The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-12-31
THE COURTROOM JAAMED
When Mrs. Davids0n's Case Is
Called
THE LADY WISHES TO STAY
Until the Affair Sees the Light OF
Heaven
A. Ball Is Not Forthcoming She Seems Likely
to Do So-The Record From
Boston
THE LADY WISHES TO STAY

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3O.-Judge Camp
bells court room was jammed this morn
ing. Mrs. Davidson, who accuses Rev. G.
.. Brown of gross immortality. and whom
the accused clergyman had arrested on a
charge OF blackmail, was called to plead to
charge of extortion. The prisoner was
not placed in the dock, but was given a
seat beneath the judges bench. She
seemed in no wise dismayed by the posi-
ton in which she found herself. On the
contrary, there was nothing in her de-
meanor to indicate a consciousness of
guilt, or fear of what the future may have
in store for her. She looked respectable to
the last degree, being quietly but hand
somely dressed in black, wearing a becom-
ing bonnet, and gazing calmly upon the
unfamiliar surroundings through q pair OF
gold-rimmed eyeglasses. Whether or not
she is a blackmailer is yet to be deter
mined, but she looks anything but such a
character.
DR.. Brown looked calm and contained,
but his faca was grave and determined
he has reputation for possessing dogged
determination, as is evidenced by his fight
against municipal corruption and social
evils. Miss Matte Overman, who Mrs. Da-
wilson accuses of being DR.. Browns COM
panion in iniquity, was not present.
Mrs. Davidson's attorney began proceed.
ings by asking for change of venue.
son VIII 1t ground?" asked Judge Camp
bell. He was told the defense desired to
call him as witness.
'.But know nothing about this case"
said the court.
~ think you will prove an important
Witness" persisted the attorney for the
prisoner. You once denounced Dr.
Brown from his own pulpit; further, we
consider you prejudced against DR..
Such a statement coming from the de.
Tense astonshed al, in the court room.
~ understand your little game" said
Judge Campbell, wrathfully, 'and il does
not go. Your motion for change of venue
is denied.'
The allusion of the defense was that
once, when Brown from the pulpit, de-
nounced municipal corruption. and said
the police courts shielded criminals,
Campbell, who was present, asked perm,s-
sion and was granted leave to contradict
Brown from his own pulpit.
r, The judge said, this morning, "Dr.
Brown and l never had any controversy
Ibelieve him to be a tru hful gentleman.
DR.. Brown, on the occasion referred to,
read a report from a lying grand jury, as
he had perfect right to do, and merely
corrected the misstatements of the grand
jury: DIR; Brown was perfectly right in the
matter I shall refuse to be q witness in
this case, and deny the motion for
change of venue.''
Tho attorney for the defense then asked
for a continuance for one week, but the
prosecution would not consent. Then the
court fixed Thursday for the next hearing
of the case. The defense asked for q re-
duction of bail, and Mrs. Davidson's attor-
ney said: "Ths lady, my client, has no
intention of getting out of the way, and it
IL hard she should have to remain in GUS
tody because the bail is SO high she cannot
raise the amount" Attorney Reuben
Lloyd, for DR.. Brown, who seemed all
through the proceedings to be actuated by
a desire to have everything move as
smoothly as possible, said all he wanted
was to insure Mrs. Davdson's attendance.
II the reduction to $4,000 bail was not
enough, the prosecution would be willing
to have the amount reduced still further,
SO that the court was satisfied the prisoner
would be on hand when wanted.
Bail was then reduced to $1,000, the at
torney for the defendant saying he would
take Lloyd at his word if $1,000 could not
be secured for his client.
Mrs. Davidson had made several in
etfectual efforts to speak. Finally she was
given permission and addressed the court
as follows:
81 wish to assure the court that there is
nothing, no amount OF gold, that would in |
duce me to leave this city now. l wish
only to stay here until this unholy thing !
shall have been fully opened up to the !
light OF heaven. Do not fear that l shall !
go away "
The attorney for the defense then said
all no wanted was the whole truth should /
come out. 10 that end he offered to waive
oil rules of evidence and allow the fullest
in questioning witnesses. The
court, however. said that would be an I'M
safe precedent, and that the rules of eyi.
dence must be followed.
Most OF the people in the courtroom
seemed to be friendly to i)r. Brown. Many
after adjournment pressed up to shake his
hand and express sympathy in what thew
as an outrageous and malig-
nant attempt to blackInail him and drive
him from the church because of doctrinal
in which he has been en-
gagged and through which he has many
enemies. When Mrs. Davidsoa's attorney
told her he intended to waive technicati.ies
she said, "Oh, Mr.. Brown will not consent
TO that; ne is thoroughly defiant and in
tends TO- light ma to the bitter end. He is
= good fighter, too"
Then the old lady adjusted her bonnet
and sailed out of court in charge of a
policeman.
Mrs. Gill, one of the witnesses whom
Mrs. Davidson will call to prove that DR..
Brown was seen going into a lodging house
where the prisoner charges he met Miss
Overman. said today that DIR. Brown was
anything but a gentleman. She saws she
Wished to join his church, but that he OBJ
ected to her because she shouted 'amen''
Turing his prayers. She says she is preiu-
Iced against him, but declares she never
Iaw him with Miss Overman and never saw
him enter the lodging house in question.
She concluded by saying at the end of the
Interview: II only wish had some testi-
nony against him. for he treated me ru ie-
y; but must admit never saw him in
ne place Mrs. Davidson says did. Mrs.
davidson is mistaken when she says l
yer told her anything of the kind. I know
'bsolutely nothing about the case or of the
'"'nclpals engaged in it.'
Mrs. Tunnel, another of Mrs. Davdson's
is known about town as re-
ormer and promoter OF socialistic schemes.
The is now at DR.. Browns house nursing
fiss Overman, who has succumbed to the
tram OF accusations against her. Mrs.
'unnel will not be seen and refuses to be
THE PRISONERS BOSTON RECORD
BOSTON, Dec. 3O.-Mary Davidson,
'hom the state police believe to be identi- I