The San Francisco call., 1896-02-17
Does Not Consider the Blanchard
Charge Worthy a Sec.
ond Thought.
THREATS AGAINST THE PASTOR.
The Whereabouts of Mrs. Tunnell
Causes Alarm in the Ranks of
DR.. Browns Friends.

Inc partisans OF Mrs. Brown and Mrs.
Cooper were kept busy yesterday discuss
ing the sensational charges preferred by
the former against the latter. One faction
claimed that the affidavits practically
killed the pastor, while the other side con-
tended that they meant the utter annlhi-
lation of Mrs. Cooper.
Before and after church the friends of
each gathered in little groups, apparently
to congratulate one another that the
charge OF ballot stutfing had been made.
Mrs. Browns friends said that Mrs. Cooper
did not dare deny the accusations, while
the followers of the latter argued that the
very characters of the people making the
charges, stamped it as unworthy of
moments consideration.
Mrs. Cooper, while deeply regretting
that any one, even her enemies, should
believe her capable of committing the acts
charged, declines to even consider the
matter seriously. She says that her SIM
pie denial is proof positive that the affi-
davits are without foundation in fact.
Further than this she will not even dis
cuss the matter.
"It is not true that Dr. Brown stood one
minute either on Mrs. Blanchard's door
step or in her house." said the pastors
vile yesterday, Except in company with
Notary w. B. Benchley. Now as to Mrs.
Bianchard's statement. She made it Fri
cay evening about 6 o'clock, aid it was
taken down by the shorthand writer. In
that condition it was, of course, not ready
for signature. so the notary arranged tn lat
he and DIR. Brown should call the next
morning for that one purpose.
The statement was made under oath
and was wholly voluntary. There was not
hint OF menace. as the notary
mil faot F~y
the next morning, however, Mrs.
Blanchard refused to sign what she had
voluntarily sworn to the evening before.
DR.. Brown then set before her the serious
| nature of her offense, and said that if she
did not choose to sign her own voluntary
statement, made under oath, he would con-
suit the authorities. He told her that he
would not pass lightly by her intrusion
into our church affairs, and her vote in
matter when she had not the slightest
right, and when such consequences to his
family and himself were involved. She
then signed the document.
Gas to any contrary stories she NAV tell.
let 1T be remem bered that on the authority
OF her own sworn statement she is not a
truthful person. She voted twice, not
withstanding her denial. The evidence is
overwhelming. Four or five more affi-
davlts from perfectly responsible persons
can be easily obtained. That second vote
was procured by Mrs. Cooper after she had
been told by Mrs. Blanchard herself that
she was not a member Nothing could be
more astonishing than the lightness with
which Mrs. Cooper affects to regard her
conduct in this matter. Congregational
churches do not lightly regard the corrup-
case We're voluntarily laid before DR..
Brown and the deacons last Wednesday
evening by Mrs. Simpson.
''There is one clause in Mrs Blanch-
ards affidavit which should be corrected.
The affidavit as published causes Mrs.
member of the church and had no right
to vote, but still she urged me to do so.
"The last eight words should have been
eliminated. The original document does
not contain these words, and the notary
in making the copies failed to eliminate
them"
The attendance at Mrs. Cooper's Bible
class was fully equal to that, of the last
two Sundays. After the lesson many of
her friends and fifteen or twenty strangers
came forward and assured her of their
confidence ana esteem. They told her
that she was making noble fight for
truth and principle, and regardless of what
might be said about her she must triumph
in the end.
1t was stated yesterday bya close friend
OF Mrs. Cooper that she had been ap-
proacned by number of gentlemen since
the publication of the Blanchard affidavit
who offered to protect her against any
further attack. The story goes that these
men, if she but said the word, would or.
ganize committee of seventy, with the
one object in view of expelling DR.. Brown
from San Francisco. 1t was proposed to
give the reverend gentleman forty-eight
hours notice toleave the City; then, if he
did not accept the invitation, similar
measures to those used in earlier days
would be adopted. Mrs. Cooper declined
to discuss the matter, except to say that
never, under any circumstances, would
she consent to such proposition.
1t is said that the present whereabouts
of Mrs. Tunnell is causing the friends of
DR.. Brown considerable uneasiness. Just
what she will testify to in the event of her
appearance before the council is, of course,
unknown, but it is generally supposed that
she would say things damaging to the
pastor. A fresh story was started yester-
day to the effect that Mrs. TunnelI was
without doubt in the city, but intended to
remain in hiding until called by Mrs.
Cooper.
Inquiry at the home of Mrs. Horton. 216
Eddy street, with whose mother at vi
salia she is known to have spent some
days, elected the information that she
had not heard of or from Mrs. Tunnel for
at 1041 Mission street, where the missing
witness lodged for some weeks prior to her
disappearance.
Attorney Gallagher is working on new
theory, in which Mrs.. Tunnel is involved.
He has certain evidence in his possession
now, but refuses to tell what it is until he
completes his investigation.
Professor Lloyd occupied the First Con-
gregational pulpit at both morning and
evening services Yesterday. Dr. Brown
and his wife attended the forenoon SER
vice, but took no part in the exercises. At
6:20 CLOCK the pastor attended the regu-
lar meeting of the Endeavorers.
The convening OF the council tomorrow
makes the fifty-second day since the scan
dal became public by reason of the arrest
OF Mrs. Davidson. The council will proba-
bly, not consume more than half an hour
in organizing. after which they will be
ready to receive charges affecting the char
acter of the pastor. Mrs. Cooper will be
represented by Walter j. Barnett of Gum
nison. Booth g. Barnett, and Mrs. Stock
ton by ]. II. Collins of Fresno.
Ingenious Jack.
May I give another instance Of the
p over which dogs seem to possess of un