Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1875-03-20
BY TELEG RAPH.
FOR THEINDEPENDENT.
TILTON-BEECHER TRIAL
sam. Wilkinson on lhe Stand

New York. March l2.-Samuel Wilkin-
son was the trst witness.--I am secretary
of the Northern Pacific railroad. Have
been journalist for thirty years. was
in Washington for the Tribune at one
time. have known Tilton for fifteen or
sixteen years, and Beecher TO. fourteen or
fifteen years. In the fall of 1861 Tilton
came to me at Washington to my hotel,
and showed me a letter from Beecher.
Witness, on the morning Of the Goth Of
March, 1872, Tilton came into my Office in
New York. He was excited, and showed
me press proof of an article which
HE THREATENED
to publish in the Golden Age unless Beech
er did him justice. | demonstrated with
him against ii, and said it would do inf
mite wrong and injustice. He then said
Bowen had violated his contract with him
on the Independent and Brooklyn Union,
and that his dismissal from those papers
had ruined and destroyed him; that Reech-
er had not come to his help when he could
have saved him with his little finger, and
Beecher had left him lying where he was
with Indifference That he would
PURSUE BEEcHEs INTO HIS GRAVE.
| told him this was the wrong way to be
going about anything Of that kind. | told
him that Beecher was sincerely attached to
him and was his friend, ard that Bowen
would be induced to do him justice and
pay the money and terminate the suits
he (Tilton) was about to bring against
him. Tilton then appeared to grow happy.
He told me he was very glad he had come
TO my 0 flee. As be was going down Broad
way, he said, sudden inspiration drove
him to 60 up and see his old friend Will
kinson. He thought tho spirit drove him
there, and he was glad that he had come
to see me. Nothing was said of Mrs. Til
ton, nor did he accuse Beecher of anything
else but refusing to help him when he was
Frustrated. returned the press proof to
Til.on that night after an interview with
Beechev.
AouLToN CALLED
at my Office The next day with letter Of
from Beecher. After had
read the letter | submitted my plans to
him; told him my plan to avoid the pub
fishing Of the scandal and warfare was to
get Bowen to pay the moneT, and not let
him begin suit which might draw along
That the Golden Age news
paper should be helped, and to that end
the columns of the Christian Union might
be used. Moulton approved my plan, and
suggested that the agreement should be
drawn up before the parties.
Eleventh Week.
BROOKLYN, March Is. To-day began
the 18th week of the Beecher case. The
weather tended to lessen the size of the
audience. Mr. Evarts was absent. John
w. Harrison was called and examined by
Sherman for the defence. He testified
that he was supervisor Of Brooklyn; was
acquainted with Tilton but not with Bee
cher; in 1870 Tilton related to witness his
troubles with Bowen and Beecher, who, he
said were leag ued against him on account
of his political views, and at another time
Tilton said to him that Beecher had made
improper proposals to his wife, confessing
that she exacted promise from Tilton
that he would offer no personal violence 10
the party implicate Tilton thereafter
told Moulton Of it and Beecher was sum-
moned to conference; in another con-
versation witness said for God sake come
out and give the lie to this terrible story
against your wife. Tilton replied. "but
suppose / can't he also said his wife
had determined TO save Plymouth church
at all hazards during these interviews
Tilton did not speak of adultery, bus
simply of improper proposals; in 1872
Titon read to witness the true statement.
Witness, on REORGANIZATION, stated
that Tilton had always spoke of his wife
as a pure, innocent womon his charges
being against Beecher; Tilton gave wit
ness the ''True Story" which witness af-
forwards gave to McElway, of the Brook
lyn Eagle, as Tiltons agent.