Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-12-02


ssLAA D-blLL" ALLEN.
Upon narrow cot, in q dlngy room
in . poorhouse, George Wheaton Allen,
fsmiiiariy known a. Land Bill"
Allen, breathed mis- Iast breath of life.
His death was . pathetic termination to
career one of the most remarkable
for unselfish bcnevoience and persist
ent charity IN current American history.
He was born in Connecticut, and ~ an
early age was indeptursd as . tailor's
apprentice. He tired OF his trade and
parted with his s'louse-stitch" compan-
ions to become associated in divers
capacities with different newspapers
about the country. He continued for
twenty years to nurse an idea that had
early entered his mind. That idea was
that the government out Of its bound
Ices possessions should give to every
poor man . HON eslead Il l60 acres of
land with no other considerable n than
that he should live upon it. He had
acquired money! fortune fell TO him
also-and with this he began his crusade
TO secure the enactment of such q law.
Nearly seventy thousand dollars were
freely spent in gaining supporters of his
theories. In 1863 the homestead law
Was passed. but Alien had pa id the last
penny Of his fortune 10 secure its pas
cage. He went west in q wagon upon
which was painted the legends: LAND
Bill Aliens Wagon" "Land For Every
bodyl" "Give Us Soil That We May
Thrive" But he did not thrive. Sick
ness and death decimated his family.
He returned to Ohio, but the infirmi-
ties Of age crept upon him. He could
not support himself. The tax-gatherer
took his farm. Tho poormaster took
him to the poorhouse. Paralysis weak
ened his vitais. Alone he died without
where to lay his head save - an object
of charity. He had made 1t possible
for thousands to own their own homes
without price-he himself had none.
He spent fortune for others-dcath
took him = penniless psuper. One lit
tie old-fashioned watch he retained TO
the last-sad reminder of the cruel
fight of time. He died aged SS. A
movement is on foot to buy and erect .
monument to his memory. His monu-
ments are scattered all over the prairies
of the west, where every man who
owns . homestead is . living example
OF ingratisude towards his best friend
and benefactor, Land-Bill" Allen,
who died in . poorhouse.
GUARD AGAINST CONTINGENCIES.
There Is warning to the common
council and board of pubic works of
this city in the late water famine in
New York and Brooklyn that may be
brought home with startling distinct
ness. The past summer and autumn
were unusually dry, yet the source OF
water supply for this city. such as it is.
was abundant and no fears were ex-
cited that we should DO visited with .
famine in that direction. The danger
VISA in the possible breaking of the
pumps or in the clogging of the feed
pipes. In either event the city would
have been without service and i. is im-
possible to estimate the Inconvenience
and probable loss TO manufacturing
concerns that would have resulted.
The Brooklyn famine was not the re-
suit Of IN actual shortage, but was
caused BY the breaking in of the con-
duit. II lasted but two days, and yet
itdeprivsd 80. 900 men of employment
and suspended operations on many. IN
fact all but one of the elevated rail-
ways and and on all the cable lines. In
New York coasu mers were compelled
to get along for several days on one
half the usual service, but the shortage
was from natural causes, the Croton
watershed being unequal to the task of
supplying an amount sufficient 10 serve
the consumers This city probably
never will suffer from like Gauge and
still We are constansly exposed 10 the
same accident that befell Brooklyn.
Were our punps to fail to respond, or
were ANY other Interruptions to the
service TO intervene. the resultant in
jury 10 tina public health would be
very great. Every manufacturer using
city water you'd be obliged to suspend
and business would be At . standstiIl.
Our machinery ~ the water works sta
ton - nearly worn out The boilers
are weak. inadequate and need TO he
replaced with new ones. The pumps
have not he capacity 70 all the new
mslns and thosc contemplated. There
should be no delay in provIting against
contingencies and in securi az not only
certain. reliable supply of potable
water. bat . positive safeguard seainst
the slightest interruption in the SER
vice.
WHAT'S IN 4 NANBs
Tia fssf,x~~ ~ thn wpnax hama ~