The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-07-22

Beecher, in consequence whereof and a
the wish of Mrs. Elizabeth r. Tlton, ex
pressed in writing in paper put into the
hands of Francis D. Moulton, with view
to procure harmonious interview between
Tilton and Beecher, such interview was ar
ranged and carried out by Moulton at hi
Them residence on Clinton street, Beechel
and Tilton meeting and speaking then ant
there for the first time since Mrs. Tilton'
confession, six months before. The paper
in Mr.. Mouton hands was statement
By Mr.. Tilton of the substance of the con-
fession which she had before made and
her wish and prayer for reconciliation and
peace between her pastor and husband.
This paper furnished Beecher the first
knowledge which he had as yet received
that Mrs. Tilton had made such confes-
sion. AT this interview between Beecher
and Tilton permission was sought by
Beecher to consult with Mrs, 1ilton.
This permission being granted, Beecher
departed from Mr., Moulton's house and
in about half an hour returned. lie ex-
pressed
HIS REMORsE AND SHAME,
and declared that his life-work seemed
brought to sudden end. The same ev-
ening Tilton, on returning to his house,
found his wife weeping and in great dis
tress, saying that what she had meant for
peace had given pain and anguish that
Beecher had just called on her declaring
that she had slain him and that he would
probably be tried before council Of min
listers unless she would give him a written
paper for his protection. Whereupon she
said he dictated to her and she copied in
her own hand writing suitable paper for
him to use to clear himself before the
council of ministers. Mrs. Tilton having
kept no copy of this paper, her husband
asked her to make distinct statement in
writing of her design and meaning in
giving it, whcreupon she wrote as follows
WHAT MRS, TIToN WROTE.
Dec. 80, MIDNIGHT DEAR
HUSBAND: / desire to leave with you be-
fore going to bed a statement that Henry
Ward Beecher called upon me this morn
ing and asked me if | would defend him
against any accusations in council of
minister aud | replied solemnly that
would in case the accusor was any other
person than my husband He Henry
Ward Beecher) dictated letter which |
copied as my own, to be used by him as
against any other accuser except my hus-
band, This letter was designed to vindi-
cate Mr. Beecher against all other persons
save only yourself, was ready to give
him the letter because he said with pain
that my letter in your hands addressed to
him, dated Dec. 20 had struck him dead
and ended his usefulness. You and are
pledged to avoid publicity. God grant a
speedy end to all further anxieties. At
fectionatcly,
lSigued ELIZABETH
On the next day, namely, Dec. 81 1870. |
on being informed by Tilton of
the above named transaction by Beecher,
called on him lBeecher) at his residence
and told him that reconciliation seemed
suddenly made impossible by Beecher's ne
farious act in procuring the letter which |
Mrs. Tlton had thus been improperly per
suaded to make falsely. Beecher prompt
ly, through Moul'on, returned the letter
to Tilton with an expression of shame and |
sorrow for having procured it in the man
ner he did The letter was as follows
DEC. 80. lS70--Wearied with impor-
tunity and weakened by sickness, | gave
a letter duplicating my friend Henry Ward
Beecher under assurances that that would |
remove all difficulties between me and my
husband. That letter | now revoke. |
Continued on third page.l