The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-06-02
Germs Of advertising.
For the Columbian.
LORENZO DOW.

ty, Connecticut, October 16, 1777, and
died in Georgetown, District of Column
bia, February, 1884. He visited North
ern Pennsylvania shortly before his
death, and will no doubt be remembered
by many persons who read the present
notice. His age; his venerable beard |;
his fluency; his remarkable memory,
natural shrewdness, and independence
of character, created curiosity and re-
spect, and improptu audiences could be
assembled anywhere in the country to
see him and hear him discourse upon
the religious, moral, historical and bio
graphical topics of which he was mas
ter. His eccentricity, oddity, and indie
pendence; his unusual way of life; and
his wide and prolonged experience of
men and human affairs, both in America
and Europe, gave him hold upon popu-
lar audiences beyond that due to natural
ability and the matter of his discourses.
But as was natural enough, he was some
times regarded as insane, and called
Crazy Dow" and sometimes by igno-
rant people he was reputed to possess
supernatural powers, as is shown by the
story which we shall quote at the con-
clusion of this article.
Dow was undoubtedly philanthro-
pist, and during his prolonged life went
through Il prodigious amount of labor
for the spiritual welfare of mankind.
He was disinterested, Jealous, and labo-
rious in his work travelled immense
distances in performing his self-appoint-
ed mission to his fellow-creatures and
the narrative of his life, as prepared by
himself, ranks among the most curious
and remarkable records in our language.
1t is true, Dow did not possess a power
full intellect, and was upon many sub
jects superficial in his learning and big
oted in his opinions. He believed in
visions, dreams, and representations
He wrote a great deal of trash when en-
gagged in controversy or in expounding
theological dogmas. He had deep-root-
ed prejudices, which often exhibited
themselves almost ludicrously in the
midst of pious appeals or sober narra-
tive. He had special antipathies against
Jesuits and Calvinists, and constantly
denounced them, and with considerable
rhetorical power, in his sermons and
writings. His sharp, smart, or shrewd
sayings in his personal association with
Others were innumerable, and are even
yet, after the lapse of more than quar-
ter of century, repeated by those who
heard them. But in his case even re-
marks which were unimportant were
treasured up and remembered. We are
told that when in this section he was
driven to an appointment considerable
distance by a countryman who had been
despatched for the purpose. The driver
was naturally dcsirous of getting as
much conversation as possible from his
companion, and among other things
asked whether a particular but some
what eXtravagant story told about him
Svas true. Old Dow paused moment,
and fixing his eyes upon the Mob, ex-
claimed:
"Why, what noble mountain that
is" The driver subsidized.
Dut we proceed 10 the story:
a THIEF DETECTED.
One night after Mr.. Dow had retired
to bed, after II hard days travel in the
western part of Virginia, number of
persons collected in the bar-room to en-
joy their usual revelries, as was the GUS
tom in that part of the country. At
late hour in the night the alarm was
given that one of the company had lost
his pocket-book, and search was pro-
posed, Whereupon the landlard re-
marked that Lorenzo Dow was in the
house, and that if the money were there
he knew that Lorenzo could find it.
The suggestion was instantly received
with appreciation, and accordingly Mr.,
Dow was aroused from his slumbers,
and brought forth to find the money.
AS he entered the room his eyes ran
through the company with searching
inquiry; but nothing appeared that
could fix guilt upon any one. The loser
with countenance expressive
OF great concern, and besOught Mr..
Dow, for Heavens sake, to find him his
Have any left the company since
you lost your money!" said Mr.. Dow.
"None," said the loser, "none"
"Then," said Lorenzo, turning to the
"go and bring me your large
This created no little surprise; but as
powers We're universally
him, his directions were un-
hesitatingly obeyed. Accordingly the
pot was brought forward, and set in the
middle Of the room.
"Now," said Lorenzo, ego and bring
the old chicken-cock from the rOost."
This was also done, and mt Lorenzo's
directions the cock placed in the pot and
covered over with a board or lid.
:" Let the doors now be fastened and
he lights extinguished," said Mr.. Dow.
Which was also done.
"Now," said he, "every person in the
room must rubs his hands hard against
.he pot, and when the guilty hand
touches it the cock will crow"
Accordingly all came forward, and
rubbed, or pretended to rub, against the
pot. But no cock crew.
LET the candles now be lighted"
aid Lorenzo; "there is no guilty per-
'on here. If the man ever had any mo-
ley he must have lost it some place else