The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-29
SECRET SCANDAL PAPERS.
ONE OF TEARFUL TOMMY SHFdRM1N'S
DEVICES TO SAVE BEECHER.
An Effort Made to Forestali Mrs. Tiiton's Com
fession-A Commission Taking her Testi-
mony-A Story that She Pronounces False.

An Effort Made to Forestan Mrs. Tiiton's Com
fession-A Commission Taking her Testi-
mony-A Story that She Pronounces False.
A week or two before Mrs. Elizabeth
Tilton wrote tho letter Of April 13, 1873. as
serting the truth Of her husbands charge
against Beecher she sent for tho Rev. Dr.
James L. Hodge. OF &C Hanson place.
Brooklyn. Baptist clergyman. but he re-
fused to visit her. In November last Dr.
Hodge called on her at 22s Madison street. in
response to an urgent request to do so. and had
with her what he has since described rs n
memorable interview" He would not consent
at first to meet her. but his friends whom he
consulted said that. being n minister. 1t was his
duty to respond to every call from persons in dis
tress and so he visited Mrs. Tilton. He found
her much agitated She said that she was con-
templating going back to her husband and
children. and desired him to return to her n
statement which she had made to him. DR.. j.
7. Conant. and another gentleman. who had
acted as referees. chosen by Thomas q. Shear
man. to take and perpetuate her testimony in
vindication OF Mr.. Beecher. She said that she
regretted that statement and desired TO regain
possession Of It, as she did not wish to have any
relations that she might renew with Mr.. Tilton
disturbed by its publication. DIR. Hodge ques-
concilation with her husband but she refused
to admit that there was any agreement She
was willing to go back to him IL he was willing
to receive her. This excited DR.. Hodge. and he
said with much emphasis: Mrs Tilton. IL you
consent to return to your husband without first
securing from him complete retraction OF all
that he has said against Mr.. Beecher and your
self. the public will construe your action into an
admission OF the truth Of the charge against
Mrs Tilton renewed her demand for the nm
published testimony. urging that she made the
statement under the advice and direction Of
others and did not wish to have IL in the hands
Of those who might use 1t against her. DR..
Hodge replied that the paper was held In trust
by the gentlemen; and that i was not IN her
power To recall i or in, theirs TO snrrrnder 1t.
II was procured for the benefit Of Mr. Beecher.
and it would be held for his protection. =,
Mrs Tilton aftcrward described Dr. Hodges
conduct toward her as harsh. She expressed
regret that she was unable to obtain possession
Of a statement which she had made to the injury
of her husband. She has since intimaied that
she would have confessed her sin with Mr..
Beccher Immediately on getting beyond his
this document which she knew WIS being held
in secret 10 be used against her II she ever did
Mr.. Thomas G. shearman not being content
with Mrs. Titon's testimony before the invest-
eating committee, adopted n plan 70 get q
minute history Of Mrs. Tilton's married life. Of
her husbands relations with Mr.. Beccher and
Of her own association with MIN. and in the
spring Of 1876 he procured her consent To- make
an elaborate statement before three gentlemen.
chosen because Of their age reputation. and
long residence in Brooklyn, Mrs. Tllton had
most curious members Of the Beecher council
OF 1876, and sent them back TO that body socon-
vinced Of her Innocence and of Mr.. Beechers
purity that Mr.. Sherman was more than
pleased with her. and in an excited speech be-
fore the council. he made a vow that, let come
what would he would ever be- y friend and sup
Beth Titon." Mrs. Tilton had been almost rs
artful as himself in her efforts 70 save Mr..
Ila hpr Ia "a
in her ability to testify in his behalf. Mr. Shear
sesc,sd i, wT Ja%es L. H9dss DT
Baptist minister without u charge. and n third
gentleman; q layman,io hear Mrs. Titon's tes-
timony. Ellinwood. Mr. Beecher's stenocraph-
er. was employed 10 take the statement. The
proceedings were conducted with great Sc
The first session wns held at the residence oi
Mrs. Edward Ovington. in Hicks street: and
Mrs. Illton: in the presence OF Mrs. Ovingion.
Mrs. Anna Field. and the three trustees Of her
fund Of Information. began n recitation Of her
history from the time she was Lizzie VI. Rich .
ards The story is said 10y ONE of the commit
tee TO be very similar 10 that told to the Beecher
investigating commltiee-that she had. since
the moment Of her marriage, been suhordina,ed
agrcat man, and she must not stand in his way
that he forced her To think of herself as al in
slshlhcaht n'ue noly' anu h9' ~ 70 p' great
mans wife: that he scold"d her because she
was short. and presented such laugh A;
able contrast 10 him when they walked
a greater mi man than MIR Bcecherc. and and
that II Becch'r were out of the way he would
be- better appreciated. II was NOT so much
referee. as a careful explanation Of doubtful
points. and general history Of her entire as
sOciation with Mr.. Beecher. which shed. as We
| thought much light upon the groundwork Of
conspiracy TO blnrkmail Beecher and drag MIN
down Mrs. Titon positively affirmed that
| she was not guilty Of an impure thOnght toward
| Mr. Beecher, that he had not uttered "A wori in
| her presence that might have not been spoken
TO his daughter tnnt her confession in the first
| instance was that Mr. Beecher had been guilty
| of improper proposals 10 her and that this was
| wrun.. from her 10y Tiltons oppression. She
| reiterated her innocence aud Mr. Beerhcrs.
The committee met her twice afterward ut the
residence Of Mrs. Field; and took much addi-
man. and although Mrs. Tilton was for the
most part the speaker. he made suggestions. 10
which she responded with full explanation.
Mrs. Tiltons testimony. Each member of the
committee rcHd it over. and then the three. be-
fore magistrate, swore that 1t was correct. and
that they had heard it all from her lips.
The Rev. DR.. Conant said that Mrs. 1'ilton I'M
pressed him as truthful woman and he fully
confession WAS the product Of "A disordercd
mind. Two innocent men in Vermont were
once induced by weak minded minister TO
confess to murder. under the belief that good
was TO come thcrefrom They were condemned
To- be- hanged. but We're twice reprieyed because
| II lawyer who had defended them believed them
innocent. and asked for time to prove ii. Sub
scguently he found the man who was supposed
10 have been murdered living in a distant State.
| some influence. Dr. Conant believed. had in
duccd Mrs. Tton TO confess. He had heard
that she was under the influence OF "a disorgan-
lHed band OF religious wOrshippers who had
neither church nor name hut were known in
England as Plymouth Brethren.
DIR. COnunt said that Mrs. Titon's testimony
was held subject TO the advice of Mr. Thomas
G. shearman. who would d"termine the proper
time TO max It pu6lie. H. thought it would
annul the effect Of Mrs. Tllton's latest confess
sion.
Since Mrs. Tilton's confession. she and her
brother. Joseph II. Richards. who had been es-
trnnged for three years. have become rrron-
cilcd. He called on "A gentleman who had been
Eimd TO MGs ~ Llli2n TO th4nk nm anl said to
the truth. and there was nothing else Tor her to
do"
SCiNDALMONGER DESCRIBED.