Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-03
BEECHER.
The Old Man Having His Chance
Now.
His Examination Continued by
MIR. EVarts.
An Account of That Famous
Interview with MOultOn.
What the Pistol Episode
Amounted To.
The Gathering of the Crowd, and Who
Was There

LLG DlOOhAln AOuIL-uOuSt were EIOMuGu
from an early hour this morning, but only
those holding tickets Of admission to the
great trial were permitted to approach the
City Court room. These were placed in
long lines and allowed to file INTO the court
room until all the seats were occupied,
when the doors were closed. The attend
ance of women was largely in excess of the
previous day, and the Plymouth Church
delegation had augmented and included
some of the chief members Of that society.
The plaintiffs lawyers were the earliest in
attendance, and with them was General
Pryor, who has been absent for the past
few days. Shortly after Mr.. Beecher's en-
trance he assembled the stand. Mr.. Evarts
introduced John Bigelow, late United
States Minister to France, to Judge Neil
son, who invited him TO a seat on the
bench, where was already seated the As
sistant Attorney General of the United
States. The Speaker of the House of
Representatives Of Virginia was hOnOred
with a seat near Judge Nelson.
Bessie Turner Tells Her Secret TO
Beecher.
At ten minutes past II o'clock the ex-
animation Of Mr.. Beecher was resumed.
He first made a correction Ct yesterdays
testimony by saying he was intimate with
the families Of DR.. StOrrs and DR.. COrant,
who were not Of his congregation. The
examination Of Mr. Beecher was then con-
tinued substantially as follows: 1 remem-
Der Miss Bessie Turner coming to me in
December, 1870, but remember only once,
though she may have called oftener. 1t
was near the middle Of December, L think.
can only give the substance Of what
passed. She called about the middle Of
the forenoon, and said she was told to tell
me 10 20 down and see Mrs. TiltOn at her
mothers house, as she had left her hus-
bands house never to return, on account of
Ill treatment. She said l think. that she
was cogniZant Of his violence; that he had
struck her once or twice, and that he had
sought her company in her bed. and told
her that such expressions of love were as
natural as kissing and caressing. I have
not heard from any other source Of this re-
latioE between TiltOn and Miss Turner.
Beecher's Early Piety.
/ Joined the Hanover Street Church, in
Boston, in 1928, and was then about fifteen
years old. From that time onward l have
continued my connection with II, in the
same denomination, and maintained active
connection with my church as q c0mmUni-
cant. 1 have always maintained that rela-
ton with the Congregational and Presby-
terrain Churches. l never got any instruc-
ton in religion, as the atmosphere in my
house was full Of it, and as pure as crystal.
The Flower Story.
I remember Paul's death. l think It was
in August, lSGS. / was suffering from
ague, and came down and saw Mr.. and
Mrs. TiltOn al the time of Ralph's birth.
l do not reoollect any particular visits or
making any gifts Of flowers during that
summer. used TO bring little baskets Of
flowers from my farm and distribute them
right and left. In winter | used sometimes
to buy them and distribute them.
Don't Remember the lap Scene.
[ don't remember any visit while Miss
Carr was there, or any scene when Mrs.
TiltOn sat on my knee or lap. Idou't even
remember that she ever addressed ne as
''my father" or "dear father" She always
called me Mr. BeeCher," or ssmy friend" or
ssh" when she was addressing he.
never remember interviews with Ms. Til
ton when Richards was present.
Beeeher Explains His Visits 10 TIL
tons House.
have no recollection of making any
visit a. eight O'Clock in the morning when
Brazier was passing, but there may have
been. cannot remember dining 1t their
residence at ia Livingston street. From
1896 TO 1870, my visits on an average were
from once in ten days TO once in three
weeks. Ny visits there were not Oftener
than thirteen times in the year. During
these visits my manner was much the same
as in my own home. They kept an Open,
hospitable house, and allowed their friends
the utmost freedom. The children were
almost always present at these visits. They
were no incOnsiderable inducement 20 my
visits, and sometimes they secured the
visits altogether. Our conversations were
Of different kinds, as books, literature, and
above all, Of Theodore TiltOn. TSensa-
-iOn. Mrs. TiltOn, speaking Of her hus-
band, was kindiand eulogistic, and when
she disclosed the religious difference be- /
tween them, l was surprised.
When Mrs. TiItOn Sought MIR. Beech.
er's Pastoral Advice.
Mrs. Tilton consulted with me in regard /
10 her duty TO her husband and children,
and she asked for my advice and counsel |
On this matter. She asked Inc if It was
right to bring up her children under a pa
rent who seemed to have a doubt Of the |
ruth Of the Bible, and disbelieyed in the |
divinity Of Christ. I think this was not
ar from the year 1867. When l first be- !
,ame acquainted with Mrs. Tilton, | was
chiefly struck by her simplicity Of manner. !
md during her domestic trials ! was i'm |
pressed by her religious nature. She was |
actively engaged in benevolent work. She
vas always talking of her husband, and ap- |
lGared devoted 10 him. Her feelings to- |
wards me were as TO her pastor and friend. |
never thought she displayed any sym |
lathy Of a closer affection. ! had a life |
Ong affection Of respect and esteem for /
lsr.. had utmost respect and affection for /
ler as 4 Christian woman, wife and moth /
r, but no affection in any other cUnnec- !
ion. The 10th of October, 1865, | re-
member BY the 9th, as it was prayer meet
Hg night, and after it ! went to the Acad-
my Of Music. ! saw Mrs. LittOn at that /
Meeting. and had a conversation with her
bout being present at the dinner to the
Rev. Morley Punch, the celebrated English
rcarher. The conversation was about my
Jeing present en- that occasion. l have no
Of being in tom on the 18th
# December, but l may have teen. ! |
gent a great portion Of my time in Peeks-
liil. ON beth the 10th and 18th Of OctO-
,er / may have been present in New York
N q visit. / usually make it a dag Of Va
alton, and visit the park and bookstores,
nd walk up aud down the streets. did
lOt usually visit my friends on that day.
Nothing occurred on either the 10th or lTth
between Mrs. TiltOn and Ine thft has i'm
lressed itself on my mind.
3eecher Denies Positively the Charge
OF CrImiHaIity.
Up to December, 1870, there had never
zen any undue familiarity between us.
ever directly or indirectly made improper
proposals. to her. ] never had any favOrs
rom her. Ii would he impossible with
UGH q woman. 1 never had carn2l inter
curse or connection during that time with
Irs. Tilton. This drew applause from
he audience, which was promptly sup
ressed under the direction Of the court.
'iItOn's letter TO Beecher and the
Revelations it Provoked.
The witness was handed 4 letter sent to !
i'm by Mr.. Tilton, through Mr.. Bowen,
Zee. 26, 1870.
He said: | remember receiving such a
fter. Mr.. Bowen brought me the letter !
nd said il was from TiltOn. / opened it
nd read il, and said, "this IS sheer insani-
?: tits man is crazy" Mr.. Bowen said !
e had not read il, and / handed it to him
read. | made some expression of sur
Il Il, A. ]