The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-30
SHE IS RED-HEADED
SAN FRANCIsCO'S SCANDAL
The Preacher Paid Out Many Dol
lars Hush Money and Now
the Cossips Have Their
Hands Full.

San Francisco. Dec. 29.-Mrs. Mary
A. Davidson has been arrested on the
charge of extortion. preferred by
Rev. c. o. Brown. pastor Of the First
Congregational church. DR.. Brown
charges her with blackmail and says
he paid her $500 to secure her silence
In regard to his alleged relations with
Miss Overman. a young woman from
Tacoma, who visited at his house. The
First Congregational church Is the
largest and most fashionable one of
that denomination In the city. Mrs.
Davidson came here during the mid
winter fair az a representative of
Boston corset firm and lately conduct
ed a corset store of her own. She has
attended DIR. Browns church for about
a year and has taken great interest
in church matters. Miss Overnan
came here from Tacoma for her health
and visited at the house of DIR. Brown.
whose family she knew In Tacoma
After a stay OF several months. during
which time she became acquainted
with Mrs. Davidson. Miss Overman
returned to Tacoma, but came back to
San Francisco. when Mrs. Davidson
promised to secure employment for
her.
According to DIR. Brown Mrs. David
son came to him last November. at
the time when there was intense ex-
element In the city over the exposure
of several old men who had been de-
bauching young girls. and told him she
had been commissioned by Mrs. Jane
Elizabeth Baddin. lodging house
keeper. to demand s., 900 down and 800
a month for 10 years IL he did not want
his Intimacy with Miss Overman ex-
posed. Mrs. Davidson said Miss over
man had confided to her and would
testify against him and that Mrs. Bad
din knew that he had occupied a room
in the lodging house with a young
lady. Mrs. Davidson pointed out to
him that owing to the state of public
feeling, almost anything witnesses
would swear to would be believed. and
advised him to settle at once.
DIR. Brown was horrified at the ma
ture OF the charges brought against
him and saw no means of escape. He
succeeded. however. In reducing the
figures to $500 down and s35 a month
for five years. He paid Mrs. Davidson
$780, for which she signed a receipt
After paying over the money DIR.
Brown attempted TO find Mrs. Baddin,
but without success. Finally he met
Miss Overman. who was stopping with
Mrs. Davidson, and reproached her
with her perfidy. She Indignantly de-
MED that she had made any such
charges. and when confronted with
Mrs. Davidson denounced the woman
as infamous. Miss Overman immedi-
ately left Mrs. Davidson's house and
went to the home of DIR. Brown, where
she is now under the protection OF his
wife. Then the minister consulted
with the deacons OF the church, ana
the result is the arrest of Mrs. David
son. Both the minister and Miss Over
man deny that theresis the slightest
foundation for the charges.
The Chronicle says: Miss Overman
is a tall young woman. with red hair
and blue eyes. She is said to be a d.
vorced woman. Matte Overman Is her
maiden name. Some months ago she
came to the Chronicle and offered q
story on a prominent man for 1000.
She is not particularly good looking.
but Is an interesting talker. So far the
police have failed to find any trace OF
Mrs. Baddin, or the lodging house
which she Is said to have kept.
The First Congregational church
was crowded this morning as the re-
suit OF the exposure of the alleged
blackmaiiing attempt upon DR.. Brown.
The minister appeared as usual, and In
his sermon referred directly to the at
tack upon his reputation. One OF the
deacons also spoke and corroborated
DIR. Browns statement that he had
consulted with the officers OF the
church before causing the arrest OF
Mrs. Davidson.