Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-12-10
EDNA DEAN.
Miss PrOctOr's Suit against Mo uI
ton Settled Before a
Referee.
MoultOn's Counsel Promising to
Prove Nothing.
The Fair Complainant Tells What She
Thinks OF Beecher, and Accuses
Him Of Breach Of Faith

Him Of Breach Of Faith.
NEW YORK, Nov. 9.-The case of Edn
Dean Proctor against Francis d. MOultol
was called in the United States Court, be
fore Judge Woodruff, this morning. Jude
Fullerton said the defense was not ready
for two reasons: First, because the cOur
has no jurisdiction, and, second, because O
the illness Of the defendant. He suggested
that the case be referred 10 a referee. AT
ter argument, the counsel for plaintiff
agreed to a reference, and Benjamin d.
Silliman was appointed referee. Judge
Fullerton stated that they did not mean tC
offer any evidence to prove what is sup
posed to be the main charge. They had
never pretended that they could prove that.
They did not expect to sustain the charge.
They only wanted to say that it was told
them, not that it was true. They con
fdently looked forward to a complete vim
dication of both parties
After the order for referee had been en-.
tered in court and the stipulation between
counsel fled, the counsel proceeded to Mr.
Silliman, the refereee. There they wert
joined by
Gen. Butler,
of counsel for MOulton. A conference was
held as to whether the reference should be
open to the representatives of the press
Gen. Butler opposed the admission of re-
pOrters or any one outside of the witnesses
Miss Proctor was willing that reporters
should be admitted, as was Gen. Tracey.
1t was finally decided that the press should
be represented under certain conditions.
The party then went to the United States
n hrrTl H.. -
held. The plaintiff altered her complaint,
so that at the time of the commencement
of the action and the time of said libel.
defendant was resident Of the city of
Brooklyn, New York, and plaintiff a resi-
dent of the State of Massachusetts,. Ira
cey then briefly opened the case, after
which
Miss Proctor Testified
10 the highest esteem for Mr.. Beecher, and
declared that there was not the slightest
shadow of truth in the stories that had
been circulated in which her name had
been mentioned. There was never any
improper behavior on his part. Neither
did he ever offer any insults to her.
While in the employment Of Mr.. Bowen,
she was in the habit Of attending Plymouth
church. Here she was attracted with certain
sayings and expressions Of Beecher, so that
she took to jotting them down. Gradually
she got into the custom Of taking notes Of
his sermons, and she then conceived the
idea Of publishing them in book form.
Henry G.. Bowen suggested the title, @Life
Thoughts" for the book. It was through
th work that she first made
the acquaintance of Beeeher.
found that there had been a new
book to be issued Of which | received a
and which apparently had re-
ceived Beecher's approval. l felt veiy in
iignant and wrote a letter to Beecher, ex-
pressing my indignation at his course. l
received reply explaining his connection
with the book. ! afterwards had several
personal interviews with Beecher. The
result was l understood the reasons why he
.OOk this course. Yet / never could forget
MS breach of faith of business arrange
rents. l never completed this volume.
have seen very little of Beecher since
hen, but at all times we have been very
friendly.
The Letter
IF Jan. 10, 1871, was given under the fol-
lowing circumstances: Mir. Beecher called
10 sec me on New Years day of 1871, and
old me that there was some trouble be-
.ween Bowen and TiltOn, and that he
'Beecher) was implicated, and fearing that
{ died that there might be some wrong
construction put upon their proctor and
transaction, and that to save
my trouble, be wanted me TO write an ex-
IressiOn Of my feelings towards him. l
vent up to the library and wrote the letter
which MOultOn published.
About Pictures and EnSrayings.
l never went out with Mr.. Beecher but
)nce believe in my life, and that was for
wo or three hours in the middle of the
lay, 20 see some pictures. In Brooklyn |
emember going with him to New York to
ee some pictures from, perhaps, eleven
Until two or three o'clock.
l went to the studio of a Mr.. Johnson,
whose sister 1 had known, and that is the
My time ever went anywhere with Mr..
3eecher. was two or three times at his
louse with friends, to see pictures
nd engravings. | remember CO.
ng one afternoon with the late
Henry j. Raymond to visit Mr.. Beeeher on
lis invitation. Mr.. Raymond called for
ne at Mr.. BOwen's, and on going over we
OOked at engrayings and pictures an hour
r two, with various other friends, among
thers me and Mrs. Benedict,
Ir. and Mrs. Lowe and some others whom
have nowforgotten. | think, perhaps, on
mother occasion 1 went to Mr.. BIS house
n the morning to see engravings, Of which
e had large collection. | remember be-
ng in his study a few moments. These
Tere the only occasions in which was in
Ir. BIS house or study.
At the suggestion of the referee, all the
ounsel retired to fix upon the sum that
Tould cover Miss ProctOr's actual ex-
enses. After a short absence the counsel
sturned, and Gen. Butler announced that
4, ,375 had been agreed upon as the amount
} be paid by the defense, and Miss Proc
Dr. and her friends retired.
Reported Basis Of Agreements.
The Brooklyn Eagle says: The Proctor
nit is at an end. Yesterday the defense
lade formal Oyertures to the prosecution |
II a compromise and settlement, which, |
fter consultation with their client, the at |
lrneys for Miss Proctor concluded to en- !
srtain. The matter came to a climax last |
light. 1t was then agreed that at the open |
70 Of the court this morning proposition |
bould be made by ex-Judge Fullerton to |
ave the cases referred, which proposition |
'racey & Co. should, after some argument, |
gree to, and that ex-District Attorney |
'enj. +. SilliHan should be selected as
aferee. 1t was further stipulated that Miss |
rector should come forward and testify |
nat MOultOn's allegations as to her con- |
ection with Beecher were in every respect |
Use. 1t was further stated that MoultOn |
imself should make an affidavit that be |
nOws, of his own knowledge, nothing |
hatever against Miss ProctOr's character, |
nd that the libel to which he gave utter |
nee was based wholly upon hearsay. |
was further stipulated that MOulton |
Mould make an apology to Miss Proctor,
nd that he should pay all the costs in
lrred on both sides, thus far in the suit,
TO over 5000, and that in con-
deratiOn of the foregoing Miss Proctor
ould claim no pecUniary damages against
Ioulton, but would rest satisfied with the
indication Of her character, and that the
fierce should make report in eonsOnance
-ith these conditions and thus end the
reat suit. These terms were all agreed to