The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-07

venerable iauy SleepleSS night, ana BE-
tween her grief and her WEAKNESS she pre-
scented indeed a sad countenance.
She said she could stand any attack
made on herself personally while carrying
out policy which she considered in the
line OF her duty, but the wanton and I'M
1eellng ling made at her daughter was too
much for her.
In explanation of her deep and unusual
emotion. Mrs. Cooper related the following
sad tale of years ago:
You can readily imagine how a mothers
heart would be rent to hear q dear, devoted
ana only child characterized in the fearful
language OF the woman in Question-why 1t
words:
'You freckle-faced, pockmarked, NEEDLE
some creature, you had better get out of this
place!" 1t was hard to bear. very hard Such
spirit as that would strike down the manned,
or the sick or the unfortunate.
1t made it all the harder to bear when re-
membered what brought this sorrow to our
home. 1t was during the last year of the war
in 1865, when the Union refugees were flock
ing into Memphis. ] was president of a society
in that city for the protection of refugees, and
supplies of clothing, food and money were sent
to me tor distribution. A poor woman had
come over from Arkansas in an oxcart, with
seven little children.
Her husbands Union man-was hiding out
to get away from the bushwhackers, as they
were called She was utterly destitute and
came to me for help, telling me that all her
seven children were down with the measles.
1t proved to be the smallpox, and although my
darling children had been Yaccinated the year
before they were both attacked with the dire
disease. Our beautiful little Mary died, and
precious Hattie was spared TO us, the last of
four children.
This is the first time she has ever been
cruelty treated and it was IN my own church
and by a church member. 1t is the hardest of
all the hard things have had TO bear in this
sad and dreadful case. This is all that can
say. Could anything be more cruel than this?
Does it not show the spirit OF some at least OF
DR.. Browns friends?
Reverting then to the meeting of Wednes-
day night. Mrs Cooper said she was ex-
tremeIy gratified over it, as the outcome
was eminently satisfactory to her. Con-
tinuing, she said:
was very much surprised at the number
who voted with us, in view of the fact that
such great efforts had been made to muster
! the strength of the other SIDE. Why, they had
members present from Alameda and Oakland
and from as faT away as San Jose. had no
idea there would be so many to stand with me.
Those who did were all of the noble element
and older members of the church. / hardly
knew any of the newer element which DR..
Brown brought in.
1 don't feel any i'll feeling against Mrs.
Brown. 1t is commendable for a wife to help
and defend her husband. OF course there are
different methods of doing such thing. /
should probably not have taken her method.
1t is not question along the line she took but
q question of fact.
The two things we wanted most were
brought about al last nights meeting-the
abdication of DR.. Brown and the early calling
or council. The results were such as TO sat
lsty even those who were most strongly op-
posed to DR.. Brown, and / am sure that those
who are in reality his best friends must also be
thoroughly pleased with his determination to
go forward as ne has decided to do.
Many of Mrs. Browns statements were not
In accordance with facts. That is all care to
say on that subject. My diaries are in the
cellar and l have been so busy all day receiv.
Ing my friends who called to sympathize with
me that have had no opportunity to look mn
the dates in connection with the Stockton
matter. Mrs. Brown, know, has said some very
harsh things OF me and can only say that
am willing to have g calcium light of criticism
cast on my life from now to my early child
hood days.
Mrs. Cooper then related her connec-
ton with Mrs. Stockton, as follows:
In 1890 Mrs. Stockton was recommended to
Mrs. h Virgins for admission to the latter's nor-
NAL training school for kindergarten teachers.
During her year of tuition under Mrs Wig
gins she was an assistant teacher in one of our
kindergarten schools-that one known as the
Willard kindergarten. When she finished her
course with. Mrs. Virgins, some time in 1892 /
believe 1t was, recommended her for posi-
ton in Port Angeles, Wash
she remained there something over year
and then returned TO this City. Meanwhile |
nave received letters praising her work as
Kindergarten, but suggesting that be careful
In recommending her, as she did not always
pay ner olIlS or arrange to do so.
When she returned here she got into the
habit OF attending the First Congregational
Church, and one day just after the morning
church service, as she was about to pass out OF
the church, l introduced her to DR.. Brown,
simply mentioning her name. They both ac-
knoWledged the Introduction and then passed
out of the church, Mrs. Stockton leaving by
the front door and DR.. Brown passing out OF
the door at the side of the pulpit.
Mrs. Stockton was next brought to nv atten-
ton when, much to the surprise of NV
daughter and myself, she was propounded for
membership in the church. On that OCCASION
l remember my daughter remarking to me-
when she saw the surprise expressed in my
looks: "G1Ye her chance, mother"
Then on the Sunday preceding the Turkish
tea given under the management of Mrs
French l met the latter in the church and
learned OF the trouble she. had had with DR.
Brown over Mrs. Stockton. 1 told her our
meeting at that particular time was certainly
providential.
The next day saw DR.. Brown after the meet
ing of the Congregational Monday Club and
informed him in confidence OF what 1 had
heard of Mrs. StockIon-not, mind YOU of
what knew-and this resulted, l believe in
his afterward making his peace with Mrs.
French.
1t is true that 1 have commended Mrs
Stockton during the present scandal and still
do, for as far as know she has always been a
most faithful and affeetionate worker among
oh H. L.