The Princeton union., 1896-01-02
SECURED ]. HIS ROLL,
AN ALLEGED CASE OF BLACKMAILr
ING IN SAN FRANCISCO.
The Pastor of the Leading COngre-
gational Church Pays u Woman
$500 and Promises More for
Keeping Quiet n Story That He
Had Been Intimate With a Young
Lady-Both Say That the Story
Is False.

Had Been Intimate With n Young
Lndy-Both Say That the Story
Is False
| San Francisco, Dec. 31.-Mrs. Mary
A. Davidson has been arrested on the
charge of extortion preferred by Rev.
G. o. Brown, pastor Of the First
Congregational church. DR.. Brown
charges her with blackmal and says
he paid her $500 to secure her silence
in regard to his alleged relations with
Miss Overman, young woman from
Tacoma, who visited his home.
The First Congregational church is
the largest and most fashionab BILE one
OF that denomination in the 1.y. Mrs.
Davidson, who is a woman about 60
years of age, came here during the
mld-winter fair as a representative of
| a Boston corset firm, and lately con-
Quoted a corset store of her own here.
She has. attended DR.. Browns church
for about year, and has taken great
interest in church matters Miss
Overman came here from Tacoma for
her health, and visited at the house
of DR.. Brown, whose family she knew
in Tacoma. After a stay Of several
months, during which time she be-
came acquainted with Mrs. Davidson,
Miss Overman returned to Tacoma,
but came back to San Francisco when
Mrs. Davidson promised to secure en-
ployment for her. According to DR..
Brown, Mrs. Davidson came to him
last November at the time when there
over the exposure of several old men
who had been
D&bauchtng Young Girls
and told him that she had been COM
missioned by Mrs. Jane Baddin, a
lodging housekeeper. to demand $4,000
down and 500 a month for ten years.
# he did not want his intimacy with
Miss Overman exposed. Mrs. David
son said that Miss Overman had con-
fded in her, and would testify against
him, and that Mrs. Baddin knew that
he had OccI>oied a room in a lodging
house with an unknown woman. Mrs.
Davidson pointed out to him that, ow-
ing to the state of public feeling, al
most anything that witnesses would
swear to would be believed, and ad-
vised him to settle at once. DR..
Brown was Mortified at the nature of
the charges brought against him. but
saw no means Of escape. He succeed
,
to $500 down and $35 a month for five
years. Mrs. Davidson signed re-.
ceipt, when he paid her the $500 Then
DR.. Brown attempted to find Mrs.
Baddin, but without success. Final
ly he met Miss Overman, who was
shopping with Mrs. Davidson. and re-
preached her with her perfdy. She,
Indignantly denied that she had made
any charges, and when confronted
with Mrs. Davidson, denounced the
woman as infamous. Miss Overman
Immediately left Mrs. Davidson's.
house and went to the home of DR..
Brown, where she now is, under the
protection Of his wife Then the min
lister consulted with the deacons Of
the church and the result is the
-&.- Arrest OF Mrs. Davidson
Both the minister and Miss Overman
say that there is not the slightest
foundation for the charges. Mrs.
Davidson. when seen after her arrest.
said DR.. Brown called on her several
months ago and voluntarily confessed
his love for Miss Overman. He asked
his relations with the girl at once.
Miss Overman, she says, confessed
her love for Dr. Brown, and that he.
had promised to pay her $50 month.
A few days after this Mrs. David
Son says DR.. Brown handed her $35,
to give to- Miss Oyerman, saying he
had promised to pay her that amount
for ten months. Some time ago a
strange woman, who called herself
Mrs. Baddin, called on Mrs. David
son and said she knew Of DR.. Browns;
intimacy with Miss Overman and de-
manded $4,000 ais the price of her
silence. About six weeks ago she sent
for DR.. Brown and told him of Mrs
Baddin's demands. He said: ut is
all true and more too."
Mrs. Davidson continued: HE re-
fused to see the woman and asked me
to handle the business for him. He
said, You have our hearts Secrets
and told me everything. DR.. Brown
said he could not pay her $4,000, but
the rest at the rate Of $35 a month.
DR.. Brown said he would leave San
Francisco within three months, as he
had calls from churches in Brooklyn
and Philadelphia"
Next day she paid the $500 to Mrs.
Raddin, who said she was going to
leave town, but would return each
month for the $35 Mrs. Davidson
says DR.. Brown has paid $35 for Miss
Overman in August, September, No
yember and December. She concluded
her statement by saying: ~
z: 81 have kept this secret for the sake
Of the church; for the sake Of Miss
sOverman and DR.. Brown, but the
truth must be told, and I am sorry I
am obliged to divulge these things"
So far, the police have failed to find
any trace Of Mrs. Baddin or the lodg-
ing house which she is said to have
kept.
Dunraven Goes Home.
New York, Dec. 31.-Lord Dunrayen
who came to America to testify be-
fore the YACHT club cnmmiffaa raua I'd