Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-26
MRS. DODGE IS DEAD
EDITOR OF ST. NICHOLAS MAGA
ZINE AND NOTED PoETEss
PASSES AWAY.
Death Occurred at Summer Home
Near Tannersville, N. ", Monday
Wrote Hans Brnker or the Silver
Skates"

Il,
Mapes Dodge, poetess, editor of St.
Nicholas Magazine and author Of sew
eral stories for children, died at her
summer cottage in Onteora park, Tan
nersville, N. Y, Monday
Mrs. Dodge had been in i'll health
for several months, but recovered suf-
ficiently about two months ago to go
to Onteora park. She had been editor
of st. Nichols since it's foundation in
1873.
Mrs. Dodge was CT years old, hav-
ing been born in New York City in
1888.
When she was young girl she mar
ried William Dodge, a lawyer, who
lived only few years and left her
with living to make for herself and
two sons.
81 started writing to educate my
boys" she wrote to friend about that
time These sons were Harry who
died twenty years ago, and James A.,
who is president of the Link Belt Co.,
of Philadelphia.
Her first literary venture was "The
Irvington Stories" a collection OF tales
for children published in 1864. They
were eagerly accepted by periodicals
who sent requests for more.
81 am almost sorry to confess" Mrs.
Dodge once said, that my literary ca
reer has been without struggle. Per
maps it has been too easy; everything
wrote was kindly received"
| Hans Brinker Is Famous.
While reading Motley's History of
the Dutch Republic the outline of
story for children, the scene to be laid
in Holland, came into her mind, the
plot springing from the same true
character which was converted by
Washington Irving into Rip Van Win
kle. In few months Hans Brinker
or the Silver Skates" was written.
Mrs. Dodge found herself famous.
The tale was translated into French.
German and Russian, and was twisted
into the language of its own native
scene, so that thousands of small Hol.
landers read it with pleasure.
Hans Brinker" was the most fam.
Gus Of all Mrs. Dodge's stories. In
writing it she ransacked libraries.
wrote innumerable letters, and had
each chapter critically revised by two
Dutch friends.
Editor of ST. Nicholas.
From 1870 to 1873 Mrs. Dodge was
associate editor, with Harriet Beecher
Stowe of Hearth and Home taking
/ charge of the household and juvenile
departments. When the owners of
the Century Magazine founded st.
Nicholas, an illustrated monthly for
children in 1873, Mrs. Dodge became
the editor in chief In that capacity
i.bo f,;o ~
ands of children in this country and
!, England. The name, st. Nicholas, it.
self was impaired straight from Hol-
4 land by Mrs. Dodge. Under her man
agement the magazine became sue
cessful
4 Notwithstanding her busy editorial
many books. 'Theophilus and 9th
of stories for older people. Then she
the Way" and Donald and Dorothy. y
, The last, Mrs. Dodge said, was her IA
vorite book.
Her Heroines Not Sentimental.
She permitted none of her small
; heroines to be sentimental. Miss Ellen
Aliza Dandy in one of her books is
severely taken to task for coddling a
pet chicken instead Of helping her
tired sister tend the baby.
Mrs. Dodge also wrote the Land OF
, Pluck" when Life Was Young" ga
: New Baby World and a sketch en-
titled Miss Maloney on the Chinese
Question"
Mrs. Dodge's father was well
known scholar, Prof. James J. Mapes
He was noted as chemist, inventor
: civil engineer, and author. She was
educated at home with two sisters
: and when she was years old she be
, gan to celebrate family anniversaries
, by poems and short stories.
3 While retaining the title of editor
. in chief of ST. Nicholas and making
: occasional contributions to the maya
> zine, Mrs. Dodge had retired from act
/ ual editorial control for the last foW
years.