The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-03-04
THE SCANDAL.
MIR, Oyiuytou,s Tesfim ON,


ninth week of the great trial began this morn
ing before we'll packed court room. w men
the court was opened Mr.. Ovington was re-
called to testify in regard to money placeu Ill
his hands by Mr. Storrs.
He said his mind had been occupied during
the past two or three months in making, pre-
paratons for his trip to Europe, and inc
amounts of money given him by Mr.S torrS hau
entirely slipped out of his memory; but IN looh,
ing over book this morning he found he nau
made misstatement yesterday regarding tue
amounts he had received.
The witness here handed written account
of the money to Mr.. Fullerton, who read aloud
that the witness had received, on Sept. 4, 1871,
$500, and Jan. 4, 1875, $745, making total OF
S145. This paper was placed in evidence.
The witness also submitted another paper, con-
tanning an account of the various moneys DIS
bursed out of this sum for the benefit OF Mrs.
Titon and her children. The total amount
paid out of this sum was S1249 SO. The item
of $240 was paid for Miss Florence Tlltons
board when she was 10 the country.
Mrs. Ovington's Testimony.
The witness was then allowed to leave the
stand, which was taken by Mrs. Ovington and
her direct examination was continued by Mr..
Hill.
Florence Tilton was in Fairfield with her
mother. Mrs. Triton made few OF the pur,
chases mentioned in this bill. l made some OF
them at Mrs Tilton's request, and was accom-
panied by her children. considered the pur-
chases necessary.
Mr.. Hill here returned to the interview the
witness had with Mr.. Tilton on Sunday.
Witness replied-I suggested taking Mrs. Ill
ton for a drive. and Mr.. Triton acquiesced. The
next day called for her and took her out to
drive aud left her at home, after calling on
Mrs Bradshaw. On the 9Th of July took
Mrs. Tlton again for drive We went hrst
turued to the city, where 1 left her at my house,
as she asked me. 1 drove to my husbands
store, and afterwards went to Mr.. Beecher
house but be was not there. Gen. Tracy called
IN the afternoon, but Mrs. Tilton was gone
away home. She did not see Gen. Tracy, who
staid about five minutes and left. N rs Judge
Morse and Mr. Tracy were present. Having
called again, there was something said about
Mr. Tilton appearing before the investigating
committee. This conversation was held in the
parlor before Judge Morse, Gen. Tracy, Mr..
Oyington and myself Mrs. Tilton had pri-
this time. Mrs. Tilton appeared before the
committee that night and her appearance be-
fore them was entirely voluntary Gen. Tracy
left home and returned with the committee.
We were at tea down stairs when Tracy called.
He came down, took seat and had CONVEX
saton with her, lasting about three minutes.
then went up stairs, and Mrs. Tilton and my
self followed. Mrs. Tilton was introduced to
the committee and made her statement The
committee took their leave about ten oclock K.
III
ans wers, but he suggested to her the form OF
questions to be put to her. He made the sug-
gestions in the dining room in the presence OF
Mrs Tilton and myself | was present at the
whole interview between Mrs. TIlton and the
committee On Thursday morning, the 9Th OF
July, saw Mr. Tilton, when he called at my
house. Mr.. Ovington was the only person
present with me. He said Mrs. TIlton was a
trump. She made an impression on the com
mittee, but it was all fiction. l asked about
Mrs. Tilton's state of health. He said she was
happy as a bird that morning. The converse.
ten then turned on two letters L had received
from Mrs. Tilton. The first one was written
[ think on the day before she appeared before
the committee. The first expressed sorrow AND
wretchedness. and the other showed the Writer
to be in a cheerful mood. l stated to Mr.; IN
ton the contents of the letters. Mr.. Tilton
then referred to the scandal, and said Beechel
had forced this thing upon him against his Will
and called him a knave and fool, and ne (IIl'
toni could not rest under that imputatlon. he
said Beecher was coward. After Ellzapeth
had given him all she could, or something like
that he had treated her very badly. He GIL
ton) would not treat woman that way who
had served him. l expressed my disbelief ID
the stories, and told Mr.. Tilton he must be
mistaken. Mr.. Tilton also said Mrs. Beecher
had made her husband have hell, and that
Mr. Beecher never loved woman as he loved
Elizabeth. L told Mr.. Tllton of my having
asked Mrs. Tilton if Mr.. Beecher had ever
done anything improper to her, and she said he
never did either by word or deed. Mr. Tilto
asked with regard to the religious views OF the
committee and said the committee would not
clear Mr.. Beecher if he was gully, and that
although Mr.. Beecher and his wife were de-
voted friends of mine, if thought he was
guilty would never moe be friend OF bis.
Titon said: Elizabeth would lie for me as she
loves me. II had committed the Nathan
murder she would lie to save me-" The fol.
lowing morning called on Mrs. Tilton and
took her to CoDey Island told her OF the
conversation between her husband and me on
the following day. She made reply to me.
The reply made by Mrs. Tilton was ruled out
by Judge Nelson.
Next morning about 7.30, resumed the wit
ness, Mrs. Tilton came over to my house. MIR.
Tilton followed shortly after, L invited him to
breakfast, and on the way asked him why he
published this letter and caused all the troub-
lie. He asked me what he should do, and re-
piled, do as God directs you" He then went
to the breakfast table and took seat beside his
wife. Afterwards he Went up to the parior
He said he wished to speak to Elizabeth IN our
presence, that there seemed to be mlsunder
standing between him and his wife. Mr.. Til
ton spoke of her conduct before the com mttee
and said that for what she had done Mr.. Beech
er ought to kiss the hem of her garment He
said he wonld be the Samson who should des-
troy and pull down the pillars of the temple
Mrs T. had then gone up stairs. He SAID he
desired to see her, and when she came down he
said there was a misunderstanding between
them and he asked me to be kind to her, and
left Mrs T. then for the first time told me
she had left her husband for good. never So
licited her to come and live with me, nor any
of my family. l left the city for the summer
on the first Monday in August and Mrs. L. ac-
COMMANDED me. A great number of reporters
visited me, could not say how many. They
were a great annoyance to me, calling at my
house. 1 went to Ridge6eld, Ct, where we
ant
through mistake to Ridgefield and returned
to New York.
Cross .exa mined by MIR. Fullerton.
I had other interviews besides those 1 have
mentioned with Mr.. Tilton. After his wife
came to my house think I had three of these
interviews. The first occurred in Mr.. Chas.
Storrs' presence in my parlor nlJuly; the Sec
ond interview think was IN September on a
Sunday, and was alone at that interview I'M
til abont Is minutes before Mr.. I. left when
my husband came in. Up to about thu ee
1 was told she was requested not to visit my
house. was told that she requested to be al
lowed to attend her mother at this trial. L
think the request was made at my mouse on
Sunday. Mrs. T. told me so. 1t was on the
following Monday after my fist interview with
him. 1t was at this interview he expressed a
wish to see my husband as he was d just man.
He said his defence was urged upon him. L
think he was glad that she should 60 out with
me and relieve her mind. He did not mention
the Bacon letter at that interview. 1t Was the
9th of July took her for the second drive a nd
then took Mrs. Tilton to her house on that day
to see him when he was not there. called at
Mr.. j. Towards house. but he was not there.
told the servant at Mr.. Beechers house that
was anxious to see him, but did not know at
that time that the committee was called
The court here took recess.
After recess Mrs. Oviugton resumed her seat
in the witness chai1 and her cross examination
was continued.
She repiied-At the time l called upon
Beecher left message that if were able to
call at 6 O. clock that evening would do SO.
called to see him shortly after that hour.
found him at home aud had an interview with
him. 1 met Gen. Tracy there. l knew he was
to see Beecher but not at what hour. L knew
it because he called at my house that afternoon.
This was his first call at my house. learned
from Mr. Shearman by note that Mr.. Beecher
would see me. This note, think, was destroy
ed. 1 did net see Sherman at Beecher's
house, I told Beecber that Mrs. Tilton de-
sired to see some of the church brethren, and
asked him if he could see her. He replied that
he could not. He said that if Mrs Tilton had
anything truthful to say in regard to the matter
he would be glad that she should say it. told
Beecher that after the publication of the Bow
en- letter Mrs. Tlton went to her brother, Mr.
Richards, and proposed to publish card
about it, and he advised her against it. l also
said to him that l had asked her if she
had weighed the matter in her own mind Of
Il. Oh