Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-02-03
Beecher-TiltOn.

Mr.. Tilton, Mrs Field Mrs Sherman
md two other ladies, and Mr.. Beecher
with his wife and sons, occupied their
accustomed places
After the court had been called to
orc. n, Judge Nelson gave his opinion
as to the right TO testify Of Mr.. Tllton
in the following words: La deter
mining the question raised by this oh
jeclion, the Court holds, first, that
plaintiff is competent to be sworn and
10 testify on his own behalf. Second,
That, as to the principal question at
issue. he is not competent to testify as
to any confidential communication. 1t
is considered that this qualified decs-
| ION res ,lects the present state of the
law of evidence, aud also respects what
may remain of the rule which imposes
silence or restraint by reason of the
martial relation or on grounds of public
interest or policy.
Theodore Tilton then took the stand
and was sworn, the defense entering
exceptions.
La answer to questions by ex-Judgc
Fullerton, Mr., Tilton said: Am 50
years Of age was married on the "a Of
October, 1855, BY Mr.. Beecher. Ny
wifa's age is about g.. [ Lave four
children. Have been engaged in the
literary profession became connected
with the Independent in the spring of
1856; remained there under Beecher,
and, on his retirement in 1863 or 81,
became his successor. Held the posi-
ton of Managing Director under
Beecher in December, 1870. | owned
share in the New York Tribune, a
small farm in the West valued at 81,
800 piece Of land in Prospect Park
valued at 81 900. There was a mort
gage of 81 500 on my house. When
| left the Independent my property was
valued at about $50, 900. had money
out at interest, deposited with Wood
ruff 4 Robbins, after January l, 1871;
$1,000 was obtained from Bowen, S.
600 from my lecturing tour, $1,000
from my books, $4,000 from Mouton,
and about $1,000 from the subscribers
of the Golden Age. [ had no debts
other than loans on my property Did
not know it came from Beecher On
the 3Oth Of December, 1870, [ had an
interview with Beecher.
Mr.. Evarts objected to witness Civ
ing evidence in relation to any state
ment made to witness by his wife
Judge Nelson ruled that witness could
say what passed between himself and
Beecher, but not what his wife had
told him.
Witness continued: Moulton
drought Beechcr and retired. [ did
bot salute Beecher, nor he me, |
crossed the room and locked the door,
Went back and set opposite Beecher.
| began in this way think said:
I" presume you received from Bowen
a letter demanding your retirement
from your pulpit and Brooklyn. -
He answered, " | did sir" [ told
him he need not fear the letter. He
thanked me. [ said be need not do
so; Elizabeth deserved his thanks, and
not me. He said he understood the
object of this interview only 10 gene
raj terms, and asked me to tell him
what Bowen had said. / told him it
would be better to 90 to Bowen him
self. [ told him Bowen had said:
4" I on were Intimate with members of
your congregation for twenty-five
years; that you were not safe man,
and that you ruined families and
households that you were wolf in
the fold, and should be extirpated,"
and that Bowen had said he had it in
his power to drive Beecber out OF
Brooklyn in twelve hours. | told him
that after | had this interview with
Bowen | told it to my wife, who was
distressed and reminded me that [
said IN the previous summer that [
would brake my promise to hurt
Beecher for that. If he was driven
from Brooklyn it would be her shame
and that of her childred. Beecher
asked me what [ meant. and I read to
him Eiizabeth's letter of confession.
His confession " as destroyed by EIlz-
abeth two years after and copy of it.
CAPTURE OF A PART OF THE JAMES
GANG.-KANsAs CITY, Mo-, January
pa special to the Times, from
Liberty, states that the Sheriff Of Clay
county arrived there today with 3. III.
Samuels, Ed. T. Miller and George
James. The prisoners were captured
this morning at the home of Samuels,
on suspicion Of being aiders and abet-
tors of the James boys. The Sheriff.
posse surrounded the house at s CLOCK
aud made thorough search, capturing
the aforementioned parties. Miller
was heavily armed at the time of his
| Al