The San Francisco call., 1896-01-11
HER BOSTON RECORD.
Mrs. Davidson Said to Have Sc
cured $4,000 From a Confl-
Dental Friend.

The Boston Traveller, under date of Jan
uary l. gives the following interesting story
concerning the woman who was yesterday
held by Judge Campbell to answer before
the Superior Court to the charge of extor-
ton:
Mrs. Mary Davidson, who is under arrest in
San Francisco for alleged blackman upon Rev.
c. 0. Brown OF that City, had an interesting
career in Boston, and managed to get consider
able money from one person at least before she
left the city.
She member of Rev. Nehemiah Boyn-
TONS flock at The Union Congregational
Church on Columbus avenue, and later be-
came prominent in DR.. Lorimer's congrega-
ton at fremont Temple, where she was
apparently deeply interested in Sunday
school Sao1 work. Spl 1 This was during 1890 and
ampton street, at the South End, in 1890
and at the time sold starch for a living. She
used TO carry about satchel containing her
stock In trade, and managed, through her elo-
quence, not only to sell considerable starch at
q profit but maze several valuable friends
Among them was Mrs. Sarah j. Stevens, an old
lady OF so years, who lived at 172 Northamp-
ton street.
Mrs Stevens became deeply interested in the
plausible Mrs. Davidson and her religious
WorK; MOT ~ me women became very intimate
Mrs Davidson, VINO professed extreme piety
frequently used to Call on her friend and pray
with her. They prayed for most everything.
Mrs; Stevens had considerable money in
vested IN bonds, and when they were called in
and paid Mrs. Davidson learned OF the amount
OF ready cash possessed by her new friend
1hen she began 10 talk about going into the
dresSmak1ng business with Mrs. Brown, and
hnally induced Mrs. Stevens to lend her S2SOO
on her note at per cent. The note was made
payable III ten years. A place was secured on
fremont street, opposite the Common
Ihen Mrs. Brown heard something about
Mrs. Davidson, and refused to become asso-
clated with her in business. Mrs. Davidson,
however persuaded Mrs. Stevens that she was
all right, and went into business on her own
said, and borrowed the remainder of Mrs.
Stevens cash, $4,000, also on ten years note
TINS time Tor 3 per cent interest
Frlends OF Mrs. Stevens demonstrated with
Der, but she remained loyal TO Mrs Davidson
evidently being persuaded that the woman
who is now living with Mrs. Stevens in her
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES home, particularly
aYerse 10 the intimacy with Mrs Davidson,
but could do nothing to break it up.
MI. GIBSON OF Lawrence, kans., a brother of
Mrs. Stevens, who came to Boston for the
Grand Army celebration in 1890, met Mrs
Davidson. and went home convinced that his
sister had found good friend in Mrs David
son. -Four years later he was compelled to
come here again to call for his sister, who had
become confirmed invalid, and has since re-
malned with her.
Mrs. Davidson went to Chicago in 1898 IN
the Worlds Fair, and then to San Francisco
Her payments OF the interest on the notes have
been lew and far between, and she still owes
considerable on that account. She has written
some very tiowery letters however, and here is
one OF them:
SAN FRANCISCO. 225 Geary street.,
December 10, 1895
s. ellison, Boston-DEAR SIR: our truly vel
come letter is most gratefully received as il has
been so long since heard from dear Mrs. Ste