The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-20
THE TRIAL. OF BROWN
Mrs. Cooper Files Charges
Against the Preacher,
ALLEGING SEVERAL oFFENsEs.
The Doctor Asks TO Have Miss Over
mans Name stricken Ont, hut the
Church Council Rsfuses.

~
row fully organized and ready 20 proceed
Rita the actual TRIAL OF the accused clsr-
ryrnan- N. 3. Woodlands. the representa-
tive OF the first Congregational church.
OF which Dr. Brown In pastor. before the
council. Was appointed Judge advocate
tals afternoon when the council had been
convened. The committee GA charges re-
ported that four charges had been pre-
ferred against DR.. Brown by SarAh H.
Cooper, assistant pastor OF the church.
ard by her daughter. Hattie Cooper The
charges OF which proof was promised ny
those making the charges are as f0iio~s.
First-That the letters written as al
legged by Miss Overnaa Ia wasea DIR.
Brown was compounded are genuine.
second-Tisat Or. Brown In his associa-
tions with Mrs. Alberttne Stockton was
unninisserial in his conduct.
Third-That Dr. Brown had been guilty
OF intimidation toward Mrs Lena Bianch-
ard. a non~cnureh member wAo voted
against Brown al . recent CONGREGATIONAL
meeting when resolutions Of confidence in
the pastor were Introduced.
Fourth-That DR. Brown was concerned
In a conspiracy with Miss overnssn 20
spirit Mrs. Tunnel away so thar she could
not testify against him before the council.
Secondary charges were also introduced
charging Dr. Brown with adultery vita
Miss OysrDan. conduct prejudiclal 10 the
church In paying <Sb TO Mrs. TAyldson 70
avoid exposure OF his alleged Iiasson with
Miss Overnsan. and conduct unbecoming
In minister IN recommending Mrs
Davidson as an exemplary Christian
woman after the date on which he paid
her the sum OF $500 Both reports were
accepted and entered as records OF the
council. Letters from Mrs. Cooper and
her daughter were also read 10 the coun-
ell. These communications merely reffer-
afed The charges which had been formally
preferred against DIR. Brown.
DR. Brown asked that the references 10
Miss oyerman In the letters be stricken
from the records as being unjust and dam
aging to that young woman by their utter
ancc. Judge Advocate Woodlands was
then asked 10 present the evidence in sup
port OF the several charges. No one pres
ent had any evidence 20 offer. and Wood
hams saLd he could not 60 out to find wit
neases IN mono would voluntarily appear.
He thought those prefcrring charges or
having evidence against Dr. Brown should
present II. After long discussion in
which Rev. Dr Williams. OF the council.
eaid that II there was no evidence against
Brown the council would have 10 acquit
him. II was decided to adjourn until this
evening. 10 procure testimony for the pros
scution, IL was decided that all Witnesses
should be sworn before being allowed To
testify.
The communication from Miss Harriet
Cooper vas az follows: II charge that
Miss Oyerman tone OF the principals in
the so-caiied Brown scandal was In con-
spiracy with Mrs. Tunnel the recipient OF
the famous oyerman letters. and that they
roomed together ut the Cosmopolitan no
tel. corner of Fifth ana Mission streets. In
the city OF San Francisco. one week prior
to the arrest OF Mrs Davidson now await
ing trial. From good authority learned
that Mrs. Tunnel was concealed In Dr.
Browns residence. at f.oe Genry street.
San Francisco. and that she tMrs. Tun-
neiD was spirited away from the city Sc
cretly by nr. Brown"
Dr. Brown wanted that part OF the
charge referring TO Miss Oyxrrnan stricken
out. "a that lady was not on trial The
council decided that n had no power to
change the wording OF the charge.
Following are the detailed charges
against DIR. Brown as arranged by the COM
mttee.
Charge !. Conduct prejudieiai to the
welfare of the church.
Specification !. In this. that. knowing
Mrs. Davidson to be connected with n con-
spiracy To extort a large sum OF money
from himself. he publicly recognized and
treated her as Christian woman. and
spoke OF her TO others I'm terms OF approval
thereby misleading them as TO her true
character and bringing reproach upon the
Christian ministry and scandal upon the
church.
Specification 2 In this. that. knowing
IN his personal experience that Mira Stock
ton was guilty OF permitting immoiest
and Improper liberty by the opposite sex
he made no effort as her pastor TO recall
her tn the right path and warn her os the
improperly and danger Of her conduct.
Specification z. In this. that possessed
as he Sas OF knowledge OF the facts re-
cited In specification 2 he. the said G q
frtk
with the said Mrs Stockton, taking her on
extended trips over street railroads and
dining with her at public restaurants
without tho company or knowledge OF his
Wife
Specification 4 In this. that. knowing
the alleged facts mentioned in the last two
specifications. he took no steps 20 bring
them 10 the attention OF the church OF
which he was the pastor and the said Mrs
stockton member. but by his silence and
conduct toward the said Mrs stockton gave
ground fer tho belief on the part Of her
fellow members Of tho church that she
VAS living an exemplary Christian iife and
VAS worthy Of their Christian confidence
and sympathy.
Charge , Conduct unbecomlng a Chris
tian minister.
''Specification.--In this. that the said c.
q. Brown. while pastor OF n Christian
church, paid a large sum- namely 500 60
dacins Mrs. Baidin 60 withhold from the
public certain alleged Information pos-
sessed by her relating to certain scandal
Gus or criminal conduct or the part % said
&. q. Brown. which money was paid 70
Mrs, Davidson eovcrtlv ard In secret, with
out telling any enc 81 any intent In such
payment other than 60 secure the silence
az the said Mrs. Baddin. and with no pro-
vision fer any concealed witness OF the
transaction ana conversation connected
Herewith. Through whose testimony the
Innocent and proper Intention prompting
the payment could n understood and made
apparent
charge & Immoral conduct
Specification I. In this. that on the ---
day ~ --. fSa--. the said q. a. Brown Is
xiegei. in or near his study. 20 have put
his arms around Mrs stockton and kissed
her. under What ahe took 30 be strong an
imai "a saion-
Specialization & In this. that he. the
said &. u. Brown. he alleged to have Neen
guilty or criminal intercoarse with Miss
cvernsn and Of retaining her ia hss house
knowing that his relations wlth her we're
IN ccntraveotion - the law. both divine
and ciss-"
pr Brown cbfeoted 60 any action hslns
taken. THE date HBon walch ~ Was sc,
euse.i ~ kisssag Mrs Stocksea Vas net
specified. Il object. hs sid sFta aaHwer.
Gay 81 bank 30 50 and 80. an alrea4y
feraFsciist 60 defend tsvSssf against n No.
isssn whose mind has besa hlsnk foy te-
years or ascFV. want tie tiase aaa
dates"
pr. noys rep1{ea shat me committee haa
rot time 20 get dates and &hat she ref,erl
was based On newspaper tssFgsinxs- Ths
letters FROM Nfs. tNccper an3 hef tsarh
Ter were then rses
Mrs. rcapeE read h@F statement Ga e..