The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-03

BROOKLYN. April 3.-Mr. Beecher's
testimony after our report yesterday
closed, was as follows: Tilton drew a
slip Of paper from his pocket and said
his wife had written and signed state
ment that had solicited her 10 become
wife to me to all intents and purposes,
that he had burned the original, but that
this was copy, which he then tore up,
saying he did not want anything to APP
pear against his wife. He then said he
wanted me to verify the charges by go-
ing to see Elizabeth. l went to his
house, MoulUon accompanying me to the
door. The houseKeeper sent me up to
Mrs. Tilton's room.
She was lying on the bed. The bed
was dressed in pure white. Mrs. Tilton
was dressed in pure white, and her face
as white as the bed, lying little above a
level. reclining on pillows, and her hands
in this form on her breast. MIR. Beecher
folded his hands across his breast in a
very natural manner.l l drew chair,
or there was chair by the bedside, and
sat down in it. said to her: "Eliza-
beth, have just seen your husband, and
have had a long interview. He has been
making many statements to me and
charges, and he has sent me to you in re-
spect TO some of them TO verify them"
then said: "He has charged me with
has charged that have corrupted your
simplicity and truthtulness. He has
also charged me with attempting impro-
prieties."
tbs hard thing for man to speak to
woman whom he reveres, of such
things, and l could not express myself
clearly. Here Beecher exhibited deep
emotion, his voice taltered. and the tears
filed his eyes.] "Are these things so,
Elizabeth?' She gave the taintest
quiver, and tears trickled down her
cheeks. but made no answer. 1 said to
her: HE says that you have charged
me with making improper advances.
Have you stated all these things, and
made this CHARGE" and she opened her
eyes and said: "My friend, / could not
help it," "Could not help it, Elizabeth?
Why could you not helpi You know
that these things are not true" "Oh,
Mr.. Beecher," says she, ~ was wearied;
i have been wearied with his importu-'
nifty" or something to that effect.
HE made me think that if would
confess love to you it would leave him to
confess to me his alienated affections"
or something to that effect, shut said
this charge of attempting improper
things, you know that is not true" eyes,
but what can dor "Do? you can take
it back again." She hesitated. did
not understand her hesitation. said:
"Can not you take it back; it is not
ErueW She said something about if she
could do tiff she could do 1t without
injury to her husband-which did not
understand. said, "but you ought to
give me written retraction to that
written confession" and she said she
was willing to do it il Iwould not use it
against her husband. 1 said: "Giye me
pen and paper" and she pointed to a
secretary In the next room. knew it,
and brought pen, ink and paper to her.
She raised herself up, and wrote the
first part Of the retraction, and she
signed it.
"DECEMBER 80. 1870.
"Wearied with importantly and weaKened
by sickness, l gave letter inculpating my
friend, Henry Ward Beecher, under the assur-
hnce that that would remove all the difficulty
between me and my husband. That letter l
fH's.d now revoke; se l was persuaded to it-almost
mind. regret it, and recall all its statements.
'E. Il. TILTON."
She read it over, and then held out the
pen for some more ink. had it in nv
hand, and added this: 81 desire to say
explicitly, Mr.. Beecher has never offered
any improper solicitations, but has al
ways treated me in a manner becoming
a Christian and a gentleman" And this
she signed with her whole name, Eliza
beth r. Tilton.
When she spoke as objecting, that it
would make difficulty between her and
her husband, said to her that there
should be no difficulty of that kind, so
far as ] was concerned, and l desired
this in no sense as an offensive thing, |
but that some rumor of this matter might
come to mischief-makels, might get into |
the church, and there might in the fu.
fure be call upon me, and wished |
something in my possession, in any such |
emergency, as would be defense, or the |
substance Of thar. went back to NJ Moul- |
toms house, but nothing was said about |
the result of the interview. He walked |
home with me.
Q, On that night did any one speak to