The San Francisco call., 1896-02-13
MRS. TUNNEL TO
Be A WITNESS.
1t Is Claimed That She Is
to Appear for Mrs.
Cooper.
MRS. BARTON'S OPINION.
Declares That She Knew of Miss
Matte Overman's Career
Months Ago.
ALL READY FOR THE COUNCIL,
The Various Churches Elect Delegates
for the Forthcoming Inves.
tigation.

Mrs. Barton, 16 Dale place, who figured
IN the Brown-Davidson scandal in its
earlier stages, claims to know the myste-
rious witness of Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper, by
whom that lady confidently expects to
prove the charge of immoral conduct now
resting against the pastor of the First Con-
gregational Church.
This witness, according to Mrs. Barton,
is none other than Mrs. Tunnel, who dis
appeared the day following the arrest of
Mrs. Davidson.
81 kept out of this case during the ex-
citing preliminary hearing" said Mrs
Barton yesterday, because I wanted first
to see Mrs. Tunnell. have followed her
movements closely and can at any time
lay my finger on her, though have had
no communication with her since the day
before Christmas. Now, don't propose
to tell all know, or how l found it out,
butit is true that Mrs. Tunnel is now the
witness of Mrs. Cooper. Why shouldn't
she come out on the side of truth and
justice, even though she did wrong in the
first instance in attempting to shield DR..
Brown?
Mrs. Tunnel, not considering Miss
Overman, OF course, is the only living per-
son who can give all the facts of this in
teresting case. Why shouldn't Mrs
Coo~er then hunt her up and convince her
that public morality compels her to speak
l can tell everything that Mrs. Tunnel
would swear to on the witnes s-stand,
though, of course, my statement would
not carry nearly as much weight as that
of Miss Overman's companion. Ny state
ment is not strictly hearsay, for what
know Of DR.. Browns alleged immoral con-
duct comes directly from Mrs. Tunnel.
That lady is dear friend OF mine-in
fact, we exchanged condolences.
lone day last year Mrs. Tunnel for
various kindnesses done her made me
present of little home up in Gait. She
wanted me to 90 up and inspect it, but l
didn't have the money, so she offered to
let me have ii, promising to bring it next
day. Well, that is the last l saw of her
for four months. She did not even write
TO me, and had come to think that she
bad been foully dealt with. This idea was
Cispelled, however, when one day there
came a knock at my door and in walked
Mrs. Tunnel.
"She told me then of her hurried,
though lengthy, visit to Tacoma, where
she went to nurse Miss Oyerman through
q serious illness. The nature of this sick
ness has already been fully gone into.
Mrs. Tunnell said that DR.. Brown had paid
the expenses of Miss Overman and her.
self, and had been generous in his gifts 10
her. She had a lot of new clothes, which
she said had been given her by the pastor
'tAt that time thought DIR. Brown was
q single man until all this scandalous af-
fair came out. / knew that men were
sometimes guilty of such things, but /
was shocked beyond expression when l
heard OF his wife. Her name was men
toned frequently by Mrs. Tunnell, but
a., xI,f ctaox
'eThere are hundreds of little things
that Mrs. Tunnel told me- all bearing on
the case, but as [ expect 10 be a witness it
is hardly proper TO 60 into detail now
They will all come out in due time, if not
through me then through Mrs. Tunnell"
Mrs. Barton will be called before the
council to tell what she knows of the case,
provided Mrs. Tunnel does not material
ize. In this latter event any statement
from her would be entirely worthless. She
will, however, be called on by the defense
in the Davidson case to recount her rela-
tions with Mrs. TCnnell. Mrs. Barton is
the lady whom John Pierce said he heard
declare herself to be Mrs. Baddin. She
grew quite indignan yesterday when asked
If the story was true.
The idea is simply absurd" she said.
ST know Mr.. Pierce very well. and | can
not believe that he ever made such state
ment. never met Miss .Overman in my
in court. Mrs. Baddin, however, does
exist and is a member of the Worlds
Christian Cooperative Society,""
Several mem bers of the council have
given it out that If Mrs. Davidson's trial is
in progress next Tuesday the hearing of
DR.. Browns case will be continued for
few days. This possible course is not at
the suggestion of DR.. Brown, but eman-
ates from one of the local churches.
There is said to be a scheme on foot to
secure bail for Mrs. Davidson with a view
of putting her on the lecture platform.
Last night thegvarious Congregational
churches of this City and elsewhere met to
select delegates for the coming council.
So far as known every church asked by the
deacons to participate in the deliberations
will be represented. The following are the
selections as far as known:
Aiameda-First, Rev. w. W. scudder Jr. and
Z. J. Dodge.
Thomas Addison, J. L. Barken substitute.
San Francisco-Plymouth, Rev. w. D. Will
liams and Deacon s. F. Bufford.
Oakland-First, Rev. F. s.. Freeland, D. d.,
and Judge ]. NJ. Haven; Plymouth avenue,
Rev. j. K. Mclean and Rev. George Mooar,
Rev. Mr.. Hatch of Berkeley made the
following statement last night after the
election of delegates to the council:
state publicly that If any one has any
charges whatsoever TO make against DR.. Brown
let him be present and make them. The coun-
Gil will be ready to receive any information
which will be of service in reaching conelu-
sion in the investigation. This is matter
which affects us greatly as individuals and as
q congregation.
In closing his remarks TO the church Mr..
Hatch made strong plea for the prayers
of his congregation for the favorable out
come of the case.
The First Congregational Church of Oak
land has had no pastor since August. To
be able to send their stated supply legally
they elected Rev. s. M. Freeland pastor
until such time as his successor should be
chosen.
Mrs. Cooper announces that she will be
represented at the council by an attorney,
provided the other side adopts such
move.
SACRAMENTO, CAL, Feb. 12.-At the
regular weekly meeting of the First Con-
gregational Church III this city M. ]. Cur
lis was selected as the member OF the con-
clave, which will convene in San Francisco
next Tuesday for the purpose OF examiA-
Ing into the charges against DIR. Brown.
Mr.. Curtis is an old resident OF Sacramento
and was chosen for his cool, clear headed
ness and good judgment. He has long