Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-25
Mrs. TiltOn's appeal to the Court
"A Dramatic Scene.

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Mrs. TiltOn's appeal to the Court
"A Dramatic Scene.
The New York papers in describing
the scene in court Monday, when Mrs.
Tiiton presented her communication
TO Judge Nelson, refer to it as
scene Of dramatic interest. The New
York Sua gives the following graphic
sketch OF the incident and its sur
rOuHding>.'
Mrs. Tilton went TO the scandal
court room Monday morning for the
second time since the close Of her
regular attendance Mrs. Ovington
and Mrs. Field were with her, as in
the early months of the trial, and
the party were given the seals which
they used to occupy Mrs. Tllton
looked younger and freshcr than usual,
| She wore neat, ScaSonable suit.
aud a straw hat that WAS jaunty
enough in shape to accord with fash
| lOuabie EabiIament. She was there
carries than the rest of the scandal
folks-nearly half an hour before the
session was begun. Mr. and Mrs.
Beechcr were only little later, and
both of them bowed to Mrs. Tlton as
they went by to their seats. Mr.,
Tilton brought Mrs Anna u. Mid
dlebrook and her daughter. who are
to be witnesses. and put them in
chairs several rows back Of Mrs.
Tilton. He glanced quickly at his
wife, and hi> face flushed, but he did
not repeat the look, although she
kept her eyes fixed upon him as he
walked to his seat. The assembly.
WHICH was unusually large in these
days Of Gvietude in The scandal,
generally guessed That Miss Middle
brook was Miss Florence Tilton. be-
cause she had come with Mr.. TiIton.
Who stared at her until she b!ushed
and looked steadily at the focr
The iawyetS and the jurors congrc~
gated in a Ieisure.y way, and even
the punctual judge was toar minutes
late, Mr.. Beocher read pew book,
cutting the pages with his pehkhiie
and his wife leaned her head iistlessIy
on one hand. Mr. Tit0n laziIy turns
cd the pages Of a scrap book of testl-
mony, and the opposing lawyers
| mingled and chatted Mrs Tlton
was of them all the only one who
seemed kecnly ObseIylnt. and her
alertness was explained by her subse-
quent conduct She watched Judge
| Nelson 0seIy while he was taking
his place on the bench, and when the
clerk began to call the roll Of jury
men she took white, well-filled en-
velOpe from her docket. and half rose
from her seat. Many persons near
her noticed ths action and the slight
helghtening Of her color and watched
her expeEtantly.
Mrs. TILToN ADDRESSED THE COURT.
Instantly after the juror whose
name was last called responded with
the usual Here!' Mrs Triton stood
up with hel face toward he bench
and said, "Judee Nelson :" Her
tone was low and the Judge did not
hear or see her Nj. Tree, visitor
vino sat close in front Of her, com
pretended her desire and inability to
attract his Honor's attedtion He
repeated Judge Nelson T. in a
louder voice. TINS was heard by the
Judge, and not only drew his notice,
but toe attention OF the congregation.
Mi Beeche, dropped his book in his
lap, aud seemed 10 be astoniShed.
Mr., Evarts turned in his chair and
stared at the wcman, and the rest OF
the Beecher lawyers made an equal
show of real or simulated surprise.
Mr., Tilton. whose back had been
toward his life, also turned and stared
with the rest. Mrs. TitoR, observ>
ing that she had the judges atten-
ton. again spoke up, saying
"Your honor, | have communal
cation which l hope your honor will
read aloud"
She spoke with al even, unexcited
enuuciauon, and showed 10 agitation
IN either speech or manner; At the
last word Of her quietly spoken sem
tence, which had not been heard at a
greater distance than twelve feet; she
held up the envelope which she had
previously taken from her pocket.
She seemed to expect somebody 10
take it to the judge, bat nobody re-
sponded to her look of anticipation
Mrs. OWN gton said something to her,
aad she stopped to reply, still odd
lug the enYeloped document. Judge
Nelson had not heard word bu,
he recognized Mrs. TIlton becase
of having seen her in the court room.
"Nr Evarts," he said. after an
iastan. of hesitation, Twill you see
20 this matterY'
MRS. TILToN's Request DENIED.
Mr.. Evarts mas apparently in a
ouandary. aud did not promptly
,e>pond 10 the request bis mGecis-
ion was only momentary, but 10 the
interim of the suspense. and with Mrs
T,lton still standing before the
scrptiatv # the excited compiny. a.
seemed long in dcratioa. Thee he
walked nearly to her, reached over
the heads Of intervening persons, and