The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-06-09
MRS TILT1M'S SIN.
Her Brother, Wakes u Startling StEl @
tmept OF Her Eriniinaiity.

n,ept OF Her Griminaiity.
IN. Y. Special to the Chicago Inter-Ocean.l
a brother-in-law Of Joseph II. Richards,
who testified in the Beecher trial adverse
ly to his sister, Mrs. Tilton, makes a state
ment for publication in the Sun to morrow.
It is regarded in the light of coming di-
rect from Richards himself 1t is as fol-
lows:
After little PauTs death, in 1868, |
Richards frequently met Beecher at
Tiltou's house. He became impressed, |
~ the general manner Of Beecher, that
his visits were not purely pastoral. Final !
Iy, he went to the Union office and dis
closed his approximations to Tilton, but
Tilton was not alarmed. Richards re-
mained passive until after Mrs. TiltOn's
alleged confession to her husband. This
time he was incredulous, for he had only
attributed to her breach of propriety with
ont criminality. He, however influenced
his mother, Mrs. Morse, to question her.
A few days aiterward Mrs Morse reports
ed TO him that Elizabeth had confessed
adultery with Beecher. He waited, still
dsbelieving, for further proof, or for his
sisters denial. In the fall of 1870
Elizabeth visited his home in Mont Clair,
y. J. Then he told his wife to talk with
Mrs. TitOn about the current stories, but
Mrs. Richards courage failed whenever
she tried to breach the subject. When
Mrs. Tilton went away, Mrs. Richards
rode with her to the depot. On the way
Mrs. Richards told her sister-in-law what
she had heard from Theodore and Mrs
Morse, and implored her to tell the truth
Mrs Tilton, bursting into tears, Confess
ed the crime she had committed with her
pastor She pleaded the excuse of Paul's
death; of Beecher's tender sympathy in
her afliction; of his great interest in her
occupations; of his encouragement of her
literary aspirations, and of the love she
bore him. She argued that she had done
but little in repayment by yielding her
body to his request" "a love him, she
cried, land will die rather than harm
shall come to him." Mrs. Richards,
deeply moved, offered such consolation
and advice as she, in her bewilderment,
could, and tender!y babe her good>by at
the depot. A day or two later Mrs
Richards received letter from Mrs.
rilton, expressive Of the writer's grief, and
| assuring the recipient that, though she
had always loved her as a sister, now she
worshipped her ten thousand times more
for being noble enough to listen to the sto,
ry Of her sin, understand her position, and
forgive her. This convinced Mr.. Richards
of his sisters guilt, and he counseled with
| her as to her future course. Their con-
verSatlon was unrestrained, and her guilt
often referred to. His advice was: "Ac>
knowledge your transgression and try to
live it down" Yet he then felt that her
love for Beecher would prevent such a
course and, upon her refusal TO obey him,
he ceased his advice. He seldom saw
her. and their chance meetings were UNI
pleasantly constrained. When he was
summoned before the Plymouth commit
tee he went to Elizabeth and asked what
he should do. She told him he must 90;
that his refusing would be her condemna-
ton; but be must tell nothing. He did
so, refusing TO answer the questions put
to him. On the stand in the trial he was
glad only to be asked as to personal knowl
edge, and so his testimony was trifling.
He only told of suddenly opening the
parlor door and finding Beecher and
Elizabeth IN an equivocal position.
One day Mrs. Morse, in a fit of anger,
let drop the secret in the presence of
Florence Tilton, who went at once exci>
tedly to her mother and begged to know
the trnth. Mrs. Tilton then confessed the
facts to her daughter.