The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1890-03-13
A ROMANTIC LIFE.
AN INTERESTING SKETCH OF THE
LATE COL. JULIAN ALLEN,

AN INTERESTING SKETCH OF THE
LATE COL. JULIAN ALLEN.
He Fled from Poland to Escape the Mines
Of Siberia and Came to America, where
He Won Fame and Fortune.
[From the Portland (Me) 1ranscript.l
Col. Julian Allen, who died at
Statesville, n. c., few days ago, had
a rather romantic personal history.
His story is of interest, as showing an
instance of great benefit conferred up
on our country by the unselfsh pat
riotism of a man of foreign birth, who
early in life made his home among us.
He was born in Poland of neble fam
ily. and, while being educated in
Polish university, joined in some re-
volutlonary movement that rendered
him liable to be sent to Siberia. Be-
ings warned that such was to be his
fate, he fled by night, and succeeded
after much difficulty in reaching Eng
land. His younger brother, implicit
ed in the same movement, was less
fortunate. He was sent to Siberia, a
mere boy, and for years suffered the
terrible fate of a tortured political exile.
Julian came to America, obtained EN-.
ployment in New York, and in a few
years was a wealthy merchant, doing
a wholesale business in tobacco. His
name was Allenski In the ardor of
his affection for the country that had
befriended him, he dropped the ska,
and became known as Julian Allen.
He married Miss Hussey, of Ports
mouth, who is of the family of John
G. Whittier's mother. Taking great
interest in politics, he was at one time
put in nomination by the Republicans
for the mayoralty of Brooklyn. At
the breaking out of our war he raised
regiment, one of the first of the
New York regiments, and was COM
missioned its colonel. He was wound
ed in the first battle of Bull Run.
Upon his recovery he went to Europe
where he rendered important service,
especially in Austria and Germany, in
changing the tide Of opinion that was
setting against the Northern cause in
court circles. He received the special
thanks of Abraham Lincoln for this
service. President Lincoln and John
G Whittier made personal appeals to
the Car of Russia for the release of
Col. Aliens brother, and they were
successful. This brother, who had
given up all hope of leaving Siberia
alive, suddenly found himself a free
man, came to this country, was natur-
rlized, and entered upon his duties as
a citizen with all the ardor and enthu-
siasm that has characterized Julian's
course. He was given government
position in one of the territories. Col.
Allen. just before the war, assisted
Helper in compiling that remarkable
work, The Impending Crisis" AL
len also wrote book in regard to the
tyranny of Russia in Poland, i'll which
the terrible story of his brothers suf
ferings is told. Through Helpers in
fuence he became interested in North
Carolina where he bought fine old
estate in the vicinity Of Statesville.
Here he has resided for the past fifteen
years and won the love and respect OF
even his political opponents. He was
active in every good work. Public
spirited and enterprising, the State
and his town have often called for his
service, and it has always been prompt.
ly and faithfully rendered. We met
him in New York last spring, whittier
he came as commissioner of North
Carolina to the centennial celebration
of George Washington. No better
patriot or truer American was to be
found in that immense gathering-no
one who more fully appreciated the
honor of being citizen of our republic
then this marin hearted, sometimes
choleric, but always brave and loyal
Pole. Col. Allen was fond of music
and the violin was his favorite instru
ment. When he fled from the wrath
of the Car, although otherwise al.
most empty-handed, he brought his
violin, and upon it we have heard
him play the Russian national air.
with a fine spirit in his hospitable
Southern home. When student HI
played these tunes on the same instru
ment before an imperial audience
America has room for as many adopt
ed citizens of Col. Aliens sort as Eu
rope can send us. p.