The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-12-31

DEATH OF DAVID DALE OwEN.-One of
the most eminent men of science in Ameri-
ca has lately been laid in the narrow
house appointed for all living" We regret
to state that true and unostentatious worth
is frequently SO little regarded by the pub
lie, that it is passed by almost UNDECIDED. -
This was the case with David Dale Owen,
the distinguished geologist, who died at
New Harmony, Ind, on the 18th ult-
While flaming accounts of the late Sir
Charles Napier were generally copied from
the British press, an obscure and brief no.
tice from a Western paper was all that was
communicated to the public of the death of
Mr.. Owen, who was far greater man-in
the proper sense of greatness-than the de-
ceased admiral of the English fleet
David Dale Owen was a member of a
most remarkable family. His father was
the famous Robert Owen, the fanciful but
honest philanthropist, who, for many years,
filled large space in the eye of the world,
by his writings on education and associated
labor communities.
Old Robert was oftentimes called-and
with much share of injustce-"the father
Of the improved factory system" He did
much TO advance the machinery for spinning
and weaving cotton, and he was among the
earliest managers of a cotton factory in
hdHtutoItE. AS lne experimenting part
of the cotton mills at New Lanark,
Scotland, he made it a model factory, and
the fame Of this establishment attracted
visitors from all parts OF the world. In his
labors he was counseIed and assisted by his
fnther-in-law, David Dale, Esq, of Rose
Bank, near Glasgow, one OF the most
wealthy men and noblest christians in that
country, and on whose death Owen declar-
ed hat the world seemed like blank In
order 10 carry on his peculiar views regard
inc communities of associated labor, Robert
owen purchased, about thirty years ago a
large tract of land in indiana and called it
New Harmony, where his system was tried
and failed This is what led the family to
emigrate to this country.
The deceased gentleman was known TO
be a prodigy of scientific learning He was
an excellent chemist, thorough mineralo-
e,ist. good civil engineer, and as a geolo-
nical surveyor, he perhaps had no equal
lie was il very active experimenter and.
when not absent geological tours, was
constantly engaged in making analyses of |
minerals in the vast laboratory which he |
possessed at New Harmony. In 1888, he |
made the first geological survey of Indiana,
and was subsequently appointed by the |
United States government to make a survey
of the Northwest territory. His report of
this great undertaking was published at
much expense by the government, and it is
held 70 be one of the most able scientific
works extant, both on account of the beau
~ and correctness of its illustrations and
the felicity of its descriptions.
After completing it, he was successfully
employed by the States of Kentucky and
Arkansas to make geological surveys, and at
the period of his death he was State geolo- |
cist of Indiana. He was brother to Robert
D. Owen, late United States Minister to Ma
ples-author of a very peculiar work on
mental and spiritual phenomena-aud also
brother to Prof. Richard Owen, who is an
criminal writer on scientific subjects. In
private and public life DR.. Owen was re-
spected and admired for his integrity and
urbanity he possessed the best geological
collection in the western country, and in
him Indiana has lost her most solid man of
science. Scientific american.