The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-29

the following statement of the case for
publication:
With reference to the arrest of Mrs. Mary A.
Davidson on a warrant sworn to By myself be-
fore Judge Campbell this afternoon have at
present only this to say. The story of her dia-
bolical plot to ruin my good name and destroy
my family, unless would instantly yield to
her demand for very large sum of money,
will be told at length in court with all the
wicked details.
1t is perhaps due to the public that ] should
say now that down to November 81 had not
q suspicion against the Christian character of
Mrs Davidson. On that afternoon she came
to my Office and invited me to come to her
store.
/ went, supposing she wanted to talk about
joining the church, as that subject had been
mentioned. Arrived at her store, she fastened
the door, and then her manner underwent a
complete change. Her face became rigid as
marble and demoniacal in expression.
She affirmed that young lady who was stop
ping with. her, and who had previously Teen a
guest in our home, together with a certain
lodging house keeper whom she refused to
name, and one of the dodgers in that house,
were ready to swear TO my infamy. She called
my attention to the condition of the public
mind on account of the North Beach expos
ures which were then in progress, and said,
1.-THE story that these persons will tell will be
believed, and the public is in no condition to
trife with one in your position, charged as
you will be-"
She referred to the enemies had made dur
ing the Heron discussion, some of whom she
said were in my own church, and all of whom
she declared would be ready to believe any
story against me. Now, sir, she said, "these
persons will be believed and you will go to in
fanny; moreover, the young lady herself will
swear that what the lodging-house keeper says
is true"
the infamy of the plot, and demanded the
right to face my accusegs and say, ''This is an
infamous lie" But knew too well that in
the condition of the public mind which then
existed it would not require the sworn testi-
mony of three persons to condemn a minister
OF the gospel so charged.
Mrs. Davidson went on with what she called
her business" "The lady" ttha. is the lodg-
ing-house keeper, she said, demanded $4,000
on or before the next day at noon and writ
ten promise to pay 800 a month for ten years
to come. saw no escape if the young lady
whom had known only to respect had proved
so perfidious and was really in the plot, as
she affirmed. BY degrees she louered the de-
nand TO 500 cash down and $35 per month
for five years. Instantly I saw daylight. 1
would pay the $500 and then she would be
obliged 10 disclose the name OF the lodging
house keeper. l knew full well that no promise
of blackmailer would be worth anything, but
/ demanded a written document with the
name OF "the lady"
When she had written the paper. with the
name which l demanded as condition of the
payment, secured the document and then
opened the City directory. She had not antici-
pated such move; she turned as pale as
death and stammered, "Oh, you will not find
her name there. She has recently been mar
red''
husbands name being there"
There was no such name as she gave, either
male or female, in the directory nor has there
been for years
still did not know but that some person
had given false name. followed the matter