The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-24
More Details of the Ideal Home Of
Theodore and Elizabeth.
THE SEARCH FOR A SOFT COUCH.
Was Mrs. Titon ScoIded or Only Lectured
When She Was Locked Up7
BESSIE'S OFFER OF MARRIAGE
She COrrects Some Errors in Her Reported TeS-
timonY Before the Church Committee.


were more women in 1t than on Monday, when
Bessie Turner took the stand yesterday.
She wore q black sacque and dress, bit OF
white lace around the neck and pretty bow or
lace before, and her white cuts were festened
with gold medallion studs. Nothing was left un-
done TO give her self-esteem, the next friend to
confidence, and her olive coored kids were half
OF the time in the air. londllng her face.
Bessie has been too much suppressed in life for
the shining qualities OF which she Is conscious.
Making wax flowers in Massachusetts, village,
shut Up In a school at Steuoenville, cutting out
dresses at Tarrytown and finally cabined at
Beaver. Pa, were no proper occupations for one
OF her live temperament and ambition. She can
not be said 10 be remarkable witness, but rather
a successful witness. She fully understands the
side she has espoused and her animal spirits are
supported from that side. 1t may be that she Is q
sympathetic and grateful witness for her benefac-
tress, Mrs. Tlton. At any rate ir is manifest that
when she IS questioned on any matter to the ad-
vantage OF the opposite side she hesltates, looks
toward her friends, who are constantly in court.
and finally RECEIVERS herself by her own adapta-
oility.
This young woman seems to have been produced
In order to show the irrelevaDcy OF our times to
the maxims and gospel we inculcate. Like two
thirds OF the witnesses in this case, she seems
TO be an impeacher OF the social civiliZa-
ton Of the period rather than OF the
persons under trial. Her own parentage ls not
clear. With the missionary spirit Of all Bohemians
the Tton family took her in, sooner than the rich
associates OF ner supposed kith and kin. But the
curious qualities OF those born under the bar sim
ster were soon developed in Bessie Turner. sac
was not tractable. she seemed to have no place
IN the economy of things. Her mistress. Mrs. TIL
ton, endeavored to do her part toward this poor
waif, but Tllton himself showed the same waver.
ing nature toward Bessie as toward his young
wife. He was by turns didactic, advisory,
gentle and fatnerly and again reckless,
Iorgetful cold and repressing. The girl
unconscious OF her parentage, lost, astray,
made the best OF her wits and OF her asso-
:lates, and being outside the pale OF society got
consideration from It by reporting what she knew
Oft. She was educated. because to send her TO
school was TO keep her out OF tale-oearing. With
education she developed character OF her own.
Lie had no connections for her, and, therefore,
she waited her opportunity, which came in the
course OF this vast scandal All efforts made to
Tepress her testimony were negatved BY this
girl. She determined 10 appear and bring her.
sell before mankind on her own plane and
test her own valuation. She has sue
ceeded. She has become one OF the features
Of this great cause at law. As she has sworn to
what she has had to TELL the burden Of discreditng
plantin, and 1t may be admitted that they have
JAILED at least to make any dent In her intelli-
gence. Bessie Turner is one OF the mysteries OF
The trial
There were some good studies yesterday In the
contest between this friendless girl and the
strong, experienced lawyers for the plain tin.
The general eye IN the court room had no great
faith In either the LAWYERS or the victim. Blu:
Bessie held her own. She was never negative
Parsonage In the crosse xsmin alton. Sne re.
peated her story rather than re.related 1t, and
became fall nedged psychological curiosity Of the
great trial.
The critic IN q cause Of this magnitude Is forever
pafiled TO know just what 10 believe AMI how to
measure the value or the testimony. Sometimes
he hears a story told with seeming simplicity and
apparently unshaka0le by cross examination,
which, soon afterward Is riddled through and
through Again be hears what he Judges to be an
ingenious story, and doubts the facts from the
ingenuity. but waits In vain for some rebuttal II
we dismiss our original Impressions and appeal to
the witness alone she Is at least tough one.
Mr.. Fullerton. who Is said to be the greatest
e. oss-examiner in America made no impression
upon her all day yesterday. He only added to her
triumph BY showing some temper.
THE EVIDENCE.
The Judge took his seat on the Bench at eleven
O'CLOCK sharp. The Jury roll was then called and
the crosse xamInation OF Miss Bessie Turner by
MIR. Fullerton.
whom you tod this story OF Mr. Tlton's conduct
toward you did you mention all A. Mrs. Morse
Lad been told these things but not IN my pres.
ence and perhaps that Is the reason why did
bot te her; don't know whether looked In the
directory or not Tor the address OF Mr. Richards
when went to tell him the story about Mr.. Til
TONS assault on me- think the once OF the
Ecehing fost where went was In Nassau street;
ola not tell Mrs Putnam this story voluntarily;
she questioned me; mad been At Mrs. Putnam's
About seven months wnen she questioned me on
she subject;
SHE QUESTIONED ME
tne very afternoon before Mrs. Tnton's arrival;
dd not tell her az Grst but finally told her before
Mrs. Tilton arrived; told Mrs. Putnam the same
afternoon; l heard the charge OF adultery made
Dy Theodore Titon against his wife In the after.
noon l came from Marietta; recollect the day
very well; have told or two occasions when Mrs.
Iliton went TO her mothers; the second time was
Zine was the day after We returned rom MARI
stta; the second tune day or two alter.
Bowen commenced tnen2
Mr.. Evarts objected to the question as an i'm
proper one, and after some little discussion the
5udge overruled the objection.
Y. You mad not heard then OF the troubles with
Mr.. Bowen A. am not positive.
u We're yon asked anything as regards it before
the committee A. NO, SIR.
Y. Were you not asked before the committee
tins question, ana gave this answer :-"Had you
Known at that time the troubles between Bowen
must nave known at the time cannot recolect
exactly the answer gave; now that you ask me
II recoect the troubles can only say That
may have.
q. Why did you go TO Keyporti A. Because Mr..
aud Mrs. TIlton were SO very KIND to me-; Mr.
1iton's father was not so Kind: 1 was sick from
crying all night; was not sick from any other
cause; 1 did not SPEAK TO Mr.. Tilton because he
spoke unklndly to me, but did not refuse 70
speak to any BODY else.
THE OLD Triton.
Bessie Turner brought in yesterday for the first
time. alusion 10 the father and mother OF Theo-
0ore Tilton. She stlgmatized the old man rounoly
rs habtually rough with her. and SAID that old
Mrs. TlIton was tolerably kind, but did not think
mucn OF her. she made q stubborn as well o. q
cunning witness, and TOOK occasion whenever
there vas chance to assert herself
mo person ever accused me Of falsehood." she