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Show "LAND It ILL" ALLEN. "Land liill" Allen died a pauper. He was at one time one of the most noted characters in Ohio. He was the originator of the land bill by which it was sought to give all settlers coming to Ohio in the early days 100 acres of land. He had spent over $00,000 of his personal moeey in agitating the movement, move-ment, and it was the dream of his life. He was born in Windham county, Conn., in May, 1805), and received the benefit of a fair education. His father was a tailor anil extensive land owner, under whom the son served an appren-tie appren-tie ship before they removed to New York. They resided in succession at Providence, then in Batavia, N. Y. He learned the printer's trade, and went to Ohio in ls'o'0. lie settled in the vicinity of Columbus anil became a peddler, claiming to be ihe lirst engaged in this and the auctioneer business in Central Ohio. On the s'.de of his peddling wagon he painted "Land-Hill Allen" and "A home for all." The energies of a life and all he could make were finally fin-ally spent in the effort to get the land bill through congress. He was at one time worth an immense fortune, but his hobby reduced him to a small cabin in which he spent his latter lat-ter years. The little home was taken from him a short time ago and sold at sheriff's sale. ISeing without means of support, he was taken, to the infirmary infirm-ary at Columbus against his loud protests. During his confinement at the poor house the superintendent received many letters from all parts'of the country, inclosing contributions for Allen's aid. The land settlers in the west also have been generous in their contrilm- ions through sympathy for the man who made it possible for them to gain homes. The i ontributions, which have been pouring in from various parts of the country, will be sufficient to purchase a lot in the cemetery and erect a a respectable monument to the memory of the land-bill agitator. |