The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-09-08
A SAD LIFE HISTORY.
Eaving Reformed. an Bx-convict
Despairs and Takes His Life.
TEMPTATION TO DRINK STRONG
a Young Man Well Known Here for
his Brave Efforts to Lead Better
Life Commits Suicide by Taking
Laudanum His Letters to DIR.
Cushing.

leased from the work-house in this city,
After his release he called upon Rev
Dr. Cushing and told him the history Of
his life. Since the age OF eight he had
been accustomed to steal, and only o
few months before, on the seventh day
Of June, he had been discharged from
the Western Penitentiary in Allegheny,
Pa. He told the doctor that months
prior to his release he had made up bis
mind to change his way and endeayor
to lead an honest life The temptation
to drink, and thus render himself more
liable to succumb to his criminal pro.
pensities, was daily becoming stronger,
and he wanted the doctor TO lend him
his assistance.
In January last the young man began
to attend the meetings at Ev0ngelistic
hall, conducted by Mr.. @. w. Sawyer.
Here he saw the efforts being made to
reclaim men like himself, and thus en-
Outraged, began to entertain hope.
On January "a the young man was &c
copied as n probationary member OF the
Fourth Street Methodist church, and
on April so received his certificate OF
membership.
In the meantime employment was
offered him by Edgett & McCarthy's
agency, and bringing one OF the firms
circulars to DR.. Cushing, he asked him
II it was advisable to accept the posi-
ton. Seeing the names OF eminent cit
liens ON the document, Doctor Cushing
replied that it was no doubt respecta-
bic business and advised him to accept
the situation. 1t was about this time
that Benson told DIR. Cushing, Mr.. @.
W. Sawyer and other gentlemen whom
he did not wish to deceive, and who
we're encouraging him, that the name
he went by was assumed, and that his
right name was William B Hurn.
His stay with the Edgett & Mccarthy
firm was short. He informed DR.. Cush-
ing that the whole scheme was swim
die, and that none of those putting
money into it would ever get back u
cent OF their funds. He desired to be
no longer connected with the affair,
having declined to allow those to enter,
whom he had already talked over before
realizing that he was agent. for dis
honest scheme. He predicted its ulti-
mate collapse, and Edgett & Mccarthy
are f1gitives from justice to-day.
Zurn left Wheeling to seek employ
ment elsewhere. He was behaving well,
had passed his probation and was an
accepted member OF the Methodist
church. A faithful attendant at the
meetings conducted by Mr.. G. w. Saw
yer at Evangelistic hall, he did much
good by his exhortations on the evils OF
intemperance. The impression he left
on those with whom he came in contact
was that of q man half crazed by re-
morse for his previous life. To the gen.
eral public this was, OF course, not so
obvious, but those before whom his
soul was laid bare saw much not other
wise apparent.
Wheeling, when DR.. Cushing was much
erieved to receive the following letter,
dated at Newark, o., May 20, 1891.
Dr. Charles W. Cushing.
DEAR sR:-The battle has been
fought, and l have fallen. Forgive me
and forget me. I could stand 1t no
longer. Tonight, for the first time
since the twenty-eighth day Of Deem
ber l have taken to drink; at the pres
emit writing l am half drunk and on my
way to degradation. Even now, in my
state, remember your kindness to me
and feel grateful for it; but. my God,
my poor brain could stand it no
longer. tried, and tried hard,
to find employment, but none
would trust me and all is lost. ] have
no hope, my life is blasted, the sins OF
my past will not leave me. If had
had steady employment, things might
have been different. But all is now
over. have violated my pledge to
God and have taken to drink to drown
my remorse. Oh, Doctor! | am sorry
l have taken this course, but l can't
help it. have tried to do right, and
have failed. You have been SO good to
me in the past, that l hope you will
forgive me now.
Warn all my friends in Wheeling
that have fallen, God forgive me, but
even now, in the condition that am
in, cannot deceive you or any OF the
members Of your church MS to my true
condition. / have fallen. The devil
has conquered, aud now claims me as
his prey; and !, like fool, have meek
" surrendered myself into his hands.
Ask the members of your flock to for
get me as a worthless vagabond, as in
deed am. Again, doctor, before clos
ing this, what will in oil probability be
my last message, I ask you to forgive
me. Don't answer this or try to COM
municate with me. l leave town to-
night for parts unknown.
Gratefully yours,
WM.B. ZURS.
Not knowing where letter would
reach the young man, DR.. Cushing did
not, OF course, answer. A few days later
another letter reached him. Zurn had
braced up, gone to Portsmouth, O., and
there secured position with q former
employer, who knew Of his past life. In
the letter Zurn lamented his fall, but
having obtained employment seemed to
feel much more cheerful. DR.. Cushing
heard from him no more, and was be-
ginning to feel that the young man was
doing we'll, when he was thunderstruck
a short time ago by the receipt OF u
letter from G. G. Fulton, the coroner ut
Portsmouth, o., in which he announced