The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-30
A PASTOR BLACkMAILED.
Rel. CO. Brown of san Francisco the
Victim.


SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3o.-Mrs. Mary
A. Davidson has been arrested on the
charge of extortion preferred by Rev.
c. o. Brown, pastor of the First Con-
gregational church. Dr. Brown
charges her with blackmail, and says
that he paid her $500 to secure her
silence in regard to his alleged rela-
tions with Miss Overman, a young
woman from Tacoma who visited at
his house. The First Congregational
church is the largest and most fash
ionable one of that denomination in
the city.
Mrs. Davidson, who is woman
about 60 years of age, came here dur
ing the Midwinter fair as the repre-
sentative of a Boston corset firm, and
lately conducted a corset store of her
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 home of DR.. Brown,
whose family she knew in Tacoma.
After stay of several months, during
which time she became acquainted
with Mrs. Davidson, Miss Overman re-
turned to Tacoma, but came back to
CdA IdAC1SCO, WnOIO MIS- OdN1O0OA
promised to secure employment for
her
According to DIR. Brown. Mrs. David
son came to him last November at the
time when there was intense excite
ment in the city over the exposure of
several men, and told him she had
been commissioned by Mrs. Jane Eliz-
abeth Baddin. lodging house keeper,
to demand s., 900 down and 500 a
I. e. ~ L.. I
his intimacy with Miss Overman eX-
posed. Mrs. Davidson said that Miss
Overman had confded in her and
w ould testify against him, and that
Mrs. Baddin knew of compromising
facts 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 ma
ture of the charges brought against
him and saw no means of escape. He
succeeded, however, in reducing tie
figures to $500 down and $35 a month
for five years. He paid Mrs Davidson
| $500, for which she signed a receipt.
After paying over the money, DR..
Brown attempted to find Mrs Baddin,
but without success. Finally he met
Miss Overman, who was stopping with
Il
with her per6dy. She Indignantly de-
MED that she had made any charges,
| and when confronted with Mrs. David
son denounced the woman as infamous.
| Miss Overman Immediately 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 dea-
cons of the church Sand 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 that DR.. Brown called on
| her several months ago and voiunt tar
| lily confessed his love Tor Miss Over
man. He asked her advice and she
told him to sever his relations with the
| girl at once. Miss Overman, she says,
also confessed her love for DIR. Brown,
and that he had promised to pay her
$35 a month. A few days after this,
| Mrs. Davidson says, DIR. Brown handed
her $35 to give Miss Overman, saying
he had promised to pay her that
amount for ten months. Some time
ago, a strange woman, who called her
! self Mrs. Baddin, called on Mrs. Dav-
idson, and said she knew of DR..
! Browns intimacy with Miss Overman,
and demanded $40, 900 as the price of
her silence. About six weeks ago she
sent for DR.. Brown and told him of
Mrs. Baddin's demands. He said: Its
all true, and more too"
Mrs. Davidson continued: "He re-
fused to see the woman and asked me
to handle the business for him. He
SAID, You have our hearts secrets, ,
and told me everything. DIR. Brown
said he could not pay her $40, 900, but
would pay So, 600, with $500 down and
the rest at the rate of S35 month.
| DR. Brown said he would leave San
Francisco within three months, as he
had calls from Congre gational 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 sos. Mrs. Davidson
says Dr. Brown had paid her S35 for
Miss Overman in August, September,
| October, November and December.
She concluded her statement by
saying: 81 have kept this secret for
the sake of the church and for the
sake of Miss Overman and DIR. Brown,
but the truth must be told. 1 am
sorryI am obliged to divulge these
things"
The First Congregational church
was crowded yesterday as a result of
the exposure. After the church SER
vices a number of the congregation
shook hands with DR.. Brown and e1-
pressed confidence in HIM.