The San Francisco call., 1898-01-09
Accused of Hilarious Conduct
 the Night Prior to Dur !. rants Execution.
THIS THE MINISTER DENIES
lie Also Refutes the Statement That He Was Employed as
 Reporter.

done him by a publication in the Bull letin of the issue of Friday, January ', and he yesterday filed an action against R. A. Brothers, proprietor of that journal of questionable methods. to recover s50.00O damages for the wrong he alleges has been done him. The article which, in his complaint, Rev. Davis brands as libelous is as follows:
 SAN QUENTIN PRISON, Jan. 7.-The scene at San Quentin last night has never had like since the tall prison walls have marred the beauty of San Quentin Point.
 The darkness brought great crowd of persons, among the arrivals being MT. and Mrs. Durrant, invited spectators of the execution, newspaper men and the Rev. Edwards Davis of Oakland. Davis had come in the service of a morning newspaper, and his actions last night will not soon be forgotten by those who wit messed them.
 He began his performance by entering the dining-room of the hotel, where a ! half dozen newspaper men were at their meal, and fiourished a half-emptied bot tie over his head while announcing in a nowise whispered tone that the color of the contents was a bright red He was attired as usual in a tall hat, a modish frock coat and white waist coat.
 Immediately after his dinner he was | taken to an apartment and kept seclud- ed until nearly S O clock. An attempt was | made to interview him, but a warder at his door announced that he was under 1 contract to talk for only one newspaper | At o'clock the Rev. Edwards Davis | drove up to the prison gate and was ad- mitted to see the elder Durrant. | He remained in the cell about an hour 1 and a half. and his exit from the prison was attended with some disturbance. Several friends among the throng outside attempted to talk with him as he emerged through the gates. A scrimmage followed. during which the minister got ! very frightened, and the elder Durrant ! cried out to the crowd in a very shrill voice. tremulous with rage and excite
 "God! Haven't you any. respect for a minister of the gospel?"
 A prize-fighter named Rochette. who | had followed all evening in the wake of the Rev. Edwards Davis, showed a desire to rescue the minister by force from those who importuned him 10 talk. but a guard with gun instantly subdued the fighter. Davis then entered a waiting carriage and disappeared for the night.
 Rev. Davis states in his pleadings that prior to the publication of that "defamatory" article he had always borne a good reputation, but since its publication he has been exposed to the hatred, contempt, ridicule and obloquy of those who read 1t. In consequence he alleges that he has been damaged in the sum of S50,oO0, which he now sues to recover.
 In the following signed statement Rev. Edwards Davis explains his as sociation with Durrant upon which the Bulletins attack was based:
 My association with the Durrants at San Quentin was at their invita- ton. I had no desire to be unneces- sarily identified with the unfortunate family, but when I learned that the prisoner was dissatisfied with Chap lain Drahms and also with Rev. Will liam Rader, I felt that I might be ot service to the condemned man in his diversity. I thereupon consented tc officiate.
 Neither then nor now was I work. ing in behalf of the press, as is appar. ent from the fact that my only intet view was limited to a few lines in the Examiner. However, after remainine in the presence of the prisoner for over an hour, and being in conversation much of that time, I might have giver an extensive report if such had beer my desire.
 'The news gatherers on my issuance from the prison became irascible be cause l would not pander to their de- mand. Their threats were ignored as gentility cnly could elicit my reply. That I was trying to assist and comfort the Durrants is evident from the fact that my reference to him was charac- terized with kindness and magnanin- ity.
 'I have no regret about the affair except in the case of libelous renort. in that I was discharging a duty and l am not concerned about the consa- quences of right action. Last Sunday was unanimously elected to my fourth years charge of the Central Church of