Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-04
TILTON-BEECHER.
A Large Crowd Greets the Open
ing of a New Week.


-
Mrs. Triton Creates n Scene = She
Hands a Letter 10 Judge Nelson,
and Curiosity is on TIP-TOe 90 Learn
its Contents.
NEW YORK, May 3.-Mrs. TiltOn, ac-
companied by Mrs. Field, was the earliest
arrivals at court this morning, but they
were shortly followed by Mr.. Beecher and
wife. The plaintiff came into court with
Messrs. Beech and Morris, when the Jury
were called. Mr.. Morris then called wit
nesses in rebuttal. These were mainly to
disprOve the statement that TiltOn had
marched in the commune procession with
Mrs. Woodruff.
Mrs. TiIfOn Writes a Note TO the Judge
During the early part of the morning ses-
sion, Mrs. TiltOn sent note to Judge
Nelson, and although requested by her 70
read it aloud, he did not do so.
During the recess the question Of the
contents of Mrs. TiltOn's note was eagerly
discussed. Judge Nelson refused to inti-
mate what the letter contained. 1t should
not be public in any event till tomorrow
morning. and then only by consent OF
| counsel. 1t is understood that the letter
refers to the subject Of Mrs. TiltOn giving
testimony. She quotes from a letter
of Tilton to his wife heretofore unpublish-
ed, and concludes with an expression Of
willingness to abide by any decision which
the court, in its discretion, may enter, as TO
her becoming a witness. 1t Is reported that
besides asking to be put upon the witness
stand, and Mrs. TiltOn strongly asserts her
innocence. and makes a warm protest
against the injustice Of excluding her testi-
mOny.
TiItOn Creates q Little Buz.
TiltOn came into court accompanied by
Mrs. Anna NJ. MiddlebrOOk and her daugh-
ter. The latter was at first mistaken for
Miss Florence TiltOn. The latter was in
court during the morning session, but re-
mained only for a short time. 1t is now
generally understood that she will be called
as a witness in rebuttal, especially if Mrs.
TiltOn's request TO Judge Nelson to appear
as a witness should be acceded to.
The Tribune Describes a Dramatic
Scene.
The Tribune Of tomorrow will publish
the following:
One OF the most dramatic scenes of the
trial, and the only one which has relieved
the mOnOtolsI of its latter days, occurred at
the opening Of yesterdays session, and was
evidently a surprise to all, except one or
two of Beecher's lawyers. Mrs. TiltOn
had come into court at the usual hour, ac-
cOmpanied by Mrs. Field and Ms. Owing
ton, and had seated herself in the usual
place to the right and a little apart from
the plymouth delegation, which was out
again in force. Indeed the court was un-
usually filled, particularly with ladies, some
Of whom stood peering through the door
way leading to the chambers, and one Of
whom brought an opera glass which she
levelled at all the principal characters Of
the trial drama. The court had no sooner
been organized than Mrs. TiltOn, rising
like an apparatiOn in her place, and facing
his Honor, cried out in her low voice, a
little tremulOus from embarrassment,
s'Judge Nelson The Judge head with
out distinguishing her, and looked around
as if TO discover whence the call had pro-
ceeded, when his attention was called
to Mrs. TiltOn by Mr.. Tice, a spec
tatOr, who sat near, and who repeated
her call, at the same time pointing toward
her. Mrs. TiltOn observing that she had
the judges attention, again spoke up, say
ing, "YOUr Honor, | have a cOmmUniCa-
tiOn, which hope your Honor will read
aloud" Judge Nelson asked Mr.. Evarts
TO attend to the matter. The envelope
held by Mrs. TiltOn was given TO him, and
he, remarking that it was addressed TO the
Judge, passed il to Judge Nelson, who,
after reading the communication, said,
Mrs. TiltOn, this matter will be cOnsid-
cred deliberately" As soon as Mrs. TiltOn's
voice had been heard, hush had fallen upon
the audience,and eveTy,eye had become fixed
upon her slight figure, the only one standing
in the center Of the room. Her face was
a little flushed when she perceived the gen
ersI attention which she had attracted.
Her husband, who was sitting ten feet in
front of her, half turned in his seat when
he heard his Wife's voice, but did not look
at her. His counsel Naturally turned and
looked full upon her, as did also Mr..
Beecher's, and necks on the bench behind
the Judge were stretched forward. The
full contents of the communication were
not made pHblic, ali parties to the suit
declining to give a copy for publication.
Judge Nelson said the matter was one to
which he felt he ought to give the utmost
deliberatiOn, and Notwithstanding the re-
Quest of Mrs. TiltOn that it be read aloud,
he felt compelled, at least for the present,
to consider it a confidential communion
tion. and even should Mrs. Tilton consent
to its immediate publication by him, he
should decline to give a copy for publica-
tion at once. He said the matter would
be considered to-day, and possibly
if both cOunsels consented, and Mrs. TiltOn
insisted, it might be made public.
Mr.. EvaTts, when questioned about It,
said as a matter between Judge Neil
10 LsI Or fool Of
lii % say anything relative TO it. A
&C the document was handed to him,
ana .Uyained for the present.
Mrs. Tilton was found at the house Of
Mrs. OvingtOn, but from illness and weak
ness, superinduced by the mornings excite
ment, she had lain down, and cOmmunica-
ton with her was had only
through Mrs. OvingtOn. The latter
stated that the action Of Mrs.
TiltOn had been wholly unexpected by the
friends who accompanied her to the court.
Mrs. TiltOn sent word in reply to an ap-
plication for a copy Of the documents, she
could not give it until the lawyers Of Mr..
Beecher had consulted upon the subject.
Mrs. Ovington said she would probably
hear from Mr. Shearman after the cOnsUlta-
ton which daily follows the adjournment
OF the COuIly anu give d IuOIS uCuulLc LCPlg
then.
Ex-Judge J. K. Porter, Tracy, Sherman
and Abbott, of Beecher's counsel, were
found in consultation by the reporter when
he left Mrs. OviDgton's residence. Tracy
stated that the subject was not under con-
sideEatiOn by the counsel; that Mrs. Til
toms action was without advice from them,
and that they knew nothing Of her inten-
tion. She had given a copy Of the letter to
Mr.. EyaTts at the same time that she hand
ed the original TO the Judge by the hands Of
Mr. Eyarts, and this copy Mr.. Evarts had
taken away with him. The counsel Of
Mr.. Beecher could not, Cf course, make
the letter public. 1t would be contempt
of court.
The contents Of the letter will probably
be made known to-day. 1t is understood
that il embraces
!. An appeal on Mrs. TiltOn's part TO the
court to be heard in defence Of her own
character.
2. A protest against the injustice Of the
failure Of either side to call her.
3. a solemn aud pathetic assertion Of her
innocence Of adultery.
ROBERT BURNS autograph sold in Lon
don, the other day, for EGO, while Queen