smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

THE STATE OFFICIALS 90 TO EVANSVILLE TO


FIND THE BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN THIS


STATE AND KENTUCKY.


His excellency, the governor, and the state
officers left for Evansville yesterday noon,
to look into the matter OF the state line
which bounds Kentucky and this state. It
will be remembered that the last legislature
passed law requiring asurvey and the loca-
of Green river. The Kentucky legislature
did the same thing, and those charged with
the duty OF fixing upon the line for this state
recently sent in their report, which showed
that the Kentucky surveyors had managed
to take In q number OF acres OF Indiana soil.
IL is generally held that the middle of the
river is the boundary line. Green River
Island, which Is at the mouth OF that river,
has for long time been the resort of out
laws, and as neither state was In authority
on the grounds the rsscals managed To go
scott free as q general thing. This last
survey gives the island TO Kentucky,
aud so IL will be seen the
matter Is somewhat complicated. The state
officials arrived In Evansville last night on
a special car and to-day they will take boat
10 the disputed ground, about eight miles
from Evansville, where they will meet the
kentucky officials and hold a council OF war
as IL were. The result will be watched for
with bated breath az the happiness OF the
two states depend largely upon the am,ca-
BILE settlement oi the difficulty.
Year: 1875

He slid into butcher store on Central
avenue the other evening, and took seat
on the far end of the counter. He was a
tall, placid man, with an old gnngham um-
brella under his arm, and when the butcher
asked him what he wanted, be said:


"Nothin' particular. Jest dropped in to
see how you was getting on"


The butcher looked at him, wondering
what business it was Of bis, anyhow, bu,
much attention to a man who had only
dropped ia to see how he was getting on
Finally the man broke silence again
s-Snug little place you've got here"


"Snug enough said lhe man of meat
Year: 1875

"How Is 1T" said woman to her bus
band "that you can't come home nights in
some kind of season?" "You got me in .he
way of it," was his gentle retort. Before
we were married you used to throw your
arms about my neck at three o'clock and
say, Don't 60, darling, it lie early yet but
now if happen to stay out till two it is q
terrible affair"
Year: 1875

But, before reading this article from The Ldepend
eat which led to Mr. Tons immediate retirement from
its editor, beg gentlemen, to read to you letter from
Theodore Tton his wife, written Jan. 0, 1865, upon
this same subject 1t written just about the
time he assumed control of that paper 1t written at time
when still under the influence and guiding force OF this
great mind which had led him from boyhood to his present
position. want 10 show you, just the eve OF his enamel
pang himself from that influence how he regarded the sane


y marriage relation and what views he held upon that
subject January 1865 in letter written TO his wife, he
says:


81 have lately been much than impressed with the
wonderful simplicity Of Gods plan for binding together
society namely, by creating in each breast


and dominating love for human being Were ii not
for the love Of mother child husband wife, society
civilization the peace and order Of the wordal would fall
asunder in day Whatever ends apart two lives which have
been bound into is cruelty 20 all mankind blow at the
unity Of civil society. begin TO before that the
center OF the world honorable man. is his family his
wfe's sitting room, chidren's paypaces his
home. i hope hereafter, II God should spare
my life TO be more careful how my face s made
a shadow upon my home. have been too often neg
gent your requests that should give time to
self and the children my heart feels ready 10
promise seek my old selfish secusons again. but TO
spend my home life in your sweetest OF all company"


Such Ttons views at the time that he cmancpaed
himself from the friendly influence which had long guided
and directed him
Year: 1875

So, gentlemen, if there is any person responsible


for the visits which Mr. Beeche has paid to the family Of
Theodore ton person Theodore Ttoh himself From
the beginning the end Of their acquaintance it was always


matter Of solicitation his part and urgency on his part that
Mr. Beecher should make bis visits at his house and to his
family more frequent than he did not only when Mr. Tlon
was present. when he absent also The breath OF
ncion neye, crossed the Theodore ton either
GARD TO the purity Of his wife to the integrity OF Henry Ward
BeecAer He the motive that led to those visits on the
mart OF Mr. Beeche and that the visits desired on the part


Of his wife knew that 1t her reverence for him


RELIGIOUS teacher, her pastor, her comfort and
consolation in the hour Of her deep aiction and
on account OF the change in his own religious
imens and social views he knew it, understood II all,
and the fact Mr. Beecher visited at his house


subject ocomment or thought upon his part and never excited
IN his breast anything but pleasure he himself tells you from
the witness stand and told the Committee in the examination
from which am reading As proof OF that gentlemen


only need refer fact given in evidence by Theodore
1ton as late 1862 when he tells you that he expended $500
for the porrat OF Henry Ward Beeche he might hang


in his paror as evidence all who within his walls of
the esteem and affection that he bore towards the one who
had been to him than friend elder brother Mr.
Beecher therefore, maintaining always this relation Of personal


friendship with Ton and his family, received in the early
days of December 1870 this message from Mrs Tilton 1t
shocked him, but he obeyed the summons


He went to the house OF her mother and her. From
her own lips he learned the Of her c OF which she
had told him something although she had concealed the most
OF her troubles and difficulties from him. lie found that
she had quit home and concurrng with her mother she
did no; intend that home Mr. Beecher as is his
tom cases preferred that his wife should see and
fer with Mrs Ton because she could learn from her many


things which modesty perhaps would restrain her from dis
closing lie asked permission 10 bring Mrs Beecher TO
visit Ton and Mrs Tton consenting Mr. Beecher turned
the case Of Elizabeth Ton separated from her home and
threatening leave her husband 10 his wife She went
there and heard the story her and her acon and
she back and reported to her husband Mrs Beecher
had hesitation In advising separation at once She de-
csred that would live with hour who had
heaped upon her onequacr the ndgntes that Theodore
Tton had heaped upon his wife for years But Mr. Beecher
hestaied the cautious pastor and the sincere friend


10 advice 50 radical measure the separation OF husband and
Year: 1875

m ,h,, marriage may rghtfuy he Dissolved ex
ccpt aarant deliberate adultery while husband and "''s


Thst WAS Mr. Greeey denuncaton Of FREQ love- and hat
was the free love execrated Now let Us eee what mr.
Ton reply to that now read the third paragraph OF Mr.
Tiltons reply which ia as follows;


"II Just inference from your letter that advocate
Free Love on tho contrary stiy oppose It, The atest
bulletin Of Mr. stephen Pearl Andrews casgaes me because
love OF one man for through fe and hope beyond
death But this Is only my, own view; 1 40 not Iulgc @
only constitutes marrage that marriage makes ue pD d @
the bond marriage; and that gs the contract 70 d %
solves, and the marriage ceases. lwould no ihore
permit the law Of the land to enchan me to aw9nan wom
did not love, who did not love me- than would permit the
law TO handcun me slave to master on pahatp
There higher laws than civil statutes and am rgUg nS
and wife Love shond be like eson-rce from mandate y
the civil law"


that correspond with Mr. Tons oath that he has given
you the witness stand that he thinks divorce should be
regulated by law Does he think religion in free country
should be regulated by lawi


Mr. Tilton-Yes.


Mr. Beach-Neyer mind don't interrupt


Mr. Tracy-Does he think that whether you are member OF


this church that church should be subject regulated by
law! he think you desire to withdraw your relations
with one church and Join another, that the law
should prohibit you from doing that does he think the law
should undertake TO regulate In free country mans ea


tons to the churcn and to regulate his religion? No. Dut
he places divorce the footing as religion anu nc
says that "love should be like religion, free from the
mandate OF civil law" And 1t is important gentlemen that
you discrepancy between this publication OF Mr. TIL
made in this correspondence with Mr. Greeley and his state
OF his views upon the witness stand because as
shall show you further in this opening gentlemen that II
you satisfied that Mr. Tton other witness VINO may
be in this has deliberately fashed upon any
material matter concerning evidence here his whole evidence
rejected in other words you cannot rely upon any part
OF the evidence OF witness who has deliberately faied MS
evidence upon any material point And therefore you are
convinced that the plaintiff in this feeling the pressure
his counsel OF the necessity Of placing different
view upon convictions touching marriage and divorce than
no had placed his publications. came in here to state
them as he does believe them that Of itself would justify
you scardng everything that he has testified to from the
witness stand indeed would be your duty to do so.
Year: 1875

We have now, gentlemen, traced the rise and
progress OF Theodore Ton from the time when boy he was


reporter upon the newspaper press to one OF the proudes
editorial chairs in the country station for which he was edu
Gated and fitted by this defendant and by him elevated to that


oftyposon Of power and influence But his star has cu
minated and henceorward will be painful duty to trace
the disastrous faR Of this man. whose early lie was 20 full OF
promise Previous to the publication Of the editorial in IAe
Iadepndn 50 Mr. Beecher knew and 80 far as the
world knew, no trouble had occurred between
Titon and his wife They were apparently Nv
ing in peect peace Mouton, the intimate friend OF the
family had nothing and suspected nothing Mrs Brad
shaw the friend OF both husband and wife, and VINO
passed much OF her time their house had discovered no I'M


happiness between them and may add did not until after
the Woodruff publication, known the Woodruff Scandal
But in the early days OF December and before Mr. Ton had
published his yaedctoy editor OF TIE hdpeadsn there
came to this defendant from Mrs Thon borne 70
him by the young girl Bessie Turner which message greatly
surprised the defendant lie informed that Mrs Ilon


had left her and her husband and desired to consult MN


on the subject separation The nature OF the wrongs OF
which she complained made known to him by the girl VINO
bore him the message who, with downcast eyes, informed
Mr. Beccher that Mr. TOn had twice attempted her virtue
the details OF which she then proceeded to give him.
Year: 1875

wife II was matter OF consultation between him and bis
wife: would determine It, gentlemen be calico
into his counsel George A. Bell one OF the most pomhe


his church. whom the plaintiff has put upon the wnesS
stand for advice upon subject and consultation was had
and after much reluctance Mr. Bcer concuucd In the opn
ion OF his wife and advised o separa0n.
Year: 1875

GENTLEMEN OF THE jury At the recess / was
reading you the remarkable correspondence that followed the
Interview between she husband and the wife Sunday evening"
January 16h the time Mr. Tnton to take his departure
Tor ectarng tour out West had read you letter
from hr Tton written the that night and had read
you two from his wife second letter from Mr.
Ton dated February 9th 1883 and you will see by this letter
gentlemen the high estimate in which he held his wife at this
time
Year: 1875

MY DEAR ANGEL dreamed Of you last night aud awoke
thinking Of this morning. How much want 10 see Won
How after youl How my soul besses you day by day


lean never describe how precious your love OF your
has appeared 10 him during these few weeks past Yonr sin
gensss your feryOr your purity your deyOtontey 1 my
mind and heart with reverence alteration and humility


regard INV last evening spent with you al home ~ The no,
memorable point my whole life You opened for me- that
night the Of Heaven which had long seemed shut


Ever since, have had nothing but glory thanksgiving and
praise II made a creature that man was
L. no more despOndencynO more relDlng more vain
gretsno loss Of selfrespecDo more groSeDg in
the dnst On the contrary again man among
aud Christian among Christians Now this transformation
yourself your rreprebe love DEVOTION 70 your
eeaseess prayers and TO yOar victorious faith


Your letters since have been from home this last time
have been dearest have ever penned They roya
u their tone Zach s WITH renewed pride aad oy Ia
Year: 1875

But now, gentlemen, invite your attention to the
change years had wrought the principles and char
Of Theodore Ton For five he had been editor Of
7He Iadep0detH OF the leading and most inluen-
tia of the religious journals OF the country lie
had denounced Mr.. Beccher politically in 1866
and had parted from him all public and social questions
Personally friendly he had by this attack himself OF from
that friendly guiding mind which had hitherto been his stay
and support His position rendered him servcabe the
advocates of doctrines To him it only necessary
upon him. For five years he had the
victim the aee For five years he had been the associate
and boon companion Of people of easy virtue who gd their


lives with plausible butcorupns theories How continuously
those who surrounded him burned incense to him and how
remorseessy they him. the history of those five years and
his disastrous fall the end bears sad and painful evidence
On the 1st of December 1870 the who in 1865
with such clearness tha, the marriage relation was
ordained OF God the of society had fallen that he
could publish the paper Of which he was The editor the
leading editorial the following After asking what love and
quoting from the poets, he says:


"To what breaks must inquire what makes the
marriage bond" Marriage without love sin against God
which, like other sins is to be repentcd Of ceased
the twain may been made one yet when love departs
marriage and divorce begins This is the essence
of Chrsts idea TO say that he granted divorce only
for a gross and 1eshly crime, is to forget that he
called the eye paramour and the heart wantons bed
IT, logical sequence and this too cannot be trucl the rress
be conclusion marriage broken and whether broken by
great against marriage as inhdclity OF the SOUL


This was his in December 1870 the responsible
editor Of that great newspaper TIE Ldpae or course It
flame Of indignation throughout this land from one
end OF it the other No Christian community would support


paper that advocated such doctrines and Mr. Bowen, who
can appreciate the standard Of yaue he cannot the standard
Of morals soon discovered that it was important for
him to be rid of this editor That this the cautious
utterance OF who at the time accepted the doctrine
OF social freedom broadly Victoria Woodruff herself
Year: 1875




You have heard the evidence, gentlemen of Mr..
Tton from the witness stand to the subject OF his views
upOn this question After the article which about 10 read
10 had been put evidence you how the learned coun
eel opposed break the force Of hatevdnce by intro
ducing Theodore Tton his redirect examination,
that he held the marriage relation in great sacredness thawh
him was only the question Of divorce and he opposed The
strict rule adopted and adhered to this State upon that sub
iect and desired beraze legislation and make 1t
pare with that OF New England the Western States And
YOU heard him testify the witness stand gentlemen in
answer TO the counsel and they felt il important make him
say have no doubt that he did not hold and held
the marriage relation above the law but it
which should be regulated by the law and the only fault he
found with the divorce laws Of this State that they
not sufficiently liberal and they ought to be beraized
but still it a matter to be regulated by
law That was material matter gentlemen Of evidence, and
propose TO convict Theodore Ton right here from his
writing Of having 1ed before you when he gave that ey
dence And propose show from his published writings
writings has repudated writings that he adheres
TO to this day. that when he said from the witness stand
he held as other men held that the laws of this State touching
divorce should liberal but still that divorce should be


matter regulated by law and not by the parties them
selves testified TO what is untrue. And ask gentlemen
your careful attention TO this correspondence which
among most celebrated correspondence that Mr. Theodore
Ton ever had in his life ask your careful attention TO his
uerances upon subject He answering Horace Greeeys
objections love and that you may clearly understand
the meaning Of his language shall read you Mr. Greeeys
position 80 that you may have before your mind clear
ception Of what Mr. Tion utterng Mr. Greeley says


81 You ask what mean by Free Love- Let illus
trate


Here husband and wife each fifty years old who have
lived wcdock quarter Of century and had six eight
children Of whom halt survive The pains and cares Of mater
nifty nearly out the wife while the husband 4 still
In the prime ~ manly yigor and strength He Aas filed
wider sphere and enjoyed better opportunities for mental cu
she has and feels himself her intellectual superior
Among his acquantances is youngc farer fesher
not richly lowered with worldly wealth. who admes and
admired by hwhO In fact willing II invited, TO be his
Affinity. and he is than willing that she shall II they
take up with each other take up IL quoted be
understood phrase with the free ioyes;l "their
arrangement whatever You please TO call H. Is just what


Free Love You know that such alliances
st feel that they abhod Of God and chief OF
human degradation family disruption and wretchcd
In short, hold the man who has 10 love and
cherish his ill death free love another while
that ser and slfyes ~ fuh ard MIN the duties OF
loyins VIE Hence InelselY lAts Erss Love ad hae
Year: 1875


At that same journey West the 10th Of February he writes
her aaiu referring this Western influence ana me-
having made Of fahfuness assures her ta inc spe
with him is broken He says: "Te picture Madonna had ar
rived in good condition. and was hanging the wall the
wall Of the residence Of this lady


at Is very neatly framed and looks pure and royal
pleased but old fragrance has gone out or the
rose The flower still comcy interesting and agreeable put
marvel at myself thinking 1t fragrant above al sne
rest OF the garden 1t gone foreve can never pe 10
bencefoh ANYTHING but plant This figure OF speech
is mystery which think you will understand intimate no
names"
Year: 1875

Now gentlemen, this letter written long before the
breath of suspicion had been breathed against this LADY, even
oy the malice OF her husband 1t written when his


tons with women destroyed his seepect and broken
him down. and he sought to paae it by the hahnes and
the Indifference and the jealousy which his conduct had in
spred in his wife To him and him she made her
forgiveness AS bounful make forgiveness to


an She accepted everything upon herself and see


refers hashnes here and her indifference perhaps
the cause temptations But to show you further and to
leave the subject of that interview and what
was discussed there read you the letter Of February
1853 has become somewhat famous in this
Year: 1875




What may bring TO my beloved this bright morning: Then
she Most truly do love and resolved nevermore 10
repfcsS the expression Of have ed under me iata msaEe
thai would make you selfish but on what mas cost me 10
learn that large generous love cannot IN It's very nature
minister best and holy sate The picture Of your
dear face with glowing with love- but
sways bearing look Of that mss suffered Can who
am the thereof again be ndferenu Nay the little
life which romanet c0nsecraed to restore possible the
that would not enthusiastically make 10 this end. III God will
only consider worthy work win him have been think
ing my darling that knowing as you do your immense power
over audience them at your WILL that same power
you have with all public over any woman whom you may
love To love paseworhy but to abuse your gift OF mhu
ence is a sin.


This letter gentlemen which was so marveousy gsbled
by plaintiff in the early part OF this controversy before the
church which he rbed to put upon the wife impua
ton that she herself tempted and likely to fall and
resisting her temptation lie made it read as You
member speaking Of herself: "To love is praseworhy but
to abuse the gift is sin Here strong No temptation
could induce &C. But when you get at this letter and
read whole of it, you that She speaking OF him. and
the abuse his influence and she is demonstrating
with him against abuse "To love praiseworhy but
abuse your gift of influence sin Therefore would fain
help restore 20 Won that which broke RESPECT
Your manhood and its purity and dignity il you feel
T. il stronger than even love itself. / know this
because here am strong No demonstrations fascina-
tons could cause me to yield my womanhOod." :"
He had represented to her and believe that child
ing him. her Jealousy her hsrshness had compelled him to be
hypocte her. and her his relations and his
affections with other women He told that that course of
life which her conduct in this respect had enforced upon him.
lsd broken down his screpec and that she audes in
this passage She will aid him restore that sefrespcc
which she had helped him to break down.


Mr Evas-Mr Tracy the hour Of adjournment has arrived
The Court took until y. N.