The San Francisco call., 1896-02-26
minutes after g at which time the crowd
had increased to such a degree that the

ana prayer that tue coHgTeGatioii uiiSHt
be blessed with the gift of patience and
fortitude.
The rollcall and reading of the minutes
followed. DIR. Brown requested the min
utes be corrected SO as to read that he had
asked that press representatives be adj
mitted to all sessions of the council. His
request was granted.
The first witness examined was the Rev.
John Ray, former assistant pastor of the
church, at present living in Mill Valley
H said he had been superintendent of the
Sunday school from July, 1893, TO July,
1894. lie continued, in answer to q Ques-
ton by the prosecutor:
II know Mrs. Stockton slightly. She
was received intQ membership about the
time of the November communion. AT
the request of DR.. Brown ] made inquiries
about her before her admission, as is fre-
quently done in similar cases. and could
find nothing against her. That is to say, |
made inquiries OF minister about Mrs.
Stockton, but | cannot remember who he
was, or where he lived, or what was his
name"
On being pressed as to any further con-
versations regarding Mrs. Stockton, the
witness admitted that Mrs. Brown had
objected to Mrs. Stockton being in the
choir during the Smith revival meetings
in 1894 DR.. Brown and his wife gave no
reason for this attitude toward Mrs. Stock
ton, and the witness asked no questions.
AS to the Turkish tea incident the wit
ness had heard from Mrs. French that she
had notified Mrs. Stockton not to appear
at that event, nor to take part in it under
any pretext. About that time DR.. Brown
appeared very much worried and harassed.
He was much occupied with church buSl-
ness, and was frequently kept very busy
for several successive hours almost daily.
The doctor did not, however, remain at
his office in the evening. The study door
was locked when the room was unocCu-
pied. He had never seen Mrs. Stockton
converse with DR.. Brown, as far as he could
recollect.
In response to question by DR.. Brown
Mr.. Ray said he could partially recall
writing to the Rev. Mr.. Chase of Sonoma
at Brown S request for information regard
ing Mrs. Stockton. He com planned that
his memory was poor and frequently re-
ferred to a paper, which he said contained
notes copied from his diary, but none the
less his usual answer was, II don t remem-
ber'
Mrs. Davidson was next called. The
pastor interposed q vigorous protest to the
admission of Mrs. Davidson TO the stand
before the Stockton matter should be thor
oughly ventilated. warm discussion en- =
sued, which was only ended when it tran
splred that, though called to testify, Mrs.
Davidson was not present.
Deacon Dexter then read the following
written statement:
Al 1890 A NJ, January 25, '96, Mrs Stock
ton OF 6l4A Mason street came into my Office,
handing me her card by way of introduction.
Several friends were in the Office at the time
into the hall front on Mason street, near the
elevator, on the sixth floor, and she said
Haven't you private officer" l replied, "No,
but we can talk here" She said: "All right
| q
affair of Dr. Browns. l have confidence in
you, Mr. Dexter. from what hear Of you from
others, or should not come to see you al this
time. l sent word for you TO come to my
rooms, but not seeing you finally thought it
my duty to come to see you at your office.
come only on q mission OF peace toward DR..
Brown that may be able to assist him in this
hour OF his terrible trouble, as well as that OF
his family. l have great regard for him and
his family and friends and have no desire to
harm him in any way.
''With the wish 20 avoid any further trouble
on my part is the principal reason why have
called upon you. Yes. may say the only
wish, to him. Tell him not TO have me called
into this case any further. Let me say to you,
Mr.. Dexter, that have always had the highest
regard for DR.. Brown in all respects. He is a
man OF great ability, and l believe he is one
who is able to do great good In the world.
Now, let me say that l have come OF my own
volition and have not been prompted by any
one in coming TO see you. am poor, weak
woman, all alone in the world, not seeking
notoriety, but desiring peace-peace with all
have been misquoted and misunderstood.
ii Dr.. Brown had first let me alone should
have said nothing, but being attacked ! must
defend myself matter of course. You can
see that and in that l consider l was not TO
blame.
al may say to you have friends who would
do great deal for me if l should call upon
them, but l have not and shall not, unless
am driven to the wall, then shall defend N.Y.
self, and they will, without doubt. help me il
/ should say SO. This do not want l desire
peace, and will keep peace II DR.. Brown so
wills it. Yes. more, let me say, would be
willing TO lie for DR.. Brown steal for him
il l could help lift his burdens, provided he
will let me alone. This wish you to convey
to him personally from me, as l cannot reach
him, but you can, and come 10 you, believing
you to be a just and true man, from all | have
heard of you, Mr.. Dexter. think never met
you before TO speak to you; at least, do not
remember that have, but / believe you will
deal justly by me, from all hear of YOU
1 told Mrs Stockton 1 was not aware that
had ever met her before on any occasion, ano
should not have known her until she intro
duced herself ct my Office to-day I told her
should try to deal justly by her and all con
cerned in this unfortunate affair. That above
all things desired that truth to be known, the
guilty exposed and punished and the innocent
TO be exonerated. To that end all my efforts
had been directed and would be to the end.
Mrs. Stockton replied, ~ believe you Mr.
Dexter, and that is why [ come to you as l do
believing in you"
Finally she said "Now shall rely upon yor
to convey my message to Dr. Brown. and say
wish to help him and not harm him and not t
drag my name into matters any further, bu
let me alone-that is what l desire above al
things, to be let alone"
In response to question by DR.. Brown,
Deacon Dexter read the following supple
mental statement:
On Monday morning, January 27, went t.
DR.. Browns house about o'clock and told hin
what Mrs. Stockton requested me to say t
him. DR.. Brown replied: "If Mrs. Stockton
should call to see you again you can say to hel
from me that will enter into no agreemen
with Mrs Stockholm will make her NJ
promises. This scandalous matter must bt
sifted to the bottom. ! shall make no attemp
to keep it from the public, and l defy Mrs
Stockton"
The deacon could not affirm that Mrs
Stockton had made anything like threa
to jure DR.. Brown in case her name wa.
dragged into the scandal.
At this point the council retired into
secret session for the space of an hour
DR.. Brown met a young lady in the vesti
bule and had an animated conversation
with her, during which he took cop1ou;