The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-27
MRS. DAVIDSON'S TALE
HER RELATIONS WITH REV. DR.
BROWN AND MISS OvERMAN.
She Says the Preacher Commend ed
Her as n Teacher After Paying
Her $500 'sHush" Money.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 26.-To the dis
appointment Of hundreds of people who at
tended the Brown trial before the Congre-
gational Council to-day II 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
before the Superior Court is concluded.
The alleged extortioner was to have con-
frouted Dr. 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 Police Court. Mrs. Davidson's testi-
mony was read in all it's details, recounting
her connection with DR.. Brown Miss Over
man and the First Congregational Church.
Mrs. Davidson stated that after Nov. %,
when DR.. Brown paid her $500. the pastor
visited her Bible class and commended her
as a teacher. The statement related that
DIR. Brown said to Mrs. Davidson: II have
an unlawful love for Miss Overman and |
appeal to you to help me-" The statement
continued: ''Dr. Brown said his first GRIM
inal Intercourse with Matte Overman was
In lodging house at Bryant and Sixth
streets. He had admitted he had been
guilty before. but not since that time. The
witness CMrs. Davidson) 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 ch ~ murder: Mrs: Davidson suggested
that DR.. Brown meet Mrs. Baddin, who was
cognizant OF his liaison with Miss Overman
but Dr. Brown said he did not want to meet
any other woman, and asked witness to ar
range, the difficulty for him. Witness
agreed to settle with Mrs. Baddin for the
minister and took the money as his agent"
DR.. Brown then read the cross-examina-
son developed extraordinary defects of
memory. She did not remember whether
she had borne Child. had ever been ar
rested, or had ever assumed other names
than Davidson. DIR. Brown read Mrs Da-
Wilson's denials that she had ever been in
he would present the records of the Massa-
cAusetts court 10 show that she served a
term in jail in that State.
AT the evening session Mrs. Thurston of
Oakland, was questioned. Mrs. Thurston
is an intimate friend OF Mrs. Tunnel, the
woman who it was thought could unravel
the mystery OF DIR. Browns relations with
Miss Overman, but who has disappeared
beyond the reach of newspapers and of
the counsel Mrs. Thurston related matters
that had been confided to her by Mrs Tun-
mel concerning the relations OF DR.. Brown
and Miss Overman.
The night session nearly broke up in a
row. DR.. Brown accused the moderator
and the council OF prejudice against him
and of taking unfair advantage OF him. He
declared he would refuse TO go on with the
council, as he was convinced he could NOT
secure fair treatment. Miss Overman, who
was present, burst into tears and Browns
friends crowded TO his side. The moderator
demanded TO know in what respect he had
been unfair and wordy wrangle ensued
DR.. Brown finally apologized for his lam
guage, and order was restored Mrs.
Thurston proved a damaging witness
against Brown. She said Miss Oyerman
had told her DR.. Brown had sent her 10
Tacoma and paid her expenses. as Mrs
Brown would not have her in the house.
Miss Oyerman had told Mrs Thurston that
Brown had squeezed her hand and kissed
her. 1t was after Mrs. Thurstons testi-
mony that the row occurred. The council
will go on with the investigation tomorrow