South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

K1ssING.-There is point in the
Beecher controversy, that deserves spc-
cial reference as illustrating the charac-
ter of Beecher and his attorneys. The
charge of Tilton against him, is the Sc
duction of his wife snd estranging her
affections. During the direct testimony
for the prosecution, there was n studi.
Gus effort on the part of all not to LUG in
Beechcr's peccadillos with any other fe-
male. He was not charged with kissing
Miss Woodruff or any of the females of
his church. 1t devolved altogether up
on Bcecher, in the cross-examination of
Mrs. Moulton, to divulge this kissing
business. Beccher, through his attor.
ney, put the question, and Mrs. Moulton
answered promptly, that while laying on
the lounge overwhelmed with remorse
and threatening suicide, she kissed him
on the forehead. He has also testified
that Mrs. Tilton kissed him. Where
the necessity or propriety of dragging
this into court? Was it necessary to
prove his innocence of adultry?
We cannot conceive Of q more con-
temptible specimen of humanity than
he who would receive such favor from
n woman, and then voluntarily publish
it to the world, with no earthly motive
but to SANDER and defame.
In his testimony on Thursday, Mr..
Beecher spoke of kiss which he said
Mrs. Moulton gave him, rs n kiss of in.
spiration. This was the kiss which that
lady said she gave the pastor when in
the extremity of his agony he threaten.
ed to commit suicide. It is valuable.
therefore, to know what kiss of inspi.
ration is; and fortunately, in the after.
noon session Mr.. Eyarts led Mr.. Beech.
er back TO the subject, and he gave the
| Interpretation of what he meant BIZ this
remarkable expression. This is his an.
swer:
81 meAnt-well IL wns token Of con fdenee
IL was salutation that did not belong To the
common courtesy of ite-neither WAS IL q kiss
| OF pleasure, or anything oftbAt kind, but IL was
ne J sometimes have seen IL 10 poetry--if YOU
| will excuse ms-it wus-it seemed 10 ne q no.
! ly kiss.
20 You have said something about your
not returning i2 A. Well, cir, I felt fell
90 deeply grateful ihAiif bad returned the kiss
might have returned il with enthusiasm tha
| would have Offended her delicacy-it was mol
best, under the Circumstances, that she and
should kgs'
This answer Of Beecher, is valuable
% showing the character of the man.
lie has given both these ladies the high
est praise for purity oflife and christian
picty-both members Of his church
and yet, in public court, he not only acts
the Judas, but acknowledges his lechery
20 be so overwhelming that he cannot
trust himself with the female members
Of his church who dare salute him will
a "holy kiss" = PUkcrsjurJ Inquirer.
---- .~-
Az lows True SroRY-DEs MONIES
Iowa, April 14.-Last summer party
Of vigilants in Jefferson township at
tempted to extort, by hanging TO a tree
| q confession from George y. Kirkmau
Of the burning Of the barn and its con
tents Of his son.in.law, which act it was
supposed was done ia revenge for inter
| ference by the son-in-law between Kirk
man and his wife. Kirkman was rich
lie sought TO get the lynchers indicted
| and they in turn sought to get him in.
dicted. In the meantime he willed all
his realty 20 his sons, and sold out his
personally. The grand jury last week
dismissed tho whole matter, and now il
is reported that Kirkmau and his wife,
who had left him and gone to Indiana
have had ON interview and will probably
be reunited. They say they are sick OF
the quarrel and having lived happily TO.
gethcr twcnty-nine years, they believe
they can do so again. Il is probable
that covetous heirs have been the cause
Of the whole trouble, which has squan.
dered valuable property, turned father
against child, child against parent. and
brother against brother
10 In Chicago, James ID. Sherman, q
well-known cattle raiser Of Iroquois, 10.
va, was confdenced ont Of $4,000 By
shsrpers on Sunday last