Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-02-15
FRANK ID. ALLEN DEAD.
Dies at lola, his Kansas Home from
an Overdose of Morphine.

Iuesuay morning lheo. II. Myers re-
ceived the following telegram from Mrs.
Il. ID. Allen from lola, Kan: Flank is
dead. Come at once Mr.. Myers left
on the noon train.
The announcement came as shock to
our people. Wonder prevailed as to how
death came so suddenly until yesterday
morning when the State Register con
tanned this item OF news,
"Word from Williamsburg, Kansas,
states that Frank ID. Allen died Monday
night from au overdose OF morphine
taken to produce sleep. Mr.. Allen was
a well known newspaper man, having
been connected at different times with
papers at Chicago, Omaha and Audi
bon, Iowa"
A similar item appeared in the Leader.
Up to the time OF going to press, noon,
we have not been able to learn any par
ticulars as to his death, or as to his
burial. For the past few! years it was
known by Mr.. Aliens best friends that
he was in the habit Of using morphine to
Sct Ieiiei iioil tic poiuS vi NiiouiS
stomach trouble. 1t is supposed that
this custom OF his led to the accident of
his death.
Frand ID. Allen was born in Vermont
about thirty three years ago. When vr y
young he came with his parents, NJ
and Mrs. A. Il. Allen, to Jones count
this state. When Frank was ubo"
twelve years old they moved to Viol"
township, this county, where his fathe'
yet lives and is one of the successful
farmers and stocksraisers OF that town
ship.
When just n boy Frank, who was
bright and ambitious, obtained posi-
ton with the Omaha Bee sand travelled
in Nebraska one season. After that he
tried the show business awhile, travel
ing with theatrical company. When
nineteen years old no established the
Gray Blizzard and succeeded remarkably
well considering his youth and the
limited field there for newspaper enter
prise. He had up to that time been
republican. When about twenty one
years old, or in 1888, he made deal
whereby the Gray Blizzard was consoli-
dated with the Audubon Advocate, and
he moved here taking editorial control
of the paper, the firm being Crane Il
Allen. About year afterward he OBJ
tanned full control OF the paper.
In those days Mr.. Allen was hustler,
energetic progressive, full OF ideas, and
his future was bright with promise.
From that time until last August when
he sold, he conducted the Advocate,
making Of it good local paper and an
influential democratic organ. During
most of this time Mr.. Allen occupied
position of much prestige with the dem
ocratic party in this county and IN this
part Of Iowa. In 1896 he was delegate
to the national convention that nomina-
ted Bryan. The support he gave the
democratic ticket in that year was very
enthusiastic and able.
As a writer Mr.. Allen was strong in
description and in sentiment. He had
the fancy and imagination Of a poet. He
was also strong in ridicule and denun-
citation. What he lacked in research
and hard mental labor he attempted to
supply by his more brilliant qualities.
His style Of writing was captivating to
many, though to some it lacked in sub
stantial parts. Personally Mr.. Allen
had many excellent qualities Often his
conduct seemed contradictory, but this
was rightfully attributed to the fact that
he was his own worst enemy, and that
his physical condition 30 greatly effected
his actions. He had heart as tender
as child's and could always be reached
through his sympathies. lie has a
great many friends here who have known
him from boyhood who greatly deplore
his untinely death. Their profound
sympathy goes out to the wife and child
and other relatives.
On going to Kansas last summer Mr.
Allen purchased an interest in the
Ottawa Republican, a democratic-popu-
list paper OF standing and influence
there. Mr. Allen acted as business
manager awhile, and at the time Of his
death still retained his interest, we I'M
derstand, with the intention of soon
obtaining full control.
We hope to learn more full particulars
as to his death before next week.