Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-12-26
4 REMIN1scENcE OF THE TIL.
ToN-BEECHER SCANDAL.
Francis D. Moulton, The Mutual
Friend"

Francis d. Moulton, one of the
ablest witnesses who ever exercised
the ingenuity of examining
lawyer, died at his residence in New
York City, December 3, 1884. Out
side of his connection with the Beech
er scandal lie was man 10 be re-
membered, being an influential agri-
culturist and an earnest friend of rn-
raj interests. Many who read these
sentences have met Mr.. Moulton at
fairs and similar gatherings of coun-
try people. lie was good public
speaker, and a genial man whom it
was always a pleasure TO see wheth-
er in private life or in a meeting con-
vened for business. His death in the
prime of his years and usefulness is
much TO be regretted.
lie was born in New York City, in
the year 1924. His father was a
merchant and his mother woman of
refinement and culture; she gave him
his preparatory education. In 1849
he became student in what is
known now as tire vollogo of the city
of New York. He gra luated in 1854.
One of his most .tinate college
friends was Theodore Tilton.
His health being bad Mr.. Moulton
reluctantly gave up the idea OF either
reading for admission to the bar, or
entering the military academy at
West Point, and took business po-
sition. BY 1861 he had risen to be a
partner in the firm which first en-
gagged his services, and continued to
devote his superior energy and sa-
gacity to the enlargement of the bus
mess of the house, until the great
scandal interrupted his connection
with it and finally severed long and
profitable partnership.
His estimacy with Tilton led to
that gentleman's acquainting him
with the story Of the alleged great
wrong he had received from Beecher.
The communication was made ON De-
cember 80, 1870. Mr.. Moulton acted
upon it promptly, and arranged
meeting between Beecher and Tilton,
at which both agreed to constitute
him their friend, and to entrust to
his care letters and other documents
relating to the scandal, then, or to be,
imexistence. Thus made the "mu-
tual friend" of the parties, he man
aged to keep the scandal repressed
during four years. When, at the end
of that time, he refused to return
certain letters of Beecher's and
his motives were questioned
in consequence, lie broke the
seal of secrecy. This resulted in
his being made the principal witness
in the great Grim con-, trial, in which
Tilton sued Beecher for one hundred
thousand dollars damages. lie was
indicted subsequently, at Mr.. Beech
er's instance, but proceedings were
quashcd. A suit brought against
him by Miss Edna Dean Proctor cost
him nine thousand dollars to settle.
1t grew out of blank space being
left for the name of a woman in
volved in an alleged conf sSion by
Beecher to Moulton. General Butler
drew up the document By the way
during the late presidential canvass
Moulton earnestly supported Butler.
J The scandal and its disagreeable
experiences past, Mr.. Moulton re-
sumed business. He was eminently
successful, and at, the time of his
death owned two estates in the coun-
try. That at Narragansett was the
home of choice cattle, horses and
dogs, in the ownership of which he
J. took great delight. Lately he had a
partner. The principal business of
the firm was the importation OF salt.
OF his two children one died in in
fancy. The other who a'ely gradu-
ated at Harvard, is now student in
Columbia law school, New York.
Mrs. Moulton survives her husband.
The deceased gentleman was noble
and striking in personal appearance.
lie was tall and well built. His au-
burn hair was abundant his blue
eyes were large and expressive.
0 He had the faculty of energiz.
ing people about him, and his san
guine nature, associated with the
5 brotherly benevolence of his disposi-
ton, was very helpfuh to business
0 men of the metropolis who now
mourn his loss.