Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-10-15
PRIVATE" JOHN ALIEN.
How He Became Congressman From
Mississippi Some Good Stories
About the Man Who Will
Speak Here Monday.

Mississippi Some Good Stories
About the Man Who Will
Speak Here Monday.
From the Columbia Herald.
ssNow that have answered to his
satisfaction every argument produced
by my opponent, / viii retire to the
cloakroom to receive congratula-
tions.n
Scene-House of Representatives,
Washington, D. @. Time-Early ses-
sion of Fifty Third Congress. Dra-
matis personae-Members of that Con-
gress, with John NJ. Allen in the star
part.
Act ct1-Gongressman Johnson's stric-
lures against Southerners.
Loved by many, hated by few,
laughed at by all. is the Congressman
from the First district OF Mississippi,
better known as aPrivate Aliens and
"The Humorist of Congress-
He spoke in Mexico last Monday
afternoon.
Mr.. Aliens perennial supply of
funny stories won for him the honors
of chief humorist OF the House the
first term he served as a national law
maker, and every recurring session
has but served to fasten the laurels of
the joker more firmly upon his brow.
The title of "Private Allen" he won
by a speech when he was stumping
Northern Mississippi. General Tucker
was his opponent in his first race for
Congress. Both gentlemen had en-
tered into an active personal cam
paign. It was through bis address at
Pennington, near the scene of the
battle of Shiloh, that General Tucker
unwittingly furnished an opportunity
for the christening of his antagonist.
"Over yonder," said the General,
81 served the South. Yonder on that
bloody battlefield
Mr.. Allen spoke at Pennington the
next evening.
"The valiant gentleman told you he
had served the South on that field of
battle,n said Mr.. Allen. aThat is true,
but while General Tucker was sleep
ing in his tent, Private Alien was
walking the picket taking care Of
General Tucker" That bit repartee
is said to have elected him. At all
events, General Tucker was refegated
to private life and "Private Allen"
won seat in Congress, which he has
held continuously since.
John M. Allen was born near Bald
win, Mississippi, July s, 1s47. His
father was planter who had recently
removed from Virginia to the river
state. He was one of a family of eight
boys and four girls. One of these
"boys," r. II. Allen, is member of
the Mississippi Senate, and served in
the constitutional convention of that
state.
ssPrivate Ailan,, enlisted under Gem
eral Joseph E. Johnstonywhen he was
but fourteen years old. He served as
one of Captain Kayser's scouts and
was under the command of General
Forrest, the "Wizard of the Saddle. -
After the war .he resumed his studies
in the University of Mississippi, and
later the Lebanon Law School, a de-
partment of the University of Ten
nessee, from which he graduated in
1870.
He began the practice OF law in Lee
county, Mississippi, the same year,
and in 1876 was elected district attor-
ney of the first judicial district of his
native state, which Office he held four
| years. He was elected to Congress in
1884, and is candidate for re- election
to place in that body.
A fellow named Barnett was accused
Of murder and brought to trial. On
the afternoon thai the jury was ex-
pected to render its verdict the court
room was crowded. Near the door
stood ssPrivate Allen" He was not
associated with the case, but the tragic,
human interest of the occasion had
brought him thither. The jury filed
into the box. Its foreman announced
the verdict "guiity." The Judge pro-
nounced the sentence of death.
i The small, careworn woman who sat
beside the prisoner tainted. It was his
wife. The narrator of the story was
passing out of the court room at this
moment. He chanced to look at Mr.
Allen. The Congressman's eyes were
} wet. He drew his hat over them and
said something about the glare of the
sun. The condemned mans home
was ten miles from town. His wife
was carried to neighbours wagon anG
driven to the saddened home. Late
that evening motion for a new tria
was granted. Congressman Allen sent
q negro ont to carry the news to the
unhappy woman. The message wal
conveyed in q brief note expressing
the writer's sympathy, not for the maj
Barnett but for his wife, and assuring
her that as a new trial had been 20
cured her husband would not be hang
ed.
!. Stories like this are numerous. The,
Ia1eak ont," however. The hero j
, wont to deny rather than affirm them
He is foil for the Pharisee. eth
, greatest commoner of the time," on
of his loyal admirers pronounces him
Mr.. Aliens family consists of q wife
!, who was Miss Georgia Taylor, an'
three daughters, Misses Annie Bel
Georgia May and Clifford, talente'
girls who received their education
Washington. Mrs. Allen is renowne
locally tor her benevolence. "a
, tramps know and impose upon her,
/ | declared st. Louisan who has visite
|. the hospitable home on the oak
= crowned hill overlooking Tupelo an
: enjoyed the opportunity OF seeing th
witty statesman sat home.n
= As Is the case with most honest pol
. iticians Mr.. Allen has lost, rather tha
made, money by going into the politi
Z cal arena. He was one of the bel
I criminal lawyers In his state when b
) began to engage actively in the war I
J words and wits into which polite,