The San Francisco call., 1896-01-12
AT THE BRANCH JAIL.
Mrs. Davidson Removed From the
City Prison-Talks of Mrs.
Tunnel.


Mrs. Davidson has apartments at the
branch County Jail.
Her departure from the City Prison at
noon yesterday was without display. She
rode out in the prison van. There were
other prisoners in the somber-covered
vehicle with her. She paid no heed to
them, but. clasping her Bible and her
handbag tightly, she calmly looked into
space and graciously submitted to the
inevitable.
Mrs. Davidson was indeed herself.
In many respects she is a remarkable
woman. She is much more cheerful in
her lonely prison cell IN her failure to
establish her innocence than Dr. Brown is
in his temporary vindication She smiles
while the pastor frowns; she fattens while
he fails. She is either martyr to con-
dltlons or hypocrite of the first magni-
tude; spotless Christian or a dangerous
swlndler. She can act any or all of these
parts with equal proficiency. She is suffi-
GENTLY clever to sing, pray or scheme at
the same time; or, as the poet writes:
"In penance planning sins anew"
This is Mrs. Davidson, the motherlv
appearing old woman, gray, handsome,
eloquent, the woman who either black
mailed DR.. Brown or is the innocent victim
OF circumstances, who went to prison YES
terday with an unyielding faith in the
mercy and justice of the Lord and firm
belief IN her ultimate acquittal.
Mrs. Davidson, of course, is not con-
cerned over the statement of Mrs. Tunnel,
telegraphed from Visalia, and to the effect
that the Overman-Tunnell letters were
forged by her. There is no similarity in
the handwriting of Mrs. Davidson and Mrs.
Tunnel.
GsTt's abeurd for NJ, rr.1lt l..
forgery" said Attorney Gallagher yes
terday, land it only weakens her case. OF
course the letters are genuine. That is
apparent to the dullest brain. How could
Mrs. Davidson forge them2 She has been
IN jail ever since her arrest, and not having
the slightest idea of being arrested 1t is
ridiculous 20 think that she wrote the let
ters to build up defense. Anyway, Mrs.
Tunnel virtually admits that Matte Over
man wrote the letters, as at first glance
she said the handwriting was Mattie's.
and then when she slept on the letters ali
night and familiarized herself with the
contents she denied their authenticity.
That was her play. She wants to shield
DR.. Brown and Miss Overman."
'My acquaintance with Mrs. Tunnel was
very slight" said Mrs. Davidson yester-
day. We met at the Allen meetings. DIR.
Brown introduced US. l also met Miss
Overman at the same time. Mrs Tunnell
dhN 1haItAC hSlS SICd6tIleuOS. Or. Brown
said Mrs. Tunnell was very good woman.
"After the few slight conversations had
with Mrs. Tunnel at the Allen meetings /
did not see her until her return from Ia
coma. This was in May, and Mrs. Tun-
nell went to Tacoma in January or Febru.
ary, remaining three months. In Nav /
met her and we walked little way to-
gether. l asked Mrs. Tunnel to dine with
me, but she did not. She spoke of Matte,
saying she had been a poor, sick girl.
Afterward, l think it was Admission day,
September 8, Mrs. Tunnel spent day
with Miss Overman at my rooms.
Then Matte lost sight OF Ter and was
uneasy. But the woman called at my
rooms between Decembe and 10. Mat
tie was at school, and Mrs. Tunnel asked
whether DR.. Brown was paying her regu-
larly, and whether he allowed the poor
girl to visit him. replied that he did
pay regularly as he had paid the $35 to
Matte twice and to me three times. l
told her, too, that the girl did visit DR..
Browns Office, but that he objected.
This is all / ever saw of Mrs. Tunnel.
Now as to what / said to the woman: DIR.
Brown had sent for me one day and urged