Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-30
Mrs. Davidson Unable to Obtain
Bail.
HAS now 4 new THEORY TO ADVANCE
Rev. Dr. Brown Discusses Her
Charges.
FORMERLY IN WASHINGTON

SAN FRANCISCO. December 3O.-Mrs.
Mary Davidson, who was arrested Satur-
day night on complaint of Rev. DR.. c, O.
Brown, pastor of the First Conversational
Church, on charge of extortion, has been
unable to obtain bail and is still in prison.
Mrs. Davidson taught in the Sunday school
or the church, which is one of the largest
and most fashionable in the city, and her
arrest has caused great astonishment in
church circles. She adheres to her original
statement with regard to DIR. Browns
alleged offenses and says that although
she may be sent to states prison, she be-
lieves her charges against the minister will
ultimately be verified.
DR.. Brown as steadfastly denies the accu-
sations made against him, and declares
that he will exert every effort to send Mrs
Davidson to San Quentin.
Mrs Davidson says she had long been
aware of the alleged relations between Dr.
Brown and Miss Overman.
Dr Brown called upon me often, and
asked me to pray for him. 1 promised to
DO So Mrs. Mason, a member of the
church, came to me one day and suggested
that we should both go down to the church
at ~ O'Clock every Sunday morning and
pray for DR.. Brown and the congregation.
we went to the church, as suggested, but
DIR. Brown did not receive us in the man.
ner that true Christian would have done.
he seemed annoyed at our actions
Mrs. Davidson's defama ton of my char
acter Is utterly inconsistent with her ac-
tions for the past year." said DR.. Brown
II may seem strange that l have given her
any money. but when l come to think of it,
or rather figure it out logically, you will
readily see there was no other course for
me to pursue. If had not given her the
money and secured the signed receipt, she
would probably have gone about circuIat-
ing her Infamous lies about me- Miss
OVerman will tell all her story in the court
room. She will take the stand and pro-
claim my innocence. She will tell all she
a ha hnlf ly>ln 80
tended friend to ruin me-
Or. Brown is one of the most promising
ministers in this city, and is well known
throughout the Pacific coast He was form
erly identified with religious work at Battle
Creek, Mich, and Dubuque, Ia
Mrs. Davidson now tells story that diff
fers slightly from the one she told when
hrst arrested. She says now she believes
she is the victim of a plot in which Dr.
Brown and Miss Overman are the plotters
She still insists that they are guilty, and
she was aware of his amours with Miss
OVerman, and fearing exposure, boldly re-
solved to forestall damaging developments
by accusing her of blackmail.
KALAMAZOO. Mich, December 3O-Rev.
c. o. Brown, who accuses one of his fock
of extorting money from him in San
Francisco, was pastor of the First Congre-
gational Church here for five years, begin
ming In 1850 He was one of the most sue
cessful pastors the church ever had. He
graduated at Olivet College and began his
ministerial labors at Rochester Mich. His
character was above reproach. DIR. Brown
went from here to Dubuque, thence to Ia
coma, and finally to San Francisco
BOSTON, Mass, December 3U.-A Mary
Davidson, whom the state police believe to
be identical with the woman who is accused
of blackmailing by the Rev. C. o. Brown of
San Francisco, had a notorious career in
New England. Deputy Fire Marshal Shaw,
who, as member of the state police in
1884 and 1855. had the case against Mrs.
of fn,io
gave Mrs Davidson's history as follows:
She was born IN Bucksport, Maine. She
married a Colonel Blood, who was either
killed or died during the civil war. The
widow went to Washington, where she at
tracted considerable attention while acting
as an army nurse. After the war she re-
turned to her native state, where she met
and married prominent Shipbuilder named
Davidson.