Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-07-23
GOV. WILLIAM ALLEN.
How He Entered Ohio More than n Half
Century Ago--A Romantic Story Of
The Pluck OF u Poor Boy which Pres.

The PlUck OIL II foUf Boy winch Pres.
aged Success.
New York Times
Ona cold, clustering winter day in the
year 1922, William Allen, n pale, lank
boy ofsixteen, who had been half edu-
Gated IN the local schools, and who was
principally noticeable for his keen blue
eyes and long haxen hair, stood in one
OF the streets OF Lynchourg, V. be had
determined 10 leave the town and to
seek his fortune in the distant, out even
then thriving State of Ohio. He had a
half-sister and brother-in-law living at
Cnlllicothe, III That State. They were
his only near relatives then living, and
ne had made up his mind to go To them.
How the journey was best 10 be accom-
plished by weak boy, who carried all
his fortune upon his back, was the ques
tion which engrossed ms attention rs he
stood IN the streets OF Lynchburg on
that lowering winter day. While he
was yet undecided he was approached
by a young man, roughly clad IN the
costume OF Kentucky hog-droyer,
then most familiar il Lynchburg. which
was one Of the great pork markets of
the South. In spite of his rough APP
pearance, however, there was a certain
open ana honest look about the man
winch at once won strangers to him,
and whom he asked young Allen to show
him where he could buy some good
tobacco, the boy, without hesitation,
went somewhat out OF his way TO do
him the service. Going toward the shop
where the purchase was TO be made,
the young droyer said that he had on
the evening before disposed of ali the
hogs he had driven from Kentucky,
mad been raid his own price Tor them,
and that on the next day he was going
to set out for his home across the noun
tains.
And how are you going to travel?'
asked his companion, VINO was himself
SO anxious to make IA journey IN the
same direction.
"Oh Pm going to tramp it," was the
cool reply.
Going to cross the Blue Ridge on
foot IN the middle of winter
Eyes, indeed. Its much safer than
going on horseback, and doesn't cost so
mu, h.
Allen, through the corner Of his eye,
looked at his companion, measured
him from head to foot, saw that he was
thoroughly IN earnest, and then SAID
quietly:
II want to cross the mountains into
Ohio. / would ike to go with you.
Wlll you let me?'
The drover stopped for moment,
looked at the slim figure beside him,
laughed, and exclaimed;
"Oh, you're joking"
"No; am in earnest. / must cross
the mountains, no matter how 60"
You would break down the first
day" And to this William Allen,
through firm, thin lips, and looking
fearlessly into the eyes Of the other, re-
piled:
Il will not break down: will hold up
as long as you do and longer"
The drover was convinced. He gave
the boy his hand on it, and the next
morning the pale and cherries winter
sun saw them, with KNAPP sack and
blanket, setting out on tins journey
across the snow-capped and almost
painless mountains OF Virginia. Twenty
eight miles they walked that day, and
spent the night in the little town Of
Liberty. On the night Of the second
day they reached the foot of the dan
gerous and dreaded Blue Ridge, and
on the morning OF the third commenced
the ascent. For nine hours they
pushed on, dragging themselves PAIN
fully through now.driits and over fallen
trees. Then the strong kentucklan
fell exhausted by the wayside. Young
Allen whose indomitable will still Kept
him on his blistered and burning feet,
made great fire of the dry wood which
he was fortunate enough to find IN a
mountain nook, fed his companion
and himself with the coarse fare he had
provided at the foot of the mountain,
and then having done all he could do,
he went to sleep. The night passed
quietly, and the next morning the
travellers once more set out on Their
weary tramp. 50 they went on from
point to point, encountering no great
danger, but overcoming many difficult
ties by the way.
When they reached little place then
known as Theases Valley, twenty-one
miles from Gallipolis, the Kentuckian
left Allen with many sadly-spoken fare
wells, and went toward his home, while
the boy, with heavy heart, set out up
on his lonely walk of four hundred
miles to Chillicothe. In his path there
were but few settlements, the country
was bare and desolate, the roads broken,
indst'nct, and at times entirely blotted
out with thick coverings Of snow. But
IN spite Of AL The difficulties before him,
William Allen, was not dismayed.
With that all-overcoming energy and