Bisbee daily review., 1911-11-17
REED AND ALLEN

REED AND ALLEN
 A good story was told Of Tom Reed and John Allen the other day. It has not been heralded. but possibly it de serves to be.and. faith. I'll print 1t. John made Tupelo conspicious, and thousands Of Yankees loved Tupelo for the sake of John Allen. For drol- lery it is doubtful if Allen ever had his match in the American congress. Reed was a wit. the brightest of our politics since John Randolph of Roan- oke. Proctor Knott was the humorisl who stood by himself and unapproach- able; but Allen was the consummate wag, perennially provocative of mirtn and good fellow ship.
 It was the custom of Reed as il was Of the late Justice Harlan, te walk to the capitol Ordinarily the big un" wanted no company and would have none. He went at 8 rapid paee-at least seTen miles an hour 31nd the mind of Tom Reed com. muned with Tom Reed on that jour ney 1t was a surly day, indeed, tha he did not make the trip afoot. refus ing to have the company of his best friend and abstaining from recogni tioa of aD acquaintance on the way. Indeed the imagination of the man was bigger than the man him self
 But On this particular day Reed F,Fr with several Of his intimates. Al Seventh and the avenue they overlook John Allen, or near that point. to the west Allen was gazing at the equest rian statue of Gen. Hancock when Reed fell on him and smiting his shoulder drawlsd.
 Studying the significane of it. are yOuz I'll explain it. The head of the horse is pointing west, but the hero is looking south It's the same with Thomas, Logan and nearly all of the others They have their eyes on you and if you get up any more treason or don't behave yourself modestlE we'll have 10 lick you into loyalty and the Union again"
 Al wrong, Reed. as usual. re torted Private John. I'll tell you how it is. Those fellows got so almighty they were in a fighting humor, that in sheer mercy you had to turn them around to rest themi"
 It was the only time Reed was ever known to be speeches. from lack Ji adequate and happy retort
 Henry Clayton can tell q tale Of old Josiah Patterson of Memphis. that will make you pit with laughter If you have any sense Of hunor It would be well for us all if every statesman had the moral courage and mental intrspidi'y old Josiah had. for when convinced Of his error he turned from silver crank 10 gold bug. He made speech for sound money that ranks with that of John c. Carlisle, of Carl Schurz. Of Ben Harrison, and with the zeal of a convert he penetrated the Cotton states 10 convert the heathen.. The first man that he met was John Al len. who literally laughed him of the stump. Later he met Hernando De Soto Money and Governor Lowry. It Is doubtful if there is a more pros pernss anecdote in all the annals of American politics than Clayton makes Of that epsiode.
 Subsequent to that transaction John Allen had had 10 do with your Uncle Josiah. Patterson contested the election Of Edward ". Carmack to e seat in congress from the Mem phis district It was a trial before g court adverse to Carmack and favor able to Patterson. Everybody sup posed that the contestant had won his case and that a roll call would seat him. When it came on to be tried Allen for Carmsck made bully raging speech so full of drollery that 1t might of itself have laughed the case out of court But the battle was restored. and it took the superb and brilliant eloquence of Carmack to snatch victory from defeat.
 Who has heard John Allen tell that anecdote Of the Tipton county farmer that ever forgot it? t was a public day in grand old Tipton-but who can tell t except John2 t was something like this. 4 stranger was there from Collins county, Texas. Our Tipton county man met him and wanted to know fl he was acquainted with his bfcther John, in Collins county. Ger tainIy I am" was fhe answer he is one of our most prosperous farmers with a fine estate. money in the bank and a leader in society" The man sent a message like this 10 his brother Tell him we are mighty poor. with a mortage that eats up the farm and a crop that will not pay for growing and l wish that be would help us."