The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 29, 1896, Page 8

8 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1896. THE FULL PLOT 1S TOLD AT LAST. Miss Overman Completes Her Version of the Scandal. WHY MRS. TUNNELL LEFT On Account of Her Age She Desired to Avoid All Un- pleasant Notoriety, DEACON BARNARD A WITNESS. . Brown Makes a Bitter Attack on Mrs. Stockton—The Crowd Ex. pelled for Cheering. Mattie Overman, the young woman who has apparently sacrificed her reputation in an effort to redeem the good name of Dr. Charles O. Brown, resumed the witnes: chair at yesterday’s session cf the council. The night’s rest seemed to have re- freshed this peculiarly important witness in more ways than one. Her voice was clearer and every word uttered could be heard with distinctness throughout the council chamber. She seemed to be in- tensely relieved at having got over that wherein she confessed to ga blackn er at heart and a thief and forger 1n realty. With an unconcerned air she picked up the thread of the unfinished story of the . o nuteness of detail as though she were re- lating some choice tidbit of gossip in a sewing society. Overman did not neglect the loose of a narration, but with much clever- whipped them into line until, as she aid, there was notl more to tell. Beginning at the po Thursday night—that is, her vain attempt 10 recovs he Tunnell Jetters—Miss Over- man said she desired it understood that . Brown had never heard the explana- he was then making, and, further, n had not known of it until ht. idly over the succeeding tness reached that part of her v learned of Mrs. duplicity. Quite by chance met Dr. Brown on Pine street, . At the request of the rever- e accompanied him to There it wasall the ils of Mrs, Davidson’s wicked upon her. She remembered but the Tunnell létters. le by asking if she knew d Miss Overman disclaimed ige of such a person, whereupon 1 Jaboring under intense 1 that Mrs. Davidson had ment, red $500.for the witne Chen it dawned rman, “that e there for a pu 1 me,” said Miss )avidson had kept o ow she had brought t blackmailer into the presence wn and h threats and tears rge her ill-gotten y. 1 have 1t in yc ck to him, ir skirts now—give it t 11 have.you arrested,”” is woat Miss Overman declares she said to Mrs, Davidson. Her knowledge of th outs of the cc as explained by he had picked up the ekirt heard it rattle as she threw the dress across the bed. ng witness then told of Mrs, 's visit to fI Brown’s house the y fcllowing Mrs, Davidson’s arrest. 5D ined the iner, when the Yo ndal w Tunnell | it into th irm, and, i Ny y—far a friend, and "there 1 as no longer wanted. "hen Miss Overman ha ished this I she declared that was the end of d_the council to post- ion for a time. erator vely acceded to this juest, and so Miss Overman will not be heard til Tuesday. g ion two new wit- duced—Deacon Barnard 2in Cook, The jormer said that ions following the payvment of the $500 to Mrs. Davidson Dr. Brown had asked this lady to lead at prayer- meeting. Captain Cook declared, with much earnestness, that the pastor had introd s Overman to him and rild sensation, which when the' pastor bere he had earned the title of capt he gentleman refused to answer this question, saying, however, that he would do so before a comnrittee. The sensation of the evening came when Dr. Brown asked that Mrs. Stockton be called. That lady not appearing the rev- erend gentleman leaped to his feet and in an excited but well-worded speech toid what he intended to ask the missing wit- ness and what he hoped to prove. inished there was long and continued cheering. The clamor had no sooner ceased than a motion was made and carried that the crowd be expellea from the room. Then everybody was sorry for the outburst, but that did not help matters, for Sexton Pike, tall, gaunt and determined, had the room cleared in ten minutes, The council will meet again next Tues- when the cross-examination of Miss ‘man will commence. S MISS OVERMAN’S STORY. It Was Taken Up and Finished at the Afternoon Session. Dr. Hoyt of Sacramento led in prayer promptly at 2 o’clock. Dr. Brown was not in his accustomed chair in front of the middle of the platform, nor was Miss Overman to be seen, but they came in while the scribe was reading tne minutes, Dr. Brown coming across the platform to his chair and Miss Overman squeezing her way through the people from the east door, where she remained out of view of the greater part of the audience until she was called to the witness-chair. Owing to the density of the crowd, there being about one hundred persons stand- ing in the rear of the room, the air was heavy and hot and before proceeding with the taking of testimony the janitor was requested to open several windows and a member of the council moved to clear the room of all persons who were not provided turned int asked the w Over with seats. The motion, however, did not |. receive a second and was not put to the council. Miss Overmar took the stand and re- sumed her story. The following 1s a syn- opsis of the salient points: She began by saying that Mrs. Dr. Brown had never heard this explanation ing previous, running it out to the| ponchalance and mi- | [ 1t where she left off | | | [ the preceding night, last Thurs nor any of the facts related by her until ay. Dr. Brown heard these facts last Friday in the presence of Dr, Williams. “I wish to say,” continued Miss Over- man, “that I came here of my own free will and simply through a feeling of jus- tice. If Ihad not been heard before the ‘council I would have made a statement of the facts through the newspapers. I was teiling last night of my returning home one day about a quarter pastnoon and finding Mrs. Davidson there with her bon- net and gloves on. Shbe said that she was going out for a little walk. She said: ‘T will tell you, my dear; I will be candid with you. I was on my knees praying and the Lord spoke to me and said that I should go out and see Dr. Brown.’ “I thought that it was a remarkable thing that the Lord should speak to her. The Lord had never spoken to me. She had spent a good deal of time in prayer. [ said, ‘I don’t think you will find Dr. Brown in his office at this hour.’ Then she appeared to be confused, and again she said, ‘1 really didn’t think of that. We will wait a littie while.’ “So we chatted about different things until near 1 o'clock, and then I went back | glimpse of Dr. Brown inside. to school. I returned in the afternoon, and she told me that she had had a very pleasant visit in his office with Dr. Brown, and had met Deacon Morris when she was there. There was a great burden on her heart in regard to the closer uniting of the members of the Temple League with the church. There was a kind of a separation between them and she proposed to pray for Dr. Brown until the Temple League and he were reconciled. “She seemed to be perfectly sincere in her repentance, and I never doubted it. She talked to me considerably abeut join- ing the church and I concluded that [ would do so, for I had a desire tolead a Christian life. Mrs. Davidson said that she would prefer forme to w and go into the church the same time th adid. I replied that probably Iwould do so. I be- lieve that was on a Tuesday. “On my return from school that day I observed that she was regarding me very closely—in a studied manner—and I said “Mre. Davidson, what is the matter? You seem to have something on your mind. She sat down by me and took i bers, and said: * 3 at neart for your sake at something Dr. Brown said to-day. Well, my dear, he told me that ever since you ceturned to this City you have annoyed him with your attentions.’ “I said: ‘You know that is not true; that I have always been with youn, and that it cannot be true. You know that I have not seen Dr. Brown unless in your L'un‘Y:m - “Mrs. Davidson then said, ‘I feel quite insulted about it,’ and 1 said that I alsc felt insuited and that I would demand an explanation from him. She said that it would not do for me to see Dr. Brown, but that it would be better to ignore the insult and to treat him with dignity. I ins that I would see him, and she appeared to e very much concerned about my resolve and she made me promise that I would not see Dr. Brown in relation matter. **‘Yes,” added Mrs. Davidson, ‘he is very | queer at times and a great many people think that he is not right in his mind and is not altogether responsible for many things that he does and says. Of course, you can reconsider your intention of join- ing the church, if you want to.’ ** ‘Well,” said I, ‘I hope you tcld him that it was not true and that you didn’t believe him.’ *When I returned from school the next afternoon the door was locked and I rapped hastily on it. She opened it and I wus coming right in when she closed the door in my face and said, *Wait a minute.’ As she opened the door I caught a brief When she appeared again she told me in the hall that she was having a private talk with Dr. Brown and requested me to go out and take a walk for a while. She seemea to be confused. Iwent out and visited a lady friend for about an hour. I was very much offended because she had closed the door in my face and I didn’t know what she could have to say to Dr. Brown that I should not hear. She said she had been talking with the doctor with a view of effecting a reconciliation between him and the church and that she felt that Dr. Brown was notatall times in bis right mind. “‘On Thursday night at 8 o’clock she put on Ler bonnet and seid she was going out. I didn’t have a suspicion in my mind that there was anything wrong until she said that she was going to Dr. Brown to see him at his office, and I said I hoped that the Lord would change his heart so that he would apologize and take back what he had said about me. *On that occasion she was gone about an hour, and when she returned she ap- peared to be very much excited. Her breath was short, and she said that Dr. Brown had just raved around his office and saia that the Temple League should never come into Ims office. I asked her why she did not take off her bonnet, and she replied that she must get a little fresh air by walking around the block before she retired. She went out and was gcne ten or fifteen minutes, at the end of which time she returned ana said that she felt all right. I stayed home from school next morning to hear what she had to say, and she told me that she pleaded with her hands clasped beiore Dr. Brown that the church and its pastor might be united. “‘On Tuesday we went to Deacon Dexter’s office, and I was there introduced to Cap- tain Cook, who stepped in. 1 was angry | with Captain Cook because he' put his hand forcibly on the table and said that Dr. Brown had to go. was a member of the church, and he said no, but that be had influence, and that Dr. Brown would have to go. I tell this incident for a purpose.’ Miss Overman vroceeded to relate how Mrs., Davidson became more attached to the Bible. She said that instead of losing time for the breakfast to be served she would read the Bible. Miss Overman did not approve of this innovation, because although she liked to read the Bible she also liked to read the morning papers for the news. That was between November 22 and December 19. Dr. Brown interrupted the witness at this moment to ask whether Mrs. David- son’s visit to his office about the Temple League matter was before or after she re- | ceived the $500 from him, and Miss Over- man replied that it was after that event. The witness next related how Mrs, Davidson had talked on the street with Mrs. Mason, one Sunday morning for about an hour, on religious matters, but the witness had not uttered a dozen words herself on that occasion. Mrs. Davidson said: “I have proof that Dr. Brown has ted | I to the | the | I asked him if he | T | RS 3 \ | (i "[lg[ti?; i il J.‘lll L«.;\;,-' UTLTHIHIAL1T S CAPTAIN COOK IN THE WITNESS-CHAIR. reconsecrated himself to the Lord.” They did not agree, Mrs. Mason not seeming to be inclined to take Mrs. Davidson’s word for it. Mrs. Davidson, on her part, thought | that Mrs. Mason had showed a wrong spirit, and she said a good many things against Mrs. Mason that Miss Overman did not care to repeat before the council. The next episode in Miss Overman’s minute narration occurred about the rnoon of the 19th of December. It was between 3 and 4 o’clock, and she saw Dr. Brown in the school looking through the glass partition at her. She did not pre- tend to see him, and when it came time for her to go she went out through the Califor- | nia Market, and when she reached the cor- |ner of Kearny and Pine streets she | found Dr. Brown waiting for her. & id ‘Good evening, Dr. Brown,’ step- ping up to him and shaking hands with | bim, and I added, I want to bave a littie | conversation with you.” He said, haps we had better walk up Pine $ 1 We did so, and he asked, ‘Do you know | anything about a lady named Mrs. Bad- dm? I said ‘No,” and he said, ‘Are you sure?” Ireplied, ‘I am positive; 1 never knew a lady of that name.” Then he said, ‘Do you know that Mrs. Davidson ob: tained $500 from me in your name?’ *'I guess I almost screamed ‘Wha-at!!! id, ‘What do you mean?’ We walked up the hill and I could not realize it—I could not grasp what he had said. I asked him to explain why he had paid ber $500 and he replied: ‘She came to | me in vour name and the name of Mrs. addin and -told me a story,’ and he re- peated alittle ¢f the story. I asked, ‘When did this happen?’ I had been with Mrs. Da- vidson a long time and could not real Then itdawned on me that Mrs. Davidson had deceived me about the plot we had made months before, and that she had kept me to use meas a tool. vou mean to teil me that you paid Mrs. son $500 in my name? He said, ‘Yes, tto herand 1 have her receipt for I said, ‘We will go and see Mrs. Da vidson about it.” Then I decided to wait till the evening.” Miss Overman then told about her going home and making up her mind not to say she was guilty it might put her on her guard. When Miss Overman got home she found Mrs. Daviason very much ex- cited over her late arrival, and Mrs: David- son asked her *'Where in all the world have you been?” M that shie bad remained in the schoolroom | for some time after the close of school. | Davidson remarked that Mattie had delayed longer than usual and Muttie an- swered that she had. “Tinen,” continued the witness, “I sug- gested that as it was late we had better dress in a hurry, but she didn’t seem in- clined to hurry and asked me again as to the canse of my coming home so late. I caid to her, ‘Mrs. Davidson, when I am at home 1 am at liberty to go when and where I like and people don’t usually say anything about it. anything about it then because I didn't ant to spoil her dinner. I told her that e had an engagement to meet Dr. Brown in his office_in the church at 8 o’clock that | evening and that we must keepit. She | asked, *“What for? and I told her she | ought to know what for. | *“We gotin the cars and rode up to the | church, and when we had just reached the front of the church she turned arouna and id, ‘I won’t go a foot farther; Dr. Brown is cra: ometimes and might kill us.” , *Of course, I would not think of | letting you go in there alone.” We went in and we found Dr. Brown waiting for us. As soon as we got inside he said, ‘Excuse me for a moment, while I see if the out- side door is locked.” When he had gone | outside Mrs. Davidson said, ‘L don’t like | this locking of doors on the outside.’ I said, ‘That’s all right.” She looked at me and saw that I had learned somethin which she dian’t intend I should know. Then Dr. Brown came in and said, ‘You told me all the time Miss Overman was in the plot w you; but that is not the fact. I'want to know why you got this money from me and used ker name?’ “While Dr. Brown Davidson was as pale as death around the { | | and her ears were burning. Dr. Brown | went on and_told that three or four weeks { before that time Mrs. Davidson had told -him that she had learned that a woman of | the name oi Baddin and myself andgsome | one else had told - her the whole stor¥ that |-Dr. Brown and I had gone into a lodging- | house; that this woman had watched us | and had seen many things that she shonla | not have seen. .Mrs. Davidson did claim ‘ that she came to him as a friend to inter- cede with this Mrs. Baddin for Dr. Brown. “‘When I heard this statement I was al- most too indignant w live. I sprang to my feet and said to Mrs. Davidson, ‘You | infamous creature! Have you dared to £O to Dr. Brown in my name? I had be- ‘ lieved all along in her sincerity in repent- {ing of the plot, and the revelation made by Dr. Brown made me almost too indig- nant to live. I said, ‘You take me to this so-called Mrs. Baddin; I want to face her.’ i) il 7 CHARACTER SKETCHES AT DR, BROWN'S INVESTIGATION, Dr. Brown and 1 | valked up into his study and I said, ‘Do | ything about the matter to Mrs. David- | n until the proper time arrived, because | ss Overman replied | 1 didn’t wish to sav | was talking Mrs. | mouth and nostrils; her face was flushed | Mrs. Davidson said, ‘T have forgotten her number.” I said, *You have not forgotten her number.’ Then she said, ‘I think she has left the City.’ I said, ‘She has not left the City; that story won’t go; you must take me to her.’ “She replied: ‘Well, she has left the City; she has gone.’ “Now, I said, ‘Mrs. | Davidson, that money you had from Dr. Brown you never gave to Mrs. Baddin, | | because you haye it sewed up in your | | skirt; you have it in your skirt now. You | | give ‘it to Dr. Brown immediately. Dr. | Brown has been wronged_in this matter, and I shall not stand it any more. I| didn’t want to say too much about it, for fear that Dr. Brown would understand about my participation in the plot.” | Dr. Brown here interrupted with a ques- | tion, “Will you tell us how you knew that she had it sewed up in her skirt?” “One day,” replied Miss Overman, “I| came home during Mrs. Davidson’s ab- | sence and saw he: skirt lying on a chair. T picked 1t up and threw it out of the way, and as I did so I noticed that it felt heavy, ard the clink of gold as it struck. d of November, when we re- turned to dinner, I took the bag that she ied, for the purpose of getting the door key out of it; but she drew it back quickly. and I heard the gold clink. She said that she had been to the Postofice, and I supposed that this money was some of her dividends from the East, of which | she used to speak. “Well, returning {o the scene in the doctor’s office—Mrs, Davidson seemed to be in a blank condition and she could not say anvthing. I said to Dr. Brown that we couid not do anything with herand | that we would go home; that there was no | use in talking to her. When we stepped | outside I whispered in hisear and told him that I should leave Mrs. Davidson that night, and I thought he didn’t hear me, for he made no response. ‘“When Mrs. Davidson and I arrived at | the room she looked furious, and 1 deter- mined to appeal to her. I said, ‘Mrs. | Davidson, you know you have done wrong | again. I suppose this temptation came to | you again, You know that yau have the | doctor’s money on your person now. You ! have said long prayers in my presence, | you have read the Bible every day and you seemed 10 be one of the most excel- lent Christian ladies I ever met. You used to talk so much about Dr. Brown’s spirituality, how can you be so wicked after you have repented? I saw that my | appeal had no effect upon her whatever. She sat there stubbornly, and then I| changed my course. I called hera hypo- ; crite and denounced her in glowing terms. I told her that my mother never talked about Christianity as she did, and that she would never think of doing such a thing as that. “I started to pack my trunk, and | she told me that I shouldn't have it. Then I threatened to go and get a police officer, and she let me haveit. I asked, ‘Do I owe you anything, Mrs, Davidson ?’ | and she made no answer. I thoughtat | first that sne was going to try and keep | my trunk. When I got my hat on 1 said, | ‘Mrs. Davidson, I have made the lastap- | real to you that I will ever make again. 1 tell you, old lady (I used that term), | this matter has gone entirely too far, and | | I will make no more appeals.” ~As I' was | | going away she called, ‘Come back Mattie; | you said you wouldn’t believe anything I | would say after this.’ I said, ‘If that is all you have to say, I'll go,’ and I closed | thre door.” Miss Overman next detailed how the| landlady had offered to take her in her| room and how she had declined that invi- tation because she did not wish to remain | under the same roof with .Mrs. Davidson. | Also that she went out on the street and asked a policeman to direct her to a hack- mun, who took herself and her trunk, at bali-past 11 o'clock at night, to the Pier- | vont House, at eary street, which he | recommended highly as a respectable | house. “With all the reporters’ sharpness they never got hold of that,” interrupted Dr. | Brown. Miss Overman went on to say that she could not sleep that night, thinking how “'the oid woman’ had deceived her. In the morning she got a hackman to drive her to the telephone station, from which place she telephoned Dr. Brown that she hed left Mrs. Davidson and gave him her | own address. 'Ibe next morning Dr. and | Mrs. Brown called to see her. Mrs. Brown invited Mattie to go to her house, but Mattie did not want to do that. She was in a confused frame of mind and did not know what might come out of the affair. -She did not know but that Mrs. Davidson might tell all about the plot, but she did not think such would be the case, because that would inyolve herself, so the witness ‘thought that it would be better to go to Oakland. - Then she asked Mrs. Brown whetner she had ever made the remark about her which Mrs. Davidson said that she had, and Mrs. Brown denied having said so. Having left some of her wearing apparel at Mrs. Davidson’s Miss Overman that morning weut over to the house and found Mrs. Davidson dressed up and standing ou the sidewalk. Mrs, Davidson greeted her with “good morning,” just as pleasantly as though nothing had hap- pened. iss Overman informed her that she did not feel like being very pleasant toward her and asked whether she had made up her mind to give up that money. Mrs. Davidson replied that she had noth- ing to say; that she had to dust her room and that she could not talk with Miss Overman that morning. Miss Overman replied that she woula talk with her any- how and followed her around the room. *I said to her,” continued Mattie, ‘Old lady, you have used my name scandal- ously,”and you have blackmailed Dr. Brown, and there’s no use trying to get out of it; youare liable to arrest.’ She was as red as firs and her eyes were blaz- ing. She said to me: ‘Mattip Overman I have been through the Civil War and have letters in my trunk and I'm not afraid of you’ I knew thatshe hadn’t any letters in her trunk and I wasn’t afraid of her. T said to her, ‘I tell you for the last time if you won't give up that money I will see that you are arrested. You have done a heinous thing.’ Mrs. Davidson replied by throwing the door wide open and ordering Mattie ot of the house with the intention of degrading her in the eyes of the landlady. Miss Overman dared her with the remark that if Mrs. Davidson wanted the neizhbors to know just what kind of a womin Mrs. Davidson was she would better do it. The old Jady went out of the house in a rage and Miss Overman followed her, walking side by side with her, the witness remark- ing that if Mrs. Davidson wanted a scene on the street she should begin at once. Mrs, Davidson was furiqus. and Mattie | | | agreed to do so, with the result that Mrs. went to Mrs. Tunnell’s room for the pur- ! pose of finding and destroying the falsi- | fied letters, but none of Mrs. Tunnell’s effects were there, so she went to Oakland, where she found Mrs. Tunnell just-ready to start for San Francisco. To Mrs. Tun- nell Mattie told what Mrs. Davidson had done, and_the good lady was very much astonished. “She didn’t know anything about any of my wickedness in the past,” added Miss Overman. She came to 8an Francisco with Mrs. Tunnell and had lunch with her in the Co-operative Restaurant at about 9 o’clock that evening. The next morning Dr. Brown sent up his card and made a stop-of only a few moments, explaining that he Lad merely called for the purpose of ‘“locating’” "her. He returned with his wite and they talked about Mrs, Davidson and her abuse of Mattie’s name. That evening Mattie went back to the Pierpont, at 425 Geary street. “I came home from church Sunday morning—"" resumed the witness, when she was interrupted by Moderator Mec- Lean, who asked what time of the month was it. As Miss Overman hesitated Dr, Brown prompted her with, *The 22d.” ““The 22d?” inquired Miss Overman of the doctor. “Sunday, December doctor. That morning Dr. Brown called upon her and she told him that if Mrs. David- son was not arrested she, Miss Overman, would expose her to the world “‘even if I Lad to go down with her,”” she added, "I should expose her just the same: I should reveal her hypocrisy to the world.”” On Monday Miss Overman declared to Dr. Brown, in the presence of Mrs. Brown, that the only thing to do would beto prosecute Mrs. Davidson. ‘“Although I really ho}\ed in my heart that she would get away,” said the witness. “The next day I called on Mrs. Mc- Donald by appointment. She seemed very reluctant to talk, and so after a brief stay I returned home. Very soon Mrs, Brown came down and requested that [ come up to her house. This wason Thurs- day. lam now telling that part of the story immediately preceding the arrest of Mrs. Davidson. On” Saturday morning I went down to 225 Geary strect and heard that Mrs. Davidson had returned. I at once told Dr. Brown, and he said that he would take steps to have her arrestea. I | then called on Mrs. Tunnell to tell her of the contemplated arrest of Mrs. Davidson.” Brown—Now is a good time, Miss Oves man, to tell of the meals you took at the Co-operative restaurant. ‘Woodhams—I think that is proper cross- examination and had better come in later. Dr. Brown—All right. “Mrs. Tunnell and I,” continued Miss Overman, ‘“then walked outof the door, when Mrs. Tunnell stepped back and told the landlady she did not know when she wonld return. We took a long walk, and I told her of Mrs. Davidson’s contemplated arrest. The next morning the scandal ap- eared in the papers, as you all know. Basing thatitn papers had it I called Vally, Dr. Brown’s son, and asked him to take a note to Mrs. Tunnell. He readily 29, " returned the Tunnell came and spent the day in my room. Not once did she leave it except to go to lunch. She decided to remain until Dr. Brown and his family came from church. “In the evening we talked over the en- tire matter. She said to me: ¢ ¢I tell you, Mattie, let me go away. I am old and nervous and do not care to be brought into this. In fact there is no oc- casion to. [ can stay with friendsin the lower country. If Ican help you in any way let me know.’ “‘Mrs. Tunnell added that her friend was some distance away, but she would not tell where, so 1 could answer truthfully that I did not know where she was. When Dr. and Mrs. Brown came in from church about 10 o’clock Mrs. Tunnell had her bhat on ready to go. She did leave a few mom- ents later, giving me a good-by kiss. “On_the following Sunday—I think it was Sunaay—some one called at Dr. Brown’s, though I did not know his mis- sion_until afterward. Dr. Brown asked me if I bad ever written any letters I did not care to have the public see. Without thinking I curelessly answered no. Then like a flash I thought of Mrs, Tunneil’s letters, and it made me sick at heart. When they were published 1 secured a copy of the paper, and, after marking the worst passages, read the letters, except tha parts marked, to Dr. and Mrs. Brown. I returned to my room and thought, “What on earth will I do about those letters?’ I was miserable and in despir. Then I pre- pared a statement which purported to be the whole story, and read it to Dr. Brown and his wife. The former was very much excited, but accepted my explanation as all right. Then some friends came in, and 1 read the same statement to them, appar- ently perfectly satisfying them. My reason for concealing these things at the time was | because I wanted to save myself—youcan’t blame me. I hoped the explanation would do, but later results showed it would not. “Rumors came to me to the effect that I was in the conspiracy with Mrs. David- son. On February 5 or 6 Dr. Brown came home very much downhearted. He said that he had read the lettersin their en- tirety for the first time. Then I made up my mind to tell the whole truth and sufl'erl the consequences. I told Dr. Brown that at the proper time I would tellitall, 1| thought of running into the newspapers, but it seemed a terrible thing to tell the whole world how very wicked I had been, “After I made up my mind to tell the truth I felt very much relieved. I never gave Mrs. Brown any but the first ex- planation—she expected to hear that to- day. Dr. Brown heard what I have told for the first time last Saturday night. Mr. Woodhams was present at the time. At first Dr. Brown would not allow me to tell it, but T told him that I would give it to the newspapers. Then he consented. | I do not know where Mrs. Tunnell is. She | sent for her clothing by a man, and 1| have received one or two letters from her, but I do not know her present where- abouts. “This I think is the principal part of my story. ff there are points I have not fully covered I shall be glad to make ex- planation at the proper time.” Mr. Woodhams said he would like to read certain letiers received by Miss Over- man while in’ Tacoma from Mrs. David- son, and so would postpone the cross- examination until the evening session. There being no objection the letters were read, at the conclusion of which Dr. Brown said his object in introducing such evidence was to show that Mrs. Davidson and not himself had been the means of bringing Miss Overman back to San Fran- cisco. The council then took a recess until 7 o'clock. e EVENING SESSION. Captaln Cook and Others Testify. Dr. Brown Attacks Mrs. Stockton. At the evening sessisn Dr. Woodhams read a letter from Mrs. Thurston, saying: “I never had any thought of injuring Dr. Dille, and the statement that I am hostite to any minisier of the Gospel is a mistake.” Dr. Brown—I supnose this opens ug the way for me to put my witness on the stand. Woodhams—It has come to my attention that certain witnesses have been presented here and that I have refused to allow them to tes- tify. There was certain testimony which came to me which I considered improper. This testi- mony can come under rebuttal. This testi- mony 18 adverse to Dr. Brown., I will resist any pressure brought against me. However, I £hall call these witnesses. B The moderator—Does Mr. Woodhams pass on these questions without consulting the com- mittee ? Woodhams—T have consuited the committee. Dr. Brown—With regard to the peculiar posi- tion which Miss.Overman has occupied in our family I wish to state that when we foresaw what we were to' pass through we asked her to remain with us,. Iler first impulse was to re- turn to Tacoma. She said her evidence would doubtless be needea so she consented to re- main and testify. She could not have stayed in any hotel in the City. She would have been hounded by the newspaper reporters. We—my wife and I—believe in & religion that has for- giveness in it and we therefore recognize the nobility of Miss Overman’s conduct. Captain W. F. Cook was called. testified as follaws: He Ireside at 132 McAllister street, Lived in n Francisco for twenty-one years. Knew o Brown, Mrs. Brown and Maitie Overman. There was a General Howard Bible class in the church and I wasa member of it. It metin Dr. Brown’s study. Dr. Brown frequently went through the room, but never stopped to speak to the class. Ona eertain occasion he came into the room with Mrs. Brown and Miss Overman. It was one Sunday that he passed through the room, followed by Mrs. Brown and a young lady. I did ‘not at that time know the young lady. He spoke in_a low.tone, and introduced the strange lady as *My niece from Tacoma.” He smd Miss something. He did not say Miss Brown. I thought at the time it was his sis- ter's daughter, and not his brother’s daughter. 1 roporlefi the matter two months Ago to mem- bers of this council. Two or three nights ago I mentioned the matter to the young lady who was sitting next to mevnt the l‘lllle. She said: “‘Oh, don’t mention it! Idon’t wantto be mixed nip with this mess.” I wish here to say that at the time it was & trivial matter. It fixed itself in my mind tnat Dr. Brown’s folks lived in Michigan, and it was a surprise to me that he said his niece was from Tacoma. Dr. Pont—Who was this young lady? Witness—I remember that she was ‘a blonde and I am sure Dr. Brown spoke of her as his iece. n.\Icoderntor—Whll was the date of this cir- cumstance ? Witness—It was something like & year ago. Moderator—Are yonhn"mcmber of the First 1 Church? e e sir. I hiave been attending the Bible class most of the time since General Howard was here. 1room at the house of the Rev. John Kimball, who is now the teacher of the class. I considered myselfa Congregation- alist. Ihave approbation from the Bay Asso- ciation as a preacher.; Kov Mr. Sendder—Di Dr. Brown fatroducs the young lady to you as his niece Witness—Yev. Tsupposed he was speaking to me and others. Rev. Mr. Hatch—TIs there any possibility that Dr. Brown meant any person else ? Witness—I know tnat any person is liable to be mistaken. I admit the possibility of a mis- take, butI don’t admit the probability of a mistake. ];e\'. Mr. Sink—I would like to ask Captain Cook if Dr. Brown did not say, ‘“This is as nice as Tacoma?”’ Witness—He might have said it. Dr. Brown—You admit that I was not the ideal man of San Francisco? Witness—Yes, sir. Dr. Brown — Then you would rather be against me? Witneéss—No, sir. I did not say at any time that Dr. Brown must go, meaning that he would have to leave the church. Dr. Brown—But you would rather have me go? Witness—If I had the power you would have gone long ago. Dr. Brown then questioned the witness over the Herron matter, and the latter said he did not admire Dr. Browa’s course in that case. Dr. Brown—here did you get the title of captain? Witness—I will admit to any gentleman where I got the title. 1 will not answer you. Moderator—Captain Cook has tke right to re- tire if he doés not want to answer the ques- tions. i % Dr. Brown—You are & man of vivid {magina- tion? Witness—That is a personal question and I decline to answer. Dr. Brown—Don’t you know that what I think ot you would prevent me from introduc- ing any lady to yon? - Moderator—Dr. Brown, there fs a limit to this, and you will not be vermitted to ask the witness improper questions. Dr. Brown—You said this was done in the presence of 1 i Witness—Ye Brown—Do you think I would tell alie in nee of my wife? \WVell, from what I think of you I es. —Are you sure I introduced Miss my niece? am not positive. Dr. Brown—I insist on an answer. Witness—To the best of mykuowlcdgn‘md belief, yes. Y Deacon J. Barnard testified as follows: I was a regular attendant at the prayer- meetings between the 21st of November and the 28th of December, 1895, and I saw Mrs. Davidson at two or three meetings. Dr. Brown asked Mrs, Dayidson to take partin the meetings. Mr. Barnard went on to show by his testimony that Dr. Brown bhad, by his action, shown he had no confidence in Mrs. Davidson. Mrs, Stockton was then called for cross- examination, and as she did not respond Dr. Brown was allowed to review the evi- dence of the witness. Mr. Woodhams—Mrs. Stockton refuses to ap- pear, and I think that Dr. Brown has a right to make a statement. Ina civil court the pro- ceeding is to commit the person refusing to testify for contempt of court. And in this case I think Dr. Brown is entitled to make & state- ment, Moderator—Is it a statement that Dr. Brown will make, or is it evidence? Judge-Advocate—It is simply a statement. Dr, Brown—This woman came here to de- fame me and remained to be partly examined. She now says she washes her hands of the Overman a whole matter. I asked her certain questions and she did not answer tnem, and these weré® questions which no woman of unquestioned virtue would refuse to answer. I would have showed that she thireatened me in regard to the Turkish tea at Mrs. nch’s, and also because I refused her 8 letter. Iwould have showed how I turned her and her attorney out of my house, how she was first introduced to me by Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper, how she had forgotten everything for a period of eight months, how that I threat- ened. my life was entirely a fabrication and how I kissed her as she leit my study was another faisehood. Dr. Brown called attention to the ele- gant costume worn by Mis. Stockton on the witness-stand, and declared that that clothing could not have cost less than $200 and her diamonds not less than $300. He asked how much invested capital it would require to yield ar income sufficient to keep and dress her in the style in which she was then living. Yet this same woman two yearsago was earning her liv. ing at a small salary in the oflice of the sury r-General. He declared that he would have asked her, in view of revelations made by prom- inent gentlemen of Tacoma: Whatgentleman from the city of Port Angeles visited you in the Cuz;n!snn Francisco prior to yourdeparturetrom that City? Inthe company of what man did you travel from this City to Port Angeles, and what was his avowed pur- pose in taking you thither? What other three or four men united with you for your support and for & certain purpose? 1 am well aware that I am liable to attack—to arrest for the im- putations that are impl here it I cannot back them up with proof. I would ask that woman, Into how many honorable homes of the city of Port Angeles did your presence carry sorrow and something worse than death? And'T would ask about that home which you, Mrs. Stockton, visited ‘one morning at the breakfast hour, and inquired of the wife of ~that home, “Is "Mr. Blank in?” and being informed by the wife that he was, but that he had not yet arisen from bed, you said, “Oh, thatdon’t matter,” and you walked into the room and sat by the bedside of that man. 1 would have asked her, *Did you, near the termination of your life in Port Angeles, give & notorious party, attended by men,and in which you were ‘the only woman present?” Then Iwould have asked, ‘{Are you not now training your little child— that sweet little girl—with the view and the object of one day piecing her on the stage, 5o thatshe may be the means of your supportin your old age, and_have you not so declared yourintention? Did you not on another ocea- sion beat your daughter unmercifully with a hairbrush and bruise her so severely that she waslaidupin bed for several days? Didu’t Mrs. Davis say that she would not treat her dog as you treated that child?” -Turning to his wife, Dr. Brown con- tinued : In due time I will put this good lady of stand to tastify that during Ty three l’:xc'lh: half years’ residence in San Francisco,1 was not alsentonce from my dinner-board,when she aidn’t know where I was. And she wilkalso testify that on Bundey evenings and on Wed- nesday evenings she always went home with me in the cars or on my arm. As Dr. Brown sat down the audi- ence applauded him loudly with hand- clapping. Moderator McLean started to his feet with gavel in hand and a look of astonishment on his face. When the applause had subsided Mr. Kreeland arose and said: “I move that the council be by itself.” Moderator McLean made a little speech in which he declared that the audience had been warned time and again against making demonstrations of applause or otherwise, and that as the warning had not been heeded the house should be cleared, A rising vote was taken and the moder- ator said: ‘The audience will thereupon be excused.” _More ironical applause and a few expres- sions of protest followed this order, and the moderator spoke again: *‘I will make it tolerably certain that you will be per- manently excused if you keep on.”” Mr. Freeland, who “seemed to have been affected by the defiance of the second out- burst of applause, moved that the next meeting also be held with closed doors, a bu* withdrew the motion when he found that thejcouncil was not then disposed to favor it. The room was cieared, and the council withdrew into the inner room and decided to meet again next Tuesday at 2 p. M., when the direct examination of Miss Overman will be resumed. It was decided not to receive Mrs, Davidson’s charges because the council had been debarred from the opportunity of cross-examining her by the advice of George A. Knight, her attorney. The judge advocate announced that on Tuesday Miss Overman would point out the specifie changes she had made in the letters written by her to Mrs. Tunnell. The council then adjourned. If all the houses in England were placed side by side they would cover a space of 450 square miles NEW TO-DAY. 13 Red Letter Days.” Two lints of what ‘‘Red Letter Day” prices on dress- ing-tables mean : Dressing Table. Not large—dainty : beveled French Doty poraned, T 0 M7 aasle; We have just 12 of these —some in oak, some in mahogany. They may go like those 54 cobbler-seat rocking-chairs, at $2 25—all sold by noon— but if you come in time you can have the choice, oak or mahogany, $10. Even if you don’t want to buy come and look around— learn what ‘‘Red Letter Days” really mean—get ac- quainted. That’s why we have these sales—to make acquaint- ances, friends, customers. Graceful in design—shaped beveled French plate mirror of good size; hand-carved; highly polished. Your choice of oak, birch or mahogany—$15s. There are only 9 of them altogether, and to be sure of one you had better come early—before noon. Hints ! Merely hints of ‘‘Red Let- ter Day” prices. Carpets . Rugs . Mattings CALIFORNIA FURNITURE COMPANY (N. P. Cole & Co.) 117-123 Geary Street. BUSINESS MEN 0 NOT MAKE INVESTMENTS WITHOUT careful consideration of all details. When they BUY They make sure they are getting thelr money's worth. Same with a bicycle. Don't buy unt see a number of the best. We claim to have the best, and not only that, but believe we can prove ittoyou. All we ask is that you favor us witha call and see the Sterling Bicycle “ BUILT LIKE A WATCH.” \ Free. Send for Catalogue. STERLING CYCLE WORKS, WM. V. BRYAN, MANAGER, 314 POST STREET, S.F. STHEVERY BEST ONE T0 EXAMINE YOUR eyes and fit them to Spectaciesor Kyeglasisy with Instruments of his Own {nvention, Waoss superiority has 1ot beon equaled. My 4uc0esd aad Beendue (o the merils of my work Ottice Hours—13 10 4 . 3 NOTARY PUBLIC. C ARLES H. PHILLIPS, ATTORNEY-AT- aw and Notary Public, 688 Market site Palace Hotel. Residence, 1620 Fej pbone 579, Residence telephons Weak Men andWomen HOULD USE DAMIANA BITTERS, THE lexican Remedy; gives Health Btrengoh to tLe Sexual Organs. i -