Daily Republican., 1889-11-18
THE MISSING L'CHrBoURNE.

He Turns up in Philadelphia, but ms
Suddenly Disappears-E Either Crazy or
u Criminal.
Saturdays Philadelphia Times says:
The Rev. A. W. Lightbourne, one of the
most distinguished c,ergymen Of New
England, who has been wandering about
the country for the past two months,
without communication with family,
relatives or friends, was seen on Chestnut
street yesterday by one OF his old parlsh-
ioners, who was visiting this city.
Mr.. Lightbourne was for years the pas
tor OF the most popular Of New England
churches, the Congregational, at Green
wich, Conn. He left that church about
a year ago to accept the pastorate Of e
similar society at Portchester, N, Y,
which had just built q $4,000 church
aud bad secured New England for the
ablest pulpit orator Of The Cougrega-
tional faith. lie disappeared from Port
chester eight weeks ago, and the country
was startled with sensational reports
of his elopement with a wealthy and
esteemed married woman of his native
town.
The clerRyman's friends, botl in Con-
necticut aud In New York, commended
tbat his singular disappearance was due
to mental alteration and not TO criminal
motives, and during the two months Of
his absence an incessant, unwearyipg
search was made, with no results untii
yesterday.
George Il. Bacon, q wealthy pro- Q ty
owner OF Sound Beach, a little village
near Greenwich, who was one of the
Rev. Mr.. Liehtbourne's most intimate
friends and member Of his congrega-
ton, made flying trip to this city yes
terdsy on matter Of business, and
while walking hurriedly up Chestnut
street during the afternoon ran plump
into his reverend friend while endeavor-
ing to elude the crowd that was plunRing
across Seventh street.
The Rev. Mr.. Lightbourne, dressed IN
extreme fashion and looking stout and
contented, apparently failed to recogn re
, his old friend, whose hand was quickly
extended IN greeting, for he turned
sharply on his heel, skipped across
Chestnut street, and sped away up
Seventh.
Mr.. Bacon stood for a moment In com.
plete astonishineDt. Then he started In
pursuit OF his friend. He saw him nc
more He de, oted his afternoon to 9
! tour of the hotels, and finally discovered
/ that man answering the description Of
the clergyman had been staying at the
! Girard during the day. He had not re.
Ristered at the hotel but he had taken
his meals there and paid for them. Al
unclaimed telegram addressed to tbs
Rev. A. W. Lightbourne was at the desk
1t was received In the afternoon. Mr.
Raeon continued bis search hut could moi
again come up with the missing minis.
ter.
The following additional particulars o.
the missing are CLEANED from yesterday
Sunday Philadelphia Press:
A short, stout man, who Ia believed Il
be Rev. A. W. Lightbourne, of I'll,
Metho ist Episcopal Church, now o
Portchestor, N. ", but formerly fsmou
pulpit orator OF the Delaware Peninsula
entered the Continental Hotel on Frlca
md registered as John Il. Matthews, New
York. He had no bagg 60 but was as
signed 10 room. He cam down sttir
In short time wearing black skull cap
Soon after he went TO his room again ant
reappeIred this time wearing a liRht-col
ored hat. He walkei up and down tt,
corridor q short time and a !. ain disar
lew minutes later, he wore big blacl
sombrero.
The clerk then called the ecceutri,
guest to him and told him It was the rul,
oftbe house that guests without bageag,
should pay In advance. Mr.. Matthew
drew great roll Of bills from his poke
ami paid for his room. A friend spen
the night with bin aud he left the hote
early yesterday and has MT been ses
since. He WAS recognized as Rev. A. W
Lightbourne, who is missing from Port
chester, and who is believed to be insane