Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-12-24
MISSING PREACHER LOCATED
HE TOOK MONEY AND HORSES.
a California sheriff TeleEraphs That
BENJAMIN f.. Christleih Has Sur-
rendered Himself to the Authori-
ties as an Embexsler From WASH
ingtOn.

Chewelah Wash, Dee. %. Sheriff |
Denny has received a telegram from the /
sheriff of Orange county. Cal, saying that |
Benjamin +. Christleib has given himself |
up, claiming to be an embeZzler from Ste |
vens county. This solves mystery !
which has been vexing the minds of many |
citizens for several weeks
Rev. b. +. Christleib, for this selfac- |
knowledged embezzlcr is Free Metho-
dist preacher. came to this place last
spring from Penawawa, Wash, taking
charge of the Free Methodist church. lie
tidence of his congregation and the com
munity at large by his earnest and per-
sistent pastoral work. He appraised his
followers of the fact that he was engaged
to Il young lady Of Penawawa. his former
field, whom he intended marrying in the
fall The betrothed couple kept up u per-
sstent correspondence.
His Fiancee's Horse and Buggy.
As further evidence of their intention
to become man and wife, Christleib had
horse and buggy belonging to Miss
Smiths father.
The wedding day was set for October
%. This was about the time that men,
Der of Christleibs congregation was hav-
ing domestic infclicity and as he had
| heard that his wife had husband living
at st. Regis. Mont, he desired Christleib
to go to that place while on his journey
to claim his bride, in order to substanti-
ate the report. This the preacher prom.
ised to do, providing the member would
pay the expenses of the trip. He decid-
ed to make the journey by team and on
account of the rough country he had to
travel through would need a strong We.
hicle and two horses. He had won the
confidence of Louis DfOz, who lives near
Colville. by showing his willingness to
work in assisting him to load baled hay
and perform other farm labor, SO he Dor
rowed the horse needed from Dr0z.
w. w. Tilghman, whose wife was o
member of his congregation, owned 9
strong hack, and they unhesitating loan
ed to their preacher to bring his blushint
bride back with him.
In October Rev Christleib started OF
his double mission of expectant groom
and detective, Mr.. Lung giving him abou
So; he also borrowed $40 from merchant
here before leaving, to whom he owes
small store bill
Then He Vanished.
No one here has since heard from him
October 10, it is said he wrote a letter t
his expectant bride, telling her he woul
leave his team in Spokane and be gon
about 10 days on important business.
He left here with the avowed intentio
. of driving to st. Regis. When, therefor
his friends heard this they began to hav
suspicious that their pastor had beta,
ed them or that some foul play had bee
perpetrated upon him. Weeks passed an
still receiving no tidings, search was II
stituted for the team and hack.
They were found in livery stable Q
y Broadway. Spokane, there being fec
!, bill of $35 against them, and the propri
= tor claiming to have bill Of sale for Il
=. hack. Mr. Smith and Mr.. Droz paid Il
:, feed bill and took their horses out, ar
. Mr.. Tilghman is now in Spokane tryil
v to regain possession of his hack.
DR.. Lung says he also took with him
!. valuable quilt and suit of clothes belon
~ ing to young man named Andres.
70 Much Engaged Man.
h, According to the statement OF felio
minister who was here week ago Chri
er leib has been much-engaged man, ha
x, ing deceived four other young ladies
k. the same manner. He had been in t
p ministry about two years. Prior to
I'd gaging in preaching he ~Sas foreman
25 bookkeeper in IA machine 'shpp. in Pc
j; land
. 1t is said that Mr.. Tilghman received
IT, letter from his mother, who lives in Pc
ng land, week ago, stating that she h
d, seer Christlejb there, 50 there is no dol
a about his being the person referred to
SO the telegram from the sheriff of Orar
q county. The young lady's father it
said is making strong efforts to have
yer deceiver captured. In the meantime
IA Free Methodist congregation is With
Nm n nostur