Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-04-19
The nccch+r.Tllton Scandal revived

MRS. r1IroE WRITES A LETTER DECLARING HER
SELF GUILTY, AND MIR. DEEcHER FOLLOWS
WITH A PROMPT DENIAL.
The following letter was published in tho
daily papers on Tuesday morning;
Mr.. ira h. Wbcclr.
Ny DCdr SRA few weeks since after
long months of mental anguish, / told, rs you
know, few friends whom | had bitterly de-
ceived that the charge by my husband of
adultery between myself and tho Roy. Henry
Ward Boecher was true, and that the lie had
lived so well the last four years had become
intolerable to me. That statement now sol
emily reaiiirm, and leave the truth with God,
TO whom also | commit myself. my children
and all who must suffer. | know full well the
explanations that win be sought by many for
this acknowledgement a desire to return to
my husband insanity, malice, everything
save the true and only one, my quckened
conscience and the sense of whit is due to
the cause of truth and Justice. During all
the complications of these ycnrs you have
been my confidential friend, and therefore |
address this letter to you, authorizing and re-
questing you to secure its publication
(Signed) ELIzAnErH II. ThToN.
Brooklyn, April l3, 1873.
Mr.. Beecher lectured at Waycrly, ~ Y,
Monday evening The Tribune telegrphed
him a copy of Mrs. Tilton's letter. and recciv-
ed the following in reply
WAvERLY, N. Y, April Is, 1878.
To Tie Editor ofHe Nor loh T'ytbuHe -
| confront Mrs. Tiltons confession with cx-
plicit and absolute denial The testimony to
her own innocence and to mine, which for
four years she had made to hundreds in pri-
yate and public before the Court. in writing
and orally, declare TO be true, and the allega-
tons now made in contradiction of her uni
form solemn and unvarying statements hith-
erto made | utterly deny l declare her to be
innocent Of the great tmnsgression.
(Signld) Henry WARD BErcnrR.
Mr. Wheeler, to whom Mrs. Tilton's letter
is addressed, is n lawyer, and has for years
been her legal adviser and confidential friend.
Stories of probable reconciliation between
Mr.. and Mrs. Tilton have been nfoat for
nearly month past and one rumor had it
that a reconciliation could be effected only by
a confession ON Mrs Tilton's part.
Mrs. Tilton is reported to have said to la
dy member of Plymouth church, Monday eve
ming that she wrote the statement given
above herself, and that EVERY word of it is
NAhN' LltNs Altlbl - NltHNilNtu ny llllN Will
or as having grown ten years older in appear
auce within a few weeks, and rs being in
state of great nervous excitement.
One report credits this new phase of the
case as having originated in the belligerency
of Mrs. Morse, Mrs. riltons mother who be
came angry because Plymouth church did not
give Mrs Tilton the generous support which
I.1i.,..I lot 4
served Mt their hands. The confession seems
to have been surprise to the friends of both
parties.
Thomas G.. Sheamln. one Of Mr.. Bcechor's
lawyers says that Tton and his wife have
been in communication for several months,
and that, since he found that Mrs Triton had
personal interview with her husband, he
had refused TO have any communication with
her for the reason that lac knew her well
enough to know that tia moment she consent
ed to emam three minute, md his influence
there was no telling what she would not do.
I'm interview was held with Mr.. Beecher,
Monday night at Woycrly y. y. On coming
down from the lecture platform a copy Of Mrs.
Tilton's confession wa, placed in his hands.
H. read it quietly, and seemed in no wise cx-
cited. In reply to question what he intend
ed to do. he said, nothing nt present, except
to give an explicit denial He seemed to be
more sorry for Mrs. rilton than troubled
about himself
A correspondent saw Mr.. Tiltou ut Rich
land Center Iowa, where he was to lecture
Monday night and communicated to him the
contents of Mrs. Tilton's card Mr.. Tilton
said he had nothing 10 say in regard to it, nor
as to whether he had or had not any consulta-
ton with his wife, either in person, by letter.
or through friends. Neither would he say
whether Il reconciliation was probable, or
whether he contemplated a reunion with her.
Frank Moulton. the mutual friend said,
on being shown the confession. that he knew
it must come, sooner or later, but he wa,
hardly prepared to see it at this time.
prominent member of Plymouth church
told a reporter that he had had no personal
knowledge that any confession was contem-
plated, althoughho had been informed through
trustworthy sources that Tilton and his wife
were going to live together again, and from
what he knew of her and the influence which
Tilton had over her, he had no reason to be
surprised at anything she might do, when
once under his influence. Her statement be
fore the Investigating Committee in regard to
the letter she wrote to DR.. Storrs, and the re-
traction of it, was enough to satisfy him that
she told the simple truth when she said that
she had no power, and never had, TO refuse to
do anything he asked her to do.
"