Connecticut western news., 1875-04-16
THE TILTON.BEECHER CASE.
Henry Ward Beecherss Evidence on the
 Most Vital Points in the Case.

Most Vital Points in the Case.
 After brief inquiries of Henry Ward Beecher as to, his early ife, hisi regard for Mrs. Hilton, the circumstances of the death of the child Paul and the ,repeti- tion in part of Bessie Turner's state- ments to him, and the emphatic denial of the plaintiffs charges, Mir. Beecher was brought directly to the narrative of the main incidents which clustered around the eventful holidays of 187O-71. His examination embraced mainly the rehearsal of the following incidents:
 I. Mir. Bowen's delivery of Mir. Til tons letter demanding his resignation.
 IT. Mr. Nlton's accusation against him on the night of Dec. 30, 1870.
 ILL The retraction by Mrs. Hilton on the same night. + t..
 ". The pistol scene with MT. Moul- ton. Ag&E fkEE &lE'g g.EstF}ty !
 V. The writing of the letter of contri- tion on the afternoon of Jan. 1, 1870.
 These several incidents, says the Tribune, from which we copy, may be said to form the five scenes of the first and most exciting act of the scandal drama. They lost nothing in the repro duction, for MT. Beecher's recital was intensely dramatic, dialogue and scene being brought before ear and eye, and at times the actors being brought to life by descriptive phrase or an imitation of manner. The narrative did not differ materially from that of his elaborate statement before the church investigat- ing committee, although it was natural to suppose that the testimony of MT. Moulton and. of Mir. Hilton would To- fresh his, memory and enable him to elaborate his story still further. At the closeld the narrative of each incident MT. uBeecher's attention was called to the testimony of MT. Hilton or MT. Mou1ton, and many facts and assertions sworn to By them were directly and posi- lively contradicted. His denials of all assertions implying guilt on his part, as quoted by Mr.. Moulton or Mir. Hilton, were particularly emphatic, and the usual z No, sir 1" of witness was ire quently varied by additional and stronger forms of negation. For instance, when Mir. ,Evarts asked: ss Did you say that your,sexual intercourse with Mrs. Tilton was a natural expression of your love for her 2' Mir. Beeoher answered .s No, sir "---and then, as though the full meaning of the question had suddenly comeupon him, he added, with increased warmth and flushed face: "It is i'm possible that could have ever used such language. anothertime he repeated like question, half aloud, as though in surprise: "Did say that2 No, sir; no, sir. ," < When asked if MT. Moulton had accused him of criminal intercourse with Mrs. Hilton, he replied, looking directly at MT. Moulton, who sat almost at his feet: !" Moulton is not fool, sir he is sagacious man." Here Messrs Beach, Fullerton and Morris interposed the customary, [" One moment 7! one mo- ment, Mir. Beecher," and the witness added, quietly: .jt | < < We'll, I only meant that as form of negation." This ring ing denial of any accusation or msinua- tion of criminality drew forth a second round of applause from the gallery in spite of the judges warning, and some of it's occupants were punished for their enthusiassn with prompt election by the off;oorre54 v l h4f i4''-ia -11 !'1a HOi =-a '4Jt
 The scene with MT. Bowen, which was first in the order of time, was described with much minuteness. It occurred on December 26, 1870, in Mir. Beecher' s present residence, and the conversation was opened by the delivery of Mr. Til tons letter requiring MT. Beecher to re- sign and leave Brooklyn. MT. Bowen, in delivering the letter. had taken pains to represent that he was 8 voluntary mes- sengef and ignorant of the contents of the letter. Mir. Beecher's first remark on reading it was: seTms is sheer in sanity this man is crazy" MT. Bowen on reading 1t was as indignant as Mr. Beecher, and conversation followed, in which 1t was revealed that both gentle mem had heard of many matters dis creditable to Mir. Tilton, and Mir. Beech CT emphatically declared to MT. Bowen that the retention of Mir. Hilton on the Independent and Union could not but be injurious to- both journals. This, ac- cording to MT. Beecher's testimony and the theory of the defense, was the first and only ofepse. committed against Mir. Hilton, and the injury to him profession ally which followed in his discharge by MT. Bowen few days later was the only injury which the plaintiff received, al though Mir. Beecher was led at the time of signing the apology to imagine that there were other grounds of complaint. MT. Evarts supplemented this recital with only two questions, the full mean. ing of which was probably lost on the audience. They were intended to draw from the witness, as they did, the state ment that the delivery of this very threatening letter did not lead Mir Beecher to seek an interyieww either MT. or Mrs. Tilton. f .-... '..-.....~.,
 The description of the scene with Mir Hilton at MT. Moulton's house next fol lowed ;; and in the recital MT. Beeche, with difficulty repressed his tendency tC indulge, in humorous description. Thi event took place on the night of Dacem Der 30,s. 1870. MT: Moulton (and no MT. Hilton, as asserted by the plaintiff and his witness)l locked the door an, placed the key in the drawer of the hat rack in fhe hail. ,. Mr. Hilton had first O all recalled the letter sent by MT. Bowen with the remark that ss it was gran, thing to write that letter ; it would hay been grander if I had not" He then re cited his troubles with MT. Bowen charged MT. Beecher with abetting i
 his removal by MT. Bowen, then wit
 having superseded him in his family with1alienating the affections of his wife with gcorupGng his wife and teachin
 her deeeitfulness, and finally, with ha1
 ing solicited her to. immoral relations
 Mr. Hilton here declared that the orig
 nal. of the paper which he produced ha
 been destroyed |" for shame and fc brides sake, 'and he then deliberatel
 tore up the copy that there shoul
 never be line or letter against the repl
 tation of his wife" -Mr- Hilton in h
 testimony swore that the destruction (
 this copy was a mechanical act in h
 excitement he had picked it to piece
 MT. Beecher also contradicted Mir. ri
 toms statement that the latter had fir
 suggested that he should go to Mrs. Iii
 ton for yerifcation of the accusation.
 Accompanied by MT. Moulton, wi
 had volunteered to go with him, M
 Beecher- went at once to MT. Hilton