Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-29

New York, IS Tire Brooklyn Argus to-
| day prints part o. an interview with Frank b.
| Carpenter on the subject of the Bee cAer scan
dal
Mr.. Carpenter said that he was first brought
actively into the case by Mr. Beecher in May,
| 1878. Beecher sent for Carpenter, wishing
him to come Immediately to Brooklyn. Mr..
Beecher had learned that Henry G. Bowen
had reasserted to Carpenter charges which he
had formerly made to Tilton against Beecher
and which he had Withdrawn in the Tripartite,
and that Bowen had said in the presence OF
Mr.. +. ID. IIolton of Milwaukee, and Mr..
Carpenter that he did not wish them to under
| stand that he had made retraction. Beech
| er wished Carpenter to confront Bowen on
| these points.
| 1t was also said that the Tripartte Cove
nant was to be made public. He went to
Moulton's house; Beecher was not there, but
Moulton said he wished Carpenter to go to
Bowen's residence with Catlin and Moulton.
| They went and Carpenter repeated in the
presence of Bowen, Clafiin, and Moulton, the
statements made by Bowen to himself, con-
corning Beecher. Bowen admitted all and
| Clafiin expressed his establishment that Bowen
should have told these things after signing
| the Covenant. Clatlin was the person who
induced Bowen to sign the Covenant; Bowen
said he prott stcd against making the agree
| ment public. Carpenter said to Bowen that if
| the statements were untrue he should make a
most unqualified public denial but if true he
should stand by them. Bowen had said to
Moulton that Beecher had made confession
to him on his knees. MIR. Tilton and Moul-
ton had been told by Bceeher that this was a
lie. Carpenter said to Bowen, there is di-
rect lie between you and Mr.. Beecher and for
| one | want to know the truth Clatiin thought
MIR. Beecher ought TO be present at this inter
view Moulton went to his house for him, but
did not find him. Bowen expressed his will
lingness to meet Beecher next day. Ciahin
agreed to arrange the interview. A few days
afterwards Carpenter saw Claflin who told
him Beecher had said, There is not force
enough in Brooklyn to draw ME into private
interviewed v it'll Henry c. Bowen Carpen-
ter says in his business relations with Bow
they had frequent conversations regarding his
difficulty with Beecher. Bowen said Beecher $
fIiends wanted him to sign a sweeping doGu-
ment declaring his charges against Beecher
untrue; he refused. Clafin then urged him
at least to sign paper Withdrawing the
charges. and he consented.
Mr.. Carpenter here repeated to the writer
the substance of a conversation which took
place between Mr.. Beecher and myself. on
Sunday, June LIST. 1878, after service at Ply
iiOulh Sii0i@h W Nah oHiy say thai tue
statements which Mr.. Carpenter says Mr.
Beecber made that evening, are, if true, of
the utmost significance andsimportance.
Mr.. Carpenter declares that he will not
make public this conversation, unless he is
called upon to testify before the proper tribu-
nal. 1t was during this interview that Mr.
Beecher told Mr.. Carpenter, that in case
Theodore would make certain disayowals, he
would share his fame and fortune with him,
and pour in subscribers to the Golden Age by
the thousands.
The interview which Mr.. Carpenter spoke
Of, occurred on the evening of the same day
when Mr.. Beecher wrote his touching letter
dated Sunday, June /, 1878.
Great significance attaches itself to Mr..
Carpenters statement, from the fact that Mr..
Beechers card generating Mr.. Tilton from
being his slanderer and defamer was pub
lished the next day, June ID, 1878. Mr..
Carpenter says that Tilton hrd no vindictive
feeling against Beecher, aud tried hard be-
fore publishing the letter to Dr. Bacon to find
some means By which Beecher should free
him from imputations cast upon him by DR.,
Bacon before he decided to publish the letter.
DR.. Bacon said to friend of Carpenters, "If
Mr. Tilton publishes that letter, and Plym-
outh Church does not reply to it within "a
hours, by suit at law agains Mr.. Tilton,
they will have no case before the Christian
public.
More of this interview will be printed to
morrow.