New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-17
sEoUELs TO THE SCANDAL.
MR.. MouLToN SUED FOR LIBEL.


Mr.. MoULTON SUED FOR LIBEL.
A SUIT FOR $4,000 BROUGHT BY MISS PROCTOR
THE GRAND JURY ALSO TO ACT IN THE CASE
THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN THE LADY AND
Mr.. BgECHER.
Gen. BENJAMIN F. Tracy, of the firm of Tracy,
Catlin 81 Brodhead announced yesterday that he had
eeen authorized by Miss Edna Dean Proctor who re-
sides In Massachusetts, to begin suit against Francis
d. Moulton for malicious libel She accuses him OF pub
Mshing letter Of hers in his recent statement and
aeously charging that it related to the commission
of crime With the Rev Henry Ward Beecher. thereby
ujurng her reputation for virtue aud honor aud dam
aging her 70 the extent Of 100000 She charges
that the statement untrue, that she had
never committed the crime, that the charges
her which purported to have been made by the
Rev Mr. Beeoher MI Mouiton in the latters state
ment we're in vented by Mr. Moulton or known by him
to be false in every particular. Wherefore abe prays
that he be dealt with according to law Mr.. Brodhead
has been engaged upon the and complaint for
several days past but up to late hour last night mad
not completed them, that they will not be served
until to-day. They will contain, however, three
charges. The suit will be begun in the United
States District Court of Brooklyn, as the plaintln
living ia Massachusetts, and the defendant IN New
York and as that Court only win have Jurisdiction Ihe
ordinary form order OF arrest Will be lssueu ana
be handed Marshal Harlowe for service aithougn
s not intended Mr. Moulton placed In CONNIE
III.
and It is not believed wonld run away. The papers In
,be ease Will be ied in the District Court to-day before
Judge Benedict who win inform Mr.. Moulton, through
the Marshal, that he must come before him ana give
bonds The subject OF indicting Mr. Monlton has also
been broached TO the Acting and SO
many persons have made application to go before the
Grand Jury OF Kings County and make complaints
against Mr. Moulton for malicious libel that the officials
have concluded TO permit them to make their COM
plants There have been efforts the part OF the
Assistant DstretAttorneys to open this case, because
they wished 10 avoid any appearance OF being innu
enced by any personal feeling from their connection
with District-AttOney Winslow. who was one OF the
Committee OF Investigation TO examine the charges
against Mr. Beecher. They state that II the case is
brought to the attention OF the Grand Jury 1t will
be because their duty TO the people would not per
NIT them 10 refuse the applications OF persons who
desire to make charges against Mr.. Moulton They
add that they have held no consultation with
Mr. Winslow on the subject and that be has turned all
matters relating that subject over to them. 1t was
stated however that the indictment proceedings might
be taken 10 the United States Grand Jury the
plant Of some friends OF Miss Proctor and OF Mr..
Beecher 1t esteemed better to make the complaint
before that body IL not only has jurisdiction IN the
case but its members could be charged with being
Influenced forming indictment by the advice OF
winslOw. The ofense is msdemeanor
according TO laws OF the United States and made
punishable by fne Imprisonment or both, and the fact
of publication Is prinG Jaeie evidence OF malice, but
Gen. Tracy while explaining the true story Of the letter
of Miss Proctor said that in the of Mr. Monlton 1t
could easily shown that his statement was shame
fully malicious, as he knew before he published the
letter that related simply to business transaction
This fact Mr. Tracy added, brought directly ana
prominently TO Moulton's notice by Miss Proctor's
friends who were familiar with all the facts when they
learned he contemplated making use OF the letter
In his statement. The suit Will be pressed to trial I'm
nediatey.
The circumstances Of the controversy between Mr..
Beecher and Ina Dean Proctor which gave to her
letter 10 Mr. Beecher 1871 long been well under
stood by the friends OF Doth and stated by them
appear OF very trng importance, and are wholly
OF private character. They attract public interest
through the forced construction which Mr.. Moulton
saw tit to give to Miss Proctor's letter. As
long ago as 1858 Miss Proctor residing in
Brooklyn in the family OF Henry c. Bowen. While
listening from Sunday Sunday to Mr. Beecher's ser
mons she took brief which she thought OF
striking interest. Having accumulated large number
of these extracts consulted with Mr. Beecher with
regard TO publishing them IN the form Of a book. He
was pleased with plan and readily consented 10 her
making every advantage that she might be able
II was understood, however that the length OF the
extracts should be limited TO about ten lines.
Tue book was published with the title OF Life
Thoughts" aud proved 10 be splendid hit many edr
tious were sold short time, and Miss Proctor is said
realized several thousand dollars to the great
pleasure OF Mr. Beecher, who glad 10 have her pre-
pare another volume. While collecting materials for the
second book one of q similar character announced
eoaed by Augusta Moore. The approval OF Mr. Beecher
was claimed this book by the publishers. 1t was
composed somewhat longer extracts than the former
When tins announced Miss Proctor knew OF it for
the first time and she nearly ready to have her
second volume issued much disturbed. Her friends
were likewise very indignant against Mr. Beeeher
and neither she they were slow TO
express their disapproval Of what Mr..
Beeeher had Done by recommending as they
supposed the volume Of Augusta Moore Toe result
that Mr. Beecher addressed her long letter explain
atory OF all the circumstances He assured her, it is
said that he had prevented the publication for time.
aud had consented only after various had
presented Mr. BeecheT's letter what appeased
Miss Proctor hat she concluded not to publish the
oDd volume The letter which Mr. Monlton included in
his statement written 1871 aud had reference IL 10
claimed wholly this difficulty, occurring many years
before. While trouble was brewing between him and
Mr.. Bowen Mr.. TIlton Mr.. Beecher gave this note
among other correspondence into Mr. MOultons keep
ing. Miss staying with the family of Charles
storrs, whose daughter married to her brother.
A SUIT AGAINST THE GRAPHIC.
GEN. BUTLER AND B. G. JAYNE INTERESTED.
Miss Proctor has notified to her counsel to
bring against The York Daily Graphic. which
~ lar