Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-12-11
FRANoIs ID. MOULTOR DEAD.
The Mutual Friend succumbs 10
Heart Disemne.

Heart Disease.
Francis D. Moulton died at his resi-
denoe, $50 Lexington avenue, New York,
st 5 O'Clock yesterday week Of pAral-
ysis Of the heart, aged 49 years and s
months. There were present at his
death his wife, franklin W. Moulton, his
son, W. a. Hazard, his partner, and DR..
+. A. Thomas. Six weeks sgo
Mr.. Moulton was taken sick with
Inflammation Of the stomsoh. At
fret he did not suffer much
inconvenience, and was able to leave the
house occasionally, and to ride ont. But
three weeks sgo he grew rapidly worse,
and steadily weakened until yesterday
morning, when the attack Of paralysis
OF the heart ended his sufferings.
During the day his physician gave up all
hope.
Mr.. Moulton leaves widow and one
son, Franklin W., q student in Columbia
Law School and q graduate Of Harvard
College. His only other child, Severn D.
Moulton, died in infancy.
Francis D. Mou ton was born In Nav
York In 1886, and wsa the second son Of
Severn D. Moulton, formerly a New York
merchant, who died several years ago
when nearly so years old. Mr.. Moulton
came OF hardy race OF men Of English
and New England descent. One
OF his ancestors raised regi-
meot and fought with honor at
Bunker Hill. he lived to pass
his 95sh birthday, and then walked two
miles to dine with son. He died after
eating q good dinner. His son lived to
be l04 years old, and his son died at the
age OF 95. Francis Moulton received his
early instruction from his mother. In
l849 he entered the college now known
where he graduated in 1864.
At college Moultop formed the 40.
IuaintRnoe with Theodore Tilton which
.ftsrward led to making him noted % the
"mutuSl friend" and "ohsmpion wit
ness" in the Besoher.T Tilton scandal trial.
H's connection with this business began
IN December 3Olh, 1870 when Tillon
oonAded his trouble to him and sought
his friendly aid. Iu his te1t'mouy
before the jury in the suit for $780, 900
damages for Grim. oon., Instituted
by Theodore Tilton against Henry
Ward Beeoher, he testified in sub
stance that on December goth, 1870, after
Theodore Tilton had Waited HIM and
made the revelations afterwErd made
public, he called on Henry Ward Bseober
aud brought him apd Tiltoa together,
promising to act between them as
mutual friend, and beaoeforth bsosme
the repository Of eorets aud documents.
The letters that accumulated In Mr.
Moulton's hands from Beecher were full
OF extravsgant praises Of his efforts
to title up the s'orm." He was called ga
priest, in the sanctuary !" he was told that
his kiudnesssss could never be repaid
even by love, (which (BeeoheT) give
you freely" Again he wrote to Moultop:
81 should have fallen by the way bnt for
the courage which you inspired and the
hope which You breatt ed" Mr.
Moulton managed this social oom-
plioation with such skill that the
scandal In its entirety was repressed
for more than four years. When it
broke forth, through Theodore Tiltou, Mr..
Moulton endsavored to maintain neu-
tality, and as he refused to return to Mr..
Beeoher the letters he held as the mutual
friend, lie was put upon the defensive by
aspersions upon his motives, and when at
length he broke silence, his utteranoes
were in oorroborstion Of Tilton's serious
charges.