New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-26
STORY OF A PLOT FOR AN EXPOSURE.

The testimony in the Hlton-Beecher suit yester-
day was devoted exclusively to au examination into
the personal relations between Mr. Tilton and Mrs.
Woodruff, in support of Mr.. Trscys declaration in
the opening address that the defense would show
conspiracy between them to publish the scandal
Three colored servants of Mrs. Woodruff at the
time of the publication were called to the stand
with this view.
The first and most important of these witnesses
was James B. Woodley, formerly slave in Virginia,
who came North in 1869 invest his savings where
he had heard people were paying ten per cent inter-
est This remark and a similar one later IN the ex-
animation indicated the man to be of an economical
and secretive character. Mr. Fullerton pressed HIM
to tell how much money he had saved while in the
South but he refused to tel, and said by way
of emphasis that he wouldn't tell that
to his wife if he had one.' His testimony,
told in considerable detail 10 the general effect
that Mr.. TiltOn and Mrs Woodruff were intimate to
an afectionate degree; that he had seen them SIT
ting together with their arms around each other"
which, the witness added-when a little laugh was
raised--he thought was perfectly natural ;" and,
finally that Mr.. TiltOn had almost habitually
lunched with Mrs. Woodruff and her sister for
months prior 10 the publication of the
scandal. His most important testimony, how
ever, was in the direction of establishing
the alleged conspiracy. He swore that he had heard
Mr. TiltOn urge Mrs. Woodruff to publish the scan
dal which at the time was in proof slips on the
ground that she could get 100000 from Plymouth
Church to suppress the further details. This he had
urged against the remonstrances OF Mrs. Woodhulls
husband, who said the result of such a publ
cation would be that all would be sent
to Jail. This astounding piece of evidence
the witness stuck to on the cross-examlnation. 1t
eOrrobOrates in some degree the statements OF the
witness Thomas Cook 1t was whispered in the
n JoIoo "a
the story of Wcodley. and that he would take the
stand on Monday. Both sides evidently laid great
stress upon the testimony of WOodley, for Mr.
Evarts in person conducted the direct examination.
and Mr. Fullerton made long and continued
efforts to break the force of what the witness SAID.
The examination was attended with several
amusing incidents. On the resumption OF the
eross-examnatOn after recess the witness appeared
TO have got over his timidty and showed
tendency 10 speak his mind on various matters not
connected with his evidence. Mt Fullerton at
tempted to get at the witnesses ideas as to what
proof sheet was The witness, without say
ing whether he thought a proof was written
or printed limited that he had told all he could
on the subject Mr. Fullerton pressed for an answer
"Well | think we have taken up enough time on
that NATTER smi lngly suggested the cross-exam-
ined We'll if you will answer the question we
will not waste any time on it" persisted his
interrogation. "Yes, but" objected the witness"
lido answer il you will have thousand moreJus
like it1 "I shall have to ask your
Hopor's assistance" said Mr.. Fullerton. Well
the witness is the first one that mas
vet come to help in this matter OF wasting tlme
said the Judge, evidently well pleased with the VIII
nesss ideas on the value of time. The witness also
showed great aversion TO repeating his account OF
scenes already described. Il thought we had got
all through with that, and now we are going back
% itD was his constant protest, and You have got
4bree MATTERS all mixed up together now, Sir" was
his despondlng comment the result Of the repe-
titiOD.
The redirect examination was devoted to an in
yestigation of what the witness termed the usual
greeting of Mr. Tilton and Mrs. Woodruff. We'll.
what was their usual greetingT asked Mr.. Evarts.
why, they used to bow and kiss, just as any two
ladies do when they meet you know answered the
witness who made all haste to get away from the
stand amid the laughter which followed his last hit
at the plaintiff.
Richard A. Gray, the second witness OF the dav,
had also been a servant of Mrs Woodruff and
testified TO some conversations which he had
heard between that lady and Mr.. Tilton.
An reference 70 the Steinway Hall meeting,
he testified that he heard her say-allud-
ing to Mr.. Beecher-" He had better preside
az that meeting, or l will make 1t hotter on
ton answered oh he will preside" The witness
also described the affectonate manner in which Mr.
'Elton and Mrs. Woodruff conducted themselves
toward each other. There was no cToSs-examInatiOn
of this witness
Mrs Lucy Ann Giles, also cOlOred, had been a
cook at Mrs Woodhulls house. Her testimony re-
lated entirely TO what she had seen OF Mr.. 1lltons
visits 70 the house She STATES positively that he
often remained there during the night and that on
one occasion she saw him and Mrs.. Woodruff in the
latter's room in the evening He was partly un-
dressed. and Mrs. Woodruff was in her night
clothes at the time. There was no crOss-examina-
ton.
The clock of the courtroom now pointed TO o
oparter before o'clock Judge Nelson was desir
ous that another witness should be called, and sug-
,ested that there was time for short" one The
attendants counsel had their heads together in con-
snltation and Mr. Sherman turned around and be-
san sneaking with Mr.. Beecher. This gave rise TO
An impression In the courtroom that Mr..
Beecher was to be the next witness.
This idea was strengthened by Mr.. Sherman
Thinning around and saying to the Judge that they
had no short" witness to call The Judge then
consented with apparent reluctance to an adjourn
ment before the usual time. and announced that
there would be no session of the Court to-day. 50
that those of the jury who desired to observe
Good Friday might have an opportunity TO
do No. There was a very general idea among
the spectators as they left the courtroom that had
the testimony of the last witness ended half aH
hour sooner they would have heard the PiymoSth
pastor begin his own story from the witness stand
In answer 70 a TRIBUNE reporter. however, Gen.
Tracy SAID 1t is not possible 70 cell in what order
we shall call our witnesses next week. We do not
know ourselves yet"
T7YyU ppDrEEDTn1o urDD1nTu