Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-24
PRIVATE John ALLEN TALKS
HIS Experiences In 81. Louis and His
stOried Bouts with Missouri's
Governor.

Private John Allen of Tupelo, Miss, a
member Of the government commission Of
the 81. Louis exposition, did not figure to
any great extent in the ceremonies of ded-
ication of that enterprise, but he was there
all right, for several good stories of his
invention or experience have been brought
back to Washington. 1t was at a little
dinner given 70 Alexander Dockery, gov
ernor Of Missouri, that Allen flashed some
wit at the expense of the guest of the
evening.
II met an old farmer out on the grounds
today" remarked Allen, and he seemed
TO be very we'll informed about Affairs per-
tanning to Missouri. Finally we got to
talking about the Doodle stories OF the
Missouri legislature and the fact that the
name Of Lieutenant Governor Lee became
involved in them.
~ am glad hi my old friend Dockery
is not mixed up in any Of these things 1
said.
Oh. you needn't have any fear on that
score replied the old farmer; 'Dockery
was always mighty clever in covering up
his tracks
Then" continued Allen, "the discussion
turned on the governor here and the sue
cess he had achieved.
~ q a WdI NNNpA0 " BNdIN WIN "
he could not have got along In Missouri
1 said.
Well remarked the old farmer, Dock
cry didn't have much Of a war record.
To'ard the end Of the war he Joined a
company Of home guards with the stipula-
ton that the company was not TO go out
of the county unless the enemy, came in "
At another time Private Allen told a
story of Tupelo. THE wife Of a shrewd
old darkey Of my town died not long ago."
he said, and in making arrangements for
the funeral the old fellow went to the
ticket agent and inquired the cost of a
round-trfp ticket to Birmingham and also
a roundAtrip ticket for a corpse.
You want a round-trip ticket for your
self, but you wan a ticket only one way
for the corpse said the agent.
See heah. boss said the darby, I
knows what Use about and what / want.
My old Sal done had a lot o. kin folks at
Birmingham and dey all wants ter see her
befo' she's buried. Now, / ak you de cost
OBJ dem tickets case / wants ter nm out
II itH be cheaper To- me ter take old Sal
up ter Birmingham and back AN it'll be ter
feed a lot of dem Alabamy nissers fer a
week dat1l come ter de funeral"
"what are you doing for the exposition
was a query addressed to the private by a
friend.
mot so very much.'' answered Allen.
and some Of my best efforts miscarry. l
went down 70 Arkansas to get the legis-
lature to make an appropriation for an
exhibit. When 1 arrived at Little Rock a
( sort Of reception was rendered me by
former residents OF Mississippi, a great
many having come across the river into
that state. Well, the next day they got
the two houses together in joint session 30
that would not have to make the speech
twice. I remarked upon the gratitude
felt for the honor lone me the night be-
fore and said that while I appreciated It.
l could not, as a loyal M~ississipplan, but
regret that so many OF its sons had left
It to become residents of Arkansas. Mis-
sissippi,' / said, Is a great state, with
many resources and capable of the highest
development. l am sure II these former
residents Of that e-ommonwealt now living
In Arkansas had remained In Mississippi
and stood trial they would have been ac-
quilted by the jury 1t seems" continued
Allen, with a show Of regret. that there
was a county treasurer who had d~efaulted
In Mississippi and a sheriff hat had got
away after making a big sale who were
members OF the Legislature, and they took
my remarks personally. On account OF
their EFFORTS the. appropriation was not
what was expected."-washinston Star.