Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-22
EVANOE LIST IS
HELDON CHARGE
FROM INDIANA
E. O. TILBURNE ACCUSED OF
TAKING CHURCH FUNDS
PASTOR LEAVES PULPIT FOR
MEeAPHoNE WORK
Woman He Claims Is His Wife Was
Choir Leader in Church from
Which the Charge Is
Made

H 0. TILBURNE, evangelist Of
national repute, author, book
AA' seller and distributor through
megaphone and handbills of knowledge
concerning the beauties of Southern
California as seen from the viewpoint
of Tilton's trolley trips was arrested
in Pasadena yesterday by Deputy
Sheriff A. L. Manning and taken 10
the county Jail, where he stated later
in the day he would fight eXtradition
to Indiana, in which state he IS said
to be wanted to answer to charge
of absconding with $500 of the funds
of the First Christian church of Lin
ton, Ind.
Coincident with the departure from
Linton of Tilburne-Or osborne, as he
has been known since his arrival in
California in Septembcr-Was the leaY-
ing of Miss Mary Smith, said to be
the leader of the church choir. The
young woman, who apparently is about
22 years of age. CoTTObOrated THburne $
statement Yesterday when he said
they were married in Chicago two
days after their leave taking of Linton.
Pastor Recognizes Picture
Tilburne's arrest was brought about
through a church magazine which fell
into the hands Of the Rev. w. c. HUI,
$50 Galena avenue. Pasadena, pastor
of the First Christian church of that
city. An article in the magazine stat
ed Tilburne was wanted in Linton to
account for $500 in money placed in
I his hands to be used in the erection
of a new church. The picture accom-
panying the story was recognized by
Mr.. Hull as that Of the man who,
under the name Of osborne, stood on
Pasadena street corners for weeks past
and eXpounded through megaphone
the beauties and benefits of trolley
trips through the city and surround
ing country.
The fact of Tilburne's presence in
Pasadena was telegraphcd to Indiana
and his arrest followed the receipt by
Sheriff Hammel yesterday of tele-
gram from John Bradsctter, sheriff of
Bloomfield county, in which Linton Is
situated.
Later while seated beside the young
woman he declared is his second wife,
Tilburne stated he was at a loss to
understand the cause Of his arrest.
Tilburne Makes Statement
ct hear the charge against me is
absconding with funds, but the only
financial transaction l can think of in
which / was involved was the mort
RdRlIlE
and payment of that mortgage IS not
due until next July.
When he was told OF the accusation
that he had departed with 5000 of the
churchs funds and accompanied by
the leader fthe church choir, Til
burne insisted that every cent given to
him for the erection of new church
In Linton had been turned into the
treasury.
"As for this young woman" he
added, lovingly patting his companion
on the back, "she is my wife. We left
Linton September 13, at night, imme-
diately after I had addressed a large
gathering in the town han, no other
building being large enough to accom-
modate the crowd. We told nobody
that we were going, and we were mar
ried in Chicago two days later. This
1 can prove
Tilburne said his work as pastor of
the First Christian church had be-
come irksome and he longed for a
change. After leaving Linton he be
came a salesman, handling one of his
own works. THE Treasure House of
Universal Knowledge" written by him
he said, under the pen name of Or. \.
r. Oliver. Besides this book, he says
he is author of numerous other works.
Why He Changed Name
ct was unsuccessful as book
agent" continued Tilburne, "and after
a visit to my daughter. Mrs. F. II. Pot
ter, JOG South Idaho street, Butte,
Mont I came to California and have
since been employed as city agent at
Pasadena for Tuton's Trolley Trips.
My assuming the name Of Osborne
was merely a matter of sentiment and
through no desire to avoid discovery" +"
explained Tilburne. 81 was leaving the
ministry and l wanted to forget every
thing in connection with my former
life"
Tnbume stated he was separated
from his first wife by divorce, the de-