Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-21
TAKES A SENSATIONAL TURN
Trial of Rev. DR.. Brown Develops Some
Spicy Testimony.
WOMAN SAYS THE MINISTER KISSED HER
Prevented by Her Attorney from An.
swcrtng Some Question. Unless
the Answers Were kent
from the Papers.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 2O-when the
council which is to try DR.. Brown convened
this afternoon Mrs. Sarah b. Cooper. as
sistant pastor to DR. Brown and one of his
accusers, was recalled for cross-examnation.
She declared she had done everything pos
siblc to bring out the truth of the charges
against Brown, and denied that she had
acted In an unscriptural manner toward her
pastor. She was satisfied no explanation
could be made regarding the apparently dam
aging letters ostensibly written by Miss
overman. She repeated that she was NOR
ally certain Mrs. Tunnel had been spirited
away by DR.. Brown to prevent her tes,ifylng
against the minister.
The judge advocate at this stage asked
for an adjournment until Tuesday. DR..
Brown and Mrs. Cooper both objected to
the delay unfair to all concerned after
the long delay in calling the council, and it
was finally determined to proceed.
Mrs. Lena Blanchard was then called and
told of an interview with DR.. Brown in which
he had threatened her with arrest for vot-
ing lack of confidence in Dr., Brown at a
church meeting, the witness not being
member. Witness said Brown promised her
immunity from prosecution II she would
sign an affidavit confesslng that Mrs. Cooper
had urged her to vote, although not a men,
ber. Witness had first signed such an afH-
davit, but afterward amended the affidavit.
However, witness said Brown had allowed a
newspaper to publish the affidavit in its
original form She held Brown responsible
for the publication.
Mrs Davidson the cause of all of DR..
Browns troubles, appeared before the coun-
Gil today In charge of a deputy sheriff and
filed her charges against the minister She
accuses Brown of adultery with Miss Over
man; with causing criminal operation to
be performed, and with various kinds of
deceptions. She also says she has a state
ment in reserve which is 'scorcher."
An attorney for Mrs. Stockton also ap-
peared and stated that Mrs. Stockton would
testify against DR.. Brown provided she were
assured protection This is taken to mean
that Mrs. Stockton fears that legal proceed
ings may be brought against her.
After Mrs Blanchard had told her story,
members Ct the council and DR.. Brown at
tempted to question her. Mrs Rogers, who
says Mrs. Blanchard told her that Mrs.
Cooper urged her to vote, was also present,
and insisted that Mrs. Blanchard had told
the facts as stated. Mrs. Blanchard grew in
tensely excited you lie! You le!" she
shrieked. Efforts to calm her We're unaval-
ing and she was led from the room shrieking
and crying. The council then adjourned
until evening.
At the evening session, to which only re-
porters were admitted another sensation was
sprung. Mrs. Albertne Stockton, whom DR..
Brown said had attempted to backmail him
long before the Davidson affair, went Oh the
stand
Mrs Stockton said that DR.. Brown had
kissed her and had taken liberties with her.
They had gone on long walks. and had
dined at the Maison Richie, a French res
taurant. Once while she was sick in her
room with grip, Brown had called and
kissed her. Later she said that Brown had
wronged her.
On cross-eXamination, Rev. Mr. Williams,
member of the council, asked her II she
had met DR.. Brown at any other place than
the ones she had already mentioned ard
if their relations had been these of husband
and wife.
Mrs. Stockton started to answer but her
to answer the question unless the reporters
present would agree not to publish The an
swer.
DR.. Brown objected to this, saying that The
papers had printed everything against him
and he did not see why Mrs. Stockton should
be favored. He wanted all the sac*s made
public.
The council decided that Mrs. Stockton's
answer should not be made public and said
that If the reporters would agree not TO pub
lish 1t they would be allowed to rcmain.
DR.. Brown thereupon declared that he had
not promised secrecy. and that he would
publish Mrs. Stocktons answer If she made
1t.
Mr.. Williams then withdrew his que stion
and DR.. Brown said he would not divulge
anything Mrs. Stockton did not wish pub
lished. The council then excluded all re-