The New York herald., 1851-08-18

ARREST OF A CLERICAL HORSE THIEF We are
informed that an old rogue, who has for many years
pursued the incongruous vocations Of preacher of
the gospel and horse thief. rested last week
nj PIessant Grove, Morris )unty Last fall he ap-
Ieared IN Sussex with horse and wagon, which be
disposed Of 10 couple of gentlemen in the town.
snip OF saltwater, and soon after left, he said
ter the South, where he owned a large landed pro-
lerty, with negtOes, Sc. lie called himself Jacob
M Blair, and stated that he was a native of Somer.
set county, in this state. Some time in March last
MIR. Me liptock, o! Baltimore, who was the real
owner Of the horse aud wagon, traced the roe ue
who had deffauded him into Sussex county, DISCO
veied the sale which be had effected, and after
legally indentfyipg his property, took possession
Nothing further was heard of Mr.. Blair until last
week, when cit zen Of Saltwater, happening to
be at Pleasant Grove, Unexpectedly encountered
the rogue, and had him arrested He was again
the poss essoT Of horse and wagon, gold wat, all
AID singular Of which were taken into the keeping
Of the Sheriff OF Morris COZ NY and the culprit
deposited on he 9TH instant in the Jail Of the lat
ter county Mr.. MeClintock was written to- and
promptly coming on from Baltimore, identified the
pfiso1or as the man who, under the name Of Char
him n above stated He was also identihed by the
Saltwater men as tho missouri property holder. "
who bad swindled them, and thus the proof against
bin was complete. lie i believed TO be an old
oheIder and is said to have passed some eight years
OF bis life in prison, and has been in the habit
of preaching, particularly ia those localities where
be designed TO PERI citrate crime. lie not long
iince favored the people Of Milford, Pa, with two
or three specimens Of his ability in sermonizing and
during his sts! there came very near being appre-
hcnded for morse stealing. Bat his better gears
befiiended him on this occasion; the good people
were hoIiifed at the mere mention Of such an i'm.
putation agsns; so "rious' an individual, and the
constable charged with the business Of apprehenl-
ing him fell in with the general opinion doabted
the Identity Of the man. aud fgrcbore to take him
into custody. The prea ;hers feelings, OF course.
were deeply wounded; the citizens sympathised
WITH his distress, ard making up q purse fos the
mobilization Of bis wounded pride. bid him God
sIeed, and sent him on bis way with fuil ne art
and light pair Of heels The real name OF thi,
adroit rogue is believed to be Elijah Bowen. He
Is about sixty ytsrs Of eg,, Of respectable ard
prepossessirE appearance, and we'll qualified for
tbe successful prosecution Of villany. The horse
and wagon taken from him last week By the
Morris county authorities. were Identified, we
useerttand, on Tuesday last, rs the property of
gentleman CT Baltimore, aad re moved By the
oaTer. Bowen, We learn further, Is 90 be taken 20
Mary nnd by virtue Of a requsitioa upon this State
u exhibits singular faulty on the part OF this
accomplished thief, that To shoul1 resor; to B,l-
more sccobd time, within less than one year 10
pofsoss hinsc!f Of horse and wagon, and tnen
ttIe the same to the very quarter OF the country
where be disposed Of his lrst lot OF unlawfully ac
quired property ty.-Nargk On J) DIrcary
dog. H.