The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-06-04
BEECHER TRIAL

many stood upon the outskirts OF the
crowd.
At minutes past II Mr.. Evarts apol-
ogized for his delay by saying it was due
to the delay OF the ferry boat, lie then
said that BeeCher had told them what
the paper contained which TiltOn had
read to him as u statement OF his wiiG's
letter. when he was recalled he said it
was quite different from the description
OF its contents given by Beechcr, but
what the difference was he did not say. 1t
was vital to, the plaintiffs case to contra.
diet. Why was Monlton not asked to
contradict It? lie had read the paper
and his memory was SO good that he
could repeat years aiterward the exact
words of the speech with which TiIton
introduced Victoria Woodruff to an
audience. They did not dare to give n
different version Of the paper, because
there was TOO much evidence on record to
prove tho perjury Of such an attempt.
Mr.. Evarts then read from the cross
examination OF Tilton as to his Use Of
the paper at the interview with BeechCr
on December 3Oth.
lie said that Tilton's own testimony
showed the reading Of the paper to be
the climax OF his accusation against Mr.,
Bcecher. Counsel then read the testi.
mony Of BccchGr upon the same points,
and said that the evidence Of both parties
to the interview was to the effect that the
reading Of the paper was the first thing
that oCcasiOned the surprise by Beecher.
There was no escaping from the defend
ants version Of this paper, These facts
destroyed the whole story Of TiltOns al.
legged narrative to BecCher Of his wife's
confession Of adultery.
Mr.. Evarts then considered the inter.
view between the alleged adultGress and
her alleged paramOur, held in her cham
Der alone and Ot night, Surprising it
possible that an outraged husband could
desire or suggest such meeting, would
n scduCcr wish such an interview, and
knowing himself to he guilty so to vcri.
fy the accusation?
Mr.. Evarts spoke Of the character OF
TiItOn, rs manifested in his acts and de.
clarntions. What M abnormal or mon.
strous character this was which could
lead man to pull down the temple Of
his household and crush his wife and
children, rather than rest under the i'm.
pntatiOns which were cast upon him by
tests Of DR.. Bacon. lie determined, rs he
declared, to smash Elizabeth and ruin the
good name OF his children. Returning to
the night OF December 30, Evarts said the
first thing Moulton said to Beecher when
he came down stairs from the interview
was to ask him II he was going to Mrs.
Tilton, and offered to accompany him.
IIeccher reached TiltOn's house and was
shown to the sick chamber Of Mrs. TiltOn.
Nothing had occurred in that interview
to disturb Mrs. Tilton's conscience. She
had repented Of wrong and retracted un
evil communication which was false.
She had obtained sort Of restoration Of
herself in the good opinion Of the good
man. Mr.. Evarts read from lIcCchcr's
testimony rs to this interview. lie said
ii showed that lIcecher had n better
memory than Moulton, for he rcmcm.
bered that he knew the woman was sick,
lie continued by reading the testimony Of
writinv of tho rctrortion. iTc sniJ tint
tho inv Ind here n letter written by
Mrs. TiltOn after the charge was made by
Mrs Tilton. which showed conclusiycly
that the charge was one Of improper sOli.
nroiucci cyccpt tho magical restoration
n thc wri,lcn accusation from thr liomrs
in nrdcr IN confutc thr nrrscnl nrr,rn.
sion Of the plaintiff; The accusation.
,hnrcforr s,o6d unon his own evidence ne
nnt onlv flm In itsrlf but "a cylor,cd
irom his sick wife by imnortmniiy Mr,
EyoriI then citcd iic case nj m action
inr divorce In New Jersey In which il
Una rnlrd ,hot n written confession nj
Ndnltcrv oblnincd from fcpblc wife.
shawn IN hr wcnk ami yiel,lino Lv Lms.
honI shown IN bc Of strong on1 cnrrgrIic
will when tIey were locked in n r0om
iovrtber. wns not to bc received os ,rsti.
mSnv. ITc thcn ouotr1 other outhoritirs
mnon thr voluc as scyidcncr of statements
"Lin;nrI frnm wivos unIrr ,Lc coerc;on
of Their bn.bonds Air. Evoris soii thnt
,ho oIi common law rulc IN rc"orJ IN ihc
r"Snonsihility of thc husband for tLr villa
wo9 v S,ili UNCHANGED by inv in ,Ei. hi r"untrv
nnI EnylonJ THmnsoi rcs,,moJ ,ho "oH.
";iorn,;1n oi,hc occurrcncoo or ,hn r;nL,
0f Dcrcmhcr SO md rpfcrrcd IN Tho oiISr
NJ Moniton 10 nccnmpnny Bcochrr In Lis
~ w.. No'Ii,,, - ii. ~,