Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-12-30
A San Francisco Minister TerrOrized
Into Giving Up $500.
He Further Promised to Pay S35 a
Month for Five Years-The Beau
tiful Young Lady in the Case
Originally Demanded $4,000, of
Which $4,000 was to be Paid
Down, and 800 Month.


in regard to his alleged relations with
Miss Overman, a young woman IrOll
Tacoma, who visited his house.
The First Congregational Church Is
the largest and most fashionable one
of that denomination in the city Mrs.
Davidson, who is woman about sixty
wears of age, came here during the
Nidwinter Fair as a representative OF
a Boston corset firm, and lately con-
Quoted a corset store Of her own mere
She has attended DR.. Browns cnurch
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 DR.. Brown
whose family she knew IN Tacoma
After a stay Of several months, during
which time she became acquainted
with MIR. Davidson, Miss Oyerman re-
turned to Tacoma, but came back to
San Francisco. when Mrs. Davidson
promised to secure employment Tor
her. According TO DR.. Brown, Mrs.
Davidson came to him last November
at the time when there was intense eX-
citement in the city over the exposure
of several old men who had been
DEBAUCHING YOUNG GIRLS,
and told him she had been commission
ed by Mrs. James Elizabeth Baddln, a
lodging house keeper, 10 demand 81
600 down and S100 a month for ten
years, if he did not want his intimacy
with Miss Overman exposed. MIS-.
Davidson said that Miss Overman had
confded in her, and would testify
against him. and that Mrs. Baddin
knew that he had occupied room in
a lodging house with an unknown Wo-
man. Mrs. Davidson 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. DR..
Brown was Mortified at the nature of
the charges brought against 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 a receipt.
After paying over Che money DR.. Brown
attempted to find Mrs. Baddin, but
wFhout success. Finally he met the
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,
denounced the woman as in
famous. Miss Overman immediat-
ely left Mrs Davidson's house and went
to the home of Dr.. Brown, where she is
now under the protection of his wife.
Then the minister consulted with the
deacons Of the church, and the result
is the arrest of Mrs Davidson. Both the
minister and Miss Overman deny that
there is
THE SLIGHTEST FOUNDATION
for the charges.
Mrs. Davidson, when seen after her
arrest. said Dr. Brown called on her sew
eral months ago and voluntarily confess
ed his love for Miss Overman. He
asked her advice and she told him to
sever his relations with the girl at once.
Miss Overman. she says, confessed her
love for DR.. Brown and that he had
promised to pay her $35 a month. 4
few days after this Mrs. Davidson says
Dr.. Brown handed her $S5 to give TO
Miss Overman, saying he had promised
to pay her that amount for ten months
Some time ago a strange woman, who
called herself Mrs Baddin, called on
Mrs. Davidson and said she knew Of
DR.. Browns intimacy with Miss Over
man and demanded $4,000 as
THE PRICE OF HER SILENCE.
About six weeks ago she sent for DR..
Brown and told him of Mrs. Blddin' 5
demands. He said:
"It is all true, and more, too"
Mrs. Davidson continued:
He refused to see the woman and
asked me to handle the business for him.
He said you have our hearts secrets
and told me everything. DR.. Brown
said he could not pay her $4,000, but
would pay $4,000, with $500 down and
the rest at the rate of $35 month. DR..
Brown said he would leave San Fran
cisco within three months, as he had
calls from churches in Brooklyn and
Philadelphia"
Next day she paid the $500 to Mrs
Baddin. who said she was going to
leave town. but would return each
month for the S35.
Mrs. Davidson says DR.. Brown has
paid s35 for Miss Overman in August,
September. November and December
She concluded her statement by say
ing:
At have kept this secret for
THE SAKE OF THE CHURCH.;
for the sake of Mss Overman and Dr..
Brown. but the truth must be told, and
7 am sorry I am obliged TO divulge these
things"
The Chronicle says:
Miss Overman IS a tall young wo-
man with red hair and blue eyes. She
| < said 10 be a divorced woman. Matte
Overman is her name. Some months
ago she came to the Chronicle and offer
ed story on 2 prominent man for
/ 81 O00 She is not particularly good
! looking but IS an interesting talker.
So far the police have failed to find
any trace Of Mrs. Baddin. or the lodging
! house which she is said to have kapt.
The First Congress. a.ional Church was
crowded this morning as the result OF
+be exDosure Of the alleged blackmail-
/ ing ATTEMPT upon DR.. Brown. The
minister appeared as usual and in his
sermon referred indirectly to the at
tack upon his reputation. One Of the
deacons also spoke and corroborated
DR. Browns statement that he hacc
consulted with the officers OF the church
before causing the arrest Of Mrs. Da'
wilson. After the church services
number of the congregation shool
hands with DR.. Brown and expressed
confidence in him.