The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-30
A SCANDAL.
Preacher Brings Charges Against
Former Boston Woman.
FORMER TALKS OF BLACKMaIL
And the Woman Gives Her Side
of the Story.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dee. 30.-Alrs. Mary A.
Davidson has been arrested on charge of
extortion preferred by Rev. G. o. Brown,
pastor of the First Congregational church.
DR.. Brown charges her with blackmail,
and says that he paid her $500 10 Sc
cure her silence In regard to his alleged
relations with Miss Oycrman, u young
woman from Tacoma, who visited Mt his
house. The First Congregational church
Is the largest and most fashionable OF
that denomination in the city.
Mrs. Davidson, who is a woman about
60 years OF age, came here during the mid
winter fair rs a representative OF u Boston
corset firm. She has attended DIR. Browns
church for about year, and has taken
great interest In church matters. Miss
Overman came here from Tacoma for her
health and visited at the house OF DIR.
Brown, whose family she knew in Tacoma.
After stay OF several months, during
which time she became acquainted with
Mrs. Davidson, Miss Overman returne|,
TO Tacoma, but came back to San Fran
cisco, when Mrs Davidson promised to
secure employment for her.
According To Dr. Brown, Mrs. David
SOD came TO him last November, at the
time when there was intense excitement
i'm tho city over the exposure of the double
lives of several old men who had been
debauching young girls, and told him that
she had been commissioned by Mrs. Jane
Elizabeth Baddin, n lodging. house keeper,
10 demand 5000 down and 500 month
for 10 years II he did not want his inti-
macy with Miss Overman exposed. Mrs.
Davidson said that Miss Overman had
conflded in her aud would testify against
him, and that Mrs Baddin knew that he
had occupied room in lodging house
with an unknown woman. Mrs. David
son pointed out to him that owing to the
state of public feeling almost anything
that witnesses would swear to would be
believed. and advised him to settle at once.
Alleged Victim Bafiied Conspirators.
DR. Brown was Mortified at the nature
of the charges brought gainst him. and
saw no means of escape. He succeeded.
however In reducing the figures to $500
down and $35 month for five years. He
paid Mrs. Davidson $500, for which she
signed receipt. After paying over the
money, DIR. Brown attempted To and Mrs.
Baddin, but without success. Finally he
met Miss Overman, who was shopping
with Mrs. Davidson, and reproached her
with her perfidy. She Indignantly denied
that she had made any charges and, when
confronted with Mrs. Davidson, de-
nounced the woman rs Infamous.
Miss Overman Immediately left Mrs.
Davidson's house. and went to the home
OF DIR. Brown, where she Is now under the
protection of his wife. Then the minister
consulted with the deacons OF the church,
and the result was the arrest OF Mrs.
Davidson. Both the minister and Miss
Overinan deny that there is the slightest
foundation for the charges.
Mrs. Davidson. when seen after her ar
rest, said DIR. Brown called on her several
months ago and voluntarily confessed his
love for Miss Overman. He asked her ad-
vice, and she told him TO sever his rela-
tions with the girl Mt once. Miss Over
man, she says, confessed her love for DR.
Brown, and that lac had promised TO pay
her $35 month. A few days after this
Mrs Davidson says DR.. Brown handed
her $50 to give TO Miss Overman, saying
he had promised to pay her that amount
for 10 months.
Some time ago strange woman, who
called herself Mrs. Baddin, called on Mrs
Davidson and said she knew of Dr.
Browns intimacy with Miss Overman
and demanded $4,000 as the price of her
silence. About six weeks ago she sent for
Dr. Brown and told him of Mrs. Baddin's
demand. He said "It is all true, and
more, too.
Mrs. Davidson Acted as Agent.
Mrs Davidson continued: "He refused
TO see the woman, and asked me to handle
- IA.
have our hearts secrets and told me
everything. DIR. Brown said he could not
pay her $4,000, but would pay 5000, with
$500 down and the rest at the rate of s35
month. DR.. Brown said he would leave
Sar Francisco within three months, as ne
had calls from churches in Brooklyn and
Philadelphia"
Next day she paid the $500 to Mrs. Bal.
din, who said she was going TO leave town.
but would return each menth for the t35.
Mrs. Davidson says DIR. Brown has paid
e35 for Miss Overman In August and Sep
tember. November and December. She
concluded her statement by saying: "I
have kept this secret for the sake OF the
church for the sake Of Miss Overmatl and
DIR. Brown, but the truth must be told,
and / am sorry that 1 am obliged 20
divulgc these things.
The First Congregational church WINS
crowded yesterday morning rs a result of
the exposure of the alleged blackmailing
attempt upon DR.. Brown. The minister
appeared rs usual, and in his sermon ro.
ferred indirectly TO the attack upon his
reputation One of the deacons also spoke,
and corrobornted DIR. Browns statement
that he had consulted with the officers of
the church before causing the arrest OF
Mrs. Davidson. After the church services,
n number of the congregation shook hands
with DIR. Brown aud expressed confidencc
In him.
Clouds Passing By.