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Letter to Editor
April 25, 1815
Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
In 1815, L.A.Z. writes to the editors about Dr. Dady, referencing a recent trial and recounting Dady's 1798 fraud in Pennsylvania, where he tricked Germans into buying fake items to 'raise' buried treasure, leading to a 5-year hard labor sentence. Promises more details.
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TO THE EDITORS.
Gentlemen,
In your paper of the 21st instant, I have seen an extract from the Democratic Press, of a trial instituted by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania against Dr. Dady, under the head of "Ludicrous Villainy."
As it has excited a good deal of merriment amongst your readers, I beg leave to observe that I have known this same Dr. Dady, long before the trial in question took place, and will just mention, that about the year 1798, he resided in the western part of York county (now Adams county) in Pennsylvania, where he imposed upon the credulous but honest Germans, in nearly the same manner. He persuaded them that a great treasure was buried at the foot of the South Mountain, near Emmettsburg, Md. and to have power over the evil spirit that guarded the treasure, the members of the association had first to buy the "Asiatic Sand" at an enormous price. To "raise" the treasure, it was necessary to get the "Mineral Dulcimer Elixir," which none but himself could furnish, and that at the rate of $8 per 100 drops. In this manner he impoverished a number of honest Germans, for two or three years, when, the imposition being detected, he was arrested by the law, tried, and condemned by York County Court to 5 years at hard labour; since which, I have heard nothing of him, until I saw the paragraph in your paper.
As soon as time permits, I will meet the wishes of the Editor of the Democratic Press, and give a circumstantial account of the life and adventures of this extraordinary scoundrel.
L. A. Z.
George Town, April 24th, 1815.
Gentlemen,
In your paper of the 21st instant, I have seen an extract from the Democratic Press, of a trial instituted by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania against Dr. Dady, under the head of "Ludicrous Villainy."
As it has excited a good deal of merriment amongst your readers, I beg leave to observe that I have known this same Dr. Dady, long before the trial in question took place, and will just mention, that about the year 1798, he resided in the western part of York county (now Adams county) in Pennsylvania, where he imposed upon the credulous but honest Germans, in nearly the same manner. He persuaded them that a great treasure was buried at the foot of the South Mountain, near Emmettsburg, Md. and to have power over the evil spirit that guarded the treasure, the members of the association had first to buy the "Asiatic Sand" at an enormous price. To "raise" the treasure, it was necessary to get the "Mineral Dulcimer Elixir," which none but himself could furnish, and that at the rate of $8 per 100 drops. In this manner he impoverished a number of honest Germans, for two or three years, when, the imposition being detected, he was arrested by the law, tried, and condemned by York County Court to 5 years at hard labour; since which, I have heard nothing of him, until I saw the paragraph in your paper.
As soon as time permits, I will meet the wishes of the Editor of the Democratic Press, and give a circumstantial account of the life and adventures of this extraordinary scoundrel.
L. A. Z.
George Town, April 24th, 1815.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Historical
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Dr. Dady
Fraud
Treasure
Germans
Pennsylvania
York County
Adams County
1815
What entities or persons were involved?
L. A. Z.
The Editors
Letter to Editor Details
Author
L. A. Z.
Recipient
The Editors
Main Argument
dr. dady engaged in similar fraudulent treasure-hunting schemes in pennsylvania around 1798, defrauding germans with fake items like 'asiatic sand' and 'mineral dulcimer elixir', resulting in his conviction to 5 years hard labor; the writer promises a full account of his life.
Notable Details
Imposed On Credulous Germans With Treasure Guarded By Evil Spirit
Sold 'Asiatic Sand' At Enormous Price And 'Mineral Dulcimer Elixir' At $8 Per 100 Drops
Resided In Western York County (Now Adams), Near South Mountain, Emmettsburg, Md.
Arrested, Tried, And Condemned By York County Court To 5 Years Hard Labour