The news & observer., 1897-09-05
is NOW IN CONNECTICUT
WINBURN DEPARTED fT'oM
THIS CITY SUDDENLY.
BRIDGEPORT NOW HEARS HIS HISTORY
Iormented by Love He Left College and Came
TO Raleigh, but Soon failed--Iried
Tramp Life. Now Enjoy f.
n
b.. ing Charitya1

Last winter little sheet was published
in this city called The Rechabite, and
the editor was Mr.. Oscar Winburn. He
had attended Wake Forest College for a
short time, but his advancement in his
studies was not in the least rapid. From
his general appearance one would judge
Mr.. Winburn's age anywhere from lS to
"a. He was from Cumberland county.
Scrap was his college name. Things
seemed to run smoothly with the young
editor for awhile, but when The Recha-
bite made it's appearance some time IN
April it contained card from
the business manager, Mr.. "a.
J. Dowell, saying that the
editor had suddenly left for parts un-
known, and for this reason that issue OF
the paper had been delayed. No irregular
tiles were charged against him and no
reason was assigned for his strange con-
duct. Months passed and nothing more
was heard of Winburn. although no spe-
cial efforts were made to discover his
whereabouts.
However, at last the missing man
seems to have been found, and judging
from his story his lot has not been an
easy one since leaving Raleigh. A Phila-
delphia paper in special from Bridge
port, Conn, contains a rather sensational
story about Mr.. Oscar Winburn, and the
events recorded show that there can be
but little doubt that he is the ex-editor OF
The Rechabite. The story as told in this
journal is substantially as given below.
About eight weeks ago young man
appeared in mission in the city OF
Bridgeport, Conn.,, who was at first taken
for tramp, but his very devout and
pious manner attracted the attention of
Mr.. A. r. Lange, the manager of the
mission. After the services were con-
cluded the stranger drew the manager
aside and told him a strange story about
himself. He gave his name and said that
until last fall he was a student at Wake
Forest Theological College" in North
Carolina, at which, according to the ac-
count in this paper, he was 9 fine stu
dent. While there, however, he says that
he fell in love and in a pathetic manner
he described the torments which pitt
less Cupid inflicted upon him. He then
went to Raleigh, he reported, and en-
tered business, but he soon failed.
After this misfortune he started out in
the world and tramped most of the time.
He said that he went as far north as
Boston and then crossed the wide ocean
to Liverpool, returned in a short time to
Boston, visited New York City, and
finally landed in Bridgeport. How he
managed to make these trips is a marvel.
Mr.. Lange was moved by his story and
had compassion on him. He was given a
room at the mission, where he remained
for about six weeks, when his benefac-
tor began to wonder over his long visit
and to grow suspicious about his guest.
This journals article relates that Mr..
Lange then addressed a letter to the
young mans father and also to the col
lege which he attended. Winburn handed
to Mr.. Lange a reply to the letter to his
father and in the reply was don't di-
vulge the contents of this letter to my
son." says the special. This surprised Mr.
Lange and he asked the young man how
he came to receive the reply. His answer
was that it was enclosed in letter from
his father to him. Mr.. Lange, according
to this account, is anxiously waiting in
formation, since the boy has now speD.
eight weeks with him, and the members
of the church which sustains the mission
are greatly exercised over the affair.