admiration. Visiting her from
time to time for years, until the year 1870
when, for reasons hereinafter stated he
closed such visits. During which period, by
many tokens and attentions he won the atfec-
tionate love of Mrs. Tilton, whereby after
long moral resistance by her, and after repeat
ed assaults by him upon her mind with over
mastering arguments, he accomplished the
possession of her person, maintaining with
her thenceforward during the period herein
after stated. The relation called criminal In
tercourse, this relation being regarded by her
during that period as not criminal or morally
wrong; such had been the power of his argu-
ments as a clergyman, to satisfy her religious
scruples against such violation of virtue and
honor"
Wherefore the deponent prays that the de-
PENDANT may be unprecedented and dealt with
according to law.
Sworn to before me, this 28th day of July,
1874.
(signod) Thomas NJ. Riley,
Justice of the Peace, and of the city of Brook
Ign.
Another affidavit:
New York, Hugs County, S.:
William j. Gaynor. of No. 80 Fir st Place,
being duly sworn, deposes and says; On the
27th of July, 1874, Theodore Tilton did false
ly, maliciously and slanderonsly frame, make,
write, compose and publish in the Brooklyn
Daily Eagle and the BrooklynSDaily Argus,
newspapers published in the city of Brooklyn,
in said county, on the 9th day of July, 1874,
a certain false, scandalous and libelous writ
-. 4
Ward Beecher, of the city of Brooklyn, in
said county, to purport and effect the follow
ing-to wit:
A card from Mr.. Tilton:
| respectfully call public attention to the
ia ct that though the Plymouth Church COM
mittee have this morning published eight or
ten columns Of the irrelevant and desultory
conversation between Mr.. Beecher's counsel
and myself, in the committee room, yet this
yolumnous report strangely omits the most
important part of my testimony, namely -
That the criminality which my sworn state
ment charged upon Rev. Henry Ward Beech
er and his religious victim was confessed to
me, not only by herself, but by Mr.. Beecher.
Furthermore, that It was confessed by her and
him to Mr.. Moulton, as the friend and coun-
sellor of both; and still further, that Mr.
Moultons office as mediator for four years,
between Mr.. Beecher and me, was based on
the,one sole fact Of this pre-existing crimi-
nality between Mr. Beecher and Mrs. Tilton.
This statement | made to the committee with
my utmost plainness of speech.
| furthermore stated to the committee that
Mr.. Beecher's apology to me, instead OF grow
ing out of any circumstances with which Mrs.
Woodruff was connected, was communicated
to me by Mr.. Beecher nearly six months be-
fore | ever met, knew or saw Mrs. Woodruff.
The omission of these facts from the com
mittee's report forces me to lay them before
the public as necessary part of my case.
(signed) Theodore Tilton.
No. Ia Livingston St, Brooklyn, July 81,
1874.
Wherefore the deponent prays that the de-
PENDANT may be apprehended and dealt with
according to law.
Sworn to before me this 23th day Of July,
1874.
(signed) Thomas NJ. Riley,
Justice of the Peace and of the city of Brook
Ign.
These aiiidavits being read to Mr.. Gay
nor, and he having sworn to the same, the
following warrant was issued;
Warrant of Arrest State of New York,
Kings County S.. civilian j. Gaynor, of