The herald., 1895-12-31
THE COURTROOM JAAMED
When Mrs. Davidson's Case Is
Called
THE LADY WISHES TO STAY
Until the Affair Sees the Light OF
Heaven
A. nulu L. AJoAE .
THE LADY WISHES TO STAY
A. Bail Is Not Forthcoming She Seems Likely
to Do So-The Record From
Boston


SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3O.-Judge Camp
bells court room was jammed this morn
ing. Mrs. Davidson, who accuses Rev. c
o. Brown of gross immortality. and whom
the accused clergyman had arrested on a
charge of blackmail, was called to plead to
charge of extorton. 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-.
tion in which she found herself. On the
contrary, there was nothing in her de-
meanor to indicate 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 becom-
ing bonnet. and gazing calmly upon the
unfamiliar surroundings through pair ol
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 facs 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.
"On what 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.
tkT think wan will ,,rovn ~,
Witness" persisted the attorney for the
prisoner. you once denounced Dr.
Brown from his own pulpit; further, we
consider you prejudiced against DR..
Brown
Such a statement coming from the de.
Tense astonished all in the court room.
II understand your little game" said
Judge Campbell, wrathfully, ''and it 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.
The judge said, this morning, "Dr.
Brown and l never had any controversy.
Ibelieve him to be tru hful gentleman
DIR. Brown, on the occasion referred to,
read a report from lying grand jury, as
he had a 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 witness in
this case. and l 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. Davdson's attor-
ney said: "This 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. Davidson's attendance.
If 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
effectual 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 !
60 away +"
The attorney for the defense then said
all hc wanted was the whole truth should /
come out. 10 that end he offered to waive |
oil rules of evidence and allow the fullest
vrifn
court, however said that would be an un-
safe precedent, and that the rules of evil
dence must be followed.
Most of the people in the courtroom
seemed to be friendly to Dr. Brown. Many
after adjournment pressed up to shake his
hand and express sympathy in what they
as an outrageous and malig-
nant attempt to blackrnail him and drive
him from the church because of doctrinal
in which he has been en-
gagged and through which he has many
When Mrs. Davidso:,'s attorney
told her he intended to waive techncaliIies
she SAID, "Oh, Mr.. Brown will not consent
to that; he is thoroughly defiant and in
tends to light me to the bitter end. He is
. good fighter. too"
Then the old lady adjusted her bonnet
and sailed out of court in charge of
policeman.
Mrs. Gill, one of the witnesses whom
Mrs. Davidson will call to prove that DR..
Brown was seen going into q lodging house
where the prisoner charges he met Miss
Overman. said today that DIR. Brown was
anything but 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
Jaw him with Miss Overman and never saw
iim 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
he place Mrs. Davidson says did. Mrs.
Davidson is mistaken when she says l
'yer told her anything of the kind. I know
absolutely nothing about the case or of the
engaged in it.'
Mrs. Tunnel, another of Mrs. Davidson's
is known about town as re-
ormer and promoter OF socialistc schemes.
The is now at DR.. Browns house nursing
ilss Overman, who has succumbed to the
train OF accusations against her. Mrs.
tunnel 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-