The herald., 1895-12-31

cal with the woman accused of blackmail-
ing hev. q. o. Brown of San Francisco,
ilau remarkable career in New England.
deputy Marshal >haw, mamber of the
state police in 1884 and 1885. gave Mrs.
Davidson's hi story as follows today: "She
was born in Buckshort. Maine. She mar
ried Colonel Blood, who was either killed
or died during the 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 met and mar
RED prominent shipbuilder named
Davidson Subsequently the Davidsons
went to Lynn, Mass, where the woman
opened muse store. She obtained a fine
assortment of pianos aud musical nstru-
ments under the mortgage system. After
she realized $4,000 upon the stock she sud-
denly disappeared There was talk of
suicide, but after working on the case sew
eral months, Mr.. Shaw located the woman
az Albany where she was plying the trade
OF insurance agent under the name of
Mary Sturgis, and had established repu-
tation for zeal in Episcopal church circles.
one was arrested and brought back to
massachusetts,. She was tried at Boston,
the trial proving a remarkable one. The
woman defended herself. She claimed
mat two years before, while in Boston, she
sustained sunstrolSe. since which time
her mind had been II blank. She did not
remember any of her business transactions
and had no recollection of having a store
IN Lynn. She claimed to be unable to tell
now she got to Albany. So great an i'm
preston did she IN ke upon the iury, the
district attorney, contrary to custom, let
tne cas- go to the jury WITHOUT
argument when the prisoner was
not defended, in the interest
or justice made argument. The prisoner
was found guilty and sentenced to two
years in the house of correction at Ipswich.
AFTER leaving the house of correction she
was heard from in different parts of the
country and finally lost sight of. Mr.. Dav-
ldson died while they resided at Lynn,
Mr.. >haw described Mrs. Davidson as an
exceptionally bright woman, about so
years OF age, of fine complexion, brilliant
mon musical ability. Shaw states he will
place himself in communication with DR..
Drown ana II necessary go to San Fran
cisco to identify the woman.
THE ACCOUNT BELIEVED
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3O.-The police be-
lieve Mrs. Davidson is the woman, referred
to IN Boston dispatch, who is said to have
served two years in IA house of correction
Tor swindling firm out of $4,000 CAPTAIN
or detectives Lees telegraphed TO the Boston
police department tonight for a certified
copy of Drs. Mavidson's record In the
east.
Mrs. Davidson corroborated sever,I
points in the Boston dispatch regarding
her marriage and early life. but when
asked II she had served two years in prison
she replied that she believed there was but
one charge against her at present. This
evaslve answer was the only reply she
would make to the question.
THE PRISONERS STATEMENT.
Mrs. Davidson's attorneys tonight made
public lengthy statement made by the
in which she gave in detail the
charges made against the minister. The |
statement contained nothing that has not |
already been made public. The most ir- |
feresting feature of the case is a state |
nent made by the city editor of the Chroui- |
Gle relative to the alleged attempt of Miss |
lverman made four months ago to sell a |
story that would ruin prominent citizen.
MRS Davidson, when arrested, said that
Mis- Overman offered to sell such g story.
out DR.. Brown and Miss Overnan her,
self denied it. The Chronicle to-
morrow Will publish statement made by
he city editor TO the effect that four
months ago woman whom he believes to
lave been Miss Overman offered to sell a
sensational article about a prominent resi-
lent of that city for $1,000. The woman
'efused to give ner name or of the "promi.
lent citizen" unless assured that the story
would be bought she said the man had
her deeply and she wanted re-
venge.
"This story would make a great sersa-
ion here and in the east" she said, ssthe
nan stands high in the community. The
'rticie could give would shake society to
ls center.'
The paper refused to buy the story.
FRIENDS ARE FAITHFUL.
TACOMA, Wn.. Dec. 3O.-The Brown
)verman case has been the chief topic of
conversation hero today, Friends of both
Dr.. Brown and Miss Overman, together
With many who did not know them, de-
lare their belief that it is pure case of
'lackrnail. The Overman family is almost
rostra ed. Mr.. Overman admits that
latte was divorced, and says her husband
> now dead. She married Dan W. I'll.
EZRA at Spokane, Wn., when eighteen
ears OF age against her parents
esires. She had to support herself, and
nally left him at Helena, after living with
i'm two years, because he gambled away
er money. She secured the divorce. Two
ears ago the family learned that Siiviera
ad been killed over a gambling game in
lontana. The family says she went to
an francisco because she was ambitious
, learn something besides dressmaking.