The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-07
WILES OF A WOMAN
HOW MRS. DAVIDSON CAUGHT DIR.
BROWN In HER MESHES.
San Francisco's BlnckmaiIed Preach
Him-Letters to Miss Overmnn.

SAN FRANCISCO, March e.-Rev. c. o.
Brown resumed his testimony in his own de-
fense before the Congregational Council to-
day. He admitted that he had exchanged
letters with Miss Overman while the latter
was absent in Tacoma. The letters were
produced, Ior. Brown explaining that Miss
Overman had sent TO her home In Tacoma
for the letters. All of the letters were pro-
sale epistles concerning matters In the
church and books which Miss Overman was
reading. "a sweet love letter, is it not?
suggested DR.. Brown, when the first Of the
dry and colorless epistles was read. Dr.
Brown then referred TO his connection with
Mrs Davidson, recounting how she had
waited for him after prayer meeting when
Mrs brown vas absent and asking him TO
we,a towards hoiae with her. Mrs. Davidson
asked him If he 0jd not miss Matte Over
man, ana he had innocently replied that he
had He denied that he said Miss Overman
wa the best read woman he had ever met.
but stated tl,at ne had said that considering
her age and opportunities, he wondered at
her IL slligent discussion Of technical and
scientific authors.
DR. Brown said that Mrs. Davidson. on
various pIetex,s had induced him TO accom-
pany hel to see many people. and had asked
him to show ner through the Y. NJ. c. "A.
Bliisiing She wished to meet the general
secretary of tie association and while wait
ing for that officer DIR. Brown said ne and
Mrs. Davidson had sat few minutes in the
office of the assistant secretary. DIR. Brown
said these interviews and visits were ell a
part of Mrs. Davidson's schemes to black
mail and into which he innocently fell. Mrs.
davidson sought to have him seen with her
in such places as would make it possible for
her to secure witnesses as to what she had de-
scribed as consultations regarding Miss Over
mans revelations concerning his alleged
liaison with Miss Overman. Continuing, DR..
Brown said that In the last week in August
Mrs. Davidson had come to his Office In the
church and had asked him to lend her little
money. He loaned her at that time $40, later
$40 and again $50. She always stated that
her dividends from the corset firm were de-
layed in the East.
Dr. Brown, much moved, said he had al
ways believed in not letting his right hand
know what his left hand did, but he had no
chance now to explain these matters He
said that since he has been pastor Of the
present charge he had given away more
money than his salary came to. He said
there were many persons who had borrowed
$40 from him whom he would be very glad to
see at the council. He denied that he had
ever prayed with Mrs. Davidson alone. al
though admitting that he should have done
so. DR.. Brown said he had never called
Mrs. Davidson his Mother in Christ" add
ing that Mrs. Davidson. committed sacri-
lege when she misquoted him.
Then Dr. Brown told how Mrs. Davidson
had finally revealed herself in her true coll
ors. She told him how well-knowr minis
ter had visited a lodging house in company
with young woman. concluding with the
statement that he had been identified as the
He admitted he was afraid to meet such an
accusation at time when the city was
greatly excited over the arrest of several old
men for debauching young girls. He feared
that accusation would be accepted as guilt
when the pcpulace was In such an angry
mood. He said that he had gone to every
lodging house in the district where he had
been accused of accompanying Miss Over
man. and TO him and a police detective each
proprietor had said that DR. Brown had never
told how he had paid Mrs. Davidson $500 and
taken her receipt for the money in order TO
protect himself
At last nights session of the church court
Mrs. w. <. Aber was called by the defense
and told of things Mrs. Davidson had told
her about Miss Overman, and other things
Miss Overman had told her about Mrs. Dav-
idson. Counsel for DR.. Brown stated to the
council that Mrs. Aber would give further
testmony az az % anotner time IN @ private The
detective Seymour was read, and deacon Vas
conzellos was called. He corroborated the
Mrs. Stockton The witness was asked II he
had ever noticed DR.. Brown acting with un-
due familiarity towards ladies in the church.
Deacon Williams shut OF the answer. IT
would like to ask IL the judge-advocate and
the counsel for DR.. Brown cannot agree" he
said, that DIR. Brown has never been seen
in the church, on the street or any other
place indulging In any familiarity with any
woman under the heavens. We are all con-
vfnced that he has not done anything of tina
kind. and We would probably save a good
deal Of time by admitting that" No one
taking issue With this stand, deacon VIII
liams made motion to embody that sentiment
and II was carried unanimously