The herald., 1896-03-06
And Denied Ever Having Done
Anything Naughty
DR.. BROWNS TESTIMONY
The Deacons Bear Witness to the
Pastors Good Behavior.
At Tomorrow's Session the Public Will
Be invited to Listen to the
Preachers Explanation

SAN FRANCISCO, March 5.-Rev. Z. u.
Brown was on the witness stand in his own
defense this afternoon before the congre-
gationnl council. He prefaced his testi-
mony by scoring the newspapers on the
ground that an effort had beon made to
prejudice the community against him. He
charged that the reporters at the council
had suppressed all testimony favorable to
him and had misquoted his utterances to
the council. At the request of the moder-
ator motion was adopted by the council
requesting the papers to treat Brown inn
partially. DIR. Brown then began his testi-
mony. He stated that he was born in
Michigan forty-seven years ago and learned
the trade of blacksmith. He wished to
enlist during the civil war but as he was
too young to be enrolled he accompanied
his father to Shiloh and other fields as his
fathers servant. Subsequently he served
as bugler in the Third Ohio. He began
to study theology at Oberlin when II and
a year later married his present wife. For
violating the rule that students should not
marry he was obliged to leave Oberlin and
so went to Olivet college, Michigan, where
he remained seven years, supporting
himself by teaching and preaching.
He told of his trouble in his first
pastoral charge at Rochester, Michigan,
when anonymous letters were scattered
about the town assailing his character.
He recounted the church council there and
road the verdict completely exonerating
him of the charge of immortality. He re.
cited the more important incidents in his
career until the time of his removal to Ia
coma. He said he frs. met Miss Over.
man after he had been in Tacoma six
months. His wife had engaged her as /.
seamstress on the recommendation of
ance with her in Tacoma was casual. Miss
Overman sewed for his wife At the parson-
age three times. He knew she was trying
to acquire an education and that she
worked by day and studied at night. He
was called to the First Congregational
church in San Francisco in 1892 and
stated he was introduced to Mrs Stockton
by Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper. Directly ques-
toned he stated that he had never su.-
tanned any improper relations with Mrs.
Stockton.
Mrs. w. E. Aber was placed on the
stand at tho evening session of the council
and gave important testimony regarding
her knowledge of the relations that ex-
listed between DR.. Brown and Miss Over
man prior to the charges made by Mrs
Davidson. Mrs. Aber said Miss Overmar
spoke highly of DR.. Brown, but nothing iT
the conduct of Miss Overfnan or the pastor
ever made the witness believe there was
ever anything savOring of familiarity be.
tween the two. Miss Overman was greatly
attached 10 Mrs. Davidson until tho night
of December 10, when she was informed
by DIR. Brown that Mrs. davidson had
blackmailed him. Miss Overman, ac-
cording to the witness, denounced Mrs.
Davidson as hypocrite and moved her
trunk from Mrs. Davidsons house where
ah9 was IivinU the Same NIGHT
Deacon VascOnccllas was called to
prove that during the last thirty years,
during which time he has attended every
service at the First Congregational church, ,
he had never seen any improper conduct
between DR.. Brown and Mrs. Stockton.
The deacon's story began on Sunday two
years ago, when he was called upon at
short notice to assist DR.. Brown in baptiz-
ing Mrs. Stockton, and extended to the
time when the scandal was precipitated.
On all occasions DR.. Brown had been a
model of propriety, and Mrs. Stockton had
been as circumspect. Questioned more
closely, the deacon said he had never seen
anything bordering on familiarity between
Mr.. Brown and any woman. He could not
even remember that he had ever seen
the doctor walk on the street with
any woman other than his wife. Deacon
Williams thought too much time was being
wasted on this line of investigation and
moved the adoption of q resolution to close
the examination. He said he believed both
sides would admit that DR.. Brown was not
in the habit of making appointments with
women for immoral purposes and there
fore he introduced a resolution conceding
this point. The resolution was adopted
without discussion and the council ad-
journed until 8 o'clock tomorrow morning.
No afternoon session will be held tomor-
row on account of Deacon Franks funeral,
but an evening session will be held as usu.
al. DR.. Brown will testify tomorrow and
it was announced that the session will be
open to the public, as the doctor desires
that the public shall hear his explanation
of the charges made against him.