The San Francisco call., 1895-12-31

The bail was reduced to $1,000 and the
defendant was removed to the City Prison
till her bonds could be furnished.
PRISONERS STATEMENT.
Mrs. Davidson Brings Many Serious
Charges Against DR..
Brown.
Attorney Gallagher, representing Mrs.
Davidson, gave out the following state
ment last night, which he claims was writ
ten two days before Christmas:
SAN Francisco. Dec. %, 1895.
To them that lore God and labor for the estab
liShment Of truth, Righteousness and peace,
especially IN the First Congregational Church.
San Francisco, CdL.-GREETING: The pas tor OF
the above-named church, DR.. C. o. Brown, did,
in the latter part of December, 1894, make a
confession to the writer of this article-Mrs. A.
Davidson, 139 Post street, room 20-that he
loved her friend, a love far exceeding
love for his wife or any other women
he ever knew - VIZ: Miss Matte
Overman of Tacoma, Wash. (now in this City.
From time to time to May, 1895, the said C. O.
Brown came to the writer to ask her prayers
and counsel in the unlawful love-" as he ex-
pressed it, which he said was killing him.
The writer advised him &C. O. Brown to put
1t all away, as temptation of Satan. His con-
fesslon so troubled me that 1 asked advice
without calling the names of the parties) of
my friend, Mrs. B. Bango, milliner, CONNER
cial Hotel, Stockton.
/ think she shared the story with Mrs. Bruich
of the same house, who is my friend. We con-
cluded it was wrong and would lead to trouble.
In the meantime a friendly correspondence
was maintained with the writer and Miss Over
man for the sake of development of Christian
character, with particular reference to her re-
turn to this City and meeting the Rev. C. O.
Brown with Christian fortitude.
She arrived here in August / believe, but
quite unexpected to me at the time, with
trunk and satchel and with little money. She
spent much time with her friend, Mrs. Tun-
nell, who lived near the power-house on Tenth
street. She also met there William Marshall,
cashier of Smiths Cash Store. About this time
c. o. Brown called and gave Mrs. Tunnel $40,
to be paid to Miss Overlnen as she needed it.
Miss Overman and Dr.. Brown both told me
so but each time separately. 1t was subse-
quently paid in small sums, as she needed it.
About this time the trouble in the First
Church increased.
The writer met Mrs Mason on Kearny street
one day, and in confidence told her that
possessed a secret in DR.. Browns life that
might ruin him were it fully known.
l told her did not know it all, but feared
the consequences to the church, but, at any
rate, if known to the church simply as know
il now, her son, ]. F. Mason, could not be in
jured by DR.. Browns influence Mrs. Mason's
counsel to me then was to ask Gods help and
bide his time, for she knew ii would surely
come, and DR.. Brown would be humbed to the
very dust. / most fully sympathiZed with Mrs.
Mason and her son and the best good of the
church and all its membership.
To return to Miss Overman. She was absent
for few days, probably with Mrs. Tunnell
When she returned she told me of her going to
see Mr.. Simpson of the Chronicle to get him to
buy her story, which embraced certain wrongs
she had suffered which would reflect N ost un-
favorably on distinguished man of this City,
She said she told him he could have it for not
less than $1,000 or probably more She
then went away from me, and on
her return she told me she had concluded
to go to the man himself and demand the en-
tire sum, which she soon did. But the "dis-
tinguished man" had not the money to give
but he had agreed to give her the sum of $35
month for eight or nine months, or till she
had completed her course in stenograpny at
Heald's College. This pleased her. To my
great surprise the Rev. C. o. Brown called
and left the sum of S35. saying he
desired to assist Miss Overman, but when
asked if he still cherished the ola unlawful
love Tor Miss o. replied, "I do not; but wish
to aid her as a father, and lest there should be
an appearance of evil will pay you the money
each month; but l shall not see her at your
house, but desire her to come with you to
church and Sunday-school."
When asked how about the wrongs and the
large sums she demanded for them, he replied,
"Some time will explain it all to you" He
IL
and staid with Miss Overman and myself for
about two hours. He was greatly agi-
tated and appeared strangely, so that l
left the room in the hope of his
exit. On my return he handed
Miss o. $50, and said he was SO depressed that
life seemed a burden. His eyes flashed and his
lips were pallid, and l fairly trembled before
him, for he seemed more demon than q man.
L now conclude it was all put on to make me
fear him personally. OF course talked it over
with Miss o. as soon as he left. She said 81
know him so well it is no surprise to me, al
though it was to you" He truly frightened me
SO that sleep forsook me that night. l saw
there was great cause behind it, which ayoke
train of strange thoughts of C. 0. Brown and
Matte Overman.
Now Miss o. was my Sunday-schooi scholar,
and went to church with me every Sabbath
AS her teacher, l saw had great work to do
for her and perhaps for DR.. Brown; so
weighed everything carefully in regard to
both We studied the Bible together daily and
she seemed prayful, still did not feel sure of
her conversion TO Christ Jesus, especially in re-
gard to her feelings to Mrs. Brown and her
friend Miss Havens. She, however, presented
herself to the church committee, was accepted
and proposed for admission to the church at
the last communion.
DR.. B. continued to pay the $35 monthly,
and on his return from Syracuse he made me
brief call and handed me the money in the
hail. At this time Dr.. B. appeared exceed