The San Francisco call., 1896-03-11
Declares She Has Perfect Conf
dence in Miss Overman's
Present Honesty.
STARTLING EVIDENCE PROMISED
The Minister'S Young Friend Is Again
a WitneSS-0ld Letters Cause
Her Much Confusion.


embarrassing. questions, was doomed to
keen but not lasting disappointment.
The FIVE hundred or more people had
come together expecting TO see the ac-
cused pastor on the rack. They wanted to
hear his explanation of few important
details around which now hang consider
able mystery.
Instead OF this they saw only the leading
lady in the drama and later the reverend
gentleman's faithful spouse, upon whom
in reality falls the burden of Miss Over
mans acts, whether they be according TO
Mrs Davidson's Interpretation or her own
confession.
1t was plainly evident that Mrs. Brown
fully understood her delicate position. She
had nothing 10 offer in the way OF testi-
mony except an expression OF confidence
IN her husbands s integrity, a belief IN Miss
Overman's present avowed purpose to tell
only the truth and an oft repeated opinion
that Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper was largely re-
sponsible for the unhappy condition of
her household.
AS whole Mrs. Brown was an agreeable
witness. She was nearly always certain as
10 facts, but wavering as TO details. If it
was shown shewas mistaken as to any par
ticular matter she accepted it as a matter
unworthy OF a seconds thought. True at
times she became slightly earnest, but
never actually combative.
The council was supposed to convene at
1880 o'clock, but it was nearly forty min
utes after that when Moderator Mclean
raped for order. Every seat in the room
was occupied, though the standing mem
bers" were not as numerous as usual.
Mrs. Brown, Miss Overman and Mrs
Davis occupied seats in the first row. I'm
mediately in front of them loomed the
portlv form of Attorney Nagle. while on
his right was seen the slim figure and
sharp, heayy-mustached face of Deacon
Morse. On the left of DR.. Browns attor-
ney was to be seen the 16-year-old son of
the pastor.
Behind Mrs. Brown and her small circle
OF friends sat Mrs. Cooper, her daughter
Hattie, Mrs. George Gaden and Mrs. Lena
Blanchard.
1t was exactly ten minutes after IL when
Attorney Nagle asked the council to ex-
plain TO him why the resolution declaring
DIR. Brown to be anything but a clandes-
tine man had been eXpunged from the
record. When this was made clear to the
pastors counsel he asked that Mrs. Pad
dock be called.
Mrs. Paddock proved to be a middle
aged lady, with eyeglasses, wonderful
memory and diary. The witness recalled
with perfect distlnctness that she was
present at the church on the evenings of
Decem ber 1, IL and Is. She knew this be-
cause her notebook so recorded it. Mrs.
Davidson had not spoken at any of these
meetings, except the last, and then of her
own volition. DR.. Brown had not called
upon Mrs. Davidson. she was sure, because
the pastors face bore a look of anguish
she had never observed before.
Miss Overman was then placed on the
stand for cross-examination. She was as
guarded and wary as ever in her answers,
and it was not until near the close of the
morning session that she demonstrated
the possibility of becoming confused.
The witness was closely examined con-
Cerning the existence of other Tunnel
letters. She admitted, with smile, the
possibility of two more, but could not be
sure until these precious documents were
placed in her hands. Then the prosecu-
tion wanted to know something of the
alleged altered letters written 10 Mrs.
Davidson. The witness said there were
five in the original bunch, and that she
had destroyed all but one.
Judge Advocate Woodlands at this point
sprang a little surprise. He asked the
witness 10 identify some ten or twelve
letters written from Tacoma to Mrs. David
son. Mr.. Nagle objected. The moderator
could not see why the prosecution should
show its hand at that stage, and he must
insist, therefore, that Mr.. Nagle do not
further interrupt the examination by use
less objections and questions.
The letters handed Miss Overman for
Identification have already been published.
They bear only indirectly on the case.
showing merely that the witness enter
tanned very high regard for Pastor
Brown. Miss Overman was much con-
fused during tie period of identification,
but when she learned they had already
been given to the public became airy and
even tilppant in her remarks.
At the afternoon session Mrs. Brown
was placed on the witness stand Re-
ginning with her marriage to Dr. Brown,
the witness ran rapidly over succeeding
events, touching lightly at Tacoma, and
then getting down TO the real meat of her
testimony by introducing the meeting
with Mrs. Stockton.
The testimony of the witness was d.
rected largely toward Mrs. Cooper. She
accused that LADY OF being fully aware OF
Mrs. stockton character, apd then of in
Producing her to DR.. Brown as a pure wo-
man. Later on Mrs. Cooper Acknowledged
to the witness and her husband that Mrs.
Stockton was a disreputable woman, but
had tied their hands by pledging absolute
secrecy.
Mrs. Brown said that Mrs. Stockton had
come 10 her husband on one occasion with
view 10 seeking his aid in bringing 10
time wealthy friend of hers who owed
her something for an injury done in the
past. 1t was not offered in evidence
whether DR.. Brown acceded to the wish of
the winsome widow.
Then came the Turkish tea incident, the
story told by the witness being practically
the same as that related by DR.. Brown,
Mrs. Stockton and Mrs. French Mrs.
Brown s full testimony and cross. examina-
tion will be found in the proceedings as
printed in detail.
There are all sorts of rumors flying
about concerning evidence yet 10 be intro
duced. Mrs. Cooper is said to have placed
III the possession OF the committee on
charges testimony more discriminating
than anything offered so far. This is
denied by the members of the council,
though they admit having anonymous
charges under investigation, though so far
. they have made but little progress.
The council will meet this morning at 10