The San Francisco call., 1896-02-25
Harry Mason Alleges Intimida.
ton as One of the Pastors
Shortcomings.
MISS oVERMAN's SPOKANE LIFE,
She Bitterly Resents the Accusation
That She Ran Away With Her
Sisters Husband.

The ecclesiastical council called to pass
on sundry charges, embracing immoralitv.
unmInlsterial conduct and intimidation.
now resting against DR.. Charles 0. Brown
will begin its seventh session at , o'clock
today. From present indications the pro-
ceedings will be enlivenad by racv testl-
mony, in which the paste and Miss Over
man will be made TO appear as the central
figures.
The committee on charges, together with
Judge Advocate Woodlands, yesterday
held session which lasted three hours
and during that time all manner of grave
accusations were laid at the door of DR..
brown. some OF these charges were mere
bubbles which faded into a rumor when
prlcked. Others proved 10 have some
foundation, though of how firm a charac-
ter the council alone can determine.
Harry Mason was among those who ap-
peared before the committee. He de-
ciares that the pastor was guilty OF in
tlmldauon IN the case of prominent
young lady member of his church. Mr.
Mason says the young lady had become
convinced OF the pastors guilt, and did
hot hesitate TO so express herself This so
angered the reverend gentleman that be
Immediately sought. the lady in question
and accusing her of an immoral act de-
clared he would give 1t to the public if she
did not Immediately come over to his side.
Mrs. French and Mrs. Thurston were
also among those who appeared before the
committee yesterday. The firsU-named
lady charges unministerial conduct, basing
this on the Turkish tea episode, the Chris
tlan Endeavor wrangle and incidentally
the Stockton charges. Mrs Thurston is
probably the most important witness that
the prosecution has. She will swear that
Mrs. Tunnel told her months ago of the
alleged immoral relations existing between
Dr.. Brown and Miss Overman. Mrs.
rhurston's statement will be corro borated
by Mrs. Barton OF this City and Mrs. Eaton
OF Oakland.
To offset this Dr. Brown will Aintroduce
the letter from Mrs. Tunnel. published in
The CALL OF January 9. Two days pre-
Ceding this letter the Nisalia correspond
ent OF The CALL succeeded in locating
Mrs. Tunnel, at which time she practic-
ally admitted that the Overman letters
we're genuine, intimating, also, that she
could tell great deal more II she so de-
sired. Then came the letter referred to
above, in which the writer repudiated all
that she had said two days before, declar-
ing further that she knew nothing OF the
famous Overman letters. or OF any wrong
doing on the part OF the latter and Dr.
Brown.
Il have already defined my position con-
cerning the alleged intimidation charged
night. lit is to be regretted, in general
way, that this young man persists in
bringing the girlinto the scandal, first, be-
cause never in any way threatened her,
and, second. even if she be innocent of any
actual wrongdoing, shadow Will rest on
her name which it will be difficult to erase.
The incident mentioned by Mason hap
pened something over a year and a half
ago, and | have guarded it safely since
that time. When, however, the young
lady persisted in vilifying me- | called at
her house. and in the presence OF the girls
mother and my wife, told her that she
should be more charitable, under the cir
cumstances, than TO speak Ill of me when
l had never hinted to soul of what l sus-
pected her.
The incident referred TO may have been
the result OF an unfortunate combination
OF circumstances and consequently have
no foundation in fact, but all the same the
world would not so regard it and | will
not give the girls name unless the council
forceit from me by making me the de-
fendant in proposition which is founded
only in the antagonism of my accuser.
Young Mr. Mason, as every one knows, is
very much in love with the girl and prob
ably that accounts for his position. -
The Bulletin OF yesterday contained
dispatch from Spokane concerning Miss
Overman's career in that city, OF which the
following is part:
The career OF Matte Oyerman In this CITY
though somewhat buried, has been fully un-
earthed by your correspondent, and proves
that she was an adven turess of the worst char
scUer. The 0verman family came here several
wears ago. They had not been here long until
Matte married an Italian saloon-keeper, and
few days after he told close friend tnat she
was not what she ought TO have been. He sold
out his saloon and went to Montana. She fol-
lowed, returning in q short time, securing
divorce in this city.
While she was gone one OF her sisters mar
ried a detective of the Thiel agency at Port
land. They settled down TO housekeeping,
Matte living with them. The old folks had
gone and another sister had become notorious.
II was but a short time until Matte stole her
sisters husband and the two took up quarters
downtown. 1t was not long until they quar-
relied, be going away from the city and she
making friends again with the sister whose
husband she had so rudely stolen.
There is also a in the city who few
years ago ran big grocery store He became
acquainted with Matte Overman. He is still
IN the grocery business, but he is just clerking
now. Matte and her sister soon became known
70 a great many prominent business men, but
these men don't like to talk about it, for it is
generally known that the girls worked these
After the girls became rather notorious they
left the city. Matte went first Her sister
was then conducting a dressmaking parlor OF
bad repute. She had few on the string and
did not follow Matte until she had completed
her work with them. Matte was known here
girl of shady character and very smooth
worker.
The story published in the Bulletin
to-day" said Miss Overman, 'is utterly
without foundation, and is simply another
scheme of DR.. Browns enemies to place
him in false light before the public. |
could take each charge separately and
show, as / did in The CALL two weeks
ago, that they were false from beginning
10 end, but what is the use? They would
trump up something else and so keep me
denying continually. Why don't my
accusers give the names of the parties
am charged with Dlackmailing, or produce
afidayits setting forth these facts from
somebody? Certainly if had ever done SO
contemplate thing as to live with my
sisters husband that would be easy OF
proof. But the charges are absolutely
without foundation, and are aimed rather
at DIR. Brown than myself.
II understand that Mrs. Thurston is to
appear before the conncn and repeat what
purports to be story told her by Mrs.
Tunneil This lady knows absolutely
nothing against DR.. Brown or myself, and
ell that she can tell has been gathered
from the newspapers. Mrs. Tunnel could
not have told her what she claims to