“Private John” Allen: A humorist in politics¹

This article was suggested by a short statement about Allen's effectiveness as a humorous speaker in the autobiography of former Speaker Champ Clark, My Quarter Century in American Politics (Chicago, 1925). Since no information about Allen could be found in the usual indexes, the search for material began with a survey of the Congressional Directory and the Congressional Record, augmented by letters to Congressman John E. Rankin of Mississippi, William D. McCain, director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and Florence D. Hell‐man, chief bibliographer of the Library of Congress. These inquiries directed me to some biographical sketches and, particularly, to some of Allen's living friends and admirers, who have given me invaluable help by their willingness to answer many specific questions. I am especially indebted to General Charles G. Dawes, Judge R. V. Fletcher, Mr. S. J. High, and Judge Allen Cox, who read the manuscript before it was submitted for publication.

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Notes

This article was suggested by a short statement about Allen's effectiveness as a humorous speaker in the autobiography of former Speaker Champ Clark, My Quarter Century in American Politics (Chicago, 1925). Since no information about Allen could be found in the usual indexes, the search for material began with a survey of the Congressional Directory and the Congressional Record, augmented by letters to Congressman John E. Rankin of Mississippi, William D. McCain, director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and Florence D. Hell‐man, chief bibliographer of the Library of Congress. These inquiries directed me to some biographical sketches and, particularly, to some of Allen's living friends and admirers, who have given me invaluable help by their willingness to answer many specific questions. I am especially indebted to General Charles G. Dawes, Judge R. V. Fletcher, Mr. S. J. High, and Judge Allen Cox, who read the manuscript before it was submitted for publication.