The San Francisco call., 1896-03-07
PASTOR BROWN
AGAIN A WITNESS,
He Makes an Earnest Ap-
peal to the Church
Council.
EMOTIONAL AT TIMES.
EMOTIONAL AT TIMES.
The Doctor Make a General and
Sweeping Denial of Mrs.
DavidSon's Charges.
WILLIAMS MOTION WITHDRAWN
John Bickfold and Mrs. Barton Make
Startling Statements-Miss Over
man Files an Affidavit.

1t Itrequirsd neariy an hour and half Of
the ecclesiastical councils time yesterday
morning 10 un-ayel five minutes hssty
action Of the night before.
The burning question with the associated
Judges Of DR.. Brown was 10 determine
exactly what they meant IN the resolution
passed declaring that the pastor was not
IN the habit Of walking or making clan
deStine appointments either with the sis
ters OF the church or others outside the
pale Of the consecrated edifce.
The main objection to the peculiar in
dorSement OF Pastor Brown was found in
the fact that i anticipated probable or
possible part Of the final verdict. To abide
by such sn expression now precluded even
discussion Of Mrs. Stoekton's testimony
ST any time in the future.
Mr.. Scudder raised the first objection to
the resolution. his remarks being strongly
seconded by Dr.. Tenney. In fact every
member Of the council appeared anxious
10 expunge the more than committing
words from the records, but they did not
seem % know Just how 10 get ST the matter.
Finally, from the parliamentary quick
sands n which the council found itSel;
almost hopelessly foundering, somebody
found way out by making . motion 70
return 70 the original motion. Then came
= motion 70 lay on the table the original,
On the question Of Dr.. Browns clandestine
meetings with women. This Was lost. 4
motion 10 adopt the original motion met
with the same fate. Then s motion 10
have i expunged from the records vss
carried, and the council was enabled 10
get down 70 the business which had called
it together.
During the long discussion 0r. Brown
gave no outward evidence that the repeal
OF the resolution would be objectionable TO
him. Once he remarked that he had no
objection TO the motion being wiped out,
but would reserve the right 10 bring aIl
the witnesses ne might desire 70 prove
that be was lot clandestine man.
Tn. accused pastor then took the wit
ness-stand. At first his voice was 50
husky IS 10 be heard scarcely five feet
away, bat SIS he warmed Up 10 the subject
his uI.erances became more distinct, until
81 the end OF half sn hour his every word
could be heard throughout the lecture
room. Dr.. Brown showed himself 10 be s
man OF many moods. First he was gentle.
thsn firm, 81 another time flushed with
anger and in the next breath choked with
tears. He was facstious II the moment
seemed propi.ious, or impressiyely sad If
the occasion seemed 70 call for il.
Dr.. Brown began by saying that he had
IN his possession ceFsSin letters written 10
Matte Oyerman during the period OF thst
young Iady's visit 70 Tscoms. The Wit
ness SAID they had been written st the
yery tine Mrs. Davidson alleged tina. be
Was pouring into her willing ear tale OF
Illicit love for MarEha overman. There
were three letters placed IN evidence, bear
ing the dates December 81, 1874, February
ID. and Angus: >, 1885. They were sll Of $
purely plstonic character, and the doctor
sought to impress this upon the council
and audienoe BIZ softly murmuring,
Sweet love letters, these7'
Without giving the council time 70 ask
sny questions, DR.. Brown remarked some
what hastily that he had now reached that
point when Mrs. Davidson figures promi-
neatly N the case. The witness repeated
n substance the story told by Mrs. David
son ss 70 Ire latters visits 20 the church
study sld OF frequent calls 81 the alleged
hlackmailsrs home. He said, however.
thSt during sll this time no SUSPICION en-
teTed his mind Ihzs Ms Davidson vas
other than pure, Christian woman.
Thel- conversation was chiefly shout Mss
Oyerman, and II vSs now clear 10 hira that
she had led Up 70 this subject fO- the pu--
pose OF entrapping him.
The pastor acknowIedsed the visit 10 the
Y. N. c. 4. rooms with Mrs Davidson.
but explained this By saying that he hsd
gone there fo- tie express purpose OF
showing his aged friend the com mpIeteness
one OF the private rooms. Miss Overman
being the theme OF conversation. II cSn
see now" added the witness what
could 10. then, that Mrs. Davidson vss
eItorting from ne UndeT the zuise OF
friendship NY opinion OF Miss Oyernaa,
70 be used sgslnSt me later"
Dr.. Brown then made sn earnest appeal
70 the council 70 put themselves IN his
place snd see what they would do. The
witness declared that he had never called
MIS- Davidson his mother in Christ SSyin :
= was : sscrilese for her 70 put such
words n his mouth.
The PASTOR rslstesi how Mrs Davidson
came 10 him snd borrowed various sums
az money, until the amount reSchei S1l
Is was nos offered II evidence whether
THIS money was ever repaid 1tmighE have
gone 70 pay Miss oye-22n's tuition, 50 tsr
IS he knew.
Dr. Brown then told in s graphic man
ner the events leading Up 70 snd following
the psyment az 500 hush-money 10 Mrs.
Davidson. The story. IS related by the
pastor vss substantially the same IS thst
already published. though he gave Il sn
altogether new coloring. He advanced, as
reason Tor treating Mrs. Davidson so
kindly sitter becoming convinced that she
hsd exforsed money iron him. that he
thought woman curiosity would prompt
Mrs Rs6din 10 come and see the man she
hsd yictimlzed and that Mrs. Davidson
would give some sign Of her presence. He
wsrched closely, elt Il never csme, snd he
vas convinced thereby that his erstxhile
sgsi friend had wronsed him.
Then il wss t4iSs ne determined 70 see
Miss 0Yernsn. He went 10 Ayers School.
b1t, seeing Slst his young friend was
engaged, made = pastoral visit, returning <
abouf 4.SQ. He saw Miss oyermsn in
company with three young ladies and so
walked hastily 70 the corner of Pine and
kesrny streets, intending 70 iatsrcep. her
there. Half s minute later his young
friend came slolg. snG, without nlncinC