The herald., 1896-03-14
In Defending Himself Against His
Wicked Accusers
FRIENDS MOVED TO TEARS
They Also Move to Nominate Him for
Mayor
A Touching Picture Of the Distress Of His
Aged Pa and na-niss Overman
Levants

Associated Press Special Wire.
SAN FRANCISCO, March, 13.-At noon to-
day c. o. Brown began his closing address
to the Congregational council. He said
he had been for four weei,s fighting
for the right to live. Charges against him
had been made by two women of utterly
bad character. He arranged Mrs. David
son, saying she had been liar from child
hood, that she had blackmailed other min
listers and had been a swindler for many
years. He took up in detail the charges
against him, denying any immortality with
Miss Overman, Miss Stockton or any other
woman.
DR.. Brown claimed that his letters to
Miss Overman had been only of such ma
ture as any pastor might write to any wo-
man. He claimed if he had cherished an
,illicit passion the fact would have been ap-
parent in his letters to her. He described
the case as zone of the greatest social
scandals. not only of this city, but of the
world" He said on the ground as stated by
Miss Overman all this case is clear as day.
On any other ground there is mystery and
nothing but mystery. He said Mrs. Thurs
ton, who corroboraied Mrs. Davidson, was
jealous because he had sprung from the
ranks of the poor and was prosperous
pastor of rich church. He reviewed the
case and evidence minutely. but his argu
ments we're mainly repetitions of state
ments already made to the council, or in
published interviews.
He concluded mis- address in his own de-
fense this afternoon. He reviewed in de-
tail all the evidence presented to the coun-
Gil, urging that the explanation offered by
Miss Matte Overman regarding their rela-
tions and the alleged conspiracy of Mrs.
Davidson, was the only reasonable expla-
nation. After storing Mrs. Sarah b.
Cooper, Miss Cooper. Mrs. Thurston and
his other opponents, he made personal
appeal to the council, pcturing the distress
of his wife and sons ard his aged parents
in Cleveland. He said if the council pro-
nounced agains him he should never see
his parents again. He said if the verdict
was adverse, every blackmailer in the
country would raiee his serpent head and
hiss in victory. He concluded:
II begin to see the blue sky opening
over the good name of G. 0. Brown. The
hour approaches. I feel conscious in my
innocence, when. like the 10000 who fol-
lowed XeDophon after long troubles and
reaching the Enxine cried, The sea, the
sea- /, too, will cry 'The sea, the sea- !"
The address was concluded amid a burst
of applause and loud hurrahs from the
audience. One man rose, and, with tears
running down his cheeks, cried: &c. o.
Brown is the bravest man in California. /
move that he be the next mayor of San
Francisco" Continued cheers followed
and DR.. Brown was surrounded by con-
graduating friends.
The council then went into executive
session to deliberate upon the evidence
and formulate verdict
THE council was in secret session all the
evening, and at midnight was still in ses-
sion. The council decided to ignore the
charge of immortality with Mrs. Stockton
and is now considering the charges of mis-
conduct with Miss Overman. 1t is init
mated that Dr. Brown will be found guilty
of unminsterial conduct in intimidating
young lady of the church. The charge
of illuminating Mrs. Blanchard will be
dropped.
The Post says that Miss Matte Over
man, who has played such a prominent
part in the trial of Rev. G. o. Brown, has
left secretly for Los Angeles. The object
of her trip south is not known, but it is
supposed she is going to join Mrs. Tunnel
at Ensenada.