New-York tribune., 1875-05-13
INTEREST EXCITED BY MRS. WOODHULL
pRESENCE AND WORDS

Hardly day passes now in the TiltOn-Beecher
trial without producing surprise. or dramatic Incl
dent, of some kind. The court had just been
called TO order yesterday, and the plain
tih7s counsel were on the point of calling
Mr. Moulton to the witness chair, when Mr..
Evarts interrupted them saying that he was expect
ing some papers in regard to which he might wish TO
question MIR. TiltOn, and that he preferred not to
have another witness put upon the stand until they
came. Half an hour passed, and the large audience
tegan to grow very inpatient, and to wonder what
cause there could be for the delay. Suddenly,
about % minutes before - o'clock, Mr.. Shearman
entered the courtroom by the door leading from
Chambers Closely following him was a lady who
was Immediately recognized by many as Mrs Victoria
c. Woodruff. Expectation had been excited by the
understanding that she would be called for the de
fendant and her sudden appearance created one
Of the most marked sensations that has
occurred in the courtroom since the trial began.
There was much smothered laughter and MANY
to their feet and fixed their eyes on Mrs. Wood
hull. The counsel on both sides turned IN their
chairs and looked at her. The jurymen smiled and
whispered TO one another casting curious gances to-
ward Mrs. Woodruff. Mr.. Shearman pushed his way
rauidly through the crowded aisles and Mrs. Wood
hull kept close at his heels. appearing to shrink from
the universal notice which she had attracted Mr..
Shcarman found seat for her in the of the
Plymouth delegation. She was plainly attired IN
dark purple dress. and thick blue vail thrown
back over her bonnet
Mr. shearrnan stated that Mrs. Woodruff possessed
letters which she declined to produce without re-
ceiving instructions from the Court. Judge Nelson
declined to give any instructions, and after cOnsid-
erable discussion. principally between Mr.. Fullerton
and Mr.. Evarts Mr. Shearman said Mrs. Wood
hull we call upon you for these letters of Mr..
hill
forward quietly, and stood in the midst of
the group of lawyers chairs Her face
flushed. and she seemed TO feel embarrassed by
the steady staring of the audience. Mr.. Evarts and
MIR. ShearInan conversed with her IN low tones for
several minutes Mrs. WoodhulIs gestures showed
that she speaking very earnestly and the result
of the conference awaited amid dead silence in
the courtroom. The counsel for the plaintiff ap-
peared to regard these proceedings with suspicion,
and Mr.. Fullerton asked Judge Nelson to inform
Mrs. Woodruff that she was not called upon by the
Court to produce the papers. Presently Mr.. Shear
man said that Mrs. Woodruff desired to say some
thing To the Court.
Mrs Woodruff then turned. and bowling TO Judge
Nelson, she spoke IN a low voice. saying in sub
stance that the letters which she held entirely
creditabe both 10 herself and 10 the gentleman who
wrote them and that she had disposition to keep
them from any court of justice. During her imprs
onment for publishing the scandal, she sad,
her Office had been raDsacked and her pri-
vate letters taken away. In her opinion some
of them in the hands both of the counsel for the
plaintiff and for the defendant. With this explana-
tion she perfectly willing TO give the letters.
This address was listened to with the strctest atten
ton. Every eye was fixed on Mrs. Woodruff, and
people in the back parts of the room rose up to get
look at her. Her voice trembled little, and she
flushed very red at first Judge Nelson bowed. and
when she had finished, said. "Wenf
Mrs. Woodruff then took out her pOcket-bOOk,
from which she produced several letters which she
handed TO Mr.. Shearman. That gentleman smiled
III a gratifed way as he took them. Mr.. Evarts put
on his spectacles, and taking the letters from his
Junior counsel carefully inspected them. Then they
were handed all around among counsel for both sides
After ashort conference with his colleagues MI Evarts
sald that he would not require Mr.. TiltOn to take
the stand at that moment. The plaintiffs counsel
objected TO having the matter deferred, and Judge
Nelson finally said that if the defendants counsel
thereafter recalled Mr. TltOn they must have Mrs.
Woodruff in attendance. Mrs. Woodruff remained
In court only a few minutes after delivering the let
ters seeming 10 be annoyed by the attention she
aH