The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1912-03-28
DAVID ALLEN, WELL KNOWN
WOLF CREEK MAN, SUICIDES
Was Found With His Head Hanging Over the Side of His
Bed and With CHASTITY Wound in His Forehead Last
Thursday Morning-Frst Thought That He Had Been
Assassinated.

Wolf Creek, which on March II, was
the scene of the murder of Jesse r
Huff, was the place of a second TRACE
dy, last Thursday morning when
David Allen, aged 81 years, one of best
known and most influential citizens in
that section committed suicide by
shooting himself in the head. The
murder OF Huff and the death of Allen
ends quarrel of long standing with
both principals dead within a period
'of ten days.
Mr.. Allen, resided at the old home
stead at Wolf Creek which had been
in the family for hundred years.
The old dwelling is located along the
Wolf Creek, a short distance from the
French broad river and the railroad
To get to the house crossing is made
over rustic foot log and the home
is one which would be picked out
where man could secure quiet and con-
tentment. There Is the big house
with it's many rooms and off from this
house is located series of one story
rooms one of which was used as an
office by the head of the family. He
was telegraph operator, too, and had
Western Union wire running into
his office. Oft times the visitors to
this historic old home crowded to the
full capacity the big house and several
, sleeping apartments had been arranged
1f the one story building. Long ago,
Mr.. Allen himself, had taken up the
habit of sleeping in his office in order
to look after the comforts of those who
were sleeping in that section, too.
Although life at Wolf Creek has not
been so peaceful during the last two
years, Mr.. Allen was absolutely fear
less and continued to sleep in his room
thirty or forty yards from the house
and last Wednesday night after bid
ding Roe Williams the deputy mar
shall good night at 10 o'clock, he re-
tired not even taking the precaution to
close the doors leading in the section
where he was sleeping, and a screen
door, with it's tiny clasp was the only
thing to prevent any intruder from
coming in, if they had been so disposed
On Thursday morning at $50 o'clock
small negro boy came into the office
with an arm full of wood to make a
fire for Mr.. Allen. AS he stepped into
the door he was Mortified to see pool
ofalood on the floor and Mr.. Aliens
heat hanging over the edge of the bed
He lropped the wood and run. Mr..
williams who was sleeping in room,
almost adjoining was the first one up
aid he went into the office and calling
Mr. Aliens name decided that he was
dead and SO notified the family.
The news came to Newport, quickly
and it was reported that Mr.. Allen had
been assassinated through window
Sheriff Dawson and several Others
went to Wolf Creek on the Carolina
Special which stopped at Wolf Creek
for the officers. The coroner had not
arrived and no one was allowed in the
room, and the deceased was left hang
ing over the side of the bed until noon
when the coroner arrived, and took
possession of tue remains. Drs. Peck
arid LaRue made an examination O.
thel body. 1t was seen that he was
lvithg on his stomach, with his heat
pitched forward over the side of tht
be;d and blood oozing from CHASTITY
wound in his forehead. Loosely clasp
ed in his left hand was revolver, and
the hand and revolver both lay on TIL,
fieor with the other hand not quit,
reaching the floor. Only one wount
was found and the evidence of powde1
marks convinced the physicians i'm
mediately that it was case of suicide
and the jury so rendered its verdict
The bullet had entered directly in th'
center of the forehead and had passe'
through the head, causing instan
death.
y On the night before the tragedy Mr.
!. Allen was as rational as ever although
he was greatly worried over the fac
that his name was being used in con
nection with the killing of Jesse Huff
Hehad been told that he had beel
accused of being an accessory and this
too, caused him to worry. He toll
Jack Spratt the telegraph operator tn
night before that he had been talkin
too much, and that he had said thing
which he really did not mean, bu
which he had been worked up to say
ing, and that he did not deserve tn
criticism which was being heeped VI
on him. II is possible, too, it is saiC