The San Francisco call., 1896-01-03
MRS. DAVIDSON IN COURT.
The Defendant Arraigned in the
Presence of a Great Crowd.
DR.. Brown Testifles.


1t was about P. NJ. when Judge J. A.
Campbell forced his way through the
dense audience that packed his courtroom,
took his place on the bench of justice and
called the case of Mrs. Mary A Davidson,
charged with extortion.
The defendant, on the request of Walter
Gallagher, one of her counsel, was allowed
TO take seat beside him. Associated with
Mr.. Gallagher in the defense of Mrs. David
son was John J. Guiltoyle Jr
Ex-Judge Davis Louderback and Reuben
H. Lloyd appeared on behalf of the prose
cution.
Mrs. Davidson preserved the same calm
and dignified demeanor-more suggestive
Of the martyr than of the culprit-that
has characterized her actions since her
arrest.
Immediately following the calling of
the case Judge Campbell instructed the
clerk TO arraign the prisoner, and the
clerk proceeded to read the following com
plant:
Personally appeared before me this 2Sth day
OF December, 1898, c. .. Brown, who on oath
makes complaint and deposes and says that on
the I'D day of November 1895, in the City
and County OF San Francisco, State OF Califor-
MIA, the crime OF felony, TO wit, extortion
was committed, TO wit. by Mary a. Davidson
(whose real name is unknown TO this COMPLAIN
anti, who then and there did willfully unlaw-
fully and felOniOusly obtain from aifiant the
sum OF $500 in lawful money OF the United
states OF America and OF the propertv OF affi-
ant, with his consent, induced by wrongful
use OF force and fear, contrary TO the form
force and effort of the statute in such cases
made and provided, and against the peace and
dignity OF the people of the State of California
And this complainant, upon OATH accuses
the said Mary a. Davidson (whose real name is
unknown TO this cOmplainant) OF having com
mltted the said crime, and prays that the said
accused may be brought before d magistrate
and dealt with according to law.
CHARLES o. BROWN
This bore the proper attestation by
Judge J. A. Campbell.
When the formal question was put to
Mrs. Davidson as to whether the name in
the complaint was her true name, she
arose and, IN a firm ana clear tone.
answered, cit is, sir
Are you ready, gentlemen 2' asked
Judge Campbell.
Walter Gallagher would like to hear what
the prosecution has to say
Reuben II. Lloyd-When this case was called
before we were ready to go on. We then had a
Wltness-Mrs. Tunnell-who, we understand
is now, across the bay. We have been trying
TO get her here, but have not succeeded I
want to have her here before | proceed |
don't want to try the case in pieces. would
IKE 10 have continuance until Tomorrow
Gailagher-Ne are anxious to discover the
truth in this matter regardless of who is CON
cerned. We have been and are still willing to
go on-in fact desire TO go on. We will not be
able TO get through with more than tn rec or
four witnesses, anyway, this afternoon. / am
willing 10 give any reasonable continuance
| am willing to waive all objections ii the
other side will do the same. l am willing to
try the case as if ii were being heard before a
committee of church deacons. But some of
our witnesses are here and some of the wit
nesses OF the prosecution are here and we
n yFuT all TI,a
brought out.
Lloyd-So far as the statement of the coun
sci is concerned in the matter OF waving OBJ
1ections' ana the deacons' your Honor may not