Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-17
CONFESSIONS AND RETRACTIONs.
There Were Plenty of Them in the
Famous Beecher-TiltOn Case.

There Were Plenty of Them in the
Famous Beecher-Tilton Case.
From the New York World.
The woman who figured in the most
celebrated trial this country has known
was alleged to have confessed. to have
retracted by confession and to have con-
fessed again.
Theodore TiIton was a young stenog
rapher in Brooklyn in 1881. He took
down Henry Ward Beechers sermons in
Plymouth Church. Brooklyn, for publica-
ton. In 1861 Tilton succeeded Beecher as
editor-in-chief of the Independent, which
was owned by Henry c. Bowen. one Of the
founders of Plymouth Church. Mr..
Beeo her then called Tilton lone of his
boys" Tiltons domestic life was I'M
happy In 1870 Mrs. Tilton left her hus-
bands house and sought her mothers pro-
lection. Mr.. Beecher was consulted and
finally advised a separation. and the rup-
ture between Titon and Beecher was COM
plete. Then Tlton obtained possession of
his infant child during it's mothers alb
sence, and then the mother returned to
him.
Tilton became editor-in-chief of the
Brooklyn Union, of which Henry c. Bowen
was one of the proprietors. To Mr.. Bowen
came stories prejudicial of Tilton's moral
character, and he thought of dismissing
him. At interview between Tilton ard
charged Mr. Beecher with "dishonorable
conduct toward his wife" Bringing pen
and paper Mr.. Bowen invited Tilton to
write a letter demanding that Mr.. Beec her
resign from Plymouth Church and leave
the Christian Union. Tilton did Mr..
Bowen took the letter to Mr. Beecher, who
read it and said: This is sheer insanity;
ton ION was s'' dismissed IS. from his position
Tilton sought evidence against Mr..
Beecher from his wife and obtained a writ
ten confession from her. Testimony con-
fiicted afterward as 10 what that confess
sion precisely was II was destroyed two
years afterward. The progress of events
was not rapid Mrs. Tilton retracted in
Mr.. Beecher's presence every accusation
made against him Francis d. Moulton
appeared as the mutual friend of Tilton and
Beecher. Mr.. Beecher made tumultuous
expression of grief and shame, of which
Mr.. Moulton took down a statement. Mr..
Beecher and Tilton met ard a reconcilia-
ton was effected
In April, 1872. the "tripartite covenant"
between Beecher, Bowen and Tilton was
and good will for the future. But ugly
rumors began to be heard and. il was said.
Tilton aided in spreading them. In 1873
Mr. Reecher broke silence with card of
denial Tilton's name was stricken from
the rolls of Plymouth Church as the SIAN
derer of his pastor. After an ecclesiastical
council that did nothing Titon, 10 clear
himself published quotations from an al
legged confession by Mr.. Beecher.
In August, 1874, more than four years
after the wrong was charged to have been
committed, Tilton brought his suit The
charge ofsadultery first publicly pre-
ferred in July. 1874. and the trial began
in January, 1910 The most eminent law
yers were engaged on both Sides the court
room was crowded daily, the newspapers
printed almost verbatim accounts of the
proceedings. the deliberations of the jury
lasted eight days, and the tria! ended in
June in disagreement OF the jury.
al OLE bot
Tilton made another confession, which was
met by Mr.. Beecher with an explicit denial.