The Indianapolis journal., 1895-12-31

had remarkable career in New England
Deputy Fire Marshal Shaw. who was a
member Of the State police In 1884 and
1855. had the case against Mrs. Davidson
In charge. In speaking of 1t to-day. ne
gave Mrs. Davidson's history follows:
she was born In Bucksport. Me- She mar
ried Colonel Blood, VINO was either killed
or died during tie civil war. The widow
went to Washington, where she attracted
considerable attention while acting as an
army nurse. After the war she returned
TO her native State. where she married
subsequently the Davidsons went TO Lynn,
Mass. where the woman opened music
store She obtained fine assortment OF
pianos and musical instruments under the
mortgage system. After she had realized
5000 on the stock she suddenly disappeared.
There was talk of suicide, but after work
ing on the case for several months Mr..
Shaw located the woman at Albany where
she was plying the trade OF insurance agent
under the name of Mary Sturgis and where
she had established a reputation for Zeal
in Episcopal Church circles. She was ar
rested and brought back to Massachusetts;
She was tried In Boston and the trial
proved most remarkable one. The woman
defended herself. She claimed that two
years before. while IN Boston, she sus-
tanned a sunstroke. since which time her
mind had been blank. She did not re-
member any Of her business transactions
and had no recollection of having bad a
store in Lynn She claimed to be unable to
tell how she got to Albany. So great an
impression did she make on the jury that
custom s of letting case go to T the jury
without argument when the prisoner was
not defended. in the interest OF justice,
oner was found guilty and sentenced to
serve two years in the House of Correc-
ton, at Ipswich. After leaving the House
OF Correction she was heard from in diff
lost sight of. Mr.. Davidson died while they
resided In Lynn. Mr.. Shaw described Mrs
woman. about fifty years of age of fine
complexion, a brilliant conversationalist and
gifted with uncommon musical ability. Mr.
communication. with DR.. Brown and. if
necessary. Will go TO San Francisco in
order to Identity the woman.
San Francisco dispatch says: The police
believe Mrs. Davidson is the woman referred
to In the Boston dispatch. Captain of De-
tectives Lees has telegraphed to the Bos-
record in the East Mrs. Davidson cor
robcrGted several points in the Boston dis
patcn regarding her marriage and early
life. but when asked If she had served two
years in prison she replied that she be-
lieved there was but one charge against
the only reply she would give to the ques-
ton.
What Miss Overman's Father Says.
;. TACOMA, Wash. Dec. 30.-The alleged
relations of DR.. Brown and Miss Matte
Overman are a complete surprise to their
many friends here. Miss Overmans family
declare their belief that it is a case of
blackmail, and say it cannot be true that
her relations with DR.. Brown have been any
but proper. In proof of this they cite that
she went to live with the Browns on her
first visit to San Francisco, over a year ago,
at the earnest solicitation of Mrs. Brown,
for whom Matte had sewed both here and
in San Francisco. While here, just a year
ago, DR.. Brown called at the Overman
home and stated here that Mrs Davidson
was pure Christian woman. Matte had
met her on her first visit to San Francisco
and went to live with Mrs. Davidson after
going to San Francisco for the second time
last August. Her younger sister, Lille, re-
ceived letter from her yesterday. 1t was
Davidson's. Yesterday came kilograms
from her, reading: do not believe sensa-
tfonal newspaper stories. Letter will ex-
plain Mr.. Overman says Matte is study
Ing stenography and typewriting, and that
he expects her home in three months. Her
letter of explanation is expected to-day or
Tuesday
Brown Well Known I'm Kalamazoo.
KALAMAZOO. Mich, Dec. 30.-C. o.
Brown. who accuses one of his flock of ex-
torting hush money from him in San Fran
cisco, was pastor Of the First Congrega-
tional Church here for five years, beginning
in 1880. He was one of the most successful
pastors the church ever had He graduated
at Olivet College and began his ministerial
laborS at Rochester, Mich His character
was above reproach. DR.. Brown went from
here to Duouque. thence to Tacoma and