The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-13
Apologies for His Appearance,
but Offers No Word of
Explanation.
MRS. DAVIDSON IS COMMENTED.
Alleged Lengthy Conference Between
Miss Overman, Mrs. Tunnell
and the Pastor.

DR.. Brown, pastor of the First Congre-
gational Church, appeared in the anom-
alous role yesterday OF man apologizing
fora crime which he will neither deny
nor affirm, yet in the very next breath
pleading with his hearers for O suspension
Of Judgment.
His audience appeared willing enough
10 grant so reasonable request, yet they
could not help wondering how long it
would be before that judgment, favora bic
or unfavorable would be given an oppor
tuni,y 10 be placed on record.
While DR.. Brown was exhorting his
hearers from the pulpit Of the First Con-
gregational Church to hearken to the
words OF wisdom and truth as found in
the tbi7ty-hrst verse OF the fortieth
chapter OF, Isaiah, and incidentally excus-
ing himself, Mrs. Davidson, the woman
responsible for his present uncomforta BILE
position, as viewed by the public, was
singing hymns and reading psalms at the
Branch County Jail.
The prisoner was in a happy frame of
mind yesterday when seen by a CALL re-
porter. She is inclined to view her pres
ent surroundings as the work of man and
devil, and is confident that the Lord will
not allow her TO languish any longer in
prison than IS absolutely necessary TO &C.
com plish his own ends. This she CONSTITUTES
as meaning the downfall of her reverend
prosecutor.
My commitment was nothing more
than l expected" she said yesterd ay.
Had the preliminary hearing been con-
Quoted before any other Judge, l would
now be 4 free woman receiving the con-
ordinations of my friends instead of lam
gushing between the four walls of a
prison. But am not in the least disceur-
aged by the biased opinion of Judge
Campbell. Thank God, there is a higher
court than mere police magistrate, and
sill another greater than any earthly tri-
bunal. Should Justice be blinded by in
tiuence' here below, l have no fear of my
ultimate reward.
Il see that DR.. Brown preached to-day.
l am greatly surprised at this, for it seems
to me that the mans natural modesty
would have prompted him to demand a
Oh urch investigation before again appear
ing in the pulpit. Suppose, by way OF ar
gument, that he has not been guilty of
criminal intimacy with Martha Oyerman
and II has not been denied up to the
present tIme-the mere intimation OF such
q thing should be an effectual barrier to
ministerial work until the charge was
probed to the bottom. Outside of this,
there IS the Stockton episode, and heaven
only knows how many more OF similar ma
ture.
His action to-day reminds me Of some
thing that occurred at my old country
home, years and years ago. We had a
little bantam cock that could crow louder
and longer than any rooster in the neigh
borhood. 1t was a habit of his to wait
until the other cocks had sent forth their
morning notes and then he would burst
into one long appeal that could be heard
for miles around. One morning the
neighborirg roOsJers rung the echoes with
their shrill awakening notes and then it
came the turn of our little bantam. AS
spry as lark he hoped on a convenient
bough and sent forth such cock-a-doodie-
doc as was never heard before. 1t was the
effort of his life, however, for the next
moment he toppled over dead.
well, that is just the way it is with DR..
Brown. He has gained temporary vic
tory and now he is Growing over it in the
vain hope that the people will lose sight of
the charges resting against him. Until
an investigation is made or he courts an
inquiry his every appearance in the pulpit
OF the First Congregational Church weak
ems his cause"
There has just come to the surface a
matter which Attorney Gallagher thinks
NAV have some bearing on the arrest of
his client. 1t is an alleged conference be-
tween DR.. Brown, Miss Overman and Mrs
Tunnel, which took place at the Cosmo-
politan Hotel, Saturday, Decem Der u, Just
one week prior TO the arrest of Mrs. David
son.
About $50 o'clock December 20 Miss
Overman called at the c smopolitan
Hotel and after some parleying engaged q
room for a lady friend. She registered the
name of Mrs. Tunnel and then lett. TAX
ing the key to the room with her. Just
what hour Mrs. Tunnel came in is not
known, but that she was accompanied by
Miss Overman there seems 10 be little
doubt
The nav+ YnOrnino (CaturdoyN oboY+ IN
o'clock it is claimed that DIR. Brown
called and was in conference with the two
ladies until after II clock. OF course lust
what occurred at that meeting will prob
ably never be known, but Gallagher pro-
poses to find out if possible.
Il would not like TO state under oath -
said the clerk of the Cosmopolitan Hotel
yesterday, that il was Miss Overman who
engaged the room, vet | am morally conf
dent 1t was she. There was some argu-
ment over the price, the young lady finally
paying - cents, with the understanding
that only one person was to occupy the
room. When Mrs. Tunnel came in | do
not know, but she was accompanied by the
Young lady who engaged the room. pre-
sumo they both occupied it that night.
The next morning gentleman called, and
he was closeted with them for TWO or three
hours. ! have since learned that this man
IS DR.. Brown, who row claims that he is
tie victim Of a blackmailer.
The Cosmopolitan house is where Mrs.
Baddin, concerning whose identity and
existence there is much doubt, lived when
she approached Mrs. Davidson. At least
thai ~ the story told by the latter, but she
has not been corroborated as yet. The
prisoner is confident that the conference
took place between DR.. Brown, Miss Over
man and Mrs. Tunnel, and further 1t was
then and there agreed to place the matter
IN the hands of the police.
AS a fact, she adds, sit was given over
to Captain Lees on the following Monday,
eliminating in my arrest just one week
eficr the conference"
Attorney Gallagher is thoroughly indig-
nant at What ne considers unjust treat
ment at the hands of Judge Campbell, and
says he is confident the Superior Court
Will deal more leniently with his client.
II am confident" he said yesterday,
that the upper court will allow me to go
INTO any and every thing that reflects ON
DIR. Browns character, or, in fact, any
thing rejecting on the church in general.
There are many scandals connected with
that institution. and | DroDose to have