The San Francisco call., 1896-02-16
MISS MATTE E. OvERMAN.
From Photographic

pal witnesses has consented to talk. Miss
Matte Overman, about whom so much
has been written and said and against
whose character the most damaging IN
situations have been made, consents to
tell the story of her life to THE CALL.
True, she does not deal directly with
the more recent events of which she is the
central figure, reserving that fer the
council, but she grapples without the least
show OF hesitancy or fear of contradiction
the stories involving the moral side OF her
nature, from childhood down to the pres
ent time
81 might Just as well have done this long
ago." said Miss Overman yesterday, by
way of introduction, 'but before | could
collect my wits all those horrible stories
from Tacoma, Spokane, Walla Walla and
other points, founded on ly in the imagi-
nation of sensational correspondents, were
published. | was indignant that such
things should be said, and SO made up my
mind to deny nothing until the hubbu b
had in a measure ceased. If anything is
to be said now l want to commence at the
very beginning of my life, so there may be
no after chickering's of things left untold.
II was born April 8, 1868, in Benton
County, of the then new State of Oregon.
My parents were among the earliest set
tiers in the valley, having crossed the
plains in 1852, in wagons drawn by oxen.
Their first stopping place was Portland
but not having a prophetic vision Of the
future greatness of that city, they soon
moved to Alsea Valley, where they lived
for nearly score of years. There I was
born, being the eighth of family of thir-
teen children.
81 was five years old when my parents
decided to move to the Territory of Wash
ington, where they later settled on a farm
in Columbia County. After years of toll
and labor it became a place rich in re-
sources, and recall it now as spot full OF
the sunshine of happy youth. In my six
teenth year, father disposed of his farm,
and we moved to the town OF Walla Walla,
where we took a house sufficiently ample
for the accommodation of roomers and
boarders. 1t was at this place / met the
man whom i afterward married.
81 never while in that city engaged in the
dressmaking business, nor did my sister,
who was with US during my residence
there. I knew absolutely nothing of this
hfftu Va WOih oS Iidt tillOy DclHS Ollly IL
years old. The statement therefore pub
lished in the daily papers to the effect that
/ accepted $1,000 from a man in order to es-
tablish dressmaking business is utterly
without foundation. II was also said that
I secured $500 from a. clerk in this same
mans store, but was forced to return it.
This is unqualifedly false, both as to re-
ceiying the money and returning that
which never had.
"Very much against the better judg-
ment of my parents, 1 went to Spokane in
the month of November, 1885, marrying
on my arrival there D. w. Silveira, who at
that time was keeping boarding house.
After a short residence in Spokane we
moved to Helena, Mont, remaining there
until January 1, 1888. After a few months
of married life. discovered among other
things that Mr.. Silveira was unable to sup
port me. Being then clever with the nee
die, 1 began first as a seamstress and later
branched out as full-fedged dressmaker.
"This occupation followed successfully
for more than twelve months prior to my
departure from Helena. Just here let me
say that about one year previous to this
time I experienced conversion, and was
taken into full membership in the First
Baptist Church of that city. / soon had a
wide circle of friends in the church. 1 be-
came member of the l. 0. G. T., of which
1 was assistant secretary for one term,
being in good standing in the lodge when
l left.
'On leaving Helena obtained letter
of introduction from my pastor to any
church where might care to present it.
This letter spoke Of me in the kindliesI