, 1874-08-02


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I THE PISToL-sCENE IN THE BEECHEE CASE
Reference was made IN our dispatches O
Saturday to what may be called the pistol-scent
| in the Deccher-Tilton case. The particulars o
| this eceue had been communicated to us soms
time ago, but we're not published for the reason
that they wore an air Of improbability. por.
| tion OF tho facts having come out, wo feel al
| liberty to state tho remainder. as they were
! narrated to US by gentleman OF high repute,
who obtained the particulars at first hnnds.
Tho story runs that Mr.. Moulton asked Ir.
Beecher to walk home with him one Friday even
ing after the usual praycz-meetiug. When they
arrived at Moulton's house they found Tilton al
ready there. lIr. Tilton said that he desired to
have somo private conversation with 1r. Beech
er, wheroupon lir. uoulton went out OF the
room. Mr. Tilton locked the door, put the key
in his pocket, and then communicated to Mr.
BoecLer Mrs. Tiltou'5 confession. Mr.. Beech
er remained silent few moments, and then
declared TINT he did not believe Mrs. Tlton
had made any Eucl statement. Mr. Moultoo
then returned into the room, and, having learn
ed Nr. Beechers answer, suggested that he
Ieechcr} should 60 around the corner to Mr.
Titon's house aud ask Mrs. Tilton whether abe
had made such statement. and that thoy two
namely, Moulton and Tilton-would wait till he
returned. Mr. Dcechcr asseuted to this arrange
ment, aud went out He remained absent nearly
an hou1-1ong enough to hare accomplished his
errand three or four times but, whom he returned,
remarked that it was 80 late thut he had con-
cluded lot to come in again, but would see them
both in tho morning. They thereupon sepa-
rated
Mr. T1lton went to his house, and Mrs. Tilton
informed him that Mr. Beecbcr lad come to her
in great distress and agouy Of mind and told her
that he was ruined man, and "took on" SO
dreadfully that her sympathies we're excited III
high degree; aud that while she was in this
state Air. Beecher implorcd her to give him
paper to protect himself against 4 council Of
ministers. Aftor some further cntreaty on Ar.
Deechers part she consented to write such pa
per at his dictation, but stipulated that it should
not be used against her husband-it might
be used against all the world except him.
Mr.. Tilton communicated these facts to Mr..
AIoulton tie next day. Mr. Mouton's iudaSna-
ton at such Ell act Of pc1ldy was expressed in
very strong terms. and ho ended by assuring
1lr. Tuton that be would compel Mr.. Deecher to
give that paper back. He said that since it was
his suggestion. that AIr. Beecher should
go unaecompaniod by either Of them to
have an interview with Mrs. T1ton, and
since their confidence had been thus grossly
betrayed, he deemed himself morally bound to
remove the paper from Mr. Bcecher's hands.
Accordingly, he went directly to AIr. Beechers
house. charged him with his deception, and end
ed by demanding that the paper should be re-
turned to him. Mr. Beccher refused to giro it
up. Mr.. Moulton then repeated the demand in
more decisive language, and said that he lad
promised Mr.. Tlton that he would recover
the piper, and that he was determined to
do it. Mr.. Beecher then SAID that
if he gave the paper back he would have no
means OF protecting himself against IN Ecclesi-
astical Council Mr. Moulton replied tl:at lie
would take the paper and put it with tho other
papers which he had bearing upon tho case, mud
that whenever 1Ir. Beecker needed it to protect
himself against An Ecclesiastical Council he
would return it to him. Nr. Beecher still hesi-
tinted about giving up the paper, and asked Mr.
Moulton what guarantee he had that
a1oulson would return it to him when
required for the aboye~named purpose.
Mr.. Moulton thereupon reached his hand
nround to his hip-pocket, drew out loaded re-
volver, and holdingit dangerously near to Mr..
Beechcrs breast, replied: ''Thnt is your guar
antee, ME. Beccher." Mr. Becchcr thorcupon
delivered the paper to Mr.. Moulton, and the lat
Ter went away.
Whether Ar. Mou1ton is in the hnbit Of carry
ing firearms, orwhether lie took the pistol along
with him for this particular emergency, is prob
ably known only to himself