Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1896-01-03
WAS CINCHED FOR $500
Rev. Brown of San Francisco Has
a Woman Arrested.
CHARGES HER WITH BLACKMAlL
Paid $500 for Her silence in REGARD n
His Alleged Relations With
Miss Overman.

san Francisco, Dec. 29-Mrs, Mary
A. Davidson has been arrested on a
charge OF extortion preferred by Rev.
{. o. Brown. pastor of the First Con-
sregational church. Mr.. Brown charges
her with blackmail and says he paid her
5000 to secure her silence in regard 10
ms alleged relations with Miss Over
man, young woman from Tacoma.
who visited at his house.
The First Congregational church Ia
the largest and the most fashionable
one of that denomination in the city
Mrs. Davidson came here during the
midwinter fair as the representative of
Boston corset factory, and lately con
Quoted corset store of her own. She
mas attended DIR. Browns church for
about year and has taken great in
terest in church matters.
Miss Overman came here from Ia
coma for her health and visited at the
house of DR.. Brown. whose family she
knew in Tacoma. After a stay of sew
eral months, during which time she
became acquainted with Mrs. Davidson.
MISS Overman returned to Tacoma. but
came back to San Francisco when Mrs
Davidson promised to secure employ-
ment for her.
According to the doctor, Mrs. David
son came to him last November at n
time when there was intense excite
ment in the city over the exposure of
several old men who had been debauch-
ing young girls and told him she had
been commissioned by Mrs Jane Eliza
beth Baddin, a lodging house keeper.
to demand $4,000 down and $500 a month
for 10 years if he did not want his init
macy with Miss Overman exposed.
Mrs Davidson said that Miss Over
man had confided to her and would tes-
tify against him and that Mrs Baddin
knew that he had occupied a room in
the lodging house with a young lady
Mrs. Davidson pointed out to him that
owing to the state of public feeling. al
most anything witnesses would swear
to would be believed and advised him
TO settle at once.
DR.. Brown was Mortified at the ma
ture OF the charges brought against
MIN and saw no means of escape. He
succeeded, however, in reducing the
figures to $500 down and $35 a month
FOR five years. He paid Mrs. Davidson
5000 for which she signed a receipt
AFTER paying over the money DIR. Brown
attempted to find Mrs. Baddin. but
without success.
Finally, he met Miss Overman, who
was stopping with Mrs. Davidson. and
reproached her with her perfidy. She
Indignantly denied that she had made
any such charges. and when confronted
with Mrs. Davidson, denounced the wo-
man as infamous Miss Overman i'm
mediately left Mrs. Davidson's house
ana went to the home of DIR. Brown
where she is now under the protection
of his wife. Then the minister consult
ed with the deacons of the church and
the result is the arrest of the woman
Both the minister and Miss Overman
deny that there is the slightest founda-
ton for the charges.
The Chronicle says: Miss Overman
is tall young woman, with red hair
and blue eyes. She is SAID to be n di-'
vorced woman. Matte Overman Is her
maiden name. Some months ago she
came to the Chronicle and offered a
story on a prominent man for $1,000.
she is not a particularly good-looking
woman. but is an interesting talker."
So far the police have failed to find
any trace of Mrs. Baddin or the lodg-
ing house which she is said to have
kept
The First Congregational church was
crowded this morning as the result of
the exposure of an alleged blackmail-
ing attempt upon DIR. Brown The min
lister appeared as usual and in his SER
mon referred indirectly to the attack
upon his reputation. One of the dea-
cons also spoke and corroborated DR..
Browns statement that he had con-
suited with the officers of the church
before causing the arrest of Mrs. David
son.