The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-12-18
A Renaissance Of the Tilton
Beecher Scandal.
FRANCIS II, MOUITON,
THE" MUTUAL FRIEND"

Francis D. MOultOn, one of the
ablest witnesses who ever exercised
the ingenuity OF a cross examining
lawye er, 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 remember |
ed, being an influential agriculturist
and All earnest friend of rural Interests.
Many who read these sentences have
met Mr.. Moutton at fairs and similar
gatherings of country people. He was
a good public speaker, and genial
man, whom it was always a pleasure
to see whether in private life or ia 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 a mer
chant and his mother a woman of re
finement and culture, who gave him
preparatory education. In lS49 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.
His health being bad Mr.. Moulton
reluctantly gave up the idea of either
reading for admission to the Bar, or
entering the Military Academy al
West Point, and took a business posi-
Lion. By 1861 he had risen to be
partner in the firm which first en-
gagged his services, aud continued to
devote his superior energy ane sagacity
to the enlargement of the business of
the house, until the great scandal inter
Lupted his connection with it and
Partnership.
His Intimacy with TfltOn led to that
gentleman S acquainting him with the
story of the alleged great wrong he
had received from Beecher. The com
municatiop was made on Dec. 80, 1870
Mr.. Moulton acted upon it promptly,
and arranged meeting between TiltoD
and Beecher, at which both agreed to
constitute him their friend, and to en-
trust to his care letters and other doc.
uments rels ting 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 Ger
tain letters of Beecher's and his mo,
} tives were questioned in consequence
he broke the seal of secrecy. This re.
suited in his being made the principal
witness in the great erin cor. trial, in
which TiltOn sued Beecher for one
hundred thousand dollars damages
He was indicted subsequently,, at Mr.
Beecher's instance. hut proceeding
) 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 woman involved in
a alleged confession by Beecher to
Moultou. General Butler drew up the
d scument. BY the way, during tn,
late Presidential canvass MOultOn ear
n-stIy supported Butler.
The scandal and its disagreeahle ex-
periences past, Mr.. Moulton resumed
business. He Was eminently success
Iul, and at the time of his death owned
two estates in the country. That a.
Narragansett was the home of chOic,
cattle, horses and dogs, in the owner
snip of which he took great delight.
/ 7. .Ately he had a partner. The princi
pal business of the firm was the i'm.
portatiOn of salt.
OF his two children one died in in
fancy. The other, who lately gradu
a5ed at Harvard, is now a student at
Columbia Law School, New York.
Mrs. Moulton survives her husband.
The deceased gentleman was noble
and striking in personal appearance.
He was tall and well built. His au-
burn hair was abundant his blue ewes
were large and expressive. He had
the facility of energizing people about
him, and his sanguine nature, associ-
ated with the brOtherly benevolence
of his disposition. was very helpful to
many business men of the metropolis
who now mourn his loss.
"Opinions are but little things, u