New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-28
THE PLYMOUTH INQUIRY.
HENRY C. BOWEN IN REPLY TO MISS
BEECHER

BEECHER.
SHARP LETTER-MIss BEECHERs CHARGES UN-
EQUIvocALLY DENIED-MR. BowENs RELATIONS
TO Mr.. BEEcHER AND TIE SCANDAL
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Miss Catherine f. Beecher in a commnnica'
ton published in your paper on Friday last says
/. THE real originator of this meaning tho
BrooklyD) scandal is the proprietor If The hide
pendent"
Ny reply TO this statement is that il is wholly false.
as Dir. Beecher himself very well knows.
H. She says that said proprietor of The Independ
ent is described to me- heI etc-tbus plainly inti-
mating to the world that she has no acquaintance
with me-perhaps has never me. Miss Beecher
has probably forgotten that | acted as her banker
for long period of tIme-until gave her notice,
Others. believe, had done before that desired the
account closed on my books. She also omitted TO
state that she has been to my office repeatedly on
business and has visited me at my house in Brook
Ign and at Woodstock. Her individual opinion of
me on this acquaintance she does not give TO the
public.
iii. Miss Beecher says that various gentlemen
and ladies have informed me her of the mean and
dishonest practices of this man" lme.
She probably refers in this case to one who had
spoken to various gentlemen and ladies' in Brook
lyn during period of 10 mouths or more of my
which he alleged was due. He finally induced
chosen friend to come and see me on the serious
charge. was astonished at the development-so
long kept from my notice-and insisted on the spot
that he, the warm friend Of my accuser should him
self examine all the facts and figures and make an
impartial award, promising, if my accuser would do
the same, to abide by this decision. An agreement
was signed to that effect. The result was that my
accuser was obliged to pay me $1,000. The referee
was Mr.. Charles Gould, since deceased, and have
now in my possession his written award Mr. Gould
told me many times afterward that ] had been
greatly wronged in this matter. Whether certain
ladies and gentlemen lin Brooklyn ever heard Of
the verdict in this case, or whether my ac-
cuser ever spoke of it to any one, cannot say.
The whole story of "meanness and dishonesty
pronounce wicked fabrication without even the
shadow of truth in it.
Nv. Miss Beecher further says that her brothers
efforts to fulfill his duty as Christian friend and
pastor in these matters were met only with anger"
Ny reply is that Mr.. Beecher never in any single
instance his life, either directly or indirectly, by
word or hint, as friend, neighbor or pastor,
charged me with dishonest act, or that bad ever
wronged any one out of cent
Y. The withdrawal of Mr. Beecher and Mrs.
Stowe from The Independent did not call forth in-
creased evaporation or any evaporation whatever
as Miss Beecher eharges-and Mr.. Beecher very
well knows it from my own lips
vi. Miss Beecher charges fresh excitement and
malignity" on my part account Of " a lady au-
thoress in his (my) family" who refused offer of
marriage" on the supposed Intervention" of Mr..
Beecher.
The whole statement is utterly destitute of truth
and entirely beyond my comprehension. 1t is a
malicious invention.
ms
prompted the letter to Mr.. TiltOn accusing my
brother Mr. Beecher) with adultery and rape"
Ny answer is that / never wrote such letter TO
anybody that never acknowledged to any one
that had done so, and therefore could make no
confession on the subject, as Miss Beecher al
leges.
VIII. Miss Beecher's final statement that have
adroitly contriyed to maintain membership in the
Church is also a stupid falsehood as well known
both in and out Of Plymouth Church. l have
neither managed, nor contrived, nor used single
effort to influence the action of the Church OF any
one of its members.
This is not the first attempt Miss Beecher has
made to convey information on the subject in ques-
tion and my advice is that in future she look
carefully after her facts she may need than
a mutual friend to help her out of some serious
difficulty.
am quite willing that Mr. Beecher should act az
Judge and jury on my conduct for he knows and
has often said and recently too, that he did not
censure or condemn for the course had taken in
this most unfortunate affair. Happily for in this
matter have witness of his words in one who is
now aud always has been one of Mr.. BeecheIs
warmest friends. Very respectfully,
HENRY c. Bowen
Woodstoek, Conn, Sept. 20, 1874.