davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31

In submitting stories in the history
| contest Juniors are requested to con-
form str5ctly to requirements in re-
gard TO form, etc Write about any
incident in United States history that
you choose, but it must be in your own
language and must contain not more
must be written On one side OF the
paper only, with ink or soft black
pencil
On the first line write your subject;
on the second line. beginning an inch
from the left hand margin, your name.
age and address, and If you are in
schoo! your school and grade. Write
the number OF words contained in the
story in the upper left hand corner OF
the first page. A great many contribu-
tors in the vacation contest have neg
lected this last requirement, and the
editor has not the time TO count the
words in such stories.
Il IS understood that in awarding
prizes neatness, spelling, punctuation
and grammar are taken into consid-
Grafton.
This contest is open to San Fran
cisco and California juniors between
the ages Of 10 and 1e years. and for
the six best stories published each
week The Junior Call awards as prizes
six handsome school watches.
For the younger juniors, under 10
years OF age, another contest is open,
particulars Of which are given on the
fourth page today.
The watches awarded in this week s
contest viii be mailed in a few days.
If you are a winner and have not re-
ceived yours by next Saturday, let The
Junior Call knew at once
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
A HISTORY-OF THE FLAG
JENNIE LOPEZ,
2Z26 Folsom Street, San Francisco.
Arc 16 YearA - n.

A&G 40 teHE8
In the colonial times there were
a,ayesa many dersnt eanns ass the
was the Rattlesnake flag, which had
a motto. Don't Tread on Mel and an
other was the pine Tree" flag.
In l77e George washington anfurlesd
g. fag at Cambridge, with the &C, cross Of
called the Cambridge flag.
The first real American fiag was the
one provided for by the following reso-
luton OF congress, passed June IA,
1877 Resolved, that the flag. Of the
red and white; that the. union be 1s
stars, white In a blue field, represent
ing new constellation"
The first flag ordered by congress
was made by Mrs. Elizabeth Ross Of
Philadelphia, better known as Betsy
Ross" The name of Betsy Ross will
be remembered as long as "Old Glory"
continues to wave.
In 1874 Vermont and Kentucky were
added to the union, and congress voted
that the flag should consist of Is stars
and 15 stripes. Such was the flag un-
der which the Americans fought in the
war of 1912.
The number Of stripes having been
increased by the admission of new
states made the flag too large. The
original 13 stripes were restored by
act OF congress April 4, 1918, when 1t
was enacted:
That from and after the fourth day
Of July. next the flag of the United
States be 13 horizontal stripes, alter
mated red and white; that the union be
20 stars, white in q blue field, and that
the union one star to be added to the
union of the flag, and such addition
taking effect on the fourth day of July
next succeeding such admission
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
, AWARDED A WATCH
HOBSON AND THE MERRI-
MAC
JASPER b. SINCLAIR,
727 Clement ST., San Francisco, Sutro
School. Age IA Years.

SCnOOis age IA IeaESs
The night of June 3, 1898, fell sultry
and hot The mighty battleships of the
American squadron, forming a strong
chain around the entrance to Santiago
harbor, were riding at anchor, serene
and quiet in their greatness. The thun-
der of war was hushed to slumber on
this eventful night In the distance
could be discerned the glimmer of the
citys lights.
Meanwhile, aboard the flagship of the
American fleet silent preparations were
being made to obstruct the channel. At
II o'clock a collier known as the Mer-
rimac crept forth from the shadows of
the flagship. Aboard that boat were
Naval Constructor r. P. Hobson and a
crew of seven men. Slowly the boat
stole forth, till at length it reached its
destination.
The men then worked with feverish
haste to complete their task. On either
side of them were the frowning guns of
the Spanish forts. Preparations were
being made with incredible sWiftness.
Soon the boat would be ready to sink.
At that crisis one of the guns on shore
spoke out. 1t was followed by the rush
of a shell, which struck the water close
to the boat. Immediately a volley was
poured forth from the shore.
Amid the thunder of guns and the
screaming of shells overhead the in
trepid crew of the Merrimac sank the
boat. A raft which they had thrown
overheard was their only means of sal
walton. On It the eight men scram-
bled, out OF the waters of the bay.
They were alive; but the wind and cur
rent were driving them into the harbor,
from which there would be no escape.
After drifting for half an hour they
were picked up by Spanish launch.
The brave band were taken to a prison.
From this they were liberated when the
city surrendered.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
BACON AND HIS MEN
ALDEN GRANT,
Grass Valley. BELL Hill School, A Fifth
Grade. Age. IL Years

In 1876 the people were oppressed by
Sir William Berkeley, governor ap
pointed by the king of England. The
Nlrginians at that time were at war
with the Indians. The governor would
not do anything to protect the people
because he traded with the Indians.
He knew IL he did anything to harm
them 1T would break. the trade. A man
by the name of Bacon wanted to help
his people. The people wanted him for
a governor He killed many Indians.
The old governor said he would be
hanged for it. Berkeley caught Bacon,
and arrested him. But in the night he
got a horse and rode away He was
free again. Bacon was forced to
war against. Berkeley. but when
they got at the battle field the men
cried, "Bacon!" Bacon!" Baconl' The
old governor had to fee away to spot
OF safety. A great many people f1ocked
around Bacon and got on his side. Ba-
con ordered jamestown burned to the
ground. All of the people nearly got
on Bacon's side. But ii was too much
for Bacon and he sickened and died.
His friends knew that Berkeley would
get control of the country again now
that Bacon was dead They knew
Berkeley and his men would dig up the
body and hang IL up. Bacon's men put
stones in the coffin, and so they must
have put IT in river. Governor Berke-
ley got back his place, but the king of
England put him out of his Office and
he died of a broken heart
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
GEORGE ROGER CLARK
CHARLES e. RHEIM,
1925 Taylor Ave-, Alameda. Mastfck
School, b Seventh Grade.
Age IL Years

In the revolutionary war there was a
young Virginian named George Roger
Clark. who thought that If he cap
tured the forts on the Mississippi he
could gain the Mississippi valley for
the United States.
He went to the governor of Virginia
for powder and men and he received
some power and coloners commits
sion.
In the spring of 1878 with about $50
men. he started down the Ohio river
to Illinois. From there they marched
to Fort Kaskaskia. which they cap
tured without opposition. Catholic
priest named Father Gibault went to
Fort Vincennes and talked to the peo-
pie. who pulled down the British flag
and hoisted the stars and stripes The
next year the British came down from
Fort Detroit and got it back again.
Clark started out in the middle of
winter to reconquer 1t. The first week
they got on pretty we'll, but the next
week they came to branch of the
Wabash, which was swollen by rains
so that 1t overfowed It's banks and
through 1T they had to wade, holding
their guns above their heads. Finally
they reached the fort and captured 1t
after hard fight.
By the capture of these forts and
the surrounding country Clark gained
what is now the states of Ohio, In
diana, Illinois and a part of Michigan
for the United States.
He died in 1918 and was buried at
Louisville. Ky.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
THE SETTLEMENT OF THE
GREAT VALLEY
RUTH sTAYNER,
MayfseId Farm. Petaluma, Age 10 Years
Rural A.

Before the revolution only FEW
people had gone over the Allegheny
mountains The country was inha 2l1ed
by tribes OF fierce and cruel indians.
who lived in villages for the most parI
widely separated and who resisted e1 :
forts of the white men to occupy any or
the uninhabited wilderness west OF the
mountains. But before the revolution
a man named Daniel Boone and some
daring men from North Carolina and
Virginia penetrated the fertile lands or
Kentucky and Tennessee and formed
settlements. The territory lying north
OF the Ohio was ceded to the United
States BY Virginia and the other states
organized as The North Territory and
ft has since become celebrated. 1t is
commonly known as ordinance 50,
and IL ordered that all the children
with a father who died without viii
should inherit the estate equally among
the children and to do away with the
aristocratic privileges given TO the
oldest son. 1t forbade slavery also.
which made Ohio. Indiana and Wiscon-
sin free states
Soon after the adoption OF this ordi-
nance and purchase Of the Indian title
to the land, people began to pour into
the western country. now opened to
them The first emigrants carried their
goods on pack horses. At PittsburE
and Wheeling they built large fiat-
boats Of green timber. When they
landed on shore they broke up the
boats and used the lumber for the.
cabins at night. But afterward Penn
sylvania wagons came into use instead
of pack horses TO cross the mountains
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN
CALIFORNIA
HARTLAND GoLDTHwAITE,
SausaIito, p. o. Box 1O6. Age Ia Years

Swiss Immigrant, John Sutter,
wanted to plant a Swiss colony in Cali
fornia and was successful in getting a
large grant of land from the Mexican
government including the site of the
city of Sacramento.
. Here he built a fort, and started a
large farm. which soon thrived
Suffer thought his farm could be i'm
proved by building sawmill and en-
ployed an American emigrant, James
Marshall.
One day in the month of January.
1888, Marshall, while constructing a
millrace in the American river valley,
saw particles of yellow substance shin
ing in the sand. and picking up some,
thinking ii might be gold, he took it
to Suffers fort.
The discovery OF gold was only few
days before the treaty Of Guadalupe
Hfdalgo.
After finding Mr.. Sutter at the fort
the two locked themselves. in a room
and examined the yellow substance,
which they found to be gold
They tried hard to keep the secret.
but could not, for a Mormon Iaborer,
watching their excited actions at Che
millrace. soon found out the secret,
and then the news spread fast.
People went wild, and all kinds of
business stopped The news did not
reach the east until the latter part of
the year, because news travelled very
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
! AWARDED A WATCH
THE EXPLORATIONS OF HEN
DRICK HUDSON
HENRY YANCEY,
B72 Jackson Street. Oakland. Lincoln
school, A seventh Grade.
Age IA Years

The Dutch, hearing of the probable
existence Of a northwest passage to
India through our continent in 1908. or
gained an expedition commanded by
Hendrick Hudson, who was then In
their employ. This expedition sailed
from Holland IN the year 1903. Hud-
sons ship was named the Half Moon.
after wearisOme journey across
the Atlantic ocean they sighted land
near what IS now Portland, Ne. From
there. they sailed down the coast as
far as Delaware bay. Hudson started
TO explore the bay. but his ship, the
Idalf Moon, grounded. Turning back
he sailed along the Jersey coast, en-
tering New York bay. and journeyed up
what the Dutch called the North river.
but what we know as the Hudson. The
river became too shallow for safe sail
ing, so Hudson turned back and sailed
up the Atlantic coast He reached the
Upon exploring the southern part of
the bay he saw many Indians on the
shore. One night some of them pad
died out TO the Half Moon and out of
sheer cruelty the men captured two
Of them, against Hudson's will. The
slippery natives climbed through the
portfolios OF the ship. dropped into the
water and swan away. haunting and
Jeering the sailors at their escape.
The men, getting tired of the voy-
age, wished to turn back, but Hudson
refused. Growing more restless each
day. they at last mutinied. Putting
Hudson, his son and some other men
they set them adrift with few pro-
visions.
Hudson and the men who accompa-
MED him Were never heard of again,
but the rest OF the crew with the Half
Moon reached Holland in safety
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
| AWARDED A WATCH
DEWEY AT MANILA
ALBERTA DAVIS.

Rutherford, Napa Co.. st. Helena
Grammar school. Age IL Years
The United States had three fleets in
1898
While one of these, which had long
been gathering at Key West. went off
and blockaded Havana, another, under
Commodore George Dewey, sailed from
Hongkong to attack the Spanish fleet
at the Philippine islands. Dewey found
that the fleet would have to be at
tackled in Manila bay; he passed the
forts successfully and entered the bay.
Then. with only the loss of one man,
he destroyed the entire Spanish fleet of
10 vessels and killed over 500 men.
He also captured the arsenal at Ca
vite.
Dewey's battle was fought and won
on May s, 1908, and was one of the
greatest naval battles in the worlds
history.
Dewey then blockaded the city of
Manila and General Merritt with 10000
troops was sent across the Pacific
ocean to take possession of the Philip
pine islands. vahich were Spain's most
important possession in the east
For having won this great victory,
Dewey first received the thanks of
congress, then he was promoted to
rear admiral and he was later given
for life the rank of admiral.
He was further honored by having
nearly all of the pets in the American
country named after him.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
I AWARDED A WATCH T;
THE HESSIANS CAPTURED
MARY NELSON,
II. ID. 5, Box 153. Santa Rosa. Rincon
School, Eighth Grade.
Age Is Years

washington had gone from White
plains to Haekensack in New Jersey,
and left 1000 men with Charles Lee in
New York. Washington now ordered
Lee to bring these men over to Hack
ensack, but Lee was jealous of Wash
ington and would not obey him. This
made Washington retreat across the
Jersey, going first to Newark, then to
New Brunswick. then to Trenton. then
over the Delaware into Pennsylvania,
with the British close behind.
Lee crossed the Hudson and went to
Morristown, where he was punished
for his disobedienee. One night when
he was at an inn outside hfs lines.
oner OF war. After Lee was captured,
Sullivan took command, and then the
troops were hurried off to join Wash
ington.
On Christmas night. in a heavy snow
storm, Washington recrossed the Dell
aware, and marched nine miles to
Trenton. There he surprised some Hes
SLAMS and took 1000 prisoners, and
went back to Pennsylvania.
At first people could not believe it.
and to make them believe il, the Hes.
slams had TO be marched through the
streets Of Philadelphia and one of
their flags was sent to Baltimore and
hung up in the hall of congress.
When CORVALLIS heard that the Hes
SLAMS were captured. he came down
from New Brunswick with 5000 men
and henmed the Americans in between
his army and the Delaware, but on the
night OF January 2, 1871. Washington
got away and passed around Cornwafiis.
and hurried to Princeton CORVALLIS
did not know that the Americans had
left his front until he heard them firing
in the rear.
CORVALLIS fell back to New Bruns-
wick, while Washington went back TO
Morristown. where he spent the rest of
the winter.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31

That all this might with great adj
vantage be taught in the home is quite
true. But 1t seldom or never is and
probably never will be any more than
other studies are. Some reasons for
this may be lack of time. inclination
or, most of all. lack OF ability.
The course of domestic science Is
pleasing to all girls with few or no
exceptions. And as 1t furnishes a most
valuable outlet for their youthful ac-
tivities, what could be of more benefif
to them and to others IL these actiyi-
Ties be well directed?
Following are a. few extracts from
compositions By members of class In
domestic science:
Every girl should, without doubt,
learn the art of domestic science. 1t
is not. as easy as one might imagine
to have perfect domestic life That
Is, to have home spotlessly clean and
a. daily routine that will Insure peace
of mind and Of heart
Indeed. what is more unbearable than
disorderly household? What is
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
BATTLE OF TIPPEcANOE
CATHARINE CLEMENT,
112S Morton Street. Alameda. Masticl<
school. High sixth Grade.
Age IL Years

During the war OF 1912 the Indians
became very troublesome all through
the country. Those of the Mississippi
valley were especially warlike.
Tecumseh. the chief of a great tribe.
wanted General Harrison to sign a.
treaty Of some kind. Harrison refused
TO do this, and Tecumseh few into a
terrible rage.
He made many speeches to not only
the people Of his own tribe but to all
the tribes along the Mississippi valley
His talks aroused in them a warlike
spirit.
While Tecumseh was in the south
trying to organize a great league, his
twin brother was at work in the
northwest. Their schemes were many
and they were sure they could over
throw the American army.
When this twin brother had col,
lected a large force OF warriors he
went forward to battle with the Amer
leans. He was a cunning chief and
thinking to throw the soldiers Off their
guard, he called on General Harrison
and pretended TO be friendly
banks OF the Tippecanoe river They
had noticed the large number of In
dams, and suspected them. Therefore
when the Indians attacked the Ameri-
cans, everything was ready for battle.
All night the Indians and Americans
kept up constant fire. It was perfectly
dark. but great havoc was wrought
among the Indians.
In the morning the Indians were
driven and their camps destroyed.
They fed in all directions. thinking OF
nothing except escape.
was nothing for hina-to do but. flee. He
fed to Canada. and from that time on
he did everything he could to avenge
the defeat of his army
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31


Cooking is not along a change from
other lessons. but when well under
stood becomes very interesting.
The essentials are system and good
management, accuracy. cleanliness and
economy.
All NAV OF Thee partake.
Nothing can be 50 mean.
But with this tIncfure. For Thy SAKE.
It will Be bright and clean.
How pleasing it is to the eve 10 nee
clean and tidy kitchen.
Economy teaches as TO be careful
with the necessities we use in our
household Extravaganza Is a bad habit
and when learning the science OF cook
ing this is the first thing one is taught
10 beware Of
II also teaches US how to take care
OF our bodies. as well as to know vhat
bread, vegetables. etc. contain. We
tnen know what is good and wholesome
LOT our body; what Is necessary for US
wnen we are young and also when we
become older.
SARA sYM0NDs,
eighth Grade Pacific Heights school.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
ISTORY STORIES AND PRIZE WINNERS

has a lake OF pitch Sir Walter Raleigh
saff: 'Tf ali the ships in the world
took some pitch there would be some
left
The next stop was Rio de. Janeiro.
the capital of Brazil The feet was
saluted bv the entire navy OF Brazil as
they came into the beautiful harbor-
The sailors were entertained oy the
highest officials of the country They
passed successfully through the straits
of Magellan and viewed the grand
scenery They are $50 miles long The
reason why these straits are so dan
gerous is because they are shaped Ike
a funnel and narrow in some places
They also stopped at Punta Arenas
(Which means sandy point), which be-
longs to Chile and is the most southern
city in the world.
When they passed Valparaiso they
saluted and the people eheered as tney
passed
Next was Callao where the president
made George Washington's birthday a
holiday in honor OF the feet They
then went to San Francisco, where they
also had a fine time
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
TREASON OF ARNOLD
HAZEL HANSEN,
1896 South Sixth Avenue, San Francisco
Bay View Grammar School.
Age IL Years

The already dark outlook was made
still darker by the treachery of Bene-
dict Arnold who was one of the most
trusted officers in the revolutionary
army. His march through the wilder
ness to Quebec the courage he showed
in the attack on that city, the ability
and bravery he showed at Saratoga,
would promise him a grand future. But
his sense of honor was not as great as
his courage. He was put In command of
philadelphia in IT'S, but so abused his
office that he was sentenced to be pun
ished by Washington. TO get salts
faction for this he planned 70 give up
the Hudson river to the enemy. With
this intention he asked Washington In
1880 for the command OF West Point.
the stronghold on the Hudson. and got
IL. Then he arranged to- surrender 1t
to Clinton. Major John Andre. who was
the British agent in negotiation, met
Arnold qne day In: September near
stony Point But. as luck would have
Il, when he was going back to New
York he was met near Tarrytown by
three Americans, who searched him
and found some papers in Arnold 8
handwriting inFhis stockings, y Arnold
heard Of the arrest of Andre IN time TO
give him chance to.fee to the British.
with whom he served till the end OF the
war and afterward sought shelter in
England. Andre was hanged after be-
Ing tried and found guilty.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-31
A MIDNIGHT RIDE
VIRGINIA FROST.
SIS Haight Avenue, Alameda. Long
fellow School, A Eighth Grade.
Age 13 Years

1eIloW school, A Eighth Grade.
Age 13 Years
One night Paul Revere, an American
soldier who was fighting for his
country in the revolutionary war, was
talking to friend Of his, and said.
II the British come here tonight.
hang a lantern aloft in the belfry of
the old North church as a signal to me,
for I'll be waiting at Charleston. on the
opposite shore. ready to spread the
alarm. If they come by land hang one
lantern up, and IL they come by sea
hang up two"
over the still waters to the other
shore. while his faithful friend turned
his steps toward his home. AS he was
walking home, thinking of his wife and
Ing over the water some huge black
ships. which looked like great sea
monsters. 1t was the British men-of-
war.
saw this dreadful sight, hurrIedly took
his lanterns and ran to the church and
climbed up the wooden stairs to the
attic. then he climbed slowly and
noiselessly up the ladder which led to
Meanwhile. Paul Revere on the other
side, kept watching the tower every
minute, then slowly a bright light
cleaned forth; he waited, then another.
Quick as lightning Paul jumped upon
bridge to Medford town, yelling to
alarm the people, Wake upl wake up!
The British are comingi'
Then our hero rode through the
meadows, waking up farmer every
here and there. until he rode into
Lexington. As he rode in the village
clock struck 2. The dogs began TO bark
and the cocks began to crow. but still
his swift steed cut through the sharp
air. and our gallant Paul Revere
saved the nation.