Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-22
TIE BEECHER.TILTON SCANDAL.
sworn Statement Of Theodore TiIton.
Direct Charges of Guilt

sworn statement oil theodore 1tlt0n.
Direct Charges Of Guilt
Theodore Tilton appeared before the Beecher
investigating committee on Monday night, and
submitted sworn statements, which are printed
below. In an accompanying letter he explains
the reasons which prompted him 70 take the
course he has. lie ssys:-Of all men In Plym-
outh church, or in the world, the Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher was the one man who was best
Informed concerning his ofense and apology
and the one man who least needed 20 inquire
into either. Nevertheless. while possessing a
perfect knowledge OF both these acts done by
himself. he has chosen 10 put on public az
fectation of ignorance and innocence concern
ing them, and has consp.cuously appointed a
committee Of the ablest men Of his church. to-
gether with two attorneys, TO inquire into what
he leaves you 10 regard as the unaccOuntable
mystery of this offense and apology. as IN he
pad neither committed the one nor offered the
other, but as II both were the mere fsments OF
another mans Imagination, thus sdrOitly
prompting the public 10 draw the deduction
that am person under some hallucinstiOn or
deluson, living in a dream and forging a fraud.
This desperate man must hold himself only, and
not me, accountable for the wretchedness which
these disclosures will carry to his own home and
hearth, as they have already brought 20 mine.
will add that the original documents referred
to in the ensuing sworn statement are for the
most part in my possession, but that the spol-
ogy and few other papers are in the hands OF
Mr.. Francis ID. Moulton.
Mr. IfItOn's Sworn Statement
Whereas the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher has
instigated the appointment OF a committee oon-
Sitting of six members OF his church and society
to inquire into and report upon alleged a.per-
sions upon his character by Theodore Titon;
and whereas Mrs. Elizabeth X. Tuton, former
~ the wife OF Mr.. Tilton, has openly deserted
her home in order TO cooperate with Mr.. Beecher
good repute of her late husband as q man and
citizen:
Therefore, Theodore Tilton, being thu, au-
thoriZed and required by the published demand
made upon him by the Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher, and being now and hereafter released
by the act OF Mrs. Tilton from further respon.i-
relations with MIR. Beecher, therefore Theodore
rilton hereby sets forth under solemn oath the
following facts and testimony:
THE CHARGES DIRECT.
FiTSt.-That on the second OF October, 1855, at
Plymouth church, Brooklyn, q marriage be-
tween Theodore TiltOn and Elk sbeth NJ. Rich
ards was performed by the Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher, which marriage thirteen years after
wards was dishonored and violated by this cler-
gyman through the criminal seduction ( this
wife and mother hereinafter set forth.
SecOnd.-Tbat for a period OF about fifteen
years, extending both before and after this mar
rage, an intimate friendship existed between
Theodore Tilton and the Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher, which friendship was cemented TO such
degree that in consequence thereof the subse-
quent dshonoring by Mr.. Beesher of his friend's
wife was crime OF uncommon wrongfullness
and perfidy.
Tbird.-That about nine years ago the Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher began and thereafter
continued friendship with Mrs. Elizabeth X.
TiltoD, for whose native delicacy and extreme
religious sensibility he afterwards expressed to
her husband high admiration; visiting her
Tor years, until the year lao, when, for reasons
hereinafter stated, he ceased such visits during
which period, by many tokens and attentions,
he won the affection and love OF Mrs. TIltOn,
whereby, after a long moral resistance by her
and after repeated assaults by him upon her
md nit net al,
plished the possession of her person, msinta in
ing with her thencefOrwari, during the period
hereafter stated, the relation called criminal
intercourse; this relation being rsgarded by her
during that period as not criminal or morally
wrong, such had been the power OF his argu-
ments Bs clergyman to satisfy her religions
scruples against such violation OF virtue aud
Eonor.
Fourth.-Tkat on the evening OF October 10.
1868, OF tbereabOuts, Mrs. Elizabeth X. Tiltou
held an interview with the Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher, at his residence, she being then in a
tender state OF mind, owing 10 the recent death
ana burial or young child; and during this iu-
teryiew an act OF criminal commerce took place
between the pastor and this parlshOner, the
motive on her part being, as hereiabefO stated.
not regarded 10y her at the time criminal o.
wrong, which act was followed by a similar act
II criminalIty between these same parties g.
Mr.. Iilton's residence during a pastoral visi
"a q by Mr.. Beecher 70 her on the subseo uent
Saturday evening, followed also by other simi-
lar acts on various occasions, fTC-H the autumn
of 1868 to the spring OF $780, the places being the
two residences aforesaid, and occasionally other
places 10 which her pastor would invite aud ac-
company her, or ST which he would meet her by
previous appointment; the acts or wrong being
on her part from first 10 last not wantOn or con-
sciOusly wicked, but arising through binding
of her moral perceptions, occssi0nei by tn
powerful influence eXerted on her mind at that
time TO this END by the Rev. Henry Ward Beech
or as her trusted religious preceptor and guide.
tgn-Ihst the pastoral visits made By the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher 10 Mrs. Ti;ton dur
ing the year 1S6s became 80 frequent as 70 ex-
cite comment, being in marked contrast with
his known habit OF making few pastoral calls
on his parishIoDers, which frequency in Mrs.
Tilton's case is shown in letters written to her
husband during his absence in the west, these
letters giving evidence that during period Of
i've or six weeks twelve different PASTORAL calls
on Mrs. TiltOn were made by the Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher, which calls became noticeably
infrequent on Mr.. Tilton's return 10 his home.
SiLth.-That previous TO the aforesaid crimi-
nal intimacy, one Of the reasons which Mrs
Tilton alleged for the encouragement of such
exceptional attentions from the Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher, was the fact that she had been
much distressed with rumors against his moral
purity, and wished to convince him that she
could receive his kindness AMI yet resist his So
icitstions, and that she could inspire in him,
by her purity aud hdelity, an increased respect
for the chaste dignity OF womanhood. Previous
TO the autumn OF 1868 she maintained with
Christian firmnesS towards her pastor this posi-
ton OF resistance, always refusing his amorOus
pleas, which were strong and oft repeated, and
in letter TO her husband, dated February g.
1910, ene NFOte As lOllONSs 10 love Is prAi Sc
worthy, but 10 abuse the gift is sin. Here I an
strong. No demonstrations or fascinstions
could cause me 10 yield my wOmanhood."
Serenth-Ikat the first suspicion which
crossed the mind or Theodore riltOn that the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was abusing or m ight
abuse the affections and reverence which Mrs.
riltOE bore towards her pastor was an improper
caress given by Mr. Beecher to Mrs. Tilton
While seated by her side on the moor Of his
library, overlooking eDgrayings. Mr.. rIltOn o
few hours afterwards asked OF his wife an ex
PLANTATION of her permission OF such a liberty,
Skereat she at first denied the fact, but then
confessed il, and said that she had spoken
chidiDgly 10 air. Beecher concerning it. On
another occasion Mr.. Triton, after leaving hi.
house in the early morning, returned TO 10 in
the forenoon, and on going to his bed chamber
found the door locked, aud when on knocking
the door was opened by Mrs. Tilton, Mr.. Beecher
was seen within, apparently much confused,
and exhibiting flushed face Mrs. Tilton after
wards made a plausible explanation, which,
from the confidence reposed in her by her hus-
band, was by him deemed satisfactory.
TIE CONFBseION.
Eighh.-That in the spring OF 1910, on Mr.
Tilton's return from a winters absence, he no
ticed in bis wife such evidences OF the abs0rp-
ton of her mind In Mr.. Beecher that In q short