The herald., 1896-02-27
To Listen to Tales Of Browns
Wrong.doing
HUNDREDS DISAPPOINTED
Mrs. Davidson's Attorney Forbade Hes
Giving Testimony
A Fairly Satisfactory Substitute ie Fouud 10
the Police Court Records, Which
Were Read

Associated Press Special Wire
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26.-Ts the disap.
pointment Of hundreds Of people who at
tended the Brown trial before tie Conere-
gational council, today, it was announced
that the attorney for Mrs. Mary A. David
son would not allow his client to appear
before the church court until her trial be-
fore the superior court is concluded. The
alleged extortioner was to have confronted
DIR. Brown this afternoon, but the council
and the curious public had to be content
with the reading of her testimony as given
at her preliminary examination in the po-
lice court.
Mrs. Davldson's testimony was read in
all its details. recounting her connection
with DR.. Brown, Miss Oysrman and the
First Congregational church. Mrs. David
son stated that after November 22d, when
Brown paid her $500, the pastor visited
her Bible class and commended her as q
teacher. The statement related that DR..
unlawful love for Matte Overn,an and:I
appeal to you to help me-"
The statement continueds "Dr. Brown
said his last criminal intercourse with Mat
tie Overman was in a lodging house at
Bryant and Sixth streets. He had ad-
since that time. The witness (Mrs. David
SOM lectured Brown ON his faults and the
minister then told the story of his entire
career in which he confessed that among
his faults had been child murder. Mrs.
Davidson suggessed that DR.. Brown meet
liaison with Miss Overman, but Or. Brown
said he did not want to meet her or any
other woman, and asked witness to ar
range the difficulty for him. Witness then
agreed TO settle with Mrs. Baddiu for the
minister and took the money a. his AGENT
DR.. Brown then read the cross -eXa,nina-
ton in the police court when Mrs. David
son developed extraordinary defects of
memory. She did not remember whether
she had ever borne child, had ever been
arrested or had ever assumed other names
than Davidson. DR.. Brown read Mrs.
Davidson's denials that she had ever been
in jail according to her recollection. and
said he would present the records of the
Massachusetts court to show that she
served a term in the Jail of that state.
The night session of the council nearly
broke up in a row. DR.. Brown became
i as unfair and said that tho council
Was taking advantage of him. Miss Over
man, who was present, burst ir to tears.
Browns friends rushed to his side and
tried to calm the excited preacher. The
moderator demanded to know in what re-
|
words ensued. Brown declared he would
leave the council and for time
there was great excitement. Finally
DR.. Brown listened to the advice of his
friends and apologized to the council for
his language. He said that he had been
under great mental strain for the past
sixty days and that he might have said
things in his excitement that he did not
mean. Browns statement was warmly
applauded and the explanation was ac-
cepted by the council.
Before this Mrs. Thurston testified
against the accused minister. Size said
that Matte Overman had told her that DR..
Brown had sent her to Tacoma and had
paid her expenses as Mrs. Brown would
not have her in the house. Miss Overman
had also told her that DR.. Brown had
kissed her and squeezed her hand. 1t was
after Mrs. Thurston had testified that the
row occurred. The council will continue
tomorrow.