National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-12-22
A Career Fuj1 OF Romance.

There died lately at Bright Star Hop
kins County, Texas, n typical Western
American of class now swiftly passing
out, "Col Jack Allen" was well known
all over the Southwest, and was tht
hero of many startling achievements
Bold, impulsive, and reckless, n crach
shot and superb horsemnn, capable OF
the most romantic generosity, and per
feet Corsican in pursuit of the ren,ioHd
he was Mt once terror and m adpiira
ton wherever he went. The fringe OF
civilization sweeps increasingly on, md
lust ms the forests and the red men mdlt
away before it, so do adventures of tn,
type of Col. jack Alien men half sayag'
es, half fine gentlemen men equally nj
| home at war, field sport, the duel, the
bar-room, and the RaminR-table, bat, Ms
rule. less prcsen.able elsewhere. We
would exempt from the latter oualfca.
ton The singular hero we describe, foi
he added courtliness to his other graces,
and has been credited with no little sue
cess with the fair.
Very early in hfc Allen was unlucky
enough TO kill man in Shelby County,
Kentucky. II is but Rht Ia say that
the community regarded his act as one
of self-defense and that the jury, when
he was tried for murder, acquitted him
on that ground. The affair, neverthe-
less, embittercd him, and he soon after
started for Missouri. subsequently,
with n single companion, he went clear
through the Indian Territory and thence
into Texas. War was then going on
with Mexico, and Allen plunged into it
with characteristic daring. He was with
Sam Houston at the battle If San Jacin-
to, which ended the struggle, and after
this returned home. For time he be-
came farmer. But the bugles soon
sang on the banks Of the Rio Grande.
and beginning came of that end which
saw Taylor the victor of many bloody
battles, and Scott debating peace from
the "halls of the Montezumas. Allen
straightway raised company of cavalry,
and, with a splendid body of followers,
helped Humphrey Marshall to cut the
enemy to pie rs at Buena Vista. At the
end OF the war, Col. Allen was on his
oars, and quite at loss what to do.
Like many other of the Wild spirits of
the Southwest. he was too restless and
fond of excitement for a life of mere
agriculture or trade, and was soon cast
ing uneasily about in search of adven-
ture We find him accordingly, soon
after the peace, raising band of
Kentuckians, and becoming conspicuous
among The leaders of the celebrated
" first Cuban expedition. He got off
with his men from Southern port, and
made his way to the island of Contoy,
near the coast Of Yucatan. The theory
Of this expedition was that the Cuban
Creoles, in great numbers, were ready
to revolt, and would rise at once on the
advent of the "iilibusters" from the
United States But when, after three
weeks stay at Coptoy, Allen sailed to
Cardenas. his rebel allies informed him
that his force was too small to be efiectual
and he had better go back again. This
Col Allen would, doubtless quietly have
done. The Cuban authorities, however
had other views, and, advised of the
plans of the invaders came down upon
them with heavy force. Allen here
gained undeniable laurels. He repHlsed
III handsome style every attack Of
greatly superior command, and with
trtiing loss, got away in safety. he
then sailed for Key West, and when with
in few miles of that place, was attack
ed by the Spanish frigate Pilarro. Again
he succeeded in making his escape. and
got unharme into Florida. This was
Ill 1850, and next year the Cuban fever
was raging, and Col. Allen. operated
under Lopez. was raising men and or
ganizing a new foray The fate Of the
Lopez Expedition is well known. Lopez
was garroted and poor Crittenden shot.
Allen was III New Orleans at the time,
and SO was unframed Other expedi-
tons were subsequently planned in which
Gen. Goicouria was prominent and
Allen always had "A part but they all
fell through and Cuba for time was left
i'll eace.
Allen now turned his eyes to Nicaragua
i'll the shape of filibuster-
ing had charms for him, and the am
bitous designs of Walker found in him
Il ready sympathizer He sailed for
Nicaragua Ill May 1856, with two hun
bred men, and joined Walker soon after
Allen did not however, appear to get on
with the grey-eyed man of destiny"
or to believe in his success. At any rate
he soon went back TO Kentucky, and be-
gan getting up another Cuban expedi- |
ton He proposed to take his men from
taking, in which Gocouria was also in
terest The movement was prevented, /
and in October 1856, Allen once more
went back to his farm.