The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-04-08
A MISSING MINISTER.
The Rev. G.T. wilburn and Miss kO-
land Tarn Up ~ Charleston south
Earalina

The Rev. G.T. wilburn and Miss ko-
land Tarn Up At Charleston south
Carolina.
The Rev. G. T. Wilburn, Of the Baptist
church, who figured so conspciously and
unenvisbly here in 1876 with Miss Ella Ro-
land, who was of the Methodist faith, and
both of whom eloped together, has been
heard from. The scandal is sill green in
the memory OF the people of Dallas. 1t was
exploded by one of the papers OF this city
at the time, and the religious element de-
nounced the paper that published its an in
famous sheet, and the reporter who penned
tie facts as n tiend who ought not to be per-
mitted to live in civilized community
They "bulldozed" the reporter and the mat
ter was hushed up for awhile. AT the time,
the Rev. Wilbur was principal Of school
here and Miss Roland was
his assistant. Tho principal and
assistant conducted themselves with such in.
timacy toward each other that il set the
scholars to talking. When the matter was
published, but few, exceeding few, persons
were inclined TO believe it, and they were
very careful as to how they expressed Them
selves. The Rev. Wilburn had before been
regarded rs godly man, while Miss Roland
was looked upon MS most devout christian,
and she took leading part in conducting
prayer meetings, and her zeal at the camp
meetings which were in progress at that
time, brought her into prominence MS an un-
firing worker in the vineyard Of the Lord.
People could not well believe evil
of them, but there were some who were not
So credulous, and among them were some
prominent members OF the Baptist church
who saw in the person of Wilburn VIOLIN
sleeps clothing, and they had the manlness
to demand an Investigation of the matter by
the church. 1t was very interesting trial.
Rev. Wilbur was indignant and defended
himself in such an able aud earnest manner,
that there were those who raised the cry of
prosecution" and it won, for he cane clear.
Miss Roland then moved to Ian.
caster, in this county,
where she taught school. Rev. Wilbur
soon followed her and assisted her in her
duties. His wife and eight children he took
with him, for he was married man. There
were still great many people who believed
them innocent of the charges, but they soon
found out their mistake, for one fine morn
ing the Rev. Wilbur and Miss Roland were
not TO be found, yet he was considerable
enough TO leave a note to his wife, stating
that he could be happy alone with Miss
Roland. and another TO his zealuos support
ers acknowledging his guilt through
out and among other things in
this note he said "while you
were yet upholding me, was still perpetrat
ing the crime of which was accused" 1t
was "all eyes OPEN now, for there was the
confession. They went first to Salt Lake
CITY, but it appears that they were not so
well pleased with the city of polygamy, and
they coon afterwards moved to Charleston,
South Carolina, where they sailed under the
name of Rev. &. S. Wellows and wife. Pro.
Tossing to be solicitous as TO the spiritual
welfare of the colored people, he soon got
charge as pastor ofthe Calvary Bap tist church
in Charleston, which position no held for
some Elk mo this, when his congregation be-.
gan to inquire as TO who he was, where he
came from, and above all, as to what he had
done with his credentials. He failed to
answer these questions satisfactorily, and he
was bounced OH. Of the church. Inquiries
as 10 who he was were made, and letters
written from there to the Baptist Herald here
give him and his woman away. Wilbur
came to this state from Georgia, and the wo.
man, Roland, came here in 1876 from Paris,
Kentucky. She is Of good connection and a
highly educated woman.