The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-20
MoRE sCANDAL TESTIMONY.



The main element in the defence OF
Henry Ward Bcechcr against Theodore Tilton's
charge Of adultery has been that II was a con-
spracy to pull him down, and that the basis Of
the conspiracy was the charge Of improper pro
posals which Triton made NJ 60 the time Of the
publication " his letter to DIR. Leonard Bacon
In 1874
Some testimony has recently been discovered
to show that on Dec. IA. 1870, over two weeks
before Frank Moulton knew OF the charge, and
had met Mr. Beecher with Il, that oliver John
son, then Mr.. Tiltons associate and friend In the
Independent Office In New York, said To Prof.
Moses Colt Tyler, now Of the Michigan Univer-
sity, that Mr.. 1ilton had discovered that Mr..
Beecbsr had committed adultery with MIS-. Ill
ton.
desk, with his head buried In his arms. and ap-
psrently In great trouble. lie asked Mr.; iilton
what tue trouble was. Mr.. Tilton said that ~
WINS private sorrow--ihe terrible calamity OF
his careet- ,nd asked MIN not 70 question MN
further. Mr.. Tyler went Into Oliver JohDs0n.s
room. Presently both gentlemen came To TIL
ton and asked him to 60 to lunch. lie refused
W; Tyler then pressed him to ~ Close tue cause
give Oilyer Johnson his consent 10 tell him
everythin..
rum that had been wrought by MIR. Bsecher In
HltOus home. adding " II has neatly killed I'LL
ton. We are turning heaven and earth to quiet
him aud Keep II from public knowledge, and you
must hello us.'1 Mr. Tyler Joined ~ the attempt
II enforce the Aincy OF silence. He WAS taken
into tho Christi W Union once a. one who knew
ito bottom Facts, and could greatly assist Sir.
Johnson Ia the management Of that paper In the
iht Of the knowledge OF It's chef editors crime.
When the bacon letter was published, all VINO
know HONS story iremblcd at the prospect Of
It's full revelation. SIR. johnson was especially
disturbed. One day lady's card was sent 10
the editorial rooms for Mr. johnson. lie was
lyuR ON the sofa when II was handed 70 hun.
lie was silent Tor a while, and then earnestly
sad, YES, think will 90 and see her" Prof.
TYLER asked VINO IL was that he was TO sec.
Mr. Johnson handed him Mrs. TiltOn's card. on
which was written request for an interview at
vi ce near by, when 1t Is thought was her
brothers ONCE.
Mr.. johnson returned from the Interview in
lent days wO for Mr.. Becchcr. lie explained
to Mr.. TYLER that Mrs. rihun had sent for him
10 say IN It she was afraid VI exposure. hut To
assure Mr.. Bcecher that she WAS ready and VIII
ling - do anything that he wished. She had
written letter IN which there was a confession
Of her sin with MIR. Beecnsr. She felt that this
ought to bo signed 10y Mr. Beecher and herself,
and read from the pulpit Of Plymouth Church,
with the declaration that they had sought, ana.
n they believe, mad obtained the forgiveness Of
God for their sin, aud 50 they asked for the
chnrch's forgiveness.
Mr.. johnson showed this letter, It is said, TO
hr. Tyler. aud he read II. lie sad that Mrs.
Iilton visited Mr.. Beecher to read the confess
sion, and che had asked Mr.. johnson how he
thought Dir. Beecher would REGARD it. Mr..
johnson said that instead Of securing the cbari-
tatlc consideration hoped for, the letter would
~ fatal 20 both. lie promised ~ give the letter
to Mr.. Bccchcr.
Iruf Iylor made known these facts 20 gem
teman In his CITY on sunday, Jan. =; OF tins
year. when he WIS visiting New York. lie con-
scented TO tell them that Moultun aud Tilton
might be relieved Of thc charge Of conspiracy.
IL was designed to nave Nr. Tyler 10 before the
proposed mutual council With his story, but
now that that council X upset. the facts are al
lowed To be mace public In this wag.