The San Francisco call., 1896-01-23
REV, DR. BROWN
STILL VERY ILL,
He Is Carefully Nursed and
Cared For by His
Wife.
WAS BETTER YESTERDAY
The Pastors Name Not Directly
Mentioned at the Prayer
Meeting.
LETTER FROM a MRS. BADDIN.
Deacon Dexter Says He Was Not a
Member of the Henry Ward
Beecher Committee.

Inc exclusive story published in The
CALL of yesterday concerning the pre-
carious mental condition of Rev. DR..
Brown, said to be due to the severe strain
OF the last three weeks, came in the nature
OF shock to the members of his congrega-
ton and even to many of his intimate
friends
There is no longer any effort made to
conceal the fact that the pastor has been
for several days past on the verge of a
complete mental collapse. He is being
carefully nursed and guarded, and is Wis
tied four or five times each day by his
physician, Dr. Palmer.
One peculiar feature connected with the
reverend gentleman's illness is that he
does not seem to be aware of his condition.
lie insists on attending TO his duties and
IS most anxious to make his statement
before the investigating committee.
The JOINT committee received substantial
proof OF Dr. Browns condition when he
appeared before them last Friday night.
he had come to the meeting almost by
force, as his physician and wife did eyerV-
thing in their power to prevent his ap
pearance 1t was only intended that he
should make a statement at that time as
to what he would undertake to prove
when the trial was fairly on.
He was in the midst of his preliminary
remarks" J." said prominent member of the
committee yesterday, "when suddenly his
| face began to pale and flush by turns.
| his eyes had an unnatural expression, and
| hnally his face became so rigid and set
that l was convinced he was about to die
was greatly startled.
AT length, however, the paroxysm, or
whatever 1t may be called. passed away,
and DR.. Brown, with an effort, attempted
to proceed with his remarks. 1t was no
use, however. While he fully understood
| what he was about, words did not come
readily to him, and with evident en-
! barrassment he was forced to ask the COM
mittee to grant him few days rest. The
meeting Monday night was called at his
request, and he would have been present
had his condition so admitted"
There was some doubt expressed yester-
day as to the genuineness of DR.. Browns
illness. Some went so far as to say that
he was merely making play for time. On
this point Deacon D. Gilbert Dexter spoke
very emphatically.
at is very uncharitable at this time -
he said, ''for people to say such things.
DIR. Brown has been and is still very sick
man. Every member of the committee
understands this, and they will only give
him such latitude as the case demands"
Considerable prominence has been given
in some of the published reports of the
Brown-Davidson scandal to the alleged
purpose of the joint committee of the Bav
Association and the First Congregational
Church to have the case of Mrs. Davidson
set for as early date as possible. These
have gone so far as to say that d. Gilbert
Dexter had been appointed committee of
one to look after the matter and that he
was busy in connection with it.
The utter absurdity of such reports is
best appreciated when it is known the
case of Mrs. Davidson is in such a condi-
ton that 1t is impossible at this time 20 do
anything to bring about its early hearing.
10 begin with, the prosecution has until
Saturday next to file its information
against Mrs. Davidson and has not vet
filed it The case will then be placed on
the calendar anu assigned. And only after
1t has been assigned to one of the Superior
Courts can anything be accomplished in
the way of baving it advanced for trial.
1t is understood that Judge Bahrs will
be asked to try Mrs. Davidson on the
charge OF extorting $500 from Rev. DR.. C.
0. Brown.
Deacon Dexter did not serve as one of
the investigating committee in the Henry
Ward Beecher scandal. "There was some
doubt expressed by the Congregationalists
of Boston concerning this famous pastors
guilt" said Mr.. Dexter, "and a private
committee composed of two from each
church was appointed at the request of DR..
Cushing to look into this matter l was
among the number, and we met at the
house OF DR.. Wright every day, until the
investigation was completed.
"Beecher came on to Boston and pre-
sented his documentary evidence. It was
impossible with the lights then before us
to form any other conclusion than that he
was innocent. This was strictly private
affair, however, ana had nothing what
ever to do with the investigation, which
afterward took place in Brooklyn l was
nj nj hpr Of fhof
wish it SO understood"
The mysterious Elizabeth Jane Baddin
the woman to whom Mrs. Davidson claims
to have paid the $500 received from DR.
Brown, has again been heard from. That
is to say, letter has been received bv a
member OF the First Congregational Church
from person who uses that name. in
which the writer declares that the story
told by Mrs. Davidson is true in everv de-
tail. 1t is further stated that if Immunity
from prosecution is guaranteed she is will
ing to come forward and swear to this.
The letter is postmarked San Francisco
Dut IN IL the writer takes the precaution.
necessary or otherwise, of declaring that
she is in Southern California. The lady
who received The letter is inclined to view
1T In the light of a hoax, though she is in
quiet way investigating it.
Dr. Brown did not appear at the usual
weekly prayer meeting last night at the
AASE OOh h6ASSotlOlldl OQurCl. his friends
said he was too i'll to leave his home and
1t could have been gathered from the con
versatlon and apparent misgivings of the
congregation that the pastor was indeed a
very sick man. One of the ladies present
asked a friend:
"Can it be true that DR.. Brown is dan
gerously sick? l have tried to learn some
thing, tonight of his condition, but nobody
would say how bad he was.'
Mrs. Brown was there with a smile for
all her old friends and received the kindly
words from all who offered their consola-
ton with becoming graciousness. She
was the last one to go home when little
knot of sympathizers said goodnight at
the side entrance to the church on Mason
street.
Senior Deacon Dexter presided and led
the meeting fervently.
Mr.. Dexter announced atthe close of the
prayer-meeting that the church committee
would meet Immediately thereafter in the
pastors study. The deacons occupied
themselves for nearly an hour, after which
Deacon Dexter said:
1t was only our ordinary weekly meet
ing. Nothing but routine business was