Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-07-24
THE BEECHER SCANDAL
A Complete History Of the Affair.
MRS. TILTON's CONFESSION.

A Complete History Of the Affair.
MRS. TILTON's CONFESSION.
New YORK, July 2I.-The following is
the sworn statement of Theodore Tilron,
read last night before the Beecher investiga-
ting committee
Whereas. The Rev Henry Ward Beecher
has instigated the appointment of a COM
mittec consisting of six members of his
church and society. to enquire and report
upon the alleged aspersions upon his char,
acter by Theodore Tilton; and whereas,
Mrs. Elizabeth K. Tilton,
FORMERLY THE WIFE OF MIR. TILToN,
has openly deserted her home in order to
cooperate with Mr. Beecher in a conspiracy
to overthrow the credibility and good
repute of her late husband as man and
citizen
Therefore, |, Theodore Tilton, being thus
authorized and required by the published
demand made upon me by the Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher, and being now and hereafter
released by the act of Mrs. Tilton from
further responsibility for the concealmeni
OF the truth touching her relations with
Mr.. Beecher, therefore, |. Theodore Tilton,
hereby set forth under solemn oath the fol
loving
FACTS AND TESTIMONY
First, that on the second of October, 1855
at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn. marriage
between Theodore Tilton and Elizabeth NJ
Richards was performed by the Rev Henry
Ward Beecher, which marriage. thirteen
years afterwards, vas dlshOnOred and viO-
lated by this clergyman, through the Grim.
inal seduction OF this wife and mother. a,
hereinafter set forth.
Second, that for a period of about fifteen
years, extending both before and after thi,
marriage,
Az INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP EXISTED.
between Theodore Tilton and Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher, which friendship was &C.
mented to such degree that in consequence
the subsequent dishonoring by Mr.. Beecher
Of his friends wife was crime Of uncom-
mon wrongiulness and perfdy
Third, that about years ago Mr. Beecher
began and thereafter continued a friend
ship with Mrs Elizabeth K. Tlton. for
whose native delicacy and extreme religious
sensibhIty he often expressed to her hu>-
band high admiration, visiting her from
time to time for years, until the year $50,
: N4AIl lF.A AtANNI~ hereinafter -tdteQ lie
ceased such visits; during which period by
many attentions he won the aficctionate
love of Mrs. Ilton. whereby after long
moral resistance by her and after repeated
assaults by him upon her mind with over
mastering arguments, he accomplished pos
session OF her person, maintaining with her
thencciorward during the period herein
ai,cr stated the relation called
gRT,ffNtr rNrrpcor-Dsi--
this relation being regarded b, her during
that period is not criminal OF morally
I W-ong; such had been the power of his az
suments a clergyman to satisfy her re
lglou7 scruplcs. against such violation of
virtue and honor.
Fourth, that on the evening Of October
/ 10, l-o7, or thoreabouts, Mrs Ilt0n held
AN interview with the Rev. Henry Ward
I Beechcr az bis residence. She being then in
q tender state of mind, owing to the recent
/ Death and burial ola young child, and dur
/ mg the Interview
A ACT OF CRlEINAL COMMERCE.
cook place between the pastor and the par
/ i-hi0ner. the motive on her part being, a.
/ herenbei0re stated, not regarded by her at
/ the tine "a criminal or wrong which act
| was followed by -imilaract OF criminallty
/ between these same parties at Mr.. Iilton's
/ residence during pastoral visit PAID by Mr..
/ beecher t. hcr on subsequent Saturday
1 evening i'441"el also ny other similar act,
l- '.'C ~ 49, ~.
4 ,he two residence, aforesaid. and OCCASION
ally other places to which her pas
TOR would invite and accompany her.
orat which be wonll meet her bv previ9u-
aapointment. these act. Of yyr9,- heinz az,
her mart from first t9last
NNi "''N- - 'N s'''19+l "l0AAD'
hut rising through binding % her moral
perceptions. occasl0ucd hy a powerful IL
Llencc excrtcd on her mind al that time 10
tai- end hy the Rev Henry Ward Beecher
'--' i'-'- ''1o 44e--i'''4 anu --'-c-
ZOO fREQrENT PASTORAL VISITS.
FiGh. that the pastoral visits made BIZ
the Rev Henry Ward Beecher 10 Mrs. III
ton during the wear l-6- were - fre4uent
as e. excite comment. being in marked con-
tra-t with hi, known habit Of making Jew
pastoral calls On bis parishi0ner-. which
frequency in Mrs. Tton's case is shown in
letters written 10 her husband during bis
absence in the west. these letters giving
e'Iienee ,ASt 1lIias peri't oi I'VE or 'i1
Mr- riit"n were made by tbe Rev HenrT
Ward Eeecbcr which caI- became no-i.s-
aIly infre,Yent IN Mr. T,'ton's ret--n ?,
L..'bsmc
,.-. 80. ...,.... ........... 49,. .-.......
''-' H'- 'a' I'm
sixth. that previous to the Aforesaid
criminal intercourse one OF the reasons
which Mr.. Hilton alleged for her encour-
agemcut OF such exceptional attentions
from the key Henry Ward Beecher Wa the
tact that she had been much distressed with
;he rumors against ms moral purity, and
wished 70 convince MN that she cou4d re-
,, a,5 - ''- 20 80 - =, ~, 10,
her purity and fidelity an increased resncct
for
.-.,r ,,,...-. -.,.,.,-,.. .- ,,..,,.,-,,.,,.
'' W"
i4o'l'u- 70 the autumn OF i9oo she nam
'a4ncI win christian hrmncss towards her
pastor 'n.> position Oh resistance, Always re-
Iu~lh- Hl, amorou' pleas Whlch We're |
strong ana oit-IcpeaIel, ana IN letter 70 /
"ef Au>',ana dd'eI February ., I9oo' sac /
Wrote as l'lo"s 10 love Is praisc"orthy, /
.,r'r \, 5s,ooTl,r,,io,, ~ f,s.;,,i,l
could cause me 60 Weld my womanhood.
l''l'N S'>i 'OioNs Ahol SID
seventh, that the hrst Suspicion winch /
crossed the mind of Theodore I.lton /
that the Rev. II ". Beccher was abusing
OF might abuse tie affection and reverence
which Mrs. lilton bore towards her pastor,
was an improper cares given by Mr.. Beech
er to Mrs Tilton. while seated by her side
on the hoor OF his library, overlooking en-
cravings. Mr. Tilton. q few hours after
wards, asked Of his wife an explanation of
her permission of such liberty. whereat
she at first denied the fact. but then CON
ie>>el it, and said that She had spoken child
ingly to Mr.. Beecher concerning il.
An EMBARRASSING SITUATION.
On another occasion Mr.. Illton after
leaving his house IN the early morning re-
turned to 1t IN the forenoon and on gong
b has bed-ehamoer iouod the door Locked.
" hen on knocking the door was opened by
Mrs. liIton Mr. beecher was seen Within'
apparently much confused and exhibiting a
Z .~ncl lace. Mrs. luton afterwards made