Posted by stew - Mon, Dec 1, 2008

Gazette & Courier - Monday, March 15, 1875
The Beecher trial

A Mrs. Turner was the first witness introduced Mon. and testified to Tilton's conduct in his family, etc. Anna Augusta Morse, frequently a guest in Tilton's family, testified to a change in Tilton's religious views, his conduct towards his wife, and irregular habits. To the introduction into his family of persons advocating free love doctrines and various other things not very creditable to Tilton.

/ On Tues. George W. Lincoln testified as follows: I lived in Palton, N.Y. in 1869. I was proprietor of the Beardsley House at Winsted, Ct. and remember Mr. Tilton coming there on a lecturing tour, and he asked me for two rooms adjoining one another, which were given him. I went to Mr. Tilton's room and rapped. I was turning away when the door opened, and I saw Mr. Tilton with his coat, hat and boots off. The young lady was lying on the bed, and appeared to be about 25 years old. When at the dinner table, the conduct of Mr. Tilton and the lady appeared to be very familiar.

/ The next witness was Albert F. Norton, who testified: I live in New Britain, Ct. I was a contractor in Winsted, Ct. and lived at the Beardsley House in Dec. 1869. In passing Mr. Tilton's room on the morning after the lecture, I saw a lady partly dressed in it. This lady attended the lecture with Mr. Tilton. I did not see any book in the room.

/ Samuel F. Belden testified: I asked Mr. Tilton what sort of women Woodhull and Claflin were, and he spoke well of them and did not say anything against them. I told Mr. Tilton that many people thought he was the real author of the charges, and he replied that people could see in the paper that she was the party who first told him. I asked him if Mr. Beecher ever had sexual intercourse with his wife. He replied with uplifted hand, "No, no, my wife is as pure as an angel from heaven"...

Subjects: Connecticut, Courts, Crime, Family, Food, Furniture, Hotels, Literature / Web Pages, Marriage and Elopement, Religion, Scandals, Sex Crimes, Suffrage, Women, Clothing