The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-21
A SENSATIONAL TRIAL
MORE CHARGES AGAINST REV. DIR.
BROWN, OF SAN FRANCISCO.
shrieking "YOu Lie:'-Mrs. Stock
toms Testimony.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.-When the
council which is to try DR.. Brown con-
vened this afternoon Mrs. Sarah b. Cooper.
assistant pastor to DIR. Brown, and one of
his accusers, was recalled for cross-exami-
nation. She declared she had done every
thing possible to bring out the truth of
the charges against Brown, and denied
that she had acted in an u~nscriptural man.
ner toward her pastor. She was satisfied
no explanation could be made regarding
the apparently damaging letters ostensibly
written by Miss hOverman.s She repeated
that she was morally certain Mrs. Tunnel
had been spirited away by DR.. Brown to
prevent her testifying against the minister.
The judge advocate at this stage asked for
an adjournment until Tuesday. DIR. Brown
and Mrs. Cooper both objected to the delay
as unfair to all concerned, after the long
delay in calling the council, and 1t was
finally determined TO proceed.
Mrs. Lena Blanchard was then called,
and told of an interview with DR.. Brown.
in which he had threatened her with arrest
for voting lack Of confidence in DR.. Brown
at a church meeting. the witness not being
a member. Witness said Brown promised
her immunity from prosecution If she
would sign an affidavit, confessing that
Mrs. Cooper had urged her to vote, al
though not a member. Witness had first
signed such an affidavit, but afterward
amended the affidavit. However, witness
publish the affidavit in its original form.
She held Brown responsible for the pub
LEGATION.
Mrs. Davidson, the cause Of all DIR.
Browns troubles. appeared before the
council to-day in charge-of a deputy sheriff
and filed her charges against the minister.
She accuses Brown of adultery with Miss
Cverman: with causing a criminal opera
ton to be performed, and with various
kinds of deception. She also says she has
a statement m In reserve rye Which ~ s Is a .seor nSho
appeared and stated that Mrs. Stockton
would testify against DIR. Brown provided
she were assured protection. This is taken
to mean that Mrs. Stockto fears legal
proceedings may be brought against her.
After Mrs. Blanchard had told her story
members of the council and Dr.: Brown at
tempted to question her. Mrs. Rogers, who
says Mrs. Blanchard told her that Mrs.
Cooper urged her to vote, was also present
and insisted that Mrs. Blanchard told her
the facts as stated. Mrs. Blanchard grew
intensely excited.
You lie! You lie," she shrieked.
Efforts to calm her were unavailing, and
she was led from the room shrieking and
crying.
At the evening session, to which only re-
porters were admitted. another sensation
was sprung. Mrs. Albertine Stockton, who.
him long before the Davidson affair, went
on the stand. She practically admitted that
DR.. Brown had been unduly intimate with
Y anu lidI ttl hioNH 10
Mrs. Brown. DR.. Brown had sent her a note
asking her to come to his study. She went
and found Mrs. Brown with the note in her
hand. There was a stormy scene, and DIR.
Brown confessed to his wife and she asked
her to forgive him. promising to reform.
Mrs. Stockton said DR.. Brown appeared to
be infatuated with her, and wanted her to
elope with him. This she refused to do.
Mrs. stockton said that DR.. Brown had
kissed her and had taken liberties with
her. They had gone on long walks and
had dined at the Madison Richie. a French
restaurant. Once, while she was sick in
her room with the grip, Brown had called
and kissed ner. Later, she said, Brown had
wronged her.
On cross-examination. Rev. Mr.. Williams.
a member of the council. asked her IL she
had met DR.. Brown at any other place than
the ones she had already mentioned. and Il
their relations had been of husband and
wife. Mrs. Stockton started 10 answer.
but her attorneys interrupted her and told
her not to answer the question unless the
lish the answer. DR.. Brown objected 10
this. saying that the papers had printed
everything against him., and he did not see
why Mrs. stockton should be favored. He
wanted all the facts made public. The
council decided that Mrs. Stockton's ans
swer should not be made public, and said
that If the reporters would agree not TO
publish ii they would be allowed to remain.
DIR. Brown thereupon declared he had not
promised secrecy, and that he would pub
lish Mrs. Stockton's answer If she made IL.
and DIR. Brown said he would not d:vulge
anything Mrs. Stockton did not wish pub
lished. The council then excluded ali re-
porters.