The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 5, 1896, Page 8

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THE SEARCHLIGHT OF THE COUNCIL The Rev. Mr. Tenney Puts Miss Overman to the Test. NEW FACTS ELICITED. Pastor Brown Has Sent Mrs. Tunnell Money on Two Occasions. THE WITNESS IS CONFIDENT. eacon Morse and Mrs. Cooper Con- tradict Each Other—An Open Session To-Day. e were needed a most pe- If any adc nal evider to show that Miss Overn : = son it -examination by cul terday ( the ¢ riy gifted youn vely tied hers xtricable e the v tness innocently nowledgea stake had been either by herself or the sk She did the thing so easily and nat- v that Stenographer Bennett and his s were t continually guessing now far they had missed the hat Miss Overman did actually young lady was kept pretty busy for something 1i three hours in correct- kes i the alleged forzed let- , those portions which should been quoted as interjected. When these passages, and there were many, came to herattention she declared lightly and apparent in a matter of no consequence whatever, e could not see how any one could )pose pertinent matters could have been in the original letters. It was at nk of such a thin for a mom like sixty days in which to mark th inati sentences, yvet 1ghly “revolting to her of truth and justice’ that she had cared to examine the letters micro- ‘X;\-] as some of the council evi- ac v 3 Miss Overman denied that she had ever 1 unduly under the influence of Pastor She was wholly under Mrs. Davidson’s control long enough to write halfa dozen or more | criminating the man for 1 absorbing, con- iming passion. The witnes: said she secured the Davidson letters sim- in import andintent as the letters e endeavored to satis cured the David- hen the rightinl ser was out, and, fceling that she was doing a righteous act, forthwith tore them into shreds and small pieces. Asto what became of the debris nothing was offered in_evidence. Vailey Brown, the son of the accuse t an d taking copious dentally cailing the atten- ttorney Nagle to some point. xamination notes and inci pa ring the se ted by Mr. y Valley whis- pered to the attorney he ¢ 't see ice all th Mr. Nagle as- ed him that no ice was invclved in the ion, though_the reverend gentle- cold, hard facts. Dr. Pond appeared in the role of de- fender at the afternoon eession. When- ever the crossfire became too heavy, ac- cording to his views of propriety and mod- esty, the reverend ecclesiastical member rushed gallantly to the cue. He was not disposed to permit Miss Overman to become embarrassed, and so valiiently did he struggle for thisend that many perti- nent questions were left unanswered. 1 | some weeks ago, her announce i l l | Company's boats, go | and advised him to go 1o San Francisco, | was not cut out for the mines. | | MATTIE STILL SWEARING. | investigation at 2 o’clock yesterday after- caine yes- | | mitted. orthand re- | ference, as though it | , she had something | o, the whole | 3 seem to be dealing slightly in | It was nearlv hali-past 2 o'clock when | Moderator McLean called the council to | There were present outside of the b2 representatives some twenty persons, including Mrs. Cooper and her daughter, M er. Overman was called to the stand, and it being Mr. T turn to question the witness for nearly an hour he poured a continual stream of questions into the unwilling ear of the voung lady. Mr. m is neither a lawyer nor the son of & lawyer, but the manner in which he con- ducted the cross-examination would indi- « that possibly be has hidden his light ca under a bushel. It was brought out during the examina- tion that Miss Overman had not only heard from Mrs. Tunnell frequenily, but | sent letters in return. On two different occasions she sent money to the missing witness, and, further on, said that Dr. Brown had furnished the coin. Miss Over- man said she saw nothing strange in this. “Why shouldn’t he help her?’ she asked. Mrs. Tunnell, said the witness, was pres- | ent at several conferences with Dr. Brown | and Deacons Moore and Dexter. At that time Mrs. Tunvell bad no thought of going away. The witness was asked if there were any more of the Overman-Tun- nell Jetters. She replied that she had al- ways thought there were other letters— possibly two more—and if so they would be of the same tenor as those already pub- lishea. Then followed a long inquiry into the Tunnpell letters. The witness went over the old ground, tangling herself up at times and then extricating herself from the difficalty by declaring a mistake hada | been made. In one of the letters appeared the words ‘‘mental condition.” s Over- ion. Further on in the same letter the writer had declared she was not disgusted with God, but with the people who voiced him. Mr. Tenney wished to know if this,which evidently referred to Dr. Brown, was in the | D.,”” and never *‘D.’’ and wnere Ur. e | Brown was referred to it was *‘B."” original letter. The witness was not about this, but thought it should have been classed with the forged sentences. “Why did you go over all the matter in | discover that the letters?” asked Mr. Tenney. “Why go to the trouble and bother of writing new letters if no one was to see them? Why not write a few lines? Don’t you think this a little bit strange?”” “] do not think this at all strange,”” an- swered Miss Overman. *‘It was necessary to interject house matters in the leiters in order to convey the impression of genn- ineness.” At the evening session Deacon Morse was placed on the witness-stand. In the course of his statement he said that Mrs. Cooper had told him, after the Turkis! tea incident, that she had made inquiries and found Mrs. Stockton to be a disrepu- table woman. He added that he would stake his life on Dr. Brown’s reputation. Mrs. Cooper, laboring under intense ex- citement, asked permission of the coun- cil to make a statement. In a voice vering with resentment Mrs. Cooper deciared she had never in all her life spoken to Deacon Morse about Mrs. Stockton. This was the only unusual incident of the evening session. " There is little likelihood of Mrs. Tun- nell appearing before the qouncil. A ran explained this by saying that she was | ied over Mrs. Tunnell's financial con- | | that he had to support ber while away,” that Sunday night of going away? Did Blanchard' and Mrs. George Gaden. | she y S going away Il telegram received from Los Angeles vesterday staved she had left that city d destina- tion being some point in Arizona. The following are_extracts from a letter received yesteiday by Mrs. Stockton from ier brother. It throws light upon the reason why Lloyd Tevis was interested in her and her family: | ORLAND, Colusa County, March 3, 1896. Dear Bertic: * * * 1 am sorry that Mr. Tevis' name should have been dragged iuto the muss. 1 _did intend to send a card to the San Francisco press, stating that Mr. T. nad helped all mem- of the family since our father’s death in At that time he sent mother & pass over a6 of the California Steam Navigation od for one year. Also sent mother one year's provisions, and had them shipped to Maine Prairie, and the first our Toiher knew about it was when the freight ngent at Maine Prairie sent her word that there was a large .iunmiw of freight there for er Mr. T. had never met mother, father let Tevis have $5000 in the 'l g’l e So you see it es not seem strange to me that he should vou. Tevis told me the last time I im that if [ ever needed help to write to m. He elso offered to help Albert. My advice is to buckle on your armor and go into that Brown-Davidson-Cooper fight to win. With love from &ll, your brother, W. P. GAY. Dr. Brown was reported to be much beter last night, and it is thought that he will be able to make his statement to the council to-day. et T he; our She Made Plausible Answers to Ssveral Very Polnted Questlons. Outside of the council and the reporters there were not more than two dozen per- sons in the council chamber at the Brown noon, the impression having gone abroad that only those persons directly interested in the case a5 witnesses, etc., would be ad- Mr. Tenney, who smiles the sweetest when he asks the most cathodic questions, began his cross-examination by inquiring whether Mattie had taken Mrs. Tunnell with her on her blackmailing trip to the Chronicle editorial rooms, and he received the reply, given with all that hauteur which is so becoming to Miss Overman’s style, that she had not. Mr. Tanney, with another sweet smile, asked what was the financial condition of | Mrs. Tunnell, and whether that lady had ncome. s it necessary to discuss Mrs. Tun- neil’s finances?” inquired Miss Overman in tones-chilly enough to have frozen Nan- sen to the North Pole. But the Tenney smile is unireezable, and he replied tuat such was his opmion, whereupon Miss Overman answered that Mrs. Tunnell had | had an income which had been cut off by her brother, since which time she had not had so much. She had been receiving me house rent from her home in Galt. “Did you give Mrs. Tunnell any money 2" was the next question. I gave bher $20 on the evening she leit. I happened to have the mouney in my on from my sister.” »ur sister give it to you to give d it without reference to “Have you sent her any money since?” oo have sent her a little.” as that also furnished by your sis- ter? It was not.” There was a little emphatic twlne on the “not” like the crack of a whip. Miss Overman shifted uneasily in ber chair, but kept the marble-hearted gaze of her cold blue eves npon the Tenney smile that would neither fade nor be frozen. “Who furnished it?"” There was a moment’s hesitation on Miss Mattie's part. Then came tne reply clearly and distinctly: “Dr. Brown.” “How much?"” “Five dollars at one time.” “Yousentit all. Do you remember how much you sent? “Five doliars at one time; $10 at another Was that sent to her at Los Angeles?” “Some of it was; $10.” “Why did Dr. Brown send her this money 2"’ “‘Bscause she was & poor woman.” ““Why should he send it at this time? Had he assisted her before?”” “No; but I don’t see why he shouid not st her.” “Yes; but tke supposition that he sent her away would lead to the supposition pursued Mr. Tenney. Mr. Hoyt stepped in at this juncture. “You have been Lesitant in your manner of answering those guestionsabout money. Are you really hesitant?” *“I'would prefer that Dr. Brown would answer those questions.” “Have you told us all about the givin, of money by Dr, Brown to Mrs. Tunnefi since she went away P’ ‘Yes.”” “'{here is nothing further?” “Mrs. Tunnell had no_thought until she not leave in pursuance of a plan be- tween you?” “There was no planning at all between Moderator McLean asked whether Mrs. Tunneil was not employed at the restau- rant, and whether sbe did not receive some compensation for her services. The witness replied that she believed she did. “And she quit her employment to go away ?”’ inquired the moderator. “I suppose she did.” In response to a question by Mr. Ten- ney as to whether she knew that a person named Jones employed in the co-opera- tive restaurant had disappeared at the same time as did Mrs. Tunnell, the wit- ness said that Mrs, Cooper had said so, and that was all she knew about it. She thought that there were one or two letters more than those that were published in the newspapers, but sne did not remember whether or not there was anything in them-of an incriminating character. Mr. Tenney then called her attention to a statement in what had been conceded to be the original part of the first letter in June, 189, as follows: You didn’t state in your last whether you had been 1o see B. again or not. Miss Overman explained, in answer, that the initial B had been inserfed by mistake for the letter D, which was meant for Mrs. Davidson. “If you correct those letters every time we find anything in them that bears on this case we are at sea,’”’ remarked Mr. Tenney, with a smile. The witness replied that she had re- quested Mrs. Davidson several times to go and see Dr. Brown. Mr. Dodge made the suggestion that in all the letters where an initial was used for Mrs. Davidson it was always “Mrs. “How could vou expect,” Tenney, ‘“‘that ked Mr. rs. Tunnell would not the letters had been changed?” Miss Overman replied that she did not expect that Mrs. Tunnell would read the letters again. “Didn’t you think it possible that if those letters were published tkey would be brought to her attention?” asked Mr. Tenney. ‘‘No, sir,”” was the reply. “It was not the intention to have them published in the press.’” ‘‘What was it then? Was not that a f"t of the scheme between you and Mrs. Davidson to have some one buy the let- ters?"” *'No, it was intended to show them.” Mr. Pond asked whether the object of Mr. Tenney’s questions was to impeach the statement of the witness, to which Mr. Tenney replied: *I think all of us have a question in our minds as to whether this story that Miss Overman tells is to be be- lieved and I am trying to find out whether there is anything in her statement which throws discredit on her story.” Mr. Pond said that he had no objection to that line of inquiry, but suggested that it was consuming a good deal of time. Mr. Tenney replied that he thought that \ THEStLLNT MEMBER Of CHARACTERISTIC SCENES TTHECOUNCIL Miss OvERMANS GUARDIAN AT THE ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCIL. [Sketched from life yesterday by a “Call” artist.] was what the council had assembled for— to spend a good deal of time in ascertain- ing what the truth was. Mr. Hoyt interrupted at this juncture by announcing that he had received a tele- gram from Los Angeles stating that the persons addressed had no knowledge of her whereabouts. Several other passages bearing upon Dr. Brown were not marked by the wit- ness on her direct examination as_having been interpolated or remodeled. In some cases she replied that they were not in the originals, and that she had forgotten to mark them; and in other cases she said that she could not remember, but she be- lieved that they were part of the interpo- lated or remodeled matter. Mr. Tenney, on esch of these occasions, glanced at his fellow members of the coun- cil with a puzzled air, and remarked 'that her corrections of the letters on her cross- examination were so many facts that would bear against the credibility of her former statement. “I don’t think so,” commented Miss Overman a little more clearly and dis- tinctly than usual, and with an unmis- takable accent of defiance. Mr. Tenney, quietly ignoring all the in- terruptions, proceeded with his questions as follows. “Why, if you had no thought that these letters would ever see the unblic eye or be read by Mrs. Tunnell, did you take all pains to go over those letters that had been written interjecting those passages, instead of writing new letters entirely and placing them in her drawer? What dif- ference would it make?"” “I did write new letters.”” “What was your interest in making ther seem authentic if nobody was to see them?"’ “I, myself, thought that it was going too much into the details of home affairs, but Mrs. Davidson insisted upon it.” The witness also explained that she had used the expressions relative to her life being ruined, and to the fact that Dr. Brown could not help acting as he had done because he had inherited an evil ten- dency, because Mrs. Davidson had dic- tated it to her. Mr. Tenney announced abruptly that he had no more questions to ask, and the other members of the council proceeded to cross-examine her in turn. In response to a question Miss Overman stated_that she gent the $10 spoken of to | the address of Mrs. Tunnell at Los An- geles. With reference to her attending | school at the business college she stated that she understood that her tuition fee at | the school had been paid by Mrs. David- | son. She had never been informed nor bhad she suspected that any one else had | aid it. It was at the suggestion of Mrs. avidson that she went to the school. She also explained that the rewritten Tunnel! letters had been taken to a lawyer for the purpose of having him sell them, but he refused to have anything todo in the matter. Then another man took them to the newspapers. She declined to give the lawyer's name in public, so that the papers might get hcld of it, but she had no ob%ection to give it privately to the connei Mr. Rader asked her whether she had ever told Mr. Pierce, the cook at the Co- operative Restaurant, that Dr. Brown haa paid her tuition at the school. She replied that she had never told Mr. Pierce that or anything else about Dr. Brown. By Mr. Pond—Was this scheme directly | to blackmail Dr. Brown, or to prepare a | sensational story for publication? The witness replied that Mrs. Davidson never used the word ‘blackmail.” She said that it would be a lesson to Dr. Brown and would do him good, because he was so proud and puffed up. The witness did not realize the whole import of the acheme at first; but, of course, she realized that it Was wrong. Mr. Pond asked what was the bearing on the case of this alternative of a sensational story to pe sold to the papers. She replied that it was a scheme that might be presented to the Chronicle, or to any one, or to Dr. Brown, in the expecta- tion that it would have weight. Moderator McLean read from the testi- mony of the witness on the direct exami- nation the following: ‘‘So we entered into & scheme to blackmail Dr. Brown.” “Idon’t think you could call it anything but blackmail,” replied the witness. “Did you expect that the money would come out of his pocket?” “1 expected that the money would come from him.” “You thought that the money would be forced from him under compuision rather than have this slorg published ?”” “That is what I was informed by Mrs. Davidson.” “Was it conscience ‘that conquered at last?” inquired Mr. Pond. ‘I think it was nothing else.” Mr. Vreeland asked whether Saturday a week ago was the first time that she had told Dr. Brown about the plot with Mrs. Davidson and about the rewriting of the Tunnell letters and she replied that it was. In response to a question by Moderator McLean the witness saia that after her return from Tacoma she turned her back on Mrs. Brown and did not speak to her, because she (Miss Overman) was angry on account of the remark which she was told Mrs. Brown had made about her,and for the further reason that she was not capabie of being a hypocrite. The letter which Dr. Brown wrote to her taking her to task for the expressions contained in the letter to him, she said, had no weight with her in the plot. She was not revengeful, “What were the expressions. used by Dr. Brown in _his letter to you nbukinx you and which caused you o e angry? ‘‘As having a nhigh regard and great re- spect for me, but that if I thought that it had gone any further Ii had made a mis- take. I cannot quote any more of the'let- ter, it was so long ago.” “‘What was the particular expression that cut you?” “The fact that had I fancied so I had made a mistake; that's what cut me,” ‘‘After the plot or scheme so0 advised was repented of by you and forgotten - by Mrs. Davidson was there any conversation on her part or yours with reference to con- triving some other way of obtaining money ?”’ “Never.” “I understood that you were very much interested in Mr. Allen’s meetings, where the fi”t scheme was the second coming of the Lord ?” ‘‘My resolution to devote my life to mis- sion work was made before I attended those meetings.” ““Was there not a new tenderness of con- science in connection with the unveiling of those truthst Would it not create an nfi)pul to the conscience so that a person should walk very carefully with reference to the matter of truth ?’” “I think it would.’ “Have youa new sense of truth anda great desire in the present investigation to say nothing but the truth?"” I think I have.” “You stated that you came here pre- pared to make a clean breast of this mat- ter. I want to ask you if you have made | a clean breast of the whole of this affair? Have you withheld anything important?” | “‘I have, but there are some important points that you have not brought out on the cross-examination.” In response to questions by Mr. Barker the witness said that she believed Mrs. Baddin to be a rythical character. If Mrs. Baddin had been in the service of Mrs. Davidson the witness would have met her. She had said before that she thought that Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. Baddin were one and the same person. “How much of this money that you and Mrs. Davidson plotted to get out of Dr. Brown were you to have received 7" “] was to receive ane-haif of it.” “Did she ever ofier to give you any por- tion of that $500?” +No sir.” Mr. Beudder asked: ‘‘Before this thing came out did you consider Mrs. Thurston a truthful woman?” “Not aitogether.” ““Could all of her statements, which you deny, have been misunderstandings aris- ing out of conversations which you had with her?” “Very likely. I was told that Dr. Brown had an enemy in Mrs. Thurston, and I should have to expect her enmity in this church.” “Who told you that?” “Mrs. Tonnell. I will say that Mrs. Tunnell knew nothing- whatever about this blackmailing scheme."” Mrs. Tunnell is said to have stated to Mrs. Thurston that you had received $35 per month.” “No, sir; I never received that.” ‘“‘She is said to have said also that Mat- tie expected some compensation for the | manner iu which Dr. Brown had slighted her affections, and that you didn’t propose to be cast agide in that way?"”’ “I never told Mrs. Tunnell anything like that or Mrs. Thurston. I never made any remarks to the effect that it was strange that Dr. Brown should be stand- ing in the pulpit teaching morality, I never told Mrs. Tunnel! that I was going to the trustees of this church with any story whatever. Inever told Mrs. Tun- nell that I was going to seil this informa- tion to the newspapers. Where she got that information I don’t know. Mrs. Thurston has made many peculiar state- ments. I flatly contradict them. I never told Mrs. Davidson of my affection for Dr. Brown before I returned from Taco- “Before Fabruary 1 all your attempts in the way of Prevnriun’on were in the effort to cover this Frinu plotting?"” “That is all.” “Where is the paper which you drew up as a confession to Dr. Brown?” “I have it at home.” ‘‘Have you ever received money from Dr. Brown ?'"asked Mr. Hoyt. “I have received some moner since this unhappy affair for_car fare. did dress- making for Mrs, Brown and the doctor has paid me.” ‘‘He never furnished you with any funds until quite recently ?' “Never. He never aided me in any way financially.” _“‘Have yonu received additional informa- tion concerning Mrs. Tunnell’s earlier life since this trouble began ?'’ “Yes; through the newspapers, which have put a different construction on things.” “Have you ever told Mrs. Tunnell that Yyou wanted her to aid you by evasions of truth?” “I asked Mrs. Tunnell if she could state under oath that I had never told her of my affections for Dr. Brown, and she re- plied she would not. I told her I would not expect her to. 1 am perfectly sure that if Mrs, Tunnell had any connection with this affair I would have known it.”” “You sent Mrs, Tunnell money,” asked the moderator, “after this full confession on y‘gur vart in the paper?”’ “Yes.” “Why did you send her money when all that she could tell had been told? Why does not she come back?” “‘Idon't know. I wish she would come back.” “She left on the 29th of December, and those letters were published on January 7 —that was nine days—did you make any mrfizh Of her effects for those letters?” “No.s* “When you went there to get her clothes you didn’t have to show any m:?‘on;ytion from her?”’ *Didn’t it occur to you that there was something like a dynamite bomb that somebody might strike their foot against and explodge?”’ 1 thought they were her trunk at Mrs. Eaton’s in Oakland and that they THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1896. AN ATTENTIVE- USTENER ters here and furnish evidence on no better authority than third and fourth hand rumors against the character of the ac- cused. The testimony of Mrs. Eaton was of the same kind, and all that you accent- ed under oath as a council., If you wish to invoke the State law then yon have no right to drag on all this bearsay evidence. “In this record we intend to impeach the witness and show that she has suf- fered lapses of memory, and we wish to enable her to remember whether she was in certzin places three or thirty months, 1f you strike out one part of this kind of testimony you must strike outall. You cannot blow hot and cold at the same time, Be fair to both sides.” “The chair to take the course outlined by Mr. Na:le woald have to be consist- ent,” rejoined the moderator. “Iam in sympathy with the introduc- tion of this documentand I bave so de- cided. If there is a difference of opinion in the council then let a ruling be taken by appealing from the chair. on the part of the council. “1f you admit this document,” said Dr. Tenney, ‘“‘then there will be a clamgring for an’ admission of similar matters all through this investigation.” “You admitted a letter of similar char- acter signed by a clergyman; this is signed and sealed from a court of justice,’’ retorted Mr. Brown’s defender. P < 7 How ¥S THAT ? Mr. Tenney thereupon read from the shorthand reporter’s transcript of the day before in which Miss Overman usea the pronouns ‘‘she’’ and ‘‘ber'” in speaking of | this “man.” The witness contended that the short- hand reporter must have been mistaken. *‘What possible reason can you have,” conunued Mr. Tenney, ‘‘for withholding the name of that man? Thereis asort of a mystery in our minds connected with that man.” can't see why there should be,” re- plied the witness calmly. “For the purpose of clearing up that The ruling was not appealed from, and the judge advocate instructed the scribe to take pote of the fact that he objected to the document as being inadmissable. Witness was then shown a letter from J. C. Shaw, Deputy State Fire Marshal of Massachusetts, accompanying the court records and also inclosing a photograph of Mrs. Davidson. Mr. Heineman identified them both, whereupon Attorney Nagle read the official’s letter in which he offered to come West and testify in the case asto Mrs. Davidson's career in the East if necessary A letter of similar purport from W. B. Watts, Chief of the Police Department, was also identified and reaa. Another photograph was shown witness, | which he pronounced a good likeness of Mrs. Davidson. It was taken aiter her ar- rest for the Police Department. Though tne letters, photographs and court records were introduced in evidence by the accused pastor's counsel the pro- céedings up to this point had not been en- livening, and the audience on the qui vive for the appearance of Dr. Brown was doomed to disappointment. Judge-Advocate 'Woodhams questions to ask of the witness. The point was raised by Mr. Tenney that the fact that Mrs. Baddin had not been married in any of the ten counties to which letters had been sent by the detec- tives was very little evidence as to whether Mrs. Baddin had been married in the State. Mr. Nagle read letters from Captain Lees and Detective Seymour in regard to at- tempts to have somebody else represent Mrs. Baddin, that testimony showing that Mrs. Davidson had tried toget Mrs. Welles- ley of Fruitvale to personity Mrs. Baddin in the trial. Mrs. Wellesley is declared to be very ill, and it will not be possible to get her to ap- pear as a witness. An objection was made that none of the statements relating to Mrs. Wellesley had been made under oath and that the matter ought to be investi- gated by the committee. No action was taken. Moderator McLean announced that in the future he would adhere to his previous ruling in regard to testimony offered for the impeachment of witnesses, an excep- tion having been made in the Davidson instance on_account of the peculiar rela- tion of Mrs. Davidson to the case. Mr. Nagle called for Miss Overman again, but that witness was not present. Deacon Isaac H. Morse of Dr. Brown’s church was next cailed. It was his first appearance. He said he joined the church in 1868. Mr. Nagle questioned him. had no suspicion in our minds,”” said Mr. Tenney promptly; “we would like his name.”’ “I don’t see why there should be any suspicion. I had never known him before. I think he came from Visalia. I don't think he would care to have his name mixed “V? in this affair.” Mr. Williams asked whether Miss Over- man’s relations with Mrs. Eaton were not of such a nature that the witness couid not have gone to her house and taken pos- session of the letters? The witness reglied that she thought the letters would be perfectly safe there. “Would they not be safer in vour hands or burned up?” persisted Mr. Williams. “I s uppose so."” The hour of 5 having arrived a recess was taken until 7 . ». Tt ST E THE EVENING SESSION. Dr. Brown Not Present, but Attor- ney Nagle Conducts a Vigor- ous Defense. It was half-past 7 before the members of the council filed in from the ante-room and took their seats on the rostrum. Dr. Williams led in prayer, after which 0. H. Heineman, secretary to Captain Lees, was called and subjected to a critical examination by Attorney Nagle as to the report of Detective Seymour. The witness readily recognized the re- port, and after this identification Mr. Nagle read the document, which has already been published. Another report from Detective Seymour, detailing an interview with Mrs. Gilley, was also read. “Do you know why the Chief wished to have Mrs. Gilley interviewed?” the wit- ness was asked ‘“‘Because it was understood that she had seen Dr. Brown and eome woman entera lodging-house on the corner of Sixth and Bryant streets. But the lady had seen him alone. Dr. Brown subsequently ad- mitted that Mrs. Gilley was right. He had passed Mrs. Gilley’s house while on his way to the dumps.” The report of an investigation made by Dr. Brown, Detective Seymore and witness in the chair was also identified and read, ously published. hen witness had identified a report from Massachusetts purporting to be a story of Mrs. Davidson’s character and career in the East and Attorney Nagle had started to read the same the judge advo- cate asked to be permitted to examine the record. After glmcing over the typewritten lines to satisfy himseif as to the character of the document Mr. Woodhams asked what was the the purpose of its introduction. “Because,’’ responded Mr. Nagle, ‘‘we want to show the character of the woman ‘we have to deal with—Mrs. Davidson.”” ““I object to the report,” said the judge advocate, ‘‘because the crime with which Mrs. Davidson is charged in that record is not a felony.” The moderator—Testimony of the same kind has been introduced heretofore, and I rule that it be presented. Wninlperinxs were heard on all sides, ““What'’s the matter?” In reply to the q:xastion of the judge advocate Attorney Nagle said again that it was for the purpose of showing the character of the chief witness against Or. Brown that he wanted to introduce her record. “If this does not show the kind of woman she is then there will be no necessity for the paper being accepted.” He then read Several paragraphs from the cooy of the Massachusetts court record detailing the specific charges and convic- tions in_the case of the commonwealth against Mrs. Davidson, chief of which was the selling of mon.g-ged property. ‘When Nagle had finished the Rev. Freeland said there would not appear to be any cause for further discussion, as the attorney’s reading had evidently accom- plished” the purpose for which it was de- sired to introduce the paper. A remark by the judge advocate to the effect that the admission of such a docus ment was not in conformity with the rules of law and common practice precipi- tated a two-minute flight of eloquence would not be found by any one.” Mr. Tenney came in again and asked about the friend who took a letter from Miss Overman to Mrs. Tunnell after Mrs. Tunnell left this City? The witness said | that this person was a man. from Dr. Brown’s attorney. “If you want to try this case accordiag to rules of common practice,” he began, then nearly all the testimony that vou have received must be stricken out. You have permitted Mrs. Cooper to read let- all the contents thereof having been previ- Do yon remember the time that Mrs. Stock- top came {nto the church? 1 0. Do you remember the incident of the French tea? Turkish tea. 1remember that. 5 Excuse me. Turkish tea. You remember that? 1 do. Was Dr. Brown pastor then? He was. Did he have much to do with Mrs, Stockton at that time? Not that I know of. Did he meet her often? Not to my knowledge. Did you ever see nim in her company? Never, excepting in the church. This was in 1893 and 1894. Who did Dr. | Brown usually come to church with? With Mrs. Brown. Did you ever see him come with anybody else? No. Did he go away from church with any other woman ? Not to my knowledge. Did you hear anything against Mrs, Stock- ton's reputation soon aiter the time of the Tyrkish tes ? did. What was it ? ton was an immoral woman. When did you speak to Dr. Brown about M Stockton ? Four or five months after. Mr. McKee asked about the choir objec- tion to Mrs. Stockton. Dr. Mooar asked whether Mrs. Cooper had wused the words ‘disreputable woman’ in relation to Mrs. Stockton. Mr. Morse replied that those were the exact words used condemn Dr. Brown, but she said that he was unfortunate in having defended the woman'’s character. Members of the council asked various questions in regard to testimony previous- ly given. Deacon Morse said that Dr. Brown had consulted him and Deacon Dexter about the question of arresting Mrs. Davidson. He stated that he was called to Dr. Brown'’s study. Deacon Dexter was there. Dr. Brown seemed excited. He took the deacons to a lodging-house on Geary street, where Mrs. Brown and Miss Over- man were waiting, and there the whole story about Mrs. Davidson was told. The police were consulted, and Mrs. Davidson’s arrest followed. Dr. Brown had not consulted Deacon Morse about paying the $500. A demand for the return of the money had been made by Dr. Brown. Mrs. Davidson taught her Sunday-school ciass, as usual, the following Sunday, and she disappeared immediately afterward. The witness testified that he had seen two brief letters that Dr. Brown had writ- ten to Miss Overman. “‘What were the letters about?” asked Dr. McLean. ‘‘About kindergarten work and other things of that sort.”” “What did Dr. Brown say?’ ““I cannot recail, as I did not pay much attention to them.” ‘“What did Dr. Brown say about the kindergarten work?” *‘He discouraged her about it.” Dr. Williams asked whether Mrs. Stock- ;o}:hh:a joined the church on confession of aith. “I do not remember,” said Deacon orse. “The records would show, I suppose ?" “I think $0.” “Was Mrs. Stockton baptized at the time?"” ‘‘She was baptized in Dr. Brown’s study."” “Is that usual in your church?’? It is not.” *““Who was present?"’ “Deacon Vasconcelles and L.” A brief cross-examination by Mr. Wood- hams followed. Deacon Dexter thought he would be able to recognize the letters that Dr. Brown wrote to Miss Overman. They were writ- ten on tbe church letter-heads. The witness said that he met Mrs. David- son on the evening of the day that Dr. Brown demanded the return of the $500. Mrs. Davidson aid not know that Dr. Brown was to appear and she disappeared as soon as she learned of the fa What would have been the result it Mre. Davidson bhad returned the §500?" asked Rev. Dr. Williams. "‘I know nothing about that,” was the reply. udge-Advocate Woodhams announced that the letters written by Dr. Brown to Miss Overman, as alluded to in the dea- con’s testimony, would be produced by the acoused pastor. Deacon Dexter made a voluntary state- ment then, in which he said: Mr. McKee favored a consistent policy | Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper told me that Mrs. Stock- | Mrs. Cooper did not | «T think I know Dr. Brown thoroughly. - 4 hn}ve read all that was_printed in the papers about him, and I am wxl_lmg, to stake my life on Dr. Brown’s integrity.". | " "Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper created the enliv- ening scene of the avenini. She sent word to Mr. Woodhams that she wanted to get an opportunity before the close of the ses- sion to contradict Deacon Morse, and so she was called to the stand. Her eyes snapped with excitement, she was very much acitated. ; | “Inever in my life had the interv | with Deacon Dexter that he talks abou | she almost shrieked. six | “I never used the word ‘disreputable’ in and iew Y’ | speaking _of Mrs. Stockton! Never! | Never! Never!” / | Moderator McLean reminded Mrs. | Cooper that she was very much excited, and that she ought'to give her evidence in | a calmer manner. The witness replied: i | “Yes, [ know; I am all right now. | Then she continued : r “I never spoke to Mrs. French about it, never; and I don’t think I would to Dsa- con Morse. Mrs, French was the most in- terested party.” Mr. Nagle asked: “Didn’t you have a | talk with Mrs. French at about the time of | the Turkish tea regarding the matter?” | _“She told me her troubles,’’ said Mrs. | Cooper, “‘and I said: ‘Perhaps rrovidence | has sent you to me.’ ” | “Isn’t it possible,” inquired Dr. McLean, “‘that there may be a_lapse of memory ? *“No.” And Kirs. Cooper was very short and quick in her use of the word. “Didn’t you have any talk with Deacon Morse on the subject, at any time?’” ‘‘Never."” That ended the questioning, and the council adjourned until 2 o’clock this after- noon. Deacon Morse spoke to Mrs. Cooper about the question of the testimony after the adjournment, but Mrs. Cooper was | very emphatic in her declaration that the | testimony was not true, and the deacon | refrained from going any further into the | eontroversy. | Itisnow aplain guestion of veracity, and the testimony of Mrs. French will be | asked for as the only available evidence, so | far as is known, that will have bearing on | the case. Mrs. Cooper is emphatic 1n her assertion | that Deacon Morse did not tell the truth, and she declared that there could not have been any misunderstanding. judind gl L MRS.TUNNELL HEARD FROM Acted as a Nurse for a Few Weeks In Los Angeles Under an As- sumed Name. | LOS ANGELES, Car., March 4—Your | correspondent called at Mrs. Tansey’s, 921 | South Olive street, to-day in search of | Mrs. Tunnell, whose presence is so much | desired at San Francisco in connection | with the Brown-Overman case. | ThE CALL reporter was hospitably re- | ceived by Mrs. Tansey, whois the widow of | Dr. Tansey, formerly a circuit preacher in | the Methodist church. She has beenan in- | valid for seven or eight months, requiring | the constant care of a nurse, and it was in | that capacity that a woman of about 62 | years of age, calling herself Mrs. Baker, | applied for a position with her about five } weeks ago. This woman, according to | subsequent developments, was none other | than Mrs. Tunnell. She proved, so Mrs, Tansey says, to be a quiet, refined lady | and capable nurse and gave complete sat- | isfaction. At all times she evinced the | greatest interest in the Brown case, saying | to those about her that she knew Mattis Overman at Tacoma and liked her well. On Sunday, February 23, Mrs. Baker re- | ceived a letter of thirteen pages, which she admitted was from Mattie Overman. She seemed quite uneasy after reading it, manifesting her restlessness by going downtown frequently. On Monday night, the 24th, she took the landlady, Mrs. Dickerson, into her confi- dence, and confessed that she was Mrs. Tunnell masquerading under an assumed name. She explained that ner motive in keeping away from San Francisco was partly to avoid publicity, but mainly be- cause she was friendly to botk. parties in the case and did not want to hecome in- volved in their wrangles. She never dis- cussed the merits of the case. The next morning Mrs. Tunnell took her satchel, and, with only a few last words, left. She said that the detectives | had discovered her retreat and she must go. She wanted to enter into further ex- | planations, but apparently was frightened | and_ hurried away. This afternoon a de- | tective called to see her, but got only the information that she had flown. "The landlady believes she has gone o Arizona. During her residence at Mrs. Tansey's she stated that she had a brother-in-law named Strong at Sacramento, and ason living somewhere in South America. BE DRILL OF CADETS League of the Cross Members to Hold a Rousing Rally April 10. | | Something About a Worthy Orgauiza- tion Formed to Discourage Intemperance. Preparations are now under way for the repetition of the grand competitive drill | and concert of the league of the Cross Cadets which took place at the Mechanics’ | Pavilion last May. { The committee in charge is most ener- | getically working for the success of what | they term the grandest military affair ever given in this City. The Mechanics’ Pa- vilion has been hired for the evening of | April 10, and accommodations will be | made for nearly 4000 people. The Fifth United States Artillery band, stationed at the Presidio, has been engaged for the evening, and will give a concert before the drill. The field music, formerly attached | to the First Infantry Regiment, have vol- unteered their services. < The League of the Cross, of which the cadets are an auxiliaty, is a temperance organization for young men and boys, or- ganized by Bishop Montgomery to discour- age the {mbit of treating and visiting | sa®ons as also to promote total abstinence, It was a success from the start and now i numbers between 7000 and 8000 members. | Shortly before Bishop Montgomery Wwas appointed to the bishopric in the spring of | 1894 the auxiliary known as the cadets be- an to organize, and on his departure ather Yorke was given full charge of the organization. | Under the guidance of the new and ener- tic director, ably assisted by Colonel W. . Sullivan, the cadets outstripped all cal- culation and won themselves and pro- moters much credit at the Pavilion last May on their first appearance. The cadets are now known as the First Regiment, League of the Cross Cadets, and consist of 500 members of ten companies, with regi- mental headquarters at 14 McAllister street, room 43. There is s great deal of rivairy between the companies for the trophy in the com- petitive drill. Last year it'was won by Company C, St. Pafrick’s, and they en- tered to keep it, although Company A Cathedral, Company G, St. Brigid’s, and Company I, St. Peter's,are making a great effort to win, while all are looking for a dark horse among the other companies. | In fact every member, from the colonel down, is womnfihard to show his friends what the cadets have accomplished in the last year, Besides the drill there will be a dress parade, guard mount and regi- mental review. Tickets are now on sale at 3 ory and al E q\\’;;tm - company head: e members of the committes are: Colonet W. C, )‘{a_honev, Lieutenal-Onlonel g gt ajor D. J. MeGloire, Cap- tam Daniel Deasy, Lieatenant 1. 1. Ryan, Lieutenant Havry Sullivan, Fathér 0'Ryan, Colonel W.wl’. Sullivan, Thomas Fallon, Measrs. MeNeal, Gildea and Spilane,