davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
On Board S. S. Grampian,
Now in the Irish Sea

Now In the Irish Sea.
Saturday, May 30.
Dear Teacher and Schoolmates:
now take pleasure in telling you
about my trip. We started from Of
tumwa at o'clock May 20, and ar
rived in Chicago at O'clock. Then
we left on the Grand Trunk railway
that same evening at 10:30 O'clock
and arrived in Toronto, Canada, at
$3.50 o'clock next day. We stayed
there six hours and then we went to
Montreal and got there at 1880
o'clock Friday morning.
We stayed there all day and visited
some of the Catholic churches, one
especially, Notre Dame. 1t is some
thing grand. 1t comes next to st.
Peters in Rome l think. 1t seems
like there is nothing but Catholics
there. All kinds of orders of Priests
and Sisters The streets are full Of
them and they all dress differently.
The streets are all named after
some Saint. How did look when I
saw the ship. 1t looked like little
city. It Is about five hundred feet
long. 1t weighs about ten thousand
tons.
We are now in the Irish. sea and
can see land away in the distance
We expect to land in Scotland to-
morrow
We have had beautiful trip. We
got on the ship at Z o'clock Friday
night and started at in the morning.
We sailed down the beautiful Saint
Lawrence river about three hundred
miles to Quebec. We took some
more passengers there and the mail.
We all had little spell of seasick-
ness. One night 1t was pretty rough.
I saw two iceburgs and papa saw
q seal. The sea gulls followed us all
the way.
Now dear sister I will close for this
time. I will write again. Hoping you
are well, with love to all,
James Robertson, age 9.
Sacred Heart School, Ottumwa, Ia.
Third grade.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
fI5 .. bdFlS 0C.S
South Ottumwa, Iowa.
A PIGEON STORY.

My gradma told me of some wild
pigeon roosts. 1t was about half a
mile from her place and not far from
the Ohio river. They used to stay in
the timber and roost on the limbs OF
the trees SO thick that their weight
would break the limbs. The men
would go after dark and bring a sack
full home.
Then she told of tame pigeon
which they called Billy. He would fly
in and out of the house.
On April fool day he took few
straws in the house and put them on
top of the cupboard and laid an egg.
The children laughed and had fun
because Billy laid an egg.
My gradma takes the Tri-Weekly
Courier. She used to live in Wapello
county. She has taken the Courier
ever since it was first printed. read
the Junior letters. Your friend
Mary e. Allen, age 8.
Gearing, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20

Douds-Leando,
Miss Mabel Reifsnyder,
Ottumwa, Iowa,
Dear Junior Friend:
AS the Editor Is going to give q
surprise prize for the best letter, !
thought I would try and write you a
few lines this afternoon. AS couldn't
think of nothing else to write about |
thought would write to you
| have read your nice stories and
have seen your picture in the Junior
page so feel like almost know you
How are you getting along this sum.
mer? How do you like to live in OF.
tumwa? l was never in Ottumwa but
once.
Do you go to school now? My
school closed last Friday.
My teachers name is Gladys
Koonts. / like her very much.
How many postals have you got
from the Courier Junior! l have Is
postals and an album from them. They
are very pretty. I will tell you about
my hafae
live on an 100 acre farm. Our
hause is close to the road. It Ia psint-
cd greer. We hare 2OsAcres Of corn
set out. For pets we have shepherd
dog and some kittens. The dogs name
is Kiser
We have between 800 and 400 little
chickens, % little turkeys and six little
goslings. We have lots of pretty
flowers now. They are pansies, focks
peonies, roses and lilies. We have
quite few strawberries and cherries
this year. We will have over 100
bushels Of peaches. We have two
cows, two calves and five horses.
have three sisters and one broth.
er. Their names are Mary, Idella,
Leila and Grover.
When Is your birthday? Mine is OF,
the twenty-sixth of July. Write and
tell me about your home.
Your Friend,
Mae F. Shaffer, age IA,
Douds-Leando, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20

ahead Of NJ. Through the cracks In
the sheds we could see the mountains
covered with snow. We saw what
was called "The Devils Slide," which
was very odd and pretty. It was two
with a path in the middle.
We saw the Truckee river and
several mon fishing. We crossed the
Great Salt Lake. It took us forty
minutes to cross It. You could not
see land at all. We stopped two
days in Denver. 1t Is pretty place.
We could see snow on the mountain
there too. They say there is snow on
them the year round.
We went out to the White City, q
pleasure resort and I went down the
shoot the chutes, went on the merry
go-round and went on the lake in a
launch. Jack and I had our pictures
taken sitting on the donkeys. also
saw the consumptives' home and
several smaller ones and beautiful
grounds all around them.
We did not get to stop at Omaha,
to visit as we intended as Jack was
taken very i'll and we came right home
The doctor met us at the train Jack
had a severe sick spell but he Is
better now and out for the first time
today. He Is very thin.
Papa was very glad to see us and
thought the baby was fat
wish could go back to California
again with you Aunt Julia, as like
it so much better there, as it has
rained nearly every day since we
came home.
Goodbye, Aunt Julia, tell all my
play-mates hello for me.
With love and kisses for all.
l remain your niece:
Margaret Whelan, age 10
0tt17nwa iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
A MOUSE.

Once there was a little mouse that
lived in town. He went to visit his cou-
sin in the country. Corn was all he
could serve for dinner The town
mouse said, .'Come and go home with
me and / will show you how to live.
No quicker said than done. The two
mice set out for town.
Pretty soon they came to the town
where the mouse lived. There were
pies and cakes that had been left from
dinner. While they were eating there
was noise at the door, The country
mouse was frightened and the town
mouse said, THAT is only the dogs
barking" and pretty soon the door
flew open and two big dogs came in.
The mice ran into hole in the floor.
The country mouse said, Good bye
I am going home"
Lester Bartholomew, age 9.
Milton, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
sToRIEs-LETTERs.
kENILWoRTH CASTLE.

Kenilworth Castle was named from
Kenelph, Saxon king. 1t was built
about 1920. Simon de Montfort, John
of Gaunt, Robert Dudley and many
others have owned It.
The descendants OF Lord Hyde now
ow1 it.
Queen Elizabeth had been the guest
Of Robert Dudlev, The Earl %
Leicester, there. 1t IL said that the
Earl had expended half million dol
lars for improving for this visit
The whole structure inclosed seven
acres. Surrounding it are extensive
stable and pleasure garden. The
castle itself Is composed of a grea-
pile Of castellated buildings built at
different times. Around the castl,,
there was an extensive chase full Of
red deer.
The castle contains some very fine
furniture. There were many finG
hangings,
Edward H.. was a captive there.
Beatrice Lynch, age 10,
st. Louis, Mo-, Walton avenue.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20

engine. "He gave his name as Mar
tin Kroller." Why" he gasped. che
is as crazy as man can be-" l then
set out for the engine. Upon reaching
the tender there stood Kroller, his
sleeves rolled up a pistol between his
teeth. At his feet lay the fireman as If
dead. Kroiler upon hearing US point
ed the pistol at us.
Just then German student came
up and picking up club threw it at
Kroller. which knocked the pistol
from his hand. at once leaped at
him but would have been nothing to
him had not others helped me.
The engine was gotten under con-
troll and reached Bromberg in safety.
Robert Lynn, age Is,
Hedrick, Iowa,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20

Mr.. Bell was poor man who lived
in Ottumwa. One afternoon as he was
going up town he saw the show bills
of a very large show. The bills said 1t
was to be the next day. He thought to
himself, II have not money enough to
take my family to the shown. but I
will take them to the parade" So tho
next morning Mr.. Bell, his wife and
two children, Mary and John, were
among the people to see the parade.
Mr.. Bell bought some candy and a
little balloon for each of the children.
They thought the clowns very funny
and Mary was little afraid of the
lions Both of the children wished
that they owned one of the little
ponies. They saw lions, tigers. bears
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
THE SOUVENIR PosTALs.

No doubt some of our colder" read
ers will not understand why we are
always sending out postals. We send
them because we realize that the
Juniors are delighted to get them.
However, we do not want the Juniors
IN acknowledge them by simply thank.
ing I'D or writing receipt, but we
40 want them to write nice little
letter telling us Of their pets, the
home, the beautiful flowers or some
thing else Of interest.
We hope that many more Of the
Juniors will write letters. We will Of
fer another surprise prize and all the
Juniors can work for it besides work
Ing in the regular contests.
The Juniors might write letters to
some absent member of their family or
else they might pretend to be away
on trip and write home.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
WHEN SPRING is HERE

When spring Is here the farmers
pillow and cultivate their fields. and
then they sow their oats, plant their
corn and truck patches.
The ladies clean their houses, and
sometimes It is pretty hard to get the
men to help them lift the heavy furni-
ture, and take down the heating
stoves. The ladies plant their flowers
too.
The fruit begins to ripen about the
last of May. This year will hava
to help plant and tend the truck
patches. The trees begin to bloom
in April
My papa takes. the Weekly
Courier.
Laura Kellar, age 10,
Charlton, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING.

The first day Of spring is opened
with the MARBLES of the blue birds, lark,
and robin. Their sounds can be heard
coming from every branch of tho
trees while the woodland ring with
their music and leaves begin to peep
out. Blue violets are sure blooming
on every southern sunny slope.
When the ground becomes warm the
ground is plowed, seeds are sown ma
corn. is planted. Then it is not long
before garden is made and before long
we have plenty of vegetables. When
the weeds begin to grow the boys are
put to work using the hoe
Your Junior friend,
Lloyd Rime
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
WHEN WAS AN
ARK
AS TOLD BY UNCLE
MORRIS CHAII

Yes, know I am beginning to look
quite old and shabby, but for all that
wouldn't change places with the fin
est new chair in the world. No new
chair could have the jolly times that
have to think Of and to tell about.
You see, ever since came to live
here have had children crawling all
over me, and how I do love them!
They seem to like me pretty well, too
feel as IL they were mine, because
I've held them on my great lap ever
since they were wee babies in long
clothes. Every one of them has been
bolstered up with soft pillows in my
big arms to have the first baby pic.
tuse taken
Two have grown up. So now have
Marjorie Who is-why how time flies
Yea ahe mNst be eiHht yearx ofd
and yRnk who m SIX, and dear Iistie
Baby Betty who Is three. These three
have stin to play with. They dc
not know it but many time have
planned . new play for them, when
they were restless and didn't know
what 30 do next. It Is about one Ct
those plays that 1 am going to tell
you hoy.
One day the three were looking out
Of the window, watching the rain pour.
Ing down and the gutter.rivers swirl.
lng down the streets, and wishing for
the sun to shine so they could go out
to play.
By-and-by Jack crawled on my lap
as he usually does when he is tired,
and after he had rested minute, |
whispered just one word-"ark" -and
cut of my lap he shot as if I had been
cannon and he the ball
Marjorie! Betty" he called. eve
thought of a splendiferous play. Let's
make believe it's going to be a truly
ti1od, and I'll be Mr.. Noah, and you
tc Mrs. Noah, Marjorie; and Betty
can be-let me see-what can she
Lc?"
81 know" said Marjorie, eagerly
"ehe can be the dove, for she knows
Tow to fly beautifully"
'All right. Now l must hurry and
build the ark, and you two go hunt UP
Ill our animals"
Away hurried Mrs. Noah and the
Dove to hunt, while Mr.. Noah bull
the ark. That's where my fun came IL
for | was the ark, of course. l didn't
know what would have for my roof
but Mr.. Noah soon thought of the
POUCH cover which he threw over m!
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
LAwRENcE's ROLLING PIN.

I am going to write a story about
my little hrather He has q little
rolling pip, = pls board and : bowl
My grandma taught BIN to make pies
md every time mamma makes pies
or bread he has to have SONS dough
to make pies also. He will roll 1t out
and make flowers in the dough, he
calls them. He has some little pie
pans, and some times he says he is
making minus" and he makes
"bities" too and he saves them till I
come home from school and we eat
them. He was three years old the 18th
of last Dec. When he wants a drink
he says he is all dryed up.
Forest Weber, age Z,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
FLORENCE WRITES TO HER
MOTHER.

My Dear Mother
I can not tell you that I am wholly
satisfied going to school where every
one is strange, still have no cause
for regret.
The pupils are all very good and
those who are just commencing know
how to synpathize with me. Every
thing is as pleasant as it need be OF
can be, l suppose. I am sure I shall
like 1T after I get more acquainted and
over this fit Of Inconsistencies.
My studies are not too hard, and
my teachers are kind, still it is not
like going to the little country school
where have always went until now
Answer my letter when you get 1t
and tell me everything.
Your affectionate daughter,
Florence johnson,
E1nris Iowa r No
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20

will write about two postals I re-
ceived from the Junior. They were
very beautiful and I thank the editor
for sending them.
One was a picture of Newport, r. l.
On one side Of the river was forest.
1t had pretty trees in 1t. There were
boats on the river. On the deck Of one
boat was three men standing. In the
distance were three red boats with
painted sails.
The other postal is g. picture - OF
Rochester Castle. 1t is beautiful old.
fashioned castle On one side is riv-
err There is beautiful bush Of vel
low flowers in front. A flag is on the
top of the castle. A gardener is in the
yard. The sky is very blue. hope
that will get another post card.
Good Bye,
Edna o. Morgan
419 S. Davis ST..
South Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
A REVELATION.

cne night I couldn't go to sleep
And though I tried and tried,
and held my breath, and laid quite
still,
My eyes would open wide.
And when I'd done most everything
A little child could do,
/ suddenly remembered-and
1t made me sorry, too
I hadn't said my prayers nor asked
The Lord my soul to keep:
And when did / closed my eyes
! And went right off to sleep.
\ Louise Ayres Garrett.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20

was at the Gentry Bros, circus. II
was the seventeenth day of August
when Mr.. Edwards saw on the walks
of the city of Fairfield, Gentry Bros.
circus show bills. He saw that it was.
the twenty-first and he was very glad
for he was to get home from Burling-
ton the twenty-first.
Mr.. Edwards got to the depot just
in time to get ticket before the train
came. They were all waiting for
o'clock to come when they We're to
start to Des Moines to the great cir-
Gus. 1t was ten mills to Des Moines
and they wanted to be there in TINT
for the parade. They all wished there
would be another show the next day.
but there wasn't
Your little Junior.
Ralph Johnston age IL,
Birmingham, Iowa. R. R., No. 8.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
MABEL HUNT WRITES AGAIN.

/ will write once more to the Junior
as 1t has been some time since l have
written. l live at West Grove. am
little girl II years old. / go to
school every day. My teachers name
is Bessie Smith. We have SO pupils
in our school.
l study reading, arithmetic, history,
language, geography. penmanship and
spelling. Wishing the Junior muca
success I remain
Mabel Hunt.
Vast Hrove Ia Pow 27
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20

We're finding all kinds Of eggs. Thep
their mother gave them each a little
basket to keep their eggs IN.
After dinner their mother called
them in and showed them a big rabbit
on nest and Edith picked him UP
and found some little chickens. What
fun they had then. They were playing
with them all the rest Of the day and
even named them. After supper they
We're both tired and each said, "This
Is the incest Easter we have ever
had"
Aura Dale Mahoney,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
MARGARET WRITES. TO HEF
AUNT. JULIA.
Dear Aunt Julia:

Dear Aunt Julia:
We arrived home safe June 4.
We enjoyed our trip home as we
saw so many places Of interest.
At Port Corta our train was taken
on ferry boat called Soloua, the
largest ferry boat in the world across
the water. Mamma, Jack and got off
the train and stood out on the boat
and watched the water. We passed
forty-two miles of snow sheds. We
were delayed in the snow shed two
hours and half as there was wreck
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20

live in the country than In city, but
we have sold the farm now, and are
going to move to town.
My grandma planted some lettuce,
peas, cucumbers, beats and radishes
and my Uncle Charles planted our po-
tatoes for us. Everything Is up now.
like to hoe the potatoes and other
things. Well I will close for this
time. Your Junior friend,
Theodore Ro ,erts, age 10.
Abba, Ia, r. r. NO. 4.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
Jerome, Iowa.
MAMIE AND RUTH SISTERS.
Dear Editor:

DEAR Ed1tOr:
will write to the children.s page
as have never written before.
I think it is nice to have the chill
dren's page for the little girls and
boys.
My papa takes the Courier. go to
school now. I like my teacher. I sit
are Lucy Hale, Lois Hentz, Olive Nc
Reynolds, Eta Hankins. Effie Hale.
have one brother and two sisters
My sisters and I were over at my
aunt's in ottumwa last summer. We
had good time go flower hunting
in the spring time
From your friend,
Mamie Hale, age. u
Floris. Iowa, r. R, No. Q.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
The Courier Junior
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING CO.
oTTuMWA, IOWA.
MATILDA czvEREAux.
EDITOR.
THE PRIZE WINNERS.

dear Juniors: Well we have the
pleasure today of announcing the prize
winner in the circus contest. Her
name Ia
\ oRPHA SlDLEs.
We are very disappointed because
We did not hear from the three Jun,
iors who won the prizes for naming
the pony. We would like to know II
they enjoyed the circus
The prize winners in the letter con.
test are:
MARGARET WHELAN.
b. MAE SCHAEFFER.
h We will give Margaret and Mae
Ec.ch a pretty basket unless they would
hpreSer something else. Orpha did not
Yse,ect her prize so we hope to hear
Iron her soon.
We have not heard from all the out
| cf. tewn Juniors to whom we sent
roller skates. We would like to have
some acknowledgement SO we will
know whether they received their
prizes.
/ NEW CONTEST NEXT WEEK.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20

and mountain wolves in large cages
hauled by horses. besides dogs, birds
and monkeys in small cages hauled
by ponies and many other animals they
did not know the names of. They
had good time.
Your friend,
Louise hickey, age Q.
Lucas, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
A JUNIOR in SCOTLAND.

James Robertson of North Court
street aged 8 years, accompanied his
parents to Scotland and while on
board ship wrote the following inter
estfng letter to his teacher, Sister
M. Madeline and to his schoolmates.
All the Juniors and the editor as we'll
as James teacher and schoolmates
will be glad to hear from him again.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
THE AMAZON VALLEY,
Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:
The Amazon River is the largest
river i'll the world. 1t is 1000 miles
long and fifty miles wide, where it
flows into the sea. The forests grow
beyond 1T for hundreds of miles
The trees in the forest are the rub.
Der tree, bread-fruit and wax palm.
They &c rubber from the rubber tree.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
THEODORE TELLS OF HIS FARM
HOME.

This is my first letter 1 have writ
ten. thought would write a letter
about our farm. l live with my grand
pa and grandma who have small
farm. We have three horses, three
COWS and four calves. We have forty.
eight old chickens and two old hens
with chickens. One hen has fourteen
little chickens and the other has
twenty think it is much nicer to
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
kENILWoRTH CASTLE.

You sent me picture of the Kenil-
worth Castle. Now will write about
it. Kenilworth city is town of War
wickshire, England, about five miles
north of Warwick. On the post cara
1t Is a very pretty place. The castle
is very big with vines climbing 1t.
Helen Melvin, age Z.
Ottumwa, Ia. S1S North Marion St.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20

Dear Editor:
My papa takes the Daily Courier
and like to read the Junior letters.
i am ten years old and go to tha.
Mt. Zion Sunday school and to school
every day.
My teachers name is Miss Florence
Bowman.
one bay We have fine times ridin.s
them
In the last paper little girl wanted
to know if any of us could skate. 4
have pair and like to use thine.
Harley Watts,
Mt. Zion. Iowa r R No
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
MASCOT TEDDY AT BALL GAME

This little bear whose name is Mas
cot Teddy was at the ball game We'd
nesday and he was so happy when the
Champs won that he used his umbrel-
la for flag. He waved it so hard
that it turned inside out.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20
Melrose, Iowa, R. R., No. 4.
oRPHA WRITES OF THE CIRCUS.

ORPHA WRITES OF THE CIRCUS.
am reader Of the Tri-Weekly
Courier and am greatly interested in
the Courier Junior.
I wish to enter the circus contest
and will write on the subject What
Enjoyed Most at the Circus
Last July my papa, sister and my
self, attended Ringing Bros circus at
Centerville.
l enjoyed the animals most of all
In spite of my disliking to see any
thing Gagged, for know they would be
great deal happier If they were
free.
There were deer of almost every
species and would liked to have
seen some Of them run, for know
they can run very fast.
They had great number Of ele-
plants and when they beloved they
seemed to almost shake the earth.
They looked a great larger than the
first one ever saw, for when I was
small could hardly imagine any
thing so large as an elephant.
They also had a giraffe, which was
very pretty. 1t was in large pen and
was eating green leaves from
branch which was on its cage.
The lion looked very fierce.
The monkeys lived in brick house
which was called the Monkey Hotel
They would climb in and out Of the
windows and on to the roof Of their
house.
Yours respectfully,
Orpha Sides, age IA.
Jerome Iowa