Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-04-09
THE BEECHER Trial.
Mr. Beecher's Testimony In his own
Behalf.

cencc. When the court was ready for his
evidence Mr.. Evarts rose, and, turning tC
the defendant, said: "Mr. Beecher, will
you be sworn ?" Mr.. Beecher arose hat in
hand, passed behind the jury-box and
mounted the witness-stand. He looked
around for a moment, the same as he does
on his church platform, then took off his
overcoat Just as he does in church, slung
his slouch hat carelessly down, and turn
ing to the Judge, stood with uplifed hand,
ready TO be sworn. The Bible was prof
fered him by the Court officer, but he gen.
tly put il aside, and Mr.. Madison, the Clerk,
seeing this began to administer the oath of
affirmation, and he said, "You do solemn
ly affirm" when Mr.. Beach arose and de-
manded that the strict form of the statue be
complied with unless the witness had con-
scientious scruples against being sworn on
the Scriptures. Before Judge Nelson
could reply, Mr.. Beecher said, in a very
decided tone of voice that he had such
scruples. lie was then sworn in the New
England fashion, by declaring, in the pres
ence of "The everything God to tell the
truth, &c." and resumed his seat in the
| witness chair. He sat at ease, with his left
hand resting on the arm of the chair, his
right hand clasping his right knee. Tilton
and Moulton sat opposite him, looking
straight into his face. Their sustained
scrutiny did not in the least seem TO dis
compose him. The court officer called out
Henry Ward Beecher," and the exam
ination was at once begun. 1t commenced
with the birth Of Mr.. Beecher, in Litch-
field, Conn.,, in 1913, and continued with
the death of his father, Rev. Lyman Beech
er, in 1868, at the age of eighty-six years,
the death of his mother when he was three
| years old, their removal to Boston, his
fathers family consisting of thirteen born,
eleven of whom were raised to mans es-
tate. From this point the examination
| proceeded through the earlier years of Mr..
Beecher's life, his graduation at Amherst,
his final study under his father in Lane
Seminary, his ordination and assumption
of pastoral charge in Lawrenceburg,
Ind, where his congregation did not num-
ber over twenty persons; his removal to
indianapolis, where he had a salary Of $500
for eight years; and his settlement in
Bro oklyn, in 1877, as the Pastor of Ply
mouth Church, then having congregation
of twenty-five members, up to the present,
when its congregation is limited only by
the building, and its regular membership
reaches from $500 to 5000.
His literary career was then taken up
his sermons, his lectures, and the hay fe-
yer from which he yearly suffers, were
| duly descanted on. He was asked when
he was married, and replied, the same year
he settled down, and when he added, in his
humorous way, that he was a college fresh
man at the time, the effect was imimitable
and the laughter, in which Mrs. Beecher
participated, hearty and prolonged. The
next question brought out an answer of
totally different character. He was asked
how many children he had, and replied,
81 have four with me and five waiting for
me-" This answer was given with mar
velons pathos, and the transition from
mrth to sadness, so natural yet so impress
i've, challenged the admiration of the audi
ence. In alluding to Mr.. Bowen, he said
that he was one of the founders of Ply
mouth, the head man of the nascent church,
and more than any other man useful in
directing its fiscal affairs. He then gave a
description of Tilton, when they first met,
as being youthful, comely, and winning
| his affections from the first. "The COM
panionship" Mr.. Beecher said, with en-
| phasis, leaning forward in his chair, "was
| downright loving on my part" He said
that his first doubts as to Tilton's stability
of faith arose from articles published in the
Independent. He met Moulton at Pages
studio, and several times they walked
home together. He found Moulton a man
of education, culture, and acuteness, critic
of art rather than an artist, a man with a
love for study, brilliant conversational
| ist, aud a passionate admirer of James
Russell Lowell and Shakespeare's sonnets,
and when Mr.. Beecher ended by saying he
ranked Moulton very high, and turned to
Moulton and smiled, Moulton laughed in
return. Speaking of the marriage of Mr..
and Mrs. Tilton, he said, "They were one
of the fairest pairs 1 ever married, and
had strong hopes for their future" Mr..
Beecher then described his visits 10 the
Tilton household, his taking Mrs. Tilton
out to drive on two occasions, Tilton on one
occasion asking Mrs. Tilton 10 go, and the
examination finally arrived at the point
where Bessie Turner called on him. Here
the expectation aroused in court was shat
tered by the conversation being ruled out.
Mr.. Beecher then testified that he told Mrs.
Morse he did not think he would he good
authority 10 advise wife TO separate from
her husband, but that he would call in
Mrs. Beecher TO consider the matter. Mrs.
Beecher was consulted, and he agreed with
her that separation, Mrs. Tllton 10 re-
eeiSe maintenance money, was the proper
course TO be pursued. The court then ad-
journed. Mr.. Beecher on leaving the stand
was warmly congratulated by his counsel
and friends.
MIR. BEEcHER's TESTIMONY ON FRIDAY.
The examination began with an account
of the interview between the defendant
and Bessie Turner. 1t was expected by
the ordinary audience that there would be
a prurient recital of Bessie Turner's charg-
es against Tilton. They were disappoint-
ed. Mr.. Beecher, who came on the stand
with bunch of violets in his hand, evil
IDENTIFY studied bis words to avoid as far as
possible any too broad references, and gave
his testimony in most careful and Judi
cious manner. When asked by Mr.. Ev-
arts in what manner he received moral in
struction in his fathers home, he fred up
and said he never was instructed that the
atmosphere of his fathers household was
as pure as crystal and he needed no in
slruction. This declaration, delivered with
vehemence and fire, excited some applause.
The next point made was when he was
asked, referring to the testimony of the
woman Kate Carey, Wheiher Mrs. Tilton