The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-10
The Proctor.MouIton Suit.

The Proctor.MoultOn Suit.
New YORK, December 9.-The case
of Edra Dean Proctor against Franci;
D. Moulton, was called in the United
States Circuit Court, before Judge
Woodruff this morning. Judge Fuller
ton said the defense was not ready, fol
two reasons: First, because the Court
has not jurisdiction, and second, because
of the illness ofthe defendant. He sug'
gested that the case be referred to ref.
cree after the argument. The council for
the plaintiff agreed to the reference and
Benjamin ID. Silliman was appointed
referee. Judge Fullerton said they did
not mean TO offer any evidence to prove
what is supposed to be the main charge
They had never pretended that they
could prove that. They did not expect
to snstain the charge. They only wanted
to say that it was told to them not that
it was true. They confidently
looked forward to q complete
vindication of both parties. After the
order for the referee had been entered in
court and a stipulation between the
counsel filed, the counsel proceeded to
the house of Mr.. Slliman the referee.
There they were joined by General But
Ter of the counsel for Moulton. A
conference was held as to whether the
reference be open to the representations
of the press. General Butler opposed the
admission OF reporters or any one outside
of the witnes.. ..es. Miss Proctor was will
ing that the reporters should be admitted
as was General Tracy. 1t WAS finally
decided that the press should be repre-
sented under certain conditions. The
party then went to the L. 5. Court build
ing where reference will be held. The
plaintiff amended her complaint so that
ut the time of the commencement of the
action and at the time of said libel, the
defendant was a resident of the city of
Brooklyn, State of New York, and the
plaintiff resident of the State of Massa-
chusetts.
Testimony OF Miss Proctor.
Mr.. Tracy then briefly opened the case,
after which Miss Proctor testified to the
highes, esteem for Mr.. Beccher, and de-
clarcd that there was not the slightest
shadow Of truth in the stores that had
been circulated. in which her name had
been mentioned. There was never any
improper behavior on his part, neither
did he every offer any insult to her.
While in the employment OF Mr.. Bowen
she was in the habit Of attending Ply
mouth Church, and WAS so attracted with
certain sayings and expressions Of MIR.
Beecher. that she took to jUtting them
down. Gradually she got into the custom
of taking note of his sermons, and she
then conceived the idea OF publishing
them in book form. Henry Bowen sug-
gestrd the title Life Thoughts for the
book. 1t was through this work that she
made the acquaintance of MIR. Beccher.
| found that there was IA new book to be
issued. of which | received prospectus,
and which had apparently received Mr.
Bcechcr's approval; felt very indIs.
nant, and wrote letter to Beccher cX-
pressing my Indignation at his course !
received II reply explaining his conncc,
tion with the book; | afterwards had
several personal interviews with Beechcr;
the result Nl~ lllul uh"'''h''N ~
took this course, yet never could forget
his breach nf faith of business arrange
mcnts; | have never completed tins
volume; have seen very little of Mr..
Beecher since then, but at all times we
January J nsR 10th 1r sSnaMSH ias lS'TT nnGsr @
the following circumstances: Mr. Bre"h-
cr called to see me on New Years Day
of 1871, and told me that there was
some trouble between Bowen and Tilton,
and that he (BcHchcr,) was implicated,
and fearing that if died there might hc
some wrong construction put upon their
Proctor and Bcechcr's) transaction, and
that to save any such trouble, he wanted
me to write an expression of my feelings
toward him. | went up to the library
and w.otca letter which Mouton pub
liShcd.