The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-16


whom Mrs. Tilton's confession is addressed is
lawyer at 239 Broadway and bears good
reputation. In Elizabeth n. j.. where he lives.
he is highly esteemed. and he has at different
times held honorary Offices among them being
that OF member Of the Board Of Education. He
is apparently about 35 years old. and lives Mt
800 Morris avenue. There a SuN reporter found
him last evening.
Reporter-Is it true that Mrs. Tilton has made
n confession OF her adultery with Henry Ward
Beecher and authorized you 10 give it to the
publc2
Mr.. whccler-Ycs sir. ] left the confession.
IL you choose To- coll II by that name. Mt the Office
OF THE Sun this afternoon. Here Is the Orig-
nal
This document the reporter read and exam
incd with great care. II Is written IN hpauti-
ful Italian character. II bears no sign Of DELHI
crate copying. neither does Il indicate 10y single
trcmor the mental anguish under which tho
writer says she suffers. There is only ono
crasurc. and that occurs in the last sentence,
which reads ns follows
During all the complications Of these years
you have been my confidential friend. and
therefore address this letter to you. authoriz-
Inn nS 9Pd r'aucs'in. you to secure its puolica-
Mrs. Tllton originally wrote advisor" but
this word she erased with great care. substitute,
ing friend. and making the term confidential
friend" instead Of confidential adviser" MS
she at first intended. The signature il bold
and plain. The document contains no marks
Havi ing read the letter. the reporter asked Mr.
Wheeler to tell him the reasons for Mrs. Til
Mr. Wheclcr-Ali can say is what she says
herself, namely. that her true and only motive
is her quckened conscience and the sense OF
what is due 10 truth and justice" Indeed. do
not feel justified in going beyond what Mrs.
Reporter-Did Mrs. TIlton confess to you
prior to the writing OF this Confession
do not object to tell YOU that she did make prdc:
iically the same confession to u number Of
friends.
,E;c,ror'sr.c9n you give me the names of any
Mr.. wfccler-No. sir. cannot do not in
tend to lay bare the heart OF this poor. suffer-
ing woman. You don't know you cant con-
cciVe. how she hHs suffered.
keporlrr-Do you and Mrs, Tilton's other
friends believe this last conicssiunf
Mr.. Nhrrlor-CrItniny.
Reporter-ls it true that Mr.. and Mrs Tihon
nr"ahout to resGme their relations as husband
Mir Whceler-Thai do not know.
Reporter i2l' would know II such thing
Mr. wiecler-I must decline to answer that
Reporter Docs Mr.. Tilton know that his wife
Mr. Wncc,er-Not to NY knowledge No. I
don't h-lievr that he knows anything about it,
hsp9rtrr.Do Mr, Beceher or any OF his CON
Mr.. whcel.r-l don't think they do.
=, Repor,cr-Thcq it viii be likely to come upon
Mr. Whceler-Exa,ty. Think twill
-. Kcportcr-How long have you known Mrs.
Tlton
Mr.. Whcelsr- since was a boy,
Reporter We're you engaged ~ her counsel
In the great trlaly
Mr.. Whcelcr-No. not exactly rs her counsel.
! wns her friend throughout her troubles. Dur
ing the trial always escorted her 10 and from
IN" court room when she appeared there Since
that time have bcen her counsel in her trou-
Dcs with her husband.
Reportcr-l saw II paragraph in one u the
newspapers recently saying that Mrs. Tilton
was in Elizabeth;. Was she AT your house,?
MIR. Wnceer-les. sir. She always Visited my
house when she came to Elizabeth.
:, Reporter When Mrs. Titon was Miss
Morse -
Mr.. Whecler-she never was Morse. She
WAS Miss Richards. am sorry | can't give You
more information. but justice 10 my client re-
quires that should not go beyond her own ut
terancrs.
Reportor-Do you think that In making this
confession Mrs. Tilton was sway.l by her de-
sire for reconciliation with her husband
Mr.. Whecler--Not in the least. As said be-
fore. believe sho WIS dcsirou- Of easing her
conscience. Iust as She says in her confession.
Reportor-How did thnt letter come to youY
Mr.. Nhceler-By mail