The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-18

N E1 OND any anu all other events ol
IN it's kind during the past century,
the trial of Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher, for nearly 80 years pastor of
the Plymouth church, Brooklyn. n. Y,
for undue attention to Mrs. Theodore
1flton, as charged by her husband, ex-
cited the public mind from one end of
the land to the other, and this continued
with unabated intensity until the final
end of the case. nearly six months later.
Eager crowds daily attended the trial,
which turned out to be the longest and
most bitter judicial contest in the annals
of American Jurisprudence. The most
powerful legal talent of the bar of New
York and elsewhere composed the coun-
sci of the respective parties. over this
trial Judge Nelson presided.
Mrs. Tilton, seated with Mr.. Beecher's
friends was in almost daily attendance.
Distinguished people from all parts of
the country We're visitors to the court.
Flowers and applause were literally be-
slowed upon the plaintiff and the defend
ant by their respective supporters
OF the two great characters in this
legal and social battle, Henry Ward
Beecher and Theodore Tiiton, 1t is safe
| to say that each had attained shining
eminenoe almost unequaled in their re-
spective spheres. AS a preacher, author
and reformer Mr.. Beecher was known
all over the civilized world. For nearly
80 years he had ministered to the same
church, and that the largest Protestant
church on the continent.
| OF this church Mrs. Tilton had been a
devout member from her girlhood, as
| also had Mr.. Tilton for a period OF years
prior to 1870 the closest personal intimacy
existing between the three. Mr.. Tilton
was editor of 1.-The Independent" a pa
per of wide Influence. and as a scholar,
orator and journalist he occupied a place
in the very foremost rank.
On the 18th of January, 1875. and there
after for nearly six consecutive months,
the Brooklyn city court assembled day
after day to try this memorable action
at law by Mr. Tilton against Mr.. Beecher,
the damages being laid at one hundred
| thousand dollars.
| Mr.. Tilton based his charges mainly on
| a circumstantial confession made to him.
by Mrs. Tilton in July, 1870, accompanied
| by citations from Mr.. Beechers argu-
ments and reasonings with her to over
come her scruples against their rela-
| tions.
| On the evening of December 90 1870
| Mr.. Tilton conveyed to Mr.. Beecher
| through the hand of an old friend,
request for an interview at the house
of the latter. On this occasion Mr..
| Tilion drew Mr.. Beecher's attention to
written paper containing the substance
of the confession hitherto made by Mrs.
| Tilton.
Tbereupon Mr.. Beecher called on Mrs.
| Tilton and accused her of having made
a damaging confession, and she acknowl-
edged that she had, but said she could
not help it as her husband persuaded
her that if she confessed to an undue af-
fection for Mr.. Beecher, it would be easier
| for Tilton to confess his own alien loves.
and that this would be beginning of a new
| and better life.
| At the suggestion of Mr.. Beecher she
revoked this confession in writing 'I
was persuaded to it," she wrote, "wearied
with opportunity and weakened with sick
ness"
y c~@cr 20 still further implicate him
seecher dictated an apology