The Van Buren press., 1875-05-11
Los ANGELES. CAL. March, 10
A Dramatic Incident in the Tilton Beech.
er Trial.

er 1Tlal.
The New York Tribune of the 81 publshe,
the following:
One of the most dramatic scenes of the trial
and the only one which has relieved the mo-
notony Of its latter days occurred at the Ope-
ming of Yesterdays session and was evidently
| Il surprise to all except one or two of Beech
rr's LAWYERS Mrs. Tilton had come into court
at the usual hour. accompanied 10y Mrs. Field
and Mrs. Ovington. and had seated herself IN
the usual place to the right and little apart
from the Plymouth delegation. which was ent
again in force. Indeed the court room was
unusually filed. particularly with ladies'
some of whom stood peering through the
doorway leading to the chambers. and one OF
whom brought an opera. glass. which she lev
elled al all the principal characters of the tri-
al-trama. The court had no sooner been or
ganized than Mrs. Tilton. rising like an APP
partition In her place, and facing his honor
cried out in her low voice, a little trelnuous
from emba, rassment, Judge Nelson" " The
Judge heard without distinguishing her, and
looked around as If to discover whence the
call had proceeded. when his attention was
called to Mrs. Tilton by Mr.. Tice. spectator,
who sat near and who repeated her call ut the
same time pointing towards her. Mrs. Titon
observing that she had the Judges attention
again spoke up saying: "iour honor. ! have
a communication which | hope your honor
will read ut once" Judge Nelson asked
Eyarts to attend to the matter. The envelope
| held by Mrs Tilton was given to him. and he,
rcmarking that it was addressed to the judge,
| passed It to Judge Nelson, who, after read
Ing the communication said:
Mrs Tlton. this matter will be considered
deliberately
The Brooklyn Eagle published the next day
Mrs TiltCn's letter to Judge Nelson as well
as his reply:
JupGE NEILsoN-I ask the privilege from
YOU for few words In my own behalf I feel
deeply the injustice OF my position In law and
before the court now sitting and while ] have
understoot and expected from the beginning
Mr.. Evarts's principle In the matter. yetsnce
your last decision have been so sensible OF
the power of my enemies. that my soul cries
out before you and the gentlemen of the jury
that they beware how. by n divided verdict
they consign to my children a false and ir-
revocable stain upon their mother. For five
years past have been the victim of circum-
stances most cruel and unfortunate. strug-
Cling from time to time only for place to
! live honorably, and truthfully released for
some months from the will by whose power,
unconsciously, criminated mysclfagain and
| again. declare solemnly. before you. with
out fear of man and by faith In God. that
| am innocent OF the crimes charged against
me. would like to tell my whole sad story
truthfully to acknowledge the frequent false.
| hoods drawn from me by compulsion though,
at the same time. unwilling to reveal the Sc.
cret of my married life which only the vital
Importance Of my position makes necessary
| assume the entire responsibility of this re-
quest unknown to friend or counsel Of either
side. and await your honor's honorable de.
cision. With great respect.
ELIZABETH II. TILTON.
The folowingis is Judge Nelson's reply:
CHAMBERS OF rHE CIrY CouRT.t
BRooKLYN. n. Y. May I, 1875 I
| Mus T,LroN-l am directed by ChiefJudg,
Nelson to return your letter. as It cannot b,
read In court: also to state that In civil case
counsel have the right to refrain from calling
any particular witness. however competent
and that neither the court nor client can in
terfere with the exercise OF that right Tn,
! Judge also instructs me to say that the ques
| ton whether you could be awitness stands
on quite another ground from tina. considered
when your husband was called and sworn HI