Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-04-03
AFTER RECEs ~.


Q.-Mr. Beecher, on the night Of the
thiFtieth OF December, which we have
COLE over, wish TO ask you some ques-
tions as 10 what has been stated by other
witnesses: Mr.. Moulton has testified
that you asked him, on this night, II be
had seen Elizsbeth's confession. Did
you ask Moulton that question? Al
did not.
Q-No question of similar import?
A.-No, sir.
Q-Notbing on that subject? A
No, sir; nothing.
q Did Moulton ask you such ques-
ton? A.-Tbere was nothing said TO
me about il.
Q-Was anything said by you to
him, or by him to you, about any con-
fession of Mrs. TilLon's. A.-NO, sir.
Odd you, on that night, in con-
versation with Moulton at any park,
ever use any such an expression as this:
ait will kill me?r Al don't recall
any such; might have done it.
Odd you tell MoultOn that Theo-
doIe Tilton had given you permission to
90 to Elizabeth and have conversation
on the subject? Al did not.
Q.-On that subject was anything
said by Moulten to you, OF by you to
Moulton, on the subject Of sexual inter-
course between you and Mrs. T1lton?
A.-No, sir.
Q.-Was there anything said concern
ing any confession of sexual intercourse
between you and Mrs. TiltOn? A.-No,
sir; not q word.
Q--On that night did anyone speak
to you Of, or did you speak to anyone OF,
the subject or fact of sexual intercourse
between Mrs. ilton and yourself? A
No, sir; it's such loatbsome and odious
stuff that don't talk about It.
Q.-What night, Mr.. Beecher, did
you use any such expression or make
any such OBJ ,ervation to Moulton as this
-"that this came upon you as if struck
by lightning? Al may have; my
impression is that it is q phrase l used
on the first of January, but it may have
been on that night.
Odd you on this night ask Moul-
ton TO be friend to you? A.-No, sir;
l did not.
Q.-When next did you see Moulton
or Tilton? Al did not see Tilton
again, that / remember, until the third
of January.
Q,-And you saw Moulton when?
A.-On the thirty. first of December, the
next night following this interview.
Q-Where was there any interview
between Moulton ana yourself on the
thirty-first? AT my house.
Q-At what hour or what time?
A.-Esrly in the evening.
Q.--After dinner? A.-Oh, no; in the
evening; l dine at christian hours.
Laughter
Q.-Was it lste in the evening? A
About seven or hRlf-past seven.
Q.-And how did that occur, and go
on? Ale came to my house, rang
the bell and called for me; l went up
stairs with him into my bedroom, and
shut the door; he then went to the bu-
reau, where the gas lights were burning,
and took his position on the left hand
side, and l stood on the other, that is as
we went up to it; he made some intro
ductory remarks, which l cannot now
give, but he drew q letter from out OF
his pocket from TiltOn, purporting to
be in it that Tilton stated that after
going home the last night he found that
/ had taken advantage of my interview
TO procure from his wife retractlOn OF
the charges that had been made against
me; that was the substance OF 1t; there
was some little more, which do not re-
membsr; he then proceeded to say IN
substance that he presumed this was So
l said had; he said he thought | had
acted very indiscreet part-a dlshon-
orsble one-that had no right to take
advantage of such situation to obtain
such q retraction, and l claimed the
right of self-defense; he then said such
q course was indiscreet and inexpedient
on my part, no matter what my reasons
were, that it tended to increase the dlf-
ficulty between Tilton and his wife, snd
between TiIton and me, that, instead OF
leading to peace and to quiet, it tended
exactly the other way, and that L
ought to give up her retraction; ar
gued with him on that matter, and for
some little time there was an inter
change backward and forward OF what
we thought; he then drew from his
pocket letter puporting to be one from
Mrs. TiltOn, requesting me
Mr.. Evarts-Wsit one moment (pro-
ducing an exhibit). This note, of which
you are now proceeding to speak, which
MouIton took out and read-did you
have it in your hands? Al did not.
Cor hear it read? Look at that pa
per and see if that is as you remember.
A.-Yes, 1 think that is the letter that
was read to me.
Q-You did not at that time read il
yourself or have it in your hand? A
No, sir.
Dwell, he read you that note? A
l am quite sure.
Q-Read it if it is a short note. A
Mr.. Beecher read aloud the following:
SATURDAY MORNING.
MY DEAR FRIEND FRANK want
you to do me the greatest possible fs.
vor. My letter, which you have, anC
! the one l gave Mr.. Beecher at his die
tation, last evening, ought both to oe
destroyed. Please bring both TO me anC
1 will burn them. Show this note to
Theodore and Mr.. Beecher. They viii
see the propriety Of this request
Yours, truly, E. R. TIL'oN.
Q.-WelI, do you recognize it? A
recognize it by one single word.
Dwell, he read that to you? A
Yes, sir.
Q-Well, then, what proceeded
A.-Well, was perplexed little a.
the existence Of that letter denying the
accusation.
Q-The accusation? A.-Yes, sir
However, that was q mere transien
thought; in my mind the main though
was what would tend to peace and re
| cOQClllallOQ. NE dsheu ulcS thlhh
what Bowen told me in an interview il
1866; gave him a description Of tina
interview, and as it was then quit
fresh, probably more literally ant
full than have given it here, but to th'
same general purpOrt; j said that Bow
en- had brought that letter, and said n
brought it casually, as q kindness t
Tilton, at his request; MOulton said
using very strong language, expletlve
"thst Bowen had proved treacherou7
that Bowen was occupied with Iiltol
in making that letter, and that he hat
promised If Tilton would send 1t To m
he would back him up in the charges,
and he spake with emphasis on tina
matter. / think he then asked whs
Bowen had charged to me were Tilton'
, offenses; 1 said Bowen had represente,
| to me that Tilton's opinions were be
coming so base he found it wa
injuring, or was likely to iDjur
. the Independent, and he had found
necessary to dispossess him Of his editC
rial position, and put him in subordi
i nate position; that up to that time b
| had never heard whisper THAT is, Bow
; en- never had against the moral charaC
, ter Of Tilton; but no sooner was
! known that he had reduced Tilton, tina
I they came in pressing on him from OF
| | and another; he said he could hsrdl
cross the ferry but some one came
? him and congratulated him on havin
: put Tilton out OF that position, and tel
I ing him their reason in informing hi
I of a charge against Tilton; why
I should have done it / told him; he a.!