The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-04-08
ne SHO VS. DEFENDANT A STATE
MENT OF MRS. Z, CHARGING
HIM WITH IMPROPER
PR POSALS.
Beecher Obtains d RetractiOn
And Af1er7vayds DeliVerS it TO MoHltoH'
REGIMENTS ADVANCED BY WHICH HE WAS
IND ICED TO RETURN TT-N0 EhSINU-
ALTON OF IMPROPER CONDUCT
.... MADE BY M0ULTOM
New YORK, April 2.

|
The court opened at the usual hour when
the examination of Mr.. Beecher contin-
ued substantially as follows;
remember Miss Bessie Turner com
inc to me in December, 1870: she said
she was told to tell me to 60 down and
see Mrs. Tilton at her mothers house, as
she had left her husbands house never to
return. on account of i'll treatment; she
said. | think, that she was cognlzant OF
his violence, that he had struck her once
or twice, and that lie had sought her com
pany in her bed, and told her tnat such
expressions of love were as natural as
kissing and caressing.
don't remember any visit while MISS
Carey was there, or any scene when Mrs
Titon sat on my knee or lap, do not
even re..ember that she ever addressed
me as my father" or dear father" she
always called me Mr., Beecher, or my
friend, or sir, when she was addressing
me; never remember an interview with
Mrs Tilton when her brother, Mr.. Rich
ards, was present.
| have no recollection of making any
visit at eight in the morning, when Mr..
Brazier was passing, but that may have
been, as cannot remember during their
residence at No. ia Livingston street,
from 1866 to 1870, my visits were on an
average from once in ten days to once Iii
three weeks; my visits there were not
oftener than thirteen times a year, our
conversations were OF different kinds
books. literature, and, above all, of Theo-
dore Tilton. Sensation.l Mrs. Tiltons
manner of speaking of her husband was
kind eulogis.ic, her feelings toward me
were as her pastor and friend | never
thought she displayed any sympathy of
closer affection; had lifelong affection,
respect and esteem for her; had the ut
most respect and esteem for her as
Christian woman, wife, and mother,
but no affection in any other connection.
NO IMPROPER PROPOSALS EVER MADE To
MRS. TILTON.
O, During your entire acquaintance
with Mrs. Titon, Mr.. Beecher, up to this
month-December 1870, had there ever
been any undue personal familiarity be
tween yourself and her? A. Never
@. Had you at any time, directly or in
directly. solicited improper favors from
her as a woman? A. Never.
@. Had you received improper favors
from her? A. 1t was thing impossible
for her. Never. [Lold applause
Judge Neilson-This must not occur
again. Mr.. Rogers you will see to this
that if you find any gentleman disturb
ing the peace of the house, will have
your men remove him, no matter who
he is.
@. Did you ever, during this period,
have criminal intercourse or sexual con-
nection with Mrs. Tilton. A. No, sir,
never
Mr.. Evarts handed to Beecher the fol-
lowing:
BROOKLYN, December 26, 1870
TO Henry Ward BeechT;
Sir:-I demand that, for reasons which
you explicitly understand, you immedi-
ately cease from the ministry of Ply
mouth church, and that you quit the city
of Brooklyn as a residence.
THEODORE TILToN.
O. Did you receive that letter, Mr..
Beecher. A did.
@. Did you mention to Bowen at the
time anything regarding Mr. Tilton's sep
aration or application with reference to
separation from her husband? A. That
was the point on which | referred him to
my wife,
O. Now, sir, did anything more occur
at that interview that you can bring to
mind? A. Nothing, except that Bowen
grew more and more friendly in view Of
this attack, or rather this warning to send
me out of town; | was not ready to go
then, and expressed myself so to him,
and he said he would stand by me as
friend.
q. Now, sir, on the Both of December,
what occurred, and how was the matter
begun and by whom? Not far from seven
O'clock in the evening, Moulton called at
my house and was shown into the front
parIor, | went in and greeted him i'll the
ordinary way; he said that Tilton was at
his house and desired an interview with
me Immediately; said to him that it was
prayer meeting night, that it would not
he convenient for me to 90 down that
night; ne replied that it was matter of
so much importance that he thought
should do well to put some one else in my
place for the night, and 20 with him; |
sent for or called upon, don't know
which, George A. Bell, and went with
Moulton.
O. Before you entered his house that
night had you ever been in his house
A. No sir.
o. Now What occurred. 4. Yhen he
entered his house lie locked the door and
said clifton is in the room above the
parlor-thd front room;" | said to him,
wishing for witness, believing we were
going 10 have a business discussion,
would rather you would come with me,
Moulton; he said 81 would rather you
went up alone" | went up stairs, knock
ed at the door and opened the door; Til
ton was standing at one of the front win
dows looking on Clinton street, and near
a bureau on the far side of the curtain; he
met me in a most stately manner and
asked me to sit down, winch did; ne
drew out from his pocket little paper,
lust about that shape, WITNESS shown. a
piece of piper about seven inches IN
length and three in width only little
narrower, and sitting down said; u have
requested or j have summoned you to
this interview on matters of Importance;