The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-13
Eighty-SeVenth Day of the Great
Scandal Trial. !.
ANOTHER GENUINE SURPRISE.
Victoria Woodruff Summoned
by the Defence.
Frank MouIton, Mrs. Ovngton and James
FreeIand Denying,

The proceedings In the Brooklyn trial opened
with an extraordinary scene yesterday morning.
IL was hal.pasI eleven before the business began.
The court room was Just comfortably filed. About
twenty ladies' including Mrs. BeecAer we're in
attendance. several gentlemen, among the rest
Mr.. Robert Mackenzie, q great shipbuider OF
Dundee, scotland, were seated beside his Honor
on the bench. During the idle half hour low
cosby hum pervaded the court room. When 1t
was halfpast eleven a smartly dressed lady, wear
ing red and yellow dover ON her bosom, black
hat enveoped in blue gauze veil and suit OF
gray surmounted by blue velvet jacket, entered
and walked brskly into the middle OF the chamber.
All eyes were turned on her. 1t was Victoria
woodruff, whose name has been SO woven into
the warp and wool OF this Brooklyn scandal. She
was LOOKING well; her age might be thirty; her
eve was bright and radiant, and the occasion was
evidently one or great Joy TO her.
Floor manager Caldwell provided her with q
seat, and speculation was rife 10 the things she
would be asked to tell. Mrs. Beecher took natur-
ally some interest in
THE APPEARANCE OPP MRS. Woodruff,
whom she had never seen before. Tilton did not
at first pretend TO be aware OF her presence. The
foreign gentleman sitting beside His Honor
on the bench was, perhaps, the most
curious OF all To him Mrs. woodruff was
in the case. From his position he had good look
at her. IL was not long before Mrs. woodruff Cd
tanned a chance OF being heard. The object in
subp9naing her was TO OBTAIN from her letters In
her possession written 20 her by the plaintiff
Evarts, Beach and Fullerton took part in the
debate. Finally, Mr.. Sherman asked for the
letters.
As Mrs. Woodruff rose from her seat in rear OF
Mrs. Beecner and stepped into the charmed circle
occupied by the opposing counsel every eye in the
room except Judge Nelson's was fixed on her
movements. She was very pale and her lips
trembled with suppressed emotion, but she
marched forward bravely, yet with an air OF den-
ance, such as might be expected OF prisoner who
came TO be arragned. When she reached the place
where Mr.. Evarts and Mr.. Sherman were stand
ing the latter gentleman put out his hand
and again demanded the letters, as did Mr..
Evarts whispered conference ensued and the
three held sharp debate, and then Mrs. Wood
dull addressed the Court, and though her voice
trembed, she managed 10 say that the letters de-
manded were not injurious 10 her and could not
harm her, she was willing TO give them up.
But sne wanted IL understood that she had been
arrested for publishing the scandal and mad suf-
fered the rigor or the law. Then she opened her
reticue and gave up one by one six or eight short
letters, which were eagerly seized and perused by
the couns for Beecher So enGrosseo were they
that Mrs. woodruff was suffered TO stand, q TACT
that led Mr.. Beach TO say politely, "You will
please sit down, Mrs. woodruff" ana she al once
sank into CHAIR. The features Of Tilton and his
counsel at this junciure were q study. The pl in
til pursed his lips and peered at Victoria In an
inquiring way as though he was puzzled TO
see her in the court room at all, and
the side or the defendant, even
though unwillingly. His counsel were evidently
surprised at the unexpected appearance OF Mrs.
Woodruff, and they conversed eagerly as to the
probable contents OF the letters and the to be
made Of them. Mrs. Woodruff glanced at Titon,
and, meeting MS eye in moment, they looked
steadastly at each other Tor nearly a minute, and
victoria's face nusned slowly but wildly as her
own eyes fell. Mrs. Beecner had all this time been
gazing nxedly at the publisher" OF the scandal,
and a look OF mingled scorn and pity seemed to
linger on her lace. Insensiby her mouth closed
firmly "a she surveyed the woman VINO had just
spoken TO the Court, ana then her lips cured and
a bright glitter grew In her eyes. Mrs. Woodruff
was apparently unaware OF the steadiast gaze OF
mrs. Beecher, though her eyes we're catching, as
It were, the glance OF every eye within her range
OF vision. Then the counsel made room for her on
one side. and she became part OF the audi ence.
though the object OF attention to all curious eyes.
PRANK MoULToS's LAST APPEARANCE.
For the third time frank Moulton has filed the
witness chair. Yesterday be told again the In
tere sting story OF how he wrote Beecher's famous
letter Of contrition. BE wrote II word for word
as Beecher dictated II. When he had finished it
be read IL over TO Beecher and got him to put his
name 10 IL. Moulton mas appeared for the last
time.
MRS. ovISGToN
was again a witness. This lady was brought to
contradict q Mr.. Martin as to the length or time
Bessie Turner spent az her house In company
with General Tracy. Mrs. ovinRton, VINO Is the
guardian OF mrs. Tlton IS pleasant faced lady OF
q very precise address; an enthusiast
on the Beecner side, who answered with
great emphasis tue question, rs 1t true Mr.. Mar.
tin spent two hours on the piazza or your house
in conversation with General Tracy ~ 1T IL
false.n Several other questions we're answered
in the same language and same tone, that caused
a litter TO pass around the chamber Mr. Fuller
ton remarked, That Is very ladylike. Can't you
say II again ~ and the lady nusned an she heard
the WORDS.
NEARING THE END.
The defence expect to end the sur.rebuttal to-
day. General Tracy speaks OF having some six or
seven witnesses 70 examine. There is also talk
or having an adjournment for Q week before
the summing up addresses are made. The
jury are feeling cheerful at the near ap.
proacn Of their release from attendance
on THIS m ost tedious OF trials. Judge Nelson Is
not opposed TO an adjournment oil few days pre-
paratory 10 summing up. He has spoken Of a re-
cess being necessary TO digest and arrange the
matter TO De laid before the jury. The witnesses
yet IN reserve wiz testify no facts Of import.
ance.
THE EVIDENCE
Judge Nelson took his seat on the bench
promptly az eleven O'Clock. long delay ensued,
when was explained by Mr.. Evarts stating tnat
ne was expecting some papers IN regard 10 which
he might have 70 ask Af. Tiiton question OF
Two. shortly before twelve O'Clock Mrs. Victoria
woodruff came into court, whereupon Mr. shear
man sand thar the defence had suOpUnaed Mrs.
woodruff 10 produce certain letters IN court. she
was now In attendance, but declined 10 produce
them.
Mr. Fullerton OBSERVED that be did not think the
Court would 40 instruct ner.
Judge Nelson SAID that Mr.. Tlton might De re-
called, out lie spoud decline TO give any instruc-
tons as TO the production or letters or papers.
Tue witness - not compelled 70 produce the pa
pers.
Mr Fuerton-If they want the papers they must
put her on the stand and put ner under oath.