Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-08-28
The Brooklyn Scandal.
Mr.. MouLToS's sTATENKNT-AN INcoNcLc-
sIvE DOCUMENT.

Inc puDiiSneO Stateneut Va iiA"
Moulton is so long lit would more than nil
our whole sheet) that We cannot publish II
entire. 1t begins by recounting an inter-
view with Mr. Tilton on Dec. 26, 1870, I'M
mediately after the latter had written
demand upon Mr.. Beecher to retire from
tine pulpit, and quit the city of Brooklyn.
Mr.. Tilton then told him that Mr.. Beeeher
had made Improper advances to Mrs Ill
tom 1t quotes the famous letter OF Mr..
Titon to Mr.. Bowen of Jan. l, 1871. On
Dec. 80 Mr.. Tllton informed Mr.. Moulton
of the confession of his wife of the inter-
course between her and Mr.. Beecher. Mr..
Beecher went to his house to see Mr.. Illton,
who las he subsequently told Mr.. Mouiton)
recited "the details of the confession OF his
wife's adulteries." On that night Moulton
says Mr.. Bcecher neither denied nor admit
ted the truth of the charges against him.
Mr.. Moulton recites the circumstances of
Mrs. Tilton's recantation and its retraction,
and explains how he obtained the retractlon
of the confession from Mr.. Beecher. lie
says that at that time he charged, and Mr..
Beecher confessed to him, criminal relations
with Mrs. Tilton. He (Moulton) told Mr..
Beecher that he had done mean and
treacherous act, and said
mfr. Beecher, want that recantation; have
come for it, well" said he, what shall | do
without it,p replied, | don't know. can tell
you what will happen with it, He asked, What
will do I rival a
keep il as keep the confession II You act honor
ably will protect it with my life, as would pro-
tect the other with my lie: Mr.. Triton asked i95
that confession tins morning, and | said. 1 viii
give it to you you shall not have it from my
hands until | have exhausted every effort Tor
peace.
Mr. Moulton gives no copy of Mrs. Til
tons confession, nor any explanation why
he does not.
Coming to NJ Beecher famous letter Of
contrition, Moult0n says;
This was intrusted to in confidence, TO be
shown only TO Tlton. which aid 1t had reference
other fact act than the confession of sexual
/ intercourse between Beecher and Mis- Tlton which
confessed lie also at other interviews subsequent
Is held between US in relation 10 the unfortunate
affair unqualiedly confessed that he had been
guilty of adultery with Mrs. Tilton.
The negotiations with Bowen, are detail
/ ed with various notes and letters. Among
( these is memorandum by Mr.. Beecher of
| statements made by Mr.. Bowen, at the
| time the tripartite agreement was signed,
among the points of which are the follow
/ ing
/. That he Bowen allowed himself to listeh to
uniounded rumors.
/ . That he never brought them either o. to me
/ ,s nor in any proper manner To the church, O.
Z that he only whispered them. and even taat only
/ when he hal some business end n view.
3. That he did not himself believe that anything
b. NgN.H F.N
shown.
l. Now the farce Of The statement that he did nat
/ himself beiiett that | had done anything immoral
which should affect my standing As man. cit,-eH
and minister illustrated by the foregoing acts,
demonstrated 10y his csnduc: when he dil bel eve
/ that Theodore Tilton committed inToralities his
d.spossession Of Independent, his isnomiuious eX-
pu.son from Is. L., his refusal 10 pay him the sala
~ and forfeit Of contract.
Some strange letters which passed between
I Mr. Beecher's sister, Mrs Hooker, and her
brothers which were handed 10 Mr.. Moulton
by Mr.. Beecher, are given IN full. Mr..
Moultou reproduces a card which he says
Mr.. Beecher wished Mr.. Tllton To sign. de-
nouncing Mrs. Woodruff. The letters from
MIR. Beecher 10 Mr.. Moulton AMI Mrs. I'll
ton. before published. are gwen. and one
from Mrs Morse to Mr. Beecher relating
the miseres of the rilton home and appeal
ing for help Mr. Mouiton states that the
| Young girl Bessy was sent away from III
toms to school for the reason. a. given me
| hy Mr.. and Mrs. Illt0n: She had over
heard CONVERSATIONS by them concerning
| Mrs. Iilt0n's criminal intimacy with
Beecher, and She had reported these CONVEX
sations to several friends OF the family.
lie adds letters from her denying what She
had before charged against Mr.. Tilton. Her
expenses were paid By Mr. Beecher, and the
account j. given. the money having passed
through Mr.. Moulton's hands
Mr.. M0ultOn learned on Jan. |, ISL. of
the charges OF infdelity on the part OF Mr..
TIlton. and tina, Mrs. Elton had desired a
separation lie asked her if it were true.
She answered by letter that it was a
"ialsehood coined by my poor mother.
Regarding money contributed BY Mr..
Beecher, to the Golden Ags, Mr.. Moulton
furnishes the account, and says that Mr..
rilton knew nothing Of it. but had said that
he could and would receive nothing from
Nh Beecher The latter. however. of hi-
own accord paid to Mr.. Moulton 5000 TO
be used for Mr. Tilton, with the understand
ing that 1t should 20 10 Mr.. TIlton a If II
came from Mr. Moultons own voluntary
contributions for his benefit. and that Mr..
Tilton should not know that the money
came from Mr. Beechef. Mr. Moulton fur
Their says that Mr.. Tilton never has known
or supposed that be was in any way indebt-
Cd to Mr.. Beeeher for it.
We suhjoin some Of the letters given by
Moulton:
REV. THOMAS X. ZEE HER TO MS SISTER.
ELnRA. Nov. 8, lS-2.
/ DEAR BELLE-To allow the devil himself 70 he
crushed .or speaking the truth is unspeakahy COW
/ ardiN and contemplate. / respect, Gs al Yres@nf
| as,i'cl. Mrs woodruff, while ahhor her philoso-
/ ply. She only carries out Henry's philosophy,
/ AGAINST which recorded my protest twenty years
] ago. and parted lovingly and achin-lyl .rum b II,
saying, We cannot work together lie has
drfted, and | have hardened Ike crysta! TIL !
/ am sharp cornered and exactng | cannot help
/ hun. except py prayer. cannot help him through
/ Edward. In my judgment Henry IS follow NJ hi
ppery doctrines OF expediency, and. in his cry Of
/ progress and the nobleness of human nature, has
/ sacrificed clear exact. deal integrity. Hands of
] unit he j. down and thcn my pulpit, my home,
/ my church aud my purse and heart are al DIS
/ serv ce. o. the two Woodruff j. my hero ard
Henry my coward, as al Prss,Hf ad'tssd. But pro-
: test against the whole batch and al! its belong
u-s 1 was not ant.-slayery am not anti
I family. But. a. ! wrote years ago, whenever !
assault slavery because OF is ahom nat nns shall
assault the church, the State, the family and Ill
! other Institutions Of selfish usage.
! return the papers. Ion cannot help Henry.
! You must bee true 10 Woodruff. | am out %, the
/ circle yet and am glad oi IT, When the storm
line includes ne shall suffer as a Christian, SAY
l NJ, Cease We from man.
/ Don't write to me- Follow the truth, and when
you need me cry out. Yours, lovingly.
; snedl TON.
/ atd.-Nou have no proof ssyet OF any ofen'e on
/ llenry's part. Your testimony would be allowed
/ IN no court. Tilton, wife, Moulton Co are wit
nesses Even Mrs. Stanton only declare heg-sdg.
s. If you move remember that you are standing on
uncertain Information, and we shall not probably
ever get the facts, and IN glad OF il Il Nh and
Mrs Tilton are brought into court nothing Will be
revealed. Perjury, Tor good reason, Is, with ad-
| yance1 thinkers, no sin.
MRS. TILros To NCULToN.
DEAR FRANCIs-I did not tell you two f.lsehoo :
at your last visit. At first entirely misunderstood
YOUR uues tons thinking YOU had reference 10 the
! interview at your house the day before But when
iutel.igently replied to you, rfpiief fliseiy.
will now put myself on record truthfHlly-
told Mr.. b. that at the time Of my confession 7.
hat made similar confessions 10 me h mseli ont no
dereiopmeHts as 10 persons. When you then asked,
fir YOUR own satisfaction. "Was II So told my
second lie. After you had left, said to T.. ~ GU
know was obliged to lie to Frank, and now say,
rather than make others suffer "a H0ir do. must
lie for i i physical impossibllity for me To tell
Yet i DO think. Francis, had not rs angry,
troubled face been before me, would have told you
the truth.
am a perfect coward in his presence. not from
any fault OF his, perhaps, but from long years Of
implore you, As this is side issue to be care
lu not to lead me into further temptation.
You may show this to T., or Mr.. b. or any one.
An effort nade for truth. Hretchedly.
ELIZAgETH.
MRS. TILToS TO TEEcHER.
FRIDAY, April 2ist, ISL.
Mr. BEECHER-As Mr. MOulton has returned will
You use your influence To have the papers in his
possession destroyed My heart bleeds night and
day at the injustice of their existence.
lMoulton says As could not comply with this
request for reasons before stated. did not show
this letter to Tlton. nor did call Mrs. Tltons at
tention to il.
MRS TILToS To BEECHER, UNSIGNED
BROOKLyS. May D. ISL.
Mr. BEEcuER-My future either for life or death
would be happier could but feel that you fOrgare
while YOU forget me. In all the sad complications
Of the past year my endeavor was 10 entirely keep
from you III suffering to bear myself alone, leav-
Ing YOU forever ignorant of it. My weapons were
love a large untiring generosity and nest hiding
That failed utterly we both know. But now ask
forgiveness. ,,,,-,,.
SUNDAY NIGHT March %, 1874.
Ny DEARFRANK-Is there to be no end TO trouble
Is wave to follow wave in endless succession. was
IN ha haarf when G. showed that shameful