Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1902 — JOHN ALLEN’S NEW STORY. [ARTICLE]

JOHN ALLEN’S NEW STORY.

"There is on old fellow in East St. Louis named Zollenbaum who is quite a character,” says “Private” John Allen. “He saw a little service in the Union army, but regards himself as a hero. One night at a Grand Army campfire he was reciting his valorous exploits, which by much repetition had grown considerably both in number and character. He told how in one battle he had killed four rebels in hand to hand combat and in another battle had slain six. His recital, accompanied by a profuse gesture and a deep, rich German accent, elicited much enthusiastic applause. “But at the close of his remarks a modest little man in the rear of the hall, wearing a medal of honor, arose and called attention to the fact that the two battles the gentleman mentioned had occurred on the same day, 1,500 miles apart. “This blow bade fair for a moment to 6tagger the doughty Zollenbaum, hut he was equal to the occasion. “ ‘My trends/ he shouted, ‘comrades of de Grand Army, we have a tarn rebel in our midst! Rouse mit him!’ And in the confusion Zollenbaum marched proudly from the hall.”—Washington Star.