The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-31
That is What Mrs. Davidson
Says Judge Campbell Is.
Accuser of Rev. MIR. Brown Ar
raigned for BlackmaiI.
FRISCO'S SENSATION.
Wishes the Case Tried in a Court
Not Prejudiced.
The WOman's Bail is Fixed at
Two Thousand Dollars.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 31.-The case
OF Mrs. Mary A. Davidson, charged
with extorting money from 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 yester-
day. DR.. Brown claims that he paid
the woman the money to secure evil
dence upon which to secure her con-
viction. The woman's explanation is
that the money was for another wo-
man, Mrs. Baddin, who cannot be
found, but who, Mrs. Davidson claims
rented a room to DIR. Brown in which
he met Miss Overman.
The attorney for Mrs. Davidson APP
piled for change of venue on the
ground of prejudice, finally explain
ing that Police Judge Campbell was
unfriendly to DR.. Brown. This state
ment, coming from the defense caused
general surprise, theicourt denying the
motion for change of venue, stating
that he had no quarrel with Brown,
whom he believed to be truthful and
upright gentleman. The defendants
counsel recalled an occasion when
from the pulpit DIR. Brown, in the
course of a sermon on corruption,
read grand jury report scoring the
courts, and Judge Campbell particu-
larry. On that occasion, Judge Camp
bell, 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 "a lying grand jury" absolv-
ing Brown, however, from any impu-
tation of untruth 1ulness
Mrs. DavidsOn's attorney applied
for reduction of the prisoners bail
from So, 900 to a lower sum. The court
reduced the bail to So, 1000. with the
concurrence of Browns attorney, who
stated that he would consent to a still
further reduction, provided the court
was satisfied the woman would be in
court when needed.
Mrs. Davidson addressed the court
herself, dramatically stating that no
sum of money would induce her to
leave town, and that she would be on
hand until this unholy thing should
be exposed in the light of heaven"
The case then went over until Thurs
day. The court room was crowded
with friends of both Mrs Davidson
and DR.. Brown, although the majority
appeared to sympathize with the cler-
gyman.
The police believe Mrs Davidson is
the woman referred TO in a Boston dis
patch who is said to have served two
years in a house of correction for
swindling a firm out of $4,000 Cap
tain of Detectives Lees telegraphed to
the Boston police for a certified copy
OF Mrs. Davidson's record in the East.
Mrs. Davidson corroborated several
points in the Boston dispatch regard
ing her marriage and early life, but
when asked if she had served two
years in prison she replied that she
believed there was but one charge
against her at present The evasive
answer was the only reply she would
give to the question.
Mrs. Mary Davidson still sticks to
her story that DR.. C. o. Brown, pastor
of the FIRST Congregational church,
was guilty of improper conduct with
Miss Overman.