The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 31, 1895, Page 8

i Ll SSRIENS _shew his entire innocence. g HE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1895 MRS, DAVIDSON HAD A BAD EASTERN RECORD, Was in the House of Correc- tion at Lynn, Mas- sachusetts. SHE DOES NOT DENY IT. Miss Overman Is Not Admired by Her Former Tacoma | Associates. BROWN STRONGLY INDORSED. The Accused Woman, in a Statement | . Written Ten Days Ago, Scores | the Pastor. The last twenty-four hours have brought | many startling changes i the Brown- Duvidson blackmail suit. The former | seems in a fair way to substantiate his charge of extortion, while the latter is overwhelmed with a record of past sinful- ness, which, if true, must certainly | morali rst Congrega- weaken her charges of gro: against the pastor of the F tional Church. s., comes the statement served twelve months | in the woman’s prison of that State for | selling property which was not her own. In addition to this it is said that she had some trouble with a minister at Lynn, and was guilty of many acts with her professions of Chri: To all of this Mrs. reply. not consistent ianity. Davidson makes no She positively refuses at this time astern record, saying that » Gue time everything will come out straight. I trust implicitly-in God,” she '\md ye: terday, “and while Dr. Brown, with h Svengali eve and powerful influence, may | succeed in sending me to State’s prison, that will not by any means make me guilty | of wrong-doing. “My attorney hasa statement in which I have reviewed the case at length. Just| whether I will be able to prove all these charges at tte present time is another matter, but I do know that God’s justice | will be done in the end.” | The mysterious Mrs. Baddin 1s still emong the missing. otain Lees has searched for some trace of her existence, but up to this time has not been able to locate her. The impression prevails that Mrs. Baddin, so far as the present case 1s concerned, exists in fancy only Dr. Brown’s 1ormer congregation at Ta- coma speak well of him, though they are not kindly disposed toward Miss Over- man. It appears that she has been mar- ried, but secured a divorce prior to coming to San Fraucisco. Dr. Brown is in receipt of letters and telegrams from friends and acquaintances in different parts of the country express- ing confidence and sympathy. He says he is perfectly confident that the trial will Till then he does not care to talk much, but he stated last night that Mrs. Davidson has evidently been nouris “her black- mailing scheme” from the moment she bi came aware thata young lady resided in his house. “She was evidently seeking for some one to blackmail, and sbe saw a possibility of working up a tale as soon as she learned Miss Overman resiaed with us. Mrs. Brown distrusted the woman from the moment she met her, and if I had trusted to my wife's instinets we should never have had anything to do with Mrs. Davidson. She showed a great anxiety to cultivate our acquaintance, came to the house on more than one occa- sion, no doubt in the pursuit of her scheme. All the time she corresponded with Miss Overman it must have been with an eye to blackmailing.” Dr. Brown emphatically denies having paid Mrs. Tunnell’s fare north, and both he and Mrs. Brown stated yesterday that when he himself traveled north with Mij Overman it was at Mrs. Brown’s sugges- tion, and the fa came to see them off. Mrs. F. A. Gardner, 1613 Howard street, stated yesterday that she had known Mrs. Davidson for a year, but her acquaint- anceship was only of a business nature. “Mrs. Davidson appeared to me to bea | Jady of the highest respectability,” said Mrs. Gardener. *‘I did not know her intimately, but from what 1 saw of her I formed an excellent opinion of her character. She seemed to be one of those womanly, motherly good souis which does one good to meet, and also a thor- ough Christian. I do not know anything of Dr. Brown nor of Miss Overman, but the risking of that $500 looks strange, doesn’t it? I am constrained to think that Mrs. Davidson is not altogether as black as she is being painted.” William Marshall, who introduced Mrs. | Davidson to Mrs. Tunnel, was seen yester- | day at Smith’s Cash Store on Davis street, where he is employed. When asked re- garding the matter he affected an air of mystery deeper than ever plum- met sounded. After assuring himself that the world would never know his answer he assured the reporter that he knew nothing about any of the parties, at | least nothing of importance, and straight- way became silent. Miss Overman and Mrs. Tunnell are still at Dr. Brown’s house, but are not allowed to receive visitors. Dr. Brown says thatat the proper time they will tell what they know of the charges made by Mrs. David- | son. Zitec gt MRS, DAVIDSON IN COURT. After a Bit of SDarrlnz the Prelimi- nary Hearing Goes Over Until Thursday. The immense crowd that gathered in | Judge Campbell’s court yesterday morn- ing showed the intense intefest taken by the public in the alleged blackmailing Zéneme against Rev. Dr. Brown. Several ladies were present. They kept their eyes fixed upon the venerable and dignified- loolml defendant. rown was accompanied by Rev. Mr. Flnvuth. pastor of the Fourth Congrega- tional Church. They occupied seats with- in the inclosure usnally reserved for the press, and Mary A. Davidson, the defend- ant, was seated in the prisoners’ dock. Reuben H. Lloyd appeared as special prosecutor for Dr. Brown, and attorney ‘Walter Gallagher represented the de fendant. ‘When the case was called Attorney Gal- lagher took every one by surprise by mov- ing for a change of venue. “Upon what ground?’ asked Judge Campbeil. after he had recovered from his astonishment. Judge, | severely. “yVe propose to call your Honor as a witness for the defense,” replied the at- torney. “I know nothinz of this case,” said the “and I can’t see why you should call me as a witness.” “We are informed that vour Honor is antagonistic to Dr. Browr and denounced him from his own pulpit. We therefore think you wouid be a competent witness against him.” “That's all nonsense,” said the Judge, “I was in Dr. Brown’s church and heard him make certain reference to me, based upon the report of a vicious Grand Jury. I sent him a note asking the privilege of making an explanation, and he very kindly consented to doso. That was 2all there was about it. I have no feeling 1n the matter one way or the otier, and I refuse to grant achange of venue.”’ Judge Campbell then asked if they were ready to proceed. ““We are ready to proceed,” replied Mr. Lloyd. Attorney Gallagher asked for a continu- ance until aiter New Year, which was not opposed by the prosecution, and the Judge set the vpreliminary examination for Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Attorney Gallagher then moved for a re- duction in the bail from $3000 to $2000. “I will assure your Honor and Mr. Lloyd,” said Mr. Gallagher, “that the defendant will be here when required. We are as anxious as any one that this matter shall be promptly investigated.” “I will agree to a reduction in the bail to any reasonable amount,” said Mr. Lloyd, “so long as it will insure the defendant’s attendance in court. Mrs. Davidson asked permission to speak. | | Dr. “I can only say,” she said earnestly, “that I sbiall be only too ready to come here and give my evidence. All the gold in. the | world could not keep me from telling the truth and I shall tell truthfully all Iknow. Iam only too anxious that this most un- holy cause shall be tried before a just and upright judee.” The bail was reduced to $2000 and the defendant was removed to the City Prison till her bonds could be furnished. ey PRISONER’'S STATEMENT. | Mrs. Davidson Brings Many Serlous Charges Against Dr. Brown. Attorney Gallagher, representing Mrs. Davidson, gave out the following state- ment last night, which he claims was writ- ten two days before Chrisimas: SaN Fraxcisco, Dec. 22, 1895. To them that love God and labor for the estad- lishment of truth, righteousness and peace, especially 1n the First Congregational Church, San Francisco, Ca ETING: The pastor of the above-named church, Dr. C. 0. Brown, did, in the latter part of December, 1894, make a confession to the writer of this article- A. Davidson, 139 Post street, room 20—that he loved her friena, & love far exceeding love for his wife or any other women he ever knew — vi. Miss Meattie Overman of Tacoma, Wash. (now in this City). From time to time to May, 1895, the said C. O. Brown came to the writer to ask her prayers and counsel in the “unlawful love,” as he ex- |* pressed it, which he said was killing him. The writer advised him (C. O. Brown) to put 1t all away, as & temptation of Satan. His con- fession so troubled me that I asked advice (without calling the names of the parties) of my friend, Mrs. B. Bango, milliner, Commer- cial Hotel, Stockton. 1 think she shared the story with Mrs. Bruich of the same house, who is my friend. We con- cluded it was wrong and would lead to tronble. In the meantime & friendly correspondence wes maintained with the writer and Miss Over- man for the sake of a development of Christian character, with particular reference to her re- turn to this Cityand meeting the Rev. C. O. Brown with Christian fortitude. She arrived here in August, T believe, but quite unexpecied to me at the time, with trunk end satchel and with hittle money. She spent much time with her friend, Mrs. Tun- nell, who lived near the power-house on Tenth street. She also met there William Marshall, cas ier of Smith’s Cash Store. About this time . 0. Brown called and gave Mrs. Tunnell $10, o paid to Miss Miss Overman and Dr. Brown both told me s0, but each time separately. It was subse- quently paid In small sums, as she needed it. About this time the trouble in the First Church increased. The writer met Mrs. Mason on Kearny street one day, and in confidence told her that I possessed a secret in Dr. Brown’s life that might ruin him were it fully known. Itold her I did not know it all, but feared the consequences to the church, but,at any rate, if known to the church simply as I know it now, her son, J. F. Mason, could not be in- jured by Dr. Brown’s influence. Mrs. Mason’s counsel to me then was to ask God’s help and | bide his time, for she knew it would surely come, and Dr. Brown would be humbled to the very dust. I most fully sympathized with Mrs. Mason and herson and the hest good of the church and all its membership. To return to Miss Overman. She was absent for a few days, probably with Mrs. Tunnell. When she returned she told ma of her going to see Mr. Simpson of the Ciironicie to get him to buy her story, which embraced certain wrongs she had suffered which would reflect most un- favorably on a distinguished man of this City. She said she told him he could have it for not less than $1000 or probably more. She then went away from me, and on her return she told me she had concluded to go to the man himself and demand the en- tire sum, which she soon did. But the *‘dis- tingnished man” had not the money to give, but le had agreed to give her the sum of §$35 a month for eight or nine months, or till she had completed her course in stenograpny at Heald’s College. This pleased her. To my great -surprise the Rev. C. 0. Brown called aud left the sum of saying he desired to assist Miss Overman, but when asked if he still cherished the ola unlawful love for Miss O. replied, ‘I do not; butI wish to aid her as a father, and lest there should be an appearance of evil will pay you the money each month; but I shall not see her at your honse, but desjre her to come with you to church and Sunday-school.” ‘When asked how about the wrongs and the Iarge sums she demanded for them, he replied, “Some time I will explain it ail to you.” He came again the next month in the evening, and staid with Miss Overman and myself for about two hours. He was greatly agi- tated and appeared strangely, so that I left the room in the hope of his exit. On my return he handed Miss 0. $35, and said he was so depressed that life seemed a burden. His eyes flashed and his lips were pailid, and 1 fairly trembled before him, for he seemed more a demon than & man. | I now conclude it was all puton to meke me fear him personally. Of course I talked it over with Miss O.as soon as he left. She said, “1 know him so well it is no surprise to me, al- though it was to you.” He truly frightened me o that sleep forsook me that night. I saw there was a great cause behind it, which awoke a train of strange thoughts of C. 0. Brown and Mattie Overman. Now Miss O. was my Sunday-school scholar, and went to church with me every Sabbath. As her teacher, I saw I had a great work to do for her and perhaps for Dr. Brown; so I weighed everything carefully in regard to both. We studied the Bible togetker daily and she seemed prayful, still I did not feel sure of her conversion to Christ Jesus, especially in re- gard to her feelings to Mrs. Brown and her friend Miss Havens. She, however, presented herself to the church committee, was accepted and proposed for admission tothe church at the last communion. Dr. B. continued to pay the $35 monthly, and on his return from Syracuse he made me a brief call and handed me the movney in the hall. At this time Dr. B. sppeared exceed- Overmen as she needed it. | ingly well and cheerful, still I feit strangely toward him. Now to return to Miss O., es- pecially relating to church matters. I felt it of the highest importance to examine or probe her, because of a new development, in a woman who came to my door inquiring for her, also Dr. B. It was after dark one evening, and she said she might call agsin some time. That night we slept together, and I openea the subject by asking MissO. to tell me why she leit Dr. Brown’s house so suddenly last year. Righthere I will explain things as to my scquaintance with Miss O. I first met her at Allen’s meetings on Mission street. Was introduced to her by Wil- liam Marshall, now of Smith’s Cash store, who 8lso introduced me to Mrs. Tunnell, who was with her. She said she was Dr. Brown’s assist- antand lived at his house and had been there for several months A little time after this Miss O. called on me ‘n com- pany with Mrs. C. O. Brown. I became much interested in Miss O. as & believer in the second coming of the Lord, and we fre- quently met at Allen’s mectings and most | always in the presence of Mrs. Tunnell. About thie time, in October, 1894, Dr. Brown called and told me he was formerly a sub-teacher in my cousin’s college—the State College vf Mich- igan—President Theophilus Abbott. He ex- pressed great admiration for him ang al:o gratitude to my cousin for his kindness to him while a teacher there. He invited me to come to his church and solicited me to take & class in Sunday-school. Dr. Brown, when speaking of Miss Overman at the beginning of our acquaintance, said most complimentary things of her. He said she was the best-edu- ceted iady he knew and & woman of great purity of character and very lovely of dispo- sition. In facta jewel of awoman. He highly praised her, and said he was greatly pleased with our friendship together. The latter points Dr. Brown was apt to speak of as related to me. Mrs. Allen jof Harrison street 1 remember told of his saying similar things to her of Miss 0. Now, I will turn to the night in question when I probed Miss O. to know why she left so suddenly last November and to get the solution of her call on the Chronicle, and the meaning of Dr. Brown’s promised “story”’—and the late woman’s visit. The two latter points appeared to be unknown quantities with Miss O. She soon became very confidential; told me that B. was like many Californians as to loose morals. She said that he had a hypnotic power over her and the doctor had told her she had a strange one over him. She said it was probably the power of love in both of them, as they were meant by nature to be one. Then the truth flashed the cause at once into my stupid brain. I at once asked her if their natures had sat- isfied this claim. She answered yes. 1 inquired where and when. She said some time in November, 1894, at a house on Sixth street. At this time, she said, concep- tion took place. I said. “Did you think Dr. B. was a vile man before all this?” She said, “I donot like you to call him vile, for I love him so, and will always live near him, if I go to the ends of the earth.’ I then asked her about her sufferings. She replied: “Dr. Brown gave me some ergot to prevent exposure and I took it and have not been well since. Taking all things together I left suddenly on this account and was sick on my way home to Tacoma. The doctor went with me to give lectures at Tacoma and Seattle. When I heard this I said: “In view of all things I think you had better pot join the church at present.” She replied: *I have prayed over this and feel that God has forgiven me.” “But,” I added, “you say you still love Dr. Brown and you mean to follow him to the end of the earth, and you do not love his wife nor his friend Miss Havens.” She then said: “I cannot join the church, except you join it with me.” So the reason was given to the church—*‘She ‘was waiting for a friend to join with her.” This was before the last communion. This ended our talk for that night. A night or two after that a strange woman came there. See said she wished to see me on important business. I could not see her. 1 had callers and she would not come in. This was five weeks ago to-day—December 22,1895. After this I had a strange desire tosee Dr. Brown. While on my knees the next day pleading to God what to do with these terrible secrets the voice of God spoke, it seemed to me, saying, “Rise and go to se¢ Dr. Brown."” 1 went, as it was about his public office hour. Deacon Morse was there. After he lett Itold Dr. B. about the message from God. He ex- claimed: “Pray! Pray for me! Pray for me!” 1said: “I do, but things are so strange. Ido feel that something is coming.” He said: “1do, too.” He got up and looked around and opened the doors. But I had not said anything else, But Dr. Brown’s face wes terrible in its ex- pression, and not in harmony with his words. Then hesaid: “I am so glad you came—so glad.” Deacon Kerr then came in, and Dr. Brown’s face was changed from that of a demon toan angel of light by contrast. I took Deacon Kerr’s hand and looked into his angel face, and it seemed like heaven. But the contrasted changes in Dr. Brown’s face startled me, and I went home. Just after that the woman came again. I went out and talked with herinthestreet. She said, “I know Dr. Brown and the woman stay- ing with you.” They came to the house where she stopped with another woman, who run the house. As Wednesday was prayer-meeting my Sun- day-school class came on Tuesday night. I asked Dr. B. to come on Thursday night. Miss O. was absent, she said to Mrs. Tunnell’s. That night (Thursday) Dr. Brown came, and I began business at once and said: “Miss Over- man is away, and your visit here is wholly on her account with yoursel Then I said: “A mysterious woman has been here and related a story; and I can tell you another from Miss Overman.” He was struck, and a deadly pallor spread cver his tace, and he said, “I will tell you ail.” He looked cautiously around to see if no one was behind the curtain of the room, and peered around generally, and then sat down and told of his going to & house with Miss O.in the Mission. He talked rapidly, with filled eyes, and told far more than Miss Overman as to his intercourse with her. And his story cov- ered all that Miss O. bas said, and much more besides. He said that he was controlled by her and she had him in her power whenever they met. He conveyed the idea of the sin as more hers than his because of her power over him. 1 spoke of the enormity of the crime of —, its consequences, and then of infant murder or ——; all crimes in the sight of God or man. “Oh, my wife takes ergot,” said Dr. B. “I bought it for Mattie. She took it when there was no life of consequence and I do not think it could be reckoned as a crime.” 1 said, “But it made her sick, you know.” He said, “Oh, I'm not such a bad man. I love Mattie and will do well by her, and mean to always. But I don’t wish to have her around me any more. In fact she must not come to my office as she did last week. Mr. Pike will tell things, as he may see her there.” “Well,” I said, “how about the woman nnd her threat?” “Oh,” he replied, “you may never see her again; but, at any rate, keep her away from me. She must not come to my office. You can handle her with your grand presence.” “But, really,”” he eaid, “Ido not think it is anything.’ Yet her fearful threat had wrung the story of his guilt from him, and he told it to me as humbly as a child would confess a petty wrong to his mother, erying, but without apparent sense of the deep depravity it in- volved. He then left me. It was very late—perhaps 11:30. But, oh, how surprised and troubled I was. 3 1 passed a sleepless night. On Saturday f went to see Dr. B. in the after- noon &t 2 o'clock. Oh, how he cried, and told me all the story of his penitence. He said: “God will keep me now. I putmyself wholly in his hanas. Henceforth I live for him. I will continue to pay Miss Overman the $35, for I have wronged her. But keep, oh, keep this secret for me.” Then, as to my question, “Do you propose to see Miss Overman?” he said: “No, no, only as & casual friend. I will pay the money to you and you pay her, for I will never visit her now or see her alone. Keep her from coming here.” 1asked him, iil you receive her into the church?” He replied: “I know she is as penitent as I am. I believe our sins are all forgiven and she and I ere to begin a new life of service to the Master— henceforth to be wholly the Lord’s. He said, “My Godly father’s prayers are an- swered now,” as he had concluded to be wholly the Lord’s. Then he implored me to pray for him, 1did then and there. Saturday night he came and weavent out on- the street and walked and talked. He im plored me to corhe to church on Sunday and | pray for him as I never had before for God to bless the service on that day. This was the Sunday before he went to Sacramento. The morning sermon made a deep impres- sion on my mind, as well as on many others who spoke to me. Just after Sunday-school he came and took my hand and said: “I felt your prayers while preaching.” I said, *I arose before dawn and prayed for God to preach in you.” He said, “He did. I think he did.” And I forgave him because of his own words. Then I went to Deacon Bernard in company with Miss Overman and told him of a change in Dr.B. Also Deacon Dexter and Captain Cook, telling them the story of his reconsecra- tion, and said, “If he stays or goes, and he may do the latter, heis a changed man.” Ialso told Mr. Johnson in the City of Paris, where he works. Also Mr. Harrison and Mr. Skillicom, superintcndent of Mount Carmel Sunday-school on Harrison street. After meet- ing Sunday night Mrs. Barnard, wife of Dea- con Barnard, said to me, “I do see a change in Dr. Brown.” On Thursday night, December 18, Dr. Brown sent for me to come to his office at 7:30 with Miss Overman. We were meking a visit to Mrs. Aber and Miss Overman brought the message, but had kept it from me till aftertea. In the eveningI went with her, not knowing what it meant. We found Dr. Brown there in a state o1 great anger. He said I had deceived him. He then related how he met Miss Overman that after- noon. Then Miss Overman sprang up like an en- raged lioness end said Iwas enything but a Christian—a deceiver. She said Dr. Brown had told her all the story of how I had got their hearts’ secrets, and I replied: “Dr. B. made me promise never. to tell you anything.” Dr. B. then denied it all and such a scene fol- lowed that I looked for death at their hands. 1 saw before me the blackness of hell itself. They seemed both bereft of reason in their mad looks. We leit at 10:45; but I had said nothing, but viewed them in astonishment. Isaw plainly they were doomed, as all confidence in Dr. B. forsook me and I was glad to escape alive from his office. Inow would not hear him preach nor believe him under oath. Miss O.returned with me, packed her trunk that night and left about 12 o’clock, or nearly so. Sunday night the after- meeting was the best of the day. Dr. B. took my hand at {ts close and said- *It is God’s work in me.” Miss O.seemed deeply moved,and I went home—so happy that tbe great change had come to them both. And so Ireturned direct thanks to Ged, believing that all was well with both, and God wouid work in them his will as in Heaven. Saturday night he called o~ 1e. We took & walk together and he said, “I icar you will not go to church to-morrow.” I told him, after see- ing him so oppressed, subdued and penitent, T would, for I believed him penitent and should listen to him as I never did before. Mrs. Baddin came after I returned home and 1 paid her the money. monthly dues and pay her when she returned, which might bte several months. She said she was not short of money and noth- ing could tempt her now to expose Dr. Brown or the woman. She went away—I did not care where and did not ask her. I felt heartily sick of the whole matter. Next day I went to church and Dr. B. seemed achanged man. I still felt thatGod would punish him for his great crime some time. But he said, *“I have suffered so much Ifeel forgiven of God.” Friday morning sho came and wanted me to tell her what I intended to do with their se- crets—if I intended to carry them to the church. Isaid: “You and the doctor have told me you had no confidence in me, 5o, of course, I should say nothing to you.” She menaced me and attempted violence on my person after locking my door and bracing | herself against it to prevent my going out. I commanded her to leave. “I must go out,” I said. All the time she kept saying, “What will you do about it?” She obeyed me at last and then followed me on the street. Isaid: “I have politely listened to all both of you have said to me, but never replied, because you both contradicted me at the start last night.” She turned and left me. On Saturday, December 20, Dr. B. called. Mrs. Dewing, 1005 California street, was pres- ent. He waited for her to leave and then shook his fist in my fece and said: “You are a liar. I will have you arrested!” Sunday, December 22, I went to my Sun- day-school ciass, but did not go to hear him preach. Neither will I, being greatly fatigued with fasting and prayer on Sunday, with no sleep on Saturday night. 1 went Sunday noon from Sunday-school to the house of a friend | where I am resting myself and prepare this account. There are points in this statement that can be worked up. I believe the inclosed card is that of the woman who keeps the house where they stopped last November 24, 1894. My informant, the woman, must have been there for some purpose. She did not say she was the housekeeper, but said she stopped there. At any rate, Dr. Brown told me to settle with her and said she must not come to his office or apartments. I am sure if Dr. Brown wished me to go with him to such a houseorany strange house, I could not and would notbe | seen going to such places with him after hear- ing his own story. But this he did not ask me to do as he wished to avoid her. I did not ask the womau’s address, forI should ot visit her, and she assured me that she was not in the former place on Sixth | street, but was stopping elsewhere and getting ready to leave the City. The enclosed card has the address she gave of the place where they stopped. This is all I know of the matter. Address, Mrs. Julia Gillie, corner Sixth and Bryant streets. MRS, ABBOTT DAVIDSON. Mrs. Davidson:was particularly interested in “page 5” of her manuscript. This was lost among other fragments. A portion of 1t which was found read as follows: 1 said, *“Do you keep house now?” She said: “No; I am not a housekeeper now. I have since got married, and my name is Bad- den.” Then she spoke of the evils of this City, which lodging-house keepers know more of tnan most people, and we find much that is wrong in men and women. They call for a room and pay the price. No questions are asked. But some- times they pay dearly, as in this case. Dr. Brown is pretty high up and very proud of himself, so I can handle him, I think. 1 said, ‘‘What do you mean by that?” She replied, “About 10,000 or more. If not, exposure sure and certain, and you may tell him for me, as you know him and vbe woman wes with you.” I said, “Will you wait till to-morrow night ?” But then, remembering that it was Wednes- day, prayer-meeting night, said: “Well, call on Thursday night.” Thursday morning I asked Dr. B. to come to the house to see me, as Miss Overman would be absent. Just after dark the woman came again, but I had callers. I could not talk with her. A separate manuscript was labeled, “Very important.” Beneath this was, “Inclosed notes all I know about Mrs. Tunrell.”” Iu her paper Mrs. Davidson nyu that in Janury or February of “1896” Dr. Brown called on her, much agitated, and told her of sending Mrs. Tunnell up to Tacoma to attend Miss Overmaa. On her return Mrs. Tunnell called on Mrs. Davidson, and told her that Mattie (Miss Overman) had been very sick. According to Mrs. Davidson Mrs. Tunnelil said also: **She (Miss Overman) did not hear from Dr. B. now, which drove Miss 0. almost to desperation at times, as she looked up to him as a father. Some time I think she will return to see the doctor in person.” Mrs. Davidson then wandered from Mrs, Tunnell and told about an alleged at- tempt of Dr. Brown to get rooms for Miss Overiwan over Liebes’ furstore and Lis in- She said I could collect | | timation that he would want a duplicate key. Her answer she gives as follows; “I said, 'No, it would compromise our moral characters and ruin your reputation in the end.’” Mrs. Davidson explained that she biamed the “tempter’ for these evil desires, which she says Dr. Brown confided to her. She declared she thought Mrs. Tunnell aqually guilty with the other two. “I never talked with Mrs. Tunnell only on general matters,” she added. *‘Iseldom see this woman. I never took to her. “Dr. Brown,” the account continued, *‘said that once Mrs. Tunnell saved Miss Overman from suicide. Miss Overran had been subject to depression at times since then and Mrs. Tunnell always relieved her and brought her out all right. This latter account furnished a still more plausible excuse for sending Mrs. Tunnell to Tacoma.” e, MRS. TUNNEL'S PREDICTION She Stated That Mrs. Davidson Would Get Herself Into Trouble Soon. 4 Mrs. Tunnel, who is expected to tell so much regardine Dr. Brown, Mrs. David- son and Miss Overman, is the secretary of the World’s Christian Co-operative So- ciety, and rooms in the house of C. H. Dray at 1041 Mission street. She is at present with Miss Overman at Dr. Brown’s residence, and her forthcoming story is behind closed doors that open, if at all, very reluctantly. It is safe to say that the story will not go any distance toward sub- stantiating Mrs. Davidson’s statements. C. H. Dray of 1041 Mission street is the treasurer of the Christian Co-operative So- ciety. G. W. Wilderman, the president of the society, also lives there. In an inter- view last night he gave Mrs. Tunnel’s estimation of Mrs. Davidson’s Christian character. “Mrs. Tunnel, our secretary, is a bright business woman,a fine bookkeeper and an cxemplary Cbristian woman. I be- lieve her to be conscientious and truthful and 1 know from her conversation with me that her estimation of Mrs. Davidson is not a high one. In other words she came to the conclusion that that woman was a hypocrit. She talked about other women in a scandalous manner, especially about Miss Overman. Mrs. Tunnell never mentioned to me what Mrs. Davidson accused Miss Overman of and I never learned. as she was not given to details and I never questioned her. I believe now that Mrs. Davidson was then preparing her plan of demanding hush money from Dr. Brown, and probably did mention or hint of it to Mrs. Tunnel, be- cause once the latter said in my hearing that Mrs. Davidson would surely get her- self in trouble soon. Fhe went to see Mrs. Davidson to expostulate with her regard- ing her imprudent actions. Mrs. Tunnel would not believe anything wrong of Dr. Brown and Miss Overman, I am sure. “I see that an evening paper hasour | society out of existence, and that Wilder- | man’s deed of land to the World's Chris- tian Co-operative Union is a m 1 have here the abstract of my deed of eleven and three-tenths square leagues of land in Lower California, amounting to | 50,216 acres of land, and I have deeded 13,332 acres to the society. All of the con- tentious element has left us and weare running our business smoothly.” e KNOWN IN SACRAMENTO. Mrs. Curtis of That City Says Mrs. Davldson Is an Ex-Convict. Captain Lees Talks.. The telegram from Lynn, Mass., which | appears elsewhere stating in effect that | Mrs. Davidson had served a one year's | term in the Woman's Prison at Sherburn, Mass., is substantiated by Mrs. Curtis of Sacramento. Captain Lees gave out the following last night as a copy of the letter | received by Dr. Brown vesterday: SACRAMENTO, Cal., Dec. 29, 1895. | Dr. C. 0. Brown—DEAR SIR: Mrs. Hoyt wished | me to write you what I know of Mrs. Mary Davidson. We were neighbors in Burksport, Me. She was then Mrs. Pierce, a widow. Twenty-six years ago I was married and left that place, but letters from Burksport in- | formed me Mrs. Pierce had married Mr. David- son and moved to Malden, Mass., where she had opened a music-store. Parties from Bos- ton had her arrested for obtaining money under false pretenses. She escaped and eluded | her pursuers for nearly cne year, was then | found in a city of New Jersey living under an assumed name and posing as an evangelist. | she was again arrested and after a fair trial was sent to State's prison. Possibly Mrs. E. D. Silsby can give you more definite information. Rev. Dr. Pond can give | you Mrs. Silsby’s address. Mgs. M. J. CURTIS. “While the department has received nothing confirming the dispatches from Boston, as published in the afternoon pa- | pers, Iam confident that they are true,” ‘smd Captain Lees. “I have telegraphed l to the Eastern authorities for her record, | and I rather think it will be a surprise to the parties who are most loudly protesting her innocence. “] am not quite sure but what Mrs. Da- ¥idson is also known to the police of Chi- | cago, though I have nothing definite on that point as vet.” Mrs. Silsby, the lady referred to in the Curtis letter, lives in Qakland and could not be seen last night. Itis understood, | however, that she is familiar with Mrs. Davidson’s career in the Eastand could tell an interesting story. S THINK' IT IS BLACKMAIL. Dr. Brown’s Former Tacoma Con- gregation Indorse Him—Miss Overman’s Record. TACOMA,WasH.,Dec.30.—W.C.Wheeler, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and several prominent citizens, besides a larze number of Dr. Brown’s congregation here, speak very highly of him and say he ¢ | is the victim of blackmail. He had charge of the Congregational church here for over two years and was very popular, his Sun- | day evening services drawing crowds. Miss Overman is not thought highly of here. She had trouble here and in Seattle, when her husband blacked her eyesina fracas. This was some time before her going to San Francisco. The sentiment here is strong that Dr. Brown is a victim of blackmail. el INDORSE DR. BROWN. The Accused Pastor Explains the Position to His Congre- gational Brethren. Just as the meeting of Congregational preachers, known as the Congregational Monday Club, had carried the motion for adjournment yesterday afternoon, Dr. Brown, looking pale and agitated, entered the room and exclaimed: “Gentlemen, I call for a question of priv- ilege.” Instantly the members resumed their seats, and there was complete silence as Dr. Brown advanced close to Professor Lloyd, the chairman, and continued: “I wish to say that for the first time in my public life of nearly a quarter of a cen- tury my good name has been called in question by a woman, whom I have cansed to be arrested, and who is now 1in charge of the police. I have already made my public statement, and my attorney forbids me to enter into further details of what appears to nie to be the most horrible plot that was ever conceived for the ruin of a reputation, ané the destruction of a family. “My attorney permits me, however, to answer this one q.lemon the first that springs to every one’s lips, ‘Why on earth did you give that woman the 55007' Ian- swer that in that dark hour, when the mouth of social hell seemed open before me, and that woman, with three accom- plices, seemed to have power to push me into it, the payment of that money ap- peared to me to be the only possible way of securing the absolutely convincing evi- dence of her guilt. The moment I had that paper in my pocket I began my antagon- ism to her,which has been unremuungand persistent from that moment until now, and will be until justice is done and she is incarcerated in San Quentin.” Glancing round the room, Dr. Brown continued: “I do not see Deacon Dexter nor Deacon Barnard here. Iregret their absence, for they woula bear me out in the statement that two or three days after I had secured the paper this woman went to Deacon Barnard’s office, and in an inter- view of an hour and a hali said: ‘D: Brown is a man flled with the Holy Ghost as almost no other man whom I have ever known. I was told by the Lord in prayer to come to you.’ and with tears in hereyes she besought Deacon Barnard to use his influence with those associated with bim in the League of the Temple not to put stumbling blocks in the way of Dr. Brown’s good work. “Deacon Barnard was profoundly im- pressed, and told her to go to Deacon Dex- ter, and there she repeated substantially the interview with Deacon Barnard. This woman has given us too many clews to her lies. She told Deacon Morse and myself that she had had a Bible class of 160 mem- bers at Berkeley Temple, Boston. Deacon Morse went to Boston shortly afterward and made inquiries. They had never heard of her, but when he reported the fact to me, I excused her, saying, ‘The probability is that in the absence of a teacher at Berkeley Temple, Mrs, David- son taught for a short time and the fact has Lkeen forgotten there.” Afterward, when Mrs. Davidson heard of Deacon Morse’s visit to Boston, she tried to shiit her class around to Tremont Tremple. “However, the whole strange story will be brought out on the stand, and my let- ters to this young lady brought out iu evi- dence.” Deacon Dexter had left the room before the conclusion of the meeting, but his friend, Captain Cook, who had been pres- ent on the occasion when Mrs. Davidson called on Deacon Dexter, had been an in- terested listener to Dr. Brown's address. Before abandoning the floor tie pastor of the First Congregational Church called on Captain Cook to substantiate his state- ment with regard to Mrs. Davidson having visited Deacon Dexter. Somewhat to the surorise of the meeting Captain Cook said: “The lady did not say much in Deacon Dexter’s office in praise of Dr. Brown. I will say, in fact, that her opinion was unfavorable. Personally I was not impressed with the lady. I have been a City Marshal and have learned to | read faces quickly, and my summing up of her face did not lead me to place reli- ance on her words.” Rev. Dr. McLean made a motion ex- pressing confidence in Dr. Brown and sympathy in him. Dr. Pond and several others immediately seconded this motion, and it was carried by a unanimous rising vote. When questioned afterwards with regard to the interview in Deacon Dexter’s of- fice Captain Cook said: ‘‘Mrs. Davidson came accompanied by Miss Overman. I do not feel at liberty to repeac the conver- sation, but it was not favorable to Dr. Brown. Miss Overman took little partin the conversation, but she was present all through the interview.” Dr. Brown, when asked whom he desig- nated by the three accomplices, said thai at that time he had understood that Miss Overman was an accomplice 1n Mrs. Davidson’s scheme. ‘‘There was the woman whose name was not revealed to me till the $500 had been paid, and the third accomplice I understood to be a lodger in the house which Mrs. Davidson stated I had been seen to enter with Miss Overman. I have explained why I paid the $500 to Mrs. Davidson and further | than that my attorney forbids me to speak.” - | MRS. GILLIE’S STATEMENT. Saw Dr. Brown on Sixth Street. Detective Seymour Visits the Scene. Mrs. Julia A. Gillie, a magnetic healer, living at 244 Sixth street, declares positively that she saw Dr. Brown in the vicinity of Sixth and Bryant streets once a few days [Continued on Eleventh Page.] NEW TQ-DAY. 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CLOSING OUT Auction! Cloaks, Suits. We have been instructed by MRS. JULTA FRATINGER, executrix of the estate of A. M. FRATINGER, decea‘ed, to sell at public auc- tion on MOXDAY AND TUESDAY, DEC. 30 AXD 31, At 10 o'clock sharp each day, at 105 Kearny Street. THE ENTIRE STOUCK OF CLOAKS, SUITS, CAPES, FURS, CRILDREN'S CLOARS, ETC. ..ALSO.... Counters, Shelving, Tables, Showcases, Stools, Office Furniture, Wire Forms, Carpets, Racks, Shades, Fireproof Safe, Etc. NOTE—The attention of ladirs and the public gener 1ly is called to the above sale, as the goods are very fine xnd must be sold. EDWARD &, SPEAR & CO. STORRS’ ASTHMA REMEDY, CURES ASTHMA. Stops the severest pn'oxy:ms in ONE MINUTE. 10¢c, 25¢ and bOc s zes. Ali druggisis have it, or any size will be mailed 0a receipt of price to KIBBLER'S PHARMACY SW. Cor. Larkin and Turk Sts, 8. F. RIGGS HOUSE, Washington, ID. C. The Hotel * Par Excellence’ omu Nationai Capital i‘lru clu; in all appolad DEWITT, Ireas. 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