The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-12-20

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/ FRANCIS D. MoULToN.
The mutual Friend "of Henry Ware
Beecher and Theo. TiIton.
Francis D. Moulton, one of the ables
of a examining lawyer, died at his
residence in New York city, December 3
1884. Outside of his connection with the
Beecher scandal he was a man to be re-
membered, being an influential argricul
turist and an earnest friend of rural inter.
ests. Some who read these sentences have
met Mr. MouIton at fairs and similar
gatherings of country people. He is q
good public speaker, and genial man
whom it was always pleasure to sees
whether in private life or in a meeting
convened for business. His death in the
prime of his years and usefulness is much
to be regretted.
| He was born in, New York city, in the
year 1924. His father was merchant and
his mother a woman of refinement and
culture, who gave him his preparatory
education. In 1919 he became student
in what is known now as the College of the
City of New York. He graduated in 1854.
| One of his most intimate college friends
| was Theodore Tilton.
luctantly gave up the idea of either reading
for admission to the bar, or entering the
Military Academy at West Point, and took
a business position. By 1861 he had risen
to be a partner in the firm which first en-
gagged his services, and cootinued to denote
his superior energy and sagacity to the
enlargement of the business of the house,
until the great scandal interrupted his con-
nection with it and finally severed long
and profitable partnership.
His intimacy with Tilton led to that
gentleman's acquainting him with the
story of the alleged great wrong he. had re-
ceived from Beecher. The communication
was made on December 80, 1870. Mr..
Moulton acted npon it promptly, and ar
ranged meeting between Beecher and
Tilton, at which both agreed to constitute
him their friend, and to intrust to his care
letters and other documents relating to the
scandal, then, or to be, in existence. Thus
made the mutual friend' of the parties,
he managed to keep the scandal repressed
during four years. When at the end Of
that time, he refused to return certain let
tiers of Beecher's and his motives were
questioned in consequence, he broke the
seal of secrecy. This resulted in his being
made the principal witness in the great
Grim con. trial, in which Tilton sued Beech
er for one hundred thousand dollars DANA
ges. He was indicsted subsequently, at
Mr.. Beecher's instance, but proceedings
were quashed. 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 involved in an alleged confession
by Beecher to Mou,ton. General Butler
drew up the document. By the way, dur
ing the late Presidential canvass Moulton
earnestly supported Butler.
The scandal and its disagreeable ex-
periences past, Mr.. Moulton resumed bust
ness. He was eminently successful, and
at the time of his death owned two estates
in the country. That at Narragansett was
the home of choice cattle, horses and dogs,
the ownership of which he took great de-
light. Lately he had a partner. The prin-
cipai business of the firm was the importa-
ton of salt.
Of his two children one died in infancy
The other who lately graduated 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. He was
tall and we'll built. His auburn hair was
abundant; his blue eyes were large and
expressive. He had the facility of ener-
giving people about him, and his sanguine
nature, associated with the brotherIy
benevolence of his disposition, was very
helpful to many business men of the
metropolis who now mourn his loss.