New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-03
MRS. TILTON's RETRACTION.


and knocked
| @. Was the door openedi A. The door was opened
O. From withinf A. 1 believe So Sir; will not be
positive.
O. Well, what occurred thenf How did you go int a.
There are two in Mr. Ttons house, one OF
which Is sitting and receiving roOm and communicat
ing with the other ono by folding doors which usually
stood OPEN Mrs. Tlton was in the one where the bed
was placed and which the nearest to the stairs
O. When the door was opened you left alone by
the person that opened the doori A. was; went in
from the door of the hail. and came therefore, almost i'm
mediaely the bed instead Of going around through
| the other room.
@. You came through the door that went Immediately
| Into the room where the bed was . A did
O. Were the folding doors closed at that tmet A. NO.
! Sir, they Open
@. They wore then openf A YES DR. 'niiA ''o'
were open then.
Ibid they remain open A. They remained open,
| think, all the time -
O. Was any person other than yourself and Mrs Ilton
| in either OF the rooms to your knowledge during tho
time of your interview with her A. No. Sir there was
| not. 80
O. Describe the scene you It, as you entered inc
roomS A. The bed dressed in pure white; Mrs I'll
ton was dressed in pure white and her race as WHO %
the bed lying little above level recned on Pillows
her hands that form her breast the Witness mere
placed his hands palm to paml in very natural way
drew chair, there was chair by the bedside sat
| down in it,
O. Did she accost you In any way before she spoAot
| A. Not at ALL her eyes were closed
O. Did you observe whether she was asleep or notf A.
She was as one dead and yet she living sat down
by her side, and said to her
Mr. Beach-0ne moment, Sir.
Mr. FullertOn-0De moment
INF Fullerton, Beach and Mr. Pryor held consul
tation t0getherl
Mr. Beach-We object Sir to the conversation between
this witness and Mrs. TiltOn.
Judge Neilson-I think you will have TO take IT, we
have in evidence that the witness received from Mrs
Tton that evening letter That fact has been proved
pretty clearly though somewhat indirectly and as part
of that transaction think, ought TO take it, II is
part Of the act Of receiving the letter.
Mr. Evarts-[TO the Witness. Proceed, Sir
Mr. Beach- your Honor please, don't think the con-
versation is any part of the gesa The only doubt
have had in nv mind upon the admssibity Of this
evidence was that according TO the testimony OF MI
Beeoher he was requested Mr. TtOn to go down ana
see his wife, whether your Honor should hold that
that was adoption ofhat ranspred between the par
ties, when
Judge Neilson-It has some bearing on the point,
doubtless
Mr. Evarts-Mr Titon stated it in the same way
Mr.. FulertOn-No Sir.
Mr.. Evarts-Mr. Triton didn't originate the interview
but he commences the matter by saying Go up and see
Elizabeth" There not the least difficulty on this
point
Judge Neilson-Mr. Tton says the witness requested
permission to 60, and he gave it,
Mr. Eyarts-Yes; but the part OF reference, II Is
mere agreement between the parties.
Mr. Beach-Yes, Sir; but one relation would in some
degree perhaps tend to constitute Mi Beecher an a
thorized party from Mr. Tton hold this conversation
with his wife, but submit TO your Honor that still there
is not such by that direction or consent OF MI
TtOn created would authorize the details OF CONVEX
sation which passed between Mrs TOn and Mr. Beecher
But Sir without discussing the question, see your
Honor is disposed to admit this evidence so we must
record our objection and exception.
Judge NeilsOn-Yes, Sir
Mr. Eyarts-Mr Beecher proceed You drew
chair to the bedside and sat dOwni A. said TO her,
Elizabeth, have just seen your husband, and had
long interview with him. He has been making many
statements and charges and he has sent me 10 you
in respect to some of them that you should verify them
then said: "He has charged me with alternating your
affections from him. He has charged me that have cor
pted your simplicity your trutbfulness He has also
charged me with attempting impr0pretes-" II Is
hard thing shedding tears) for man to speak TO
woman whom he such things, and could not ex
press myself very clearly care these things Ezabeth
She there the fantest CULVER and tears trcked
down her cheek, but said to her: He says
that you have charged me, Elizabeth, with making
improper advances Have you stated all these things,
and made the charges 2" And she opened her eyes and
said: MY friend could not help it." could not help
it, Elizabeth Why could not you help ti You know
she, 81 weared out have been-I have been
weared with his opportunities" something to that
effect ale made think that II would confess love
TO you would help him to confess to me his alien afec-
TONS" or words to that effect But" said to her,
elizabeth this is charge of attempting i'm
proper things. You know that that is not true"
Yes it is not true" she says but what
can I do 2" "Do ! You can take 1t back again"
She hesitated and did not understand her hesitation
"why can you not take it backl 1t is not true" She
said something she would be willing to do 1t II 1t
could be done without injury to her husband which did
not at all understand "But" said l. you ought TO give
me written retracon Of that written charge She said
she was willing to do anything II would not use it
| against her husband 1 said, "Gye me paper" She
pointed to the secretary in the other which stood
| between the windows. went there; knew it, and
took from the secretary note paper pen and ink.
brought them TO the bedside She raised herself up
little and wrote the first part of the retractiOn. She
signed 1t.
Mr. Evarts fro Mr. Morris Twin you give me that ex-
| hbiti
Mr.. Morris-which onet
| Mr.. Evarts-No. 4.
Mr.. Morris-No. you have got.
| Mr.. Evarts-No. 6-5.
! [AIr Morris hands the exhibit to Mr.. Evartsl
O. Look at that paper and If is the which
there written showing paper to the witness A. This
seems TO be the one Sir; suppose 1t to be.
O. Well how far did she write in the first instaDcei A.
| Shall read III
Mr.. Eyarts-Yes, II you please.
The witness Readingl-
| December 80, 1870.
Wearied with opportunities, aud weakened by sickness
| | gave a letter inculpatiDg my friend, Henry Ward
Beecher under assurances that that would remove all
difficulties between and my husband. That letter
now revoke was persuaded TO It, almost forced when
was In a weakened state OF mind Iregret it and recall
| its statements. L. r. T.
O. During the writing, Mr.. Beecher, did you In any
manner suggest any OF the language usedi A.
No Sir; suggested that she ought-in the beginning
suggested that she ought 10 make recall Of those