The Indiana State sentinel., 1875-03-09
EVIDENCE FOR TIE DEFENSE.
EXAMINATION OF THE ovINGToNs.

BBECHER not YET ON THE sTAND-MR. OWING
TON TEsIIFIEs-FULLERToN EMBARRAssEs
HIM-HE EXPECTS THE CHURCH TO FOOT
MRS. Tvs BILLS-THE wINsTED STORY AS
TOLD BY ONE HoLMEs-MRs. ovINGToN ON
THE STAND.
NEW YORK, March 2.-The general i'm
preston being that the Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher would take the stand to-day in the
great scandal suit the Brooklyn City Court
room and its approaches were crowded this
morning. Seated among the lawyers for the
prosecution was Francis ID. Moulton. Mrs.
Tilton was absent and her place was occu-
pied by Mrs. Field, near whom sat Mrs.
Shsarman and three other ladies. Mr. and
Mrs. Beecher entered while the Jury
was being called. Theodore Tilton sat in
his usual place. The first witness called
was Edward j. Ovington. He was sworn
and In reply to Jno. l.. Hill, of the counsel
for the defense, testified: 1 am acquainted
with the parties to this action and have
known Beecher 25 years. once lived with
in a,block of T1lton in Livingston street and
had a calling acquaintanceship with them.
Mrs. Tilton and Mrs. Ovington were init
mate from 1867 or 1868 up to the present
time. L called az Tilton's house after the
publication of the Bacon letter at his re-
quest. told him that it was a serious
thing to bring thi charge against
Beecner. He said he wanted Beecaer to do
him justics. He was very hard on
Beecher, and said he was not going to be
called fool or a knave, and that it was now
his turn to fight and he would fight 1t out.
He spoke of battle-axes and swords, and
said that be would not sheathe his sword
until Beecher was down. This l think was
on Tuesday. The next time / saw him was
at my house, think, on Friday, but I can
not recall the date, my wife being present.
Mr hvrc hat
made fine confession before the committee
She was a trump, but it was all fiction. He
could go before the committee and weave fic-
ton in the same manner. Ny wife then
spoke of Mrs. Tilton's health, and said that
she was pleased to get two letters on the day
previous from her. Mr.. Tilton desired to
know
THE CONTENTS OF THE LETTERS.
My wife told him what they contained in
substance. One of the letters was written
in sad and the other in a cheerful strain.
don't remember what my wife said about
the letters. One of the letters was shown to
the witness that he might refresh his men,
ory in regard to the conversation. He was
asked several questions about the conversa-
ton, which were objected to and the obiec-
ton wss sustained. The letter was also
offered in evidence but was also ruled out.
Inc NlbU6SS llllOu Sdlu L03L
Beecher never loved woman as he loved
Elizabeth. Why did he not come forward
for her. He said also that Mrs. Tilton had
only done as wife should do IN coming for
ward to testify lie, and asked if 1 supposed
his wife would tell the truth if she saw him
commit the Nathan murder. / saw
Tilton again two days afterward, L was
present at conversation with General
Tracy, Mrs. Tilton and Judge Morse and his
wife before this short time. Gen. Tracy
never had an interview with Mrs. Tilton,
except in my presence or Judge Morse's.
think though he spoke TO her a few mo-
ments, when she was down stairs, when he
was informing her that the committee were
prepared to take her testimony. lam a mer-
chant and carry on business at $50 Fulton
street in his city. L am about to leave the
city for Europe Saturday. He was cross
examined by Fullerton: Mrs. Tilton has
made her home at my house since the
early part af July, 1874. / think on the
Sh she came there in the morning
about half past Z. She has been there ever
since except when she was on visit to Con-
necticut. L do not know the name of the
family with whom she resided. She was abb
sent about four or five weeks of the summer,
and during her absence was in TIE city.
She also spent short time in Washington,
Conn. Il must have besn in the early days
of August. She resided with Mr.. Gum, at
the place called "The Gunnery," for about
week. She spent short portion of thesum-
mer at another place of which do not know
the name. She crossed the ferry and took
the cars did not put her on the ears nor
do know who did. She went to the resi-
dence of Mr.. Tubbs there and returned to
our house in company with him. She went
to
1.-THE GUNNERY"
a second time. l don't know who accom-
panied her. She went there IN January of
this year. She consulted as to who should
go with her there. I remember Mrs. Morse
was suggested to accompany her there. L
can't recall any other absences of Mrs. Til
ton from my house. Very few persons vis-
tied her at my house. Tracy called first at
my house on the 9Th of July, toward even
ing, about o'clock, when l was at home.
did not then know of the investigating
committee, but learned of it afterwsrd from
my wife. Tracy was shown up stairs
By the tsa servant hal, did did not see 9srG him
it ring, and am certain it was he who rang
the bell. When any person rings the bell
always hear them speak. don't think it
could be possible for him to be in
the house and for me not TO have known it.
| His calls were remarkable, In that they
were so unusual. L knew of the committee
when they were at the church. had then
couple of interviews with them, and was
not a complete stranger to them. Before
Tracy called had no intimation that he or
some one would call on behalf of Tracy. NY
wife wasin her room when Tracy called. He
remained five minutes. Mrs. Tilton was up
stairs. l remember she went up stairs
because she asked me for Bible, as she
wanted to commune with it alone. pre-
sumo she was alone up stairs. Tracy went
down stairs after leaving my room. My
wife remained in the room. He went out
on the street know. / believe that when
Tracy left the house the first time he went
TO BeecheI's ana then returned. The second
time he did not see Mrs. Tilton to my
knowledge. My wife and l were present
when he came. / think he told my wife and
myself before he left the first time that he
was going to Beecher's. 1 can not say
whether this second interview was in the
parlor or up stairs, nor can