The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-31
TAKEN INTO COURT
The Extortion Case Of Mary Davidson
Will Be Heard Thursday.
SYMPATHY FOR DIR. BROWN
Change OF Venue Denied Emphat-
icalIy- From Boston Comes a
Story Of the Defendants Life
Her Queer Operations.

San Francisco. Dec. 3o.-The case of
Mrs. Mary A. Davidson. charged with
extortion by Rev. c. o. Brown. whom
she accused of Intimacy with Miss
Martha Overman. and from whom she
obtained $500 as hush money. was
called In the police court to-day. DIR.
Brown claims that he paid the woman
the money to secure evidence upon
which to insure her conviction. The
woman's explanation Is that the money
was for another woman, Mrs. Baddin.
who cannot be found. but who. Mrs.
Davidson claims. rented a room to DR..
Brown In which to meet Miss Over
man. The attorney for Mrs. Davidson
applied Cor a change of venue on the
ground of prejudice. finally explaining
that Police Judge Campbell was un-
friendly to DR.. Brown. The statement
coming from the defense caused gener-
al surprise. the court denying the mo-
ton for a change of venue. stating
that he had no quarrel with DR.. Brown.
whom he believed to be a truthful and
upright gentleman
The defendants counsel recalled an
occasion when. from the pulrst. DIR.
Brown In the course of a sermon on
municipal corruption. read a grand
jury report. scoring the police courts
and Judge Campbell particularly. On
that occasion Judge Campbell. who
was In Browns church. rose in his
seat and asked permission to correct
Brown. The latter invited the judge
to the pulpit when Campbell explained
that the report was the work OF
Lying Judge" absolving Brown. how
ever, from any imputation OF untruth-
fulness.
Mrs. Davidson's attorney applied for
a reduction OF the prisoners bail from
So 900 to a lower sum. The court re-
duced the bail to 5000. with the con-
currence of Browns attorney. who
stated he would consent to a still fur
ther reduction provided the court was
satisfied the woman would be in court
when needed. Mrs Davidson addressed
the court herself. dramatically stat
ing that no sum of money could induce
her TO leave town and that she would
he on hand until this unholy thing
was exposed to the light of heaven"
The case then went over TO Thurs
day. The court room was crowded
with friends OF Mrs. Davidson and DR..
Brown, although the majority ap-
peared to sympathize with the clergy
man.
The police believe Mrs. Davidson is
the woman referred to in a Boston
dispatch, who is said to have served
two years in a house of correction for
swindling a firm out of 5000. Captain
of Detectives Lees telegraphed to the
Boston police department last night
for a certified copy Of Mrs. Davidson's
record in the East. Mrs. Davidson
corroborated several points In the
Boston dispatch regarding her mar
riage and early life. but when asked IL
she had served two years In prison she
replied that she believed there was
but one charge against her at pres
ent. This evasive answer was the only
reply she would make to the question.
Mrs. DavIdson's History.
Boston. Dec. 30.-Mary Davidson,
whom the state police believe to be
identical with the woman accused OF
blackmailing Rev. c. o. Brown of San
Francisco. had a remarkable career I'm
New England. Deputy Marshal Shaw.
member of the state police OF 1854 and
1885. gave Mrs. Davidson's history as
follows to-day: She was born I'm
Bucksport. Me. She married Colonel
Blood. who was either killed or died
during the civil war. The widow went
to Washington. where she attracted
considerable attention while acting as
army nurse. After the war she re-
turned TO her native state. where she
met and married a prominent ship
builder named Davidson. Subsequently
the Davidsons went to Lynn, Mass,
where the woman opened a music
store. She obtained a fine assortment
of pianos and musical instruments
under the mortgage system. After she
realized 5000 upon the stock she sud
denly disappeared. There was talk OF
suicide, but after working on the case
several months Mr.. Shaw located the
woman in Albany, where she was ply
ing the trade OF Insurance agent under
the name OF Mary Sturgis and had es-
tablished a reputation for zeal In EpIs-
copal church circles. She was arrested
and brought back to Massachusetts.
She was tried In Boston. the trial prov
ing a most remarkable one. The wo-
man defended herself
She claimed that two years before.
while In Boston. she sustained a sun
been a blank. She did not remember
any OF her business transactions. and
had no recollection OF having a store
In Lynn. She claimed TO be unable to
tell how she got 10 Albany. SO great
an impression did she make upon the
jury that the district attorney. con-
trary TO custom OF letting the case go
to the jury without argument. when
a..
interest OF justice. made the argument.
The prisoner was found guilty and
sentenced TO two years IN the house
OF correction at Ipswich. After leaving
the house OF correction she was heard
from in different parts OF the country
and finally lost sight Of Mr.. David
son died while they resided in Lynn.
Mr.. Shaw described Mrs. Davidson as
an exceptionally bright woman. about
50 years OF age. OF fne complexion. a