The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-05
ANOTHER STARTLING STORY, IF TRUE
Mrs. Tilton's Alleged Confession.

Joseph II. Richards, the brother of Mrs.
Tilton, who, during Mr.. Beecher's trial,
has testified against his sister, makes a
startling statement, if 1t prove true, which
is published in the New York Sun of Fri
day. 1t is regarded in the light of coming
from Richard himself. 1t is as follows:
'After little Paul's death in 1868 Rich
ards frequently met Beecher at Tilton's
house. He became impressed by the gen.
eral manner of Beecher that his visits were
not purely pastoral. Finally he went to
the Union office and disclosed his appre-
tensions to Tilton, but Titon was not
alarmed. Richards remained passive until
after Mrs. Tilton's alleged confession to
her husband. This time he was incredu-
lous, for he had only attributed breach
of propriety without criminality. He,
however, influenced his mother, Mrs.
Morse, to question her. A few days after
ward Mrs. Morse reported to him that
Elizabeth had confessed adultery with
Beecher. lie waited, still disbeicving,
fol further proof or for his sisters denial
In the fall of 1870 Elizabeth visited his
home in Montclair, N. j. Then he told
his wife to talk with Mrs Tilton about the
current stories, but Mrs. Richards courage
failed whenever she tried TO breach the
subject. When Mrs. Tilton went away,
Mrs. Richards rode with her to the depot.
On the way Mrs. Richards told her sister
in-law what she had heard from Theodore
and Mrs. Morse, and implored her to tell
the truth. Mrs. Tilton, bursting into tears,
confessed the crime she had committed
with her pastor. She pleaded the excuse
of Paul's death, of Mr.. Beechers tender
sympathy in her affection, of his great in
terest in her occupations, of his encourage
ment of her literary aspirations, and of the
love she bore him. She argued that she
had done but little in repayment by yield
ing her body to his request Il love
him." she cried. "and will die rather than
harm shall come to him."
Mrs. Richards, deeply moved. offered
such consolation and advice as she in her
bewilderment could, and tenderly babe her
goodbye at the depot A day or two later
uAio. AhiNuuioo iSCCiNSu iCttCI
Tilton, expressive of the writer's grief, and
assuring the recipient that though she had
always loved her Us sister, now she wor-
SHIPPED her ten thousand times more for
being noble enough TO listen to the story of
her sin, understand her position and for
give her.
This convinced Mr. Richards of his SIS
ter's guilt, and he consulted with her as to
her future course. Their conversation
was unrestrained, and her guilt often
I referred to. His advice was "Ackuowl-
edge your transgression, and try to live
it down" Yet he then felt that her love
| for Beecher would prevent such a
course, and upon her refusal to
obey him he ceased his advice. He seldom
saw her. and their chance meetings were
unpleasantly constrained. When he was
summoned before the Plymouth committee,
he went to Elizabeth and asked what he
should do. She told him that he must 90,
that his refusal would be her cOndemna-
ton He did so, refusing to answer ques-
tons put to him. On the stand in the trial
he was glad only to be asked ON personal
knowledge, and so his testimony was
trivial. He only told of suddenly opening
the parlor door and finding Beecher and
Elizabeth in an cquivocal position. One
day Mrs. Morse, in fit of rage, let drop
the secret in the presence of Florence Til
ton, who went exctedly to her mother and
begged to know the truth. Mrs. Tilton
| then confessed the fact to her daughter.