davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
THE CIVIL WAR
GLADYS STANLEY.
6S3 East Twenty-fourth Street Oak
land, Cal. SWEET School, b Sew
euth Grade Age IA Year.

ne clvll war between the north and
Inc south began in 1851. soon after
Apraham Lincoln became president.
Inc cause OF the war was that the
south believed slavery was right and
ene north believed that it should be
apolished- When Lincoln was elected
president the southern states feared he
ne would interfere with slavery, so
seven states claimed to be out of the
union and formed themselves into a
new government
me majority of the northern states
thought that no state had the right to
WilhdraW from the union and they did
nor beneve the southern states would
actually fight against the constitution
and the flag under which they had
lived so long
!, The war began on April IL, 1881, by
tne surrender OF Fort Sumter, which
was situated in the harbor of Charles
ton, y Z. Only one man was killed
and he by accident
The surrender of Fort Sumter caused
an excitement in the north and in the
south. Large armies were then formed
This war lasted four years. The
armies OF the north and the south
fought bravely and there were many
terrible battles, with great loss Of
life on each side.
The War was principally carried on in
the south and the people there suffered
much from the blockade of their ports
which cut off all supplies.
!. The south was compelled to give up
the struggle. This war put an end to
slavery and showed that no state could
leave the union. On April IA, 1865.
President Lincoln was shot by an as,
sassln and his loss was mourned over
the whole world.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
DISCOVERY OF AMERICA
LESTER NULAND.
sixth Grade, san Andreas CrammaP
school, san Andrews, Cal. Age
10 Years.

Late in 1892 America was discovered
by one of the boidest sailors that ever
trod deck named Christopher Colum-
bus He had waited Wearily for sew
eral years for help from European na-
t1ons- He had applied to different ma
uons. but they all said. wv hat is the
use of spending money on wild
dreams? as they called the plans OF
Columbus.
Columbus now applied to the rulers
of Spain, who, at that time. We're Fer
dinand and Isabella. who. like all
others, refused. for they were at war
with the MOOrs.
Columbus now started for France on
a mule, but was OvertalSen by a mes
Senger from Queen Isabella saying that
-she would mt him out a fleet" 1nis
fleet was composed of three vessels.
the Nina. Pinta and Santa Maria The
sailors were the bTavest to be found
but they were afraid Of many things
especially the ealms, gales and vOlca-
noes.
At length they grew rnutinous and
said they would force Columbus 10 re-
by help OF heaven. to reach India.
On October II. 1892. land was dis
covered. Columbus sailed among these
islands and discovered Haiti and Cuba.
and with his two vessels set sail for
home. for the Santa Maria had been
wrecked. Columbus reached Spain in
safety, to the great joy Of the people.
He made four voyages to this cOun-
try and died in poverty at the age
OF %.
lie was buried in Spain and carried
to Haiti. thence to Cuba and back to
Spain in 1888, where he now rests.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
MARY WARD.
325 sam Jose Avenue, San Francisco.
Agassiz School. Fifth Grade
Age 13 Years

The United States had not been at
war with European nation since
1878, until she was involved In one
with Spain in 1898.
cuba, then owned by Spain, had been
missoyerned for many years. This
caused the Cubans to rebel Spain
promised them better treatment. but
she failed to carry 1t out, and Cuba's
condition grew worse. Americans sym-
pathized with the Cubans.
The United States battle ship Maine
was sent to Havana to protect the
rights of American citizens there. on
the evening of February Is. 1898. she
was blown UP and sunk with over $50
of her crew. The Americans felt very
bad and congress said that Cuba should
be free, and that If the Spaniards did
not withdraw they would be forced to
buy her. After this Spain broke off all
relations with the United States
President Mckinley ordered all Gu
ban ports blockaded. Colonel Roosevelt.
then secretary of the navy, ordered
Commodore Dewey to proceed to the
Philippine islands, then belonging to
Spain. On May /, 1898, he entered Ma
nilla harbor, and captured or DESTROYED
every Spanish vessel there without the
loss of one of his own men.
Spain sent another fleet to Cuba
This feet was blockaded by American
ships under Admirals Sampson, and
Schley, and when it ventured out of
the harbor 1t was destroyed
Our troops attacked the city of San
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
THE BATTLE OF SUMMIT
SPRINGS, NEB.-1S69
HATTIE COLEN.
5J6 Fell Street. SAN Francisco. Hearst
Grammar school, Eighth Grade.


Early in May. 1869, the Republican
river expedition, under Major General
Carr, consisting Of seven troops and a
battalion of friendly Pawnee Indians,
the latter under Major North. an ex-
perienced Indian fighter, left Fort Me-
Pherson to operate against renegade
Sioux, Cheyenne and others known as
dog soldiers" and led by the savage
chief Tall Bull, who had been creating
dismay among the settlers who were
living ON the exposed frontier
countries of Kansas, Nebraska and
Colorado, and was the scOurge Of that
whole territory, capturing and killing
people. General Carr, who was selected
to follow and punish these Indians
was also a noted Indian fighter. He
years prior to the civil war. No better
The trail of the Indians was fol-
until the Indians became careless. This
resulted in giving General Carr his op-
portunity, when, cutting loose from hts
wagon train, he surprised the main
camp at Summit springs, in broad day
light July, 1859. This result was due
in great measure to the daring and
guidance of Colonel w +. Cody, 'Buf-
falo Bill" chief of scouts. who discOv-
cred the village and led the troops to
the position they were to occupy in the
attack without knowledge Of the In
dians. This was considered the great
est of many great achievements of this
wonderful scout.
Summit springs, the scene of this
engag cement. was a noted camping
ground for immigrant and government
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE
ROSALIE SCHMIDT.
Eighth Grade, VacavilIe Grammar
School. Age 13 Years.

Since early winter i1SI2-1s1s) a
young naval officer named Oliver Haz-
ard Perry had been hard at work with
gang of ship carpenters cutting
down trees in northern Pennsylvania
ana using this green lumber to build
nine small vessels. With this fleet he
sailed to Sandusky, o., where he found
the British ship, which had been built
Just as hastily as his own. Perry's
snip, the Lawrence, was named after
captain Lawrence, who had been killed
IN hight with a British frigate. AS
Ferry saw the enemy he unfurled a
blue. nag with the motto, Don't give
up the ship" Lawrence's dying order to
MS men, and sailed down to meet the
Perry in the Lawrence fought the
Two largest ships till it was wreck
tnen ne sprang into a boat and amid q
shower OF shot and shell was rowed
70 the Niagara. Once on her deck he
oroke thei British line of battle and
HIS message to President Harrison
is almost as famous as his victory:
We nave met the enemy and they are
ours two ships, two briggs. one schooner
ana one sloop." Perry's victory regained
all the northwest territory that had
been lost through Hull,s surrender.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
!. AWARDED A WATCH I
THE ASSASSINATION OF
PRESIDENT GARFIELD
MARJORIE CONE,
Santa Rosa. Age IA Years

on the ID Of July, 1881, President Car
field. II company with few friends,
one of whom was James G. Blaine, his
secretary Of state. was waiting for the
train bound for Elberon. n. J., where
he was about to join his wife.
As the president stood talking to
Mr. Blaine man by the name of
Charles J. Guiteau stole UP and shot
him in the back.
The wound was very severe; the
president sank to the floor and a few
moments later was removed TO the
White House. Guiteau was hurriedly
taken to Jail before his act became
generally known. Only by this prompt
action was the assassin saved from
death al the hands Of the angry popu-
lace.
such was the horror and indignation
c. she people at the assassination of
their president that. when the soldier
appointed to guard the cell Of Guiteau.
shot through the window in hope Of
held his action. The soldier was tried
for breach or discipline. but escaped
with slight punishment and receiVed a
handsome money present sent from diff
ferent parts of the country.
It was evident that Guiteau was par
TALLY insane. but this taint was so
slight that il IN no way interfered with
his understanding of right and wrong.
the Judge and jury by various antics,
but he was declared guilty and was
banged on June 80. 1882
During the time the president lay at
the white House the physicians were
unable TO determine whether the wound
would be fatal or not.
At one time. when he seemed to be
much improved, he was taken to Ell
heron. X. j. Here he rallied for time
and the peoples hopes rose: but II was
not for long. and. despite the best
medical attention, he died on September
ls. 1881.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
WASHINGTON CROSSING THE
DELAWARE
JAMES McALLEN.
Bernal School, B sixth Grade. Ag
IA Years

One Christmas night, in boats. Wash
ington crossed the Delaware with 1000
men. when the British were having a
good time, and captured 1000 Hessians
and took them as prisoners, and got
safely back to Philadelphia, with only
four men dead, and two were frozen
to death.
On December 30 Washington took
possession of Trenton. and by skillful
movements, and a battle at Princeton
January 13, 1777, in which the British
loss was four times as much as the
Americans. The Americans then obliged
the British under CORVALLIS to give up
the whole of New Jersey except New
Brunswick and Amboy, to them.
Washington placed his army in win
ter quarters at Norrfstown, being a
well selected position for them
Throughout the spring Howe, a
British commander in chief. exhausted
all his skill in trying to provoke a
general engagement. and open a land
route to Philadelphia. Unsuccessful in
these .endeavors he finally. with all his
men. had to retreat back to New York
In New York all the people were
afraid of the British and a number got
shelter from the British. and Howe's
army spread all over the country to
keep the people from raising rough
houses. But Washington was sly and
crept In without them seeing him.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
THE BEAR FLAG INCIDENT
Florence Cummings, Santa Rosa,- FIRE.
mont School. A Sixth Grade. Age
IS years.
curious occurrence happen
Calif0rnia In IQAe

curious occurrence happened in
California in 1916.
1t came about in this way: A drove
OF horses belonging to the government
was being taken southwark by the
way of Suffers fort on the Sacramento.
Just as they had forded the river
they We're seized by some American set
The men who We're with the horses
We're set free. but the horses were sent
on TO Fremont's camp
or course, this aroused a great talk
ana at once plans We're made for an at
tack on the American settlers.
The settlers formed body and
marched TO the unguarded town of So
noma and seized 1T June IA 1916.
Four of the chief men were seized
and sent to Suffers fort as prisoners.
The conquerors were Joined by other
settlers. some for love of adventure and
some of the vagabond class
The conquerors held Sonoma until
castro or Captain Fremont should
While they were waiting they raised
q nag Well known as the Bear Flag"
This flag was made of cotton and
had the figure of a, bear painted on it
and also star. Underneath was a
strip OF red flannel. In the center was
written California Republic" This
nag is known as the Bear Flag.
This brief rule is called THE Bear
RAG Republic 1t was handled by so
Few men that 1t did not last long.
fremont pursued the Mexicans with
ms Dand, but did not succeed in finding
them.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
AWARDED A WATCH
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG
FRED BOTTERoN,
SS4 Lisbon street, san Francisco. Age
I3 Years


I3 Years
After Burnside was defeated at Fred
ericksburE, in December, 1862, he was
removed and General Hooker put liz
command of the army OF the Potomac.
called, led ii against Lee on May Ia,
1853, and was beaten at Chancellors-
Vile and fell back. In June Lee again
took the offensive, rushed down the
Shenandoah valley TO the Potomac,
crossed Maryland, and entered Penn
sylvania. with the army Of the Potomac
in pursuit On reaching Maryland,
Hooker was removed and General
Meade put in command. The opposing
forces met on the hills at Gettysburg,
Penn, and there, July I, 1863. Lee at
tackled Meade. The contest was
dreadful one; no field was ever more
stubbornly fought over About
fourth OF the men engaged We're killed
or wounded. But the splendid courage
OF the Union army prevailed Lee was
beaten and retired to Virginia, where
he remained unmOiested till the spring
of 1864. Gettysburg is regarded as the
greatest battle Of the war, and the
8. just pride in marking the positions
they held during the three awful days
Of slaughter till the field is dotted all
over with beautiful monuments. On
the hill back of the village is a great
national cemetery, at the dedication
Of which Lincoln delivered his famous
Gettysburg address. The day after the
victory AT Gettysburg the JOY Of the
north was yet more increased by the
news that Nicksburg had surrendered
Gully 4. 1Se4) 10 Grant.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
LIFE IN THE COLONIES
CLARA WOLF.
7I9 Bay Street, San Francisco Hancock
Grammar School, Sixth Grade
Age ii Years

In 1853 the colonists were very poor
from what we are now. They did not
have stove or a match or envelopes,
or they did not have piece of coal
The farmers worked with scythe
cradle and fail, instead of reaper, plow
or drill.
From the vegetables we would have
to take the cauliflower, egg plant and
the tomato.
The colonists had a printing press
but it was a very poor one, for it
worked by hand. This press was made
by BENJAMIN Franklin. He was deputy
postmaster general for the northern
district
The letters were carried 80 miles
day by post riders on horse back Only
three mails week did the colonists
get.
The colonists made their own goods
by hand looms.
The shoes that the Palistines wore
We're very heavy with large nails IN
the soles.
In the New England colonies the
climate and soil were not good for
raising staples, so they cut down trees
and built ships and sailed to the grand
banks, off the coast of New Foundland
and began the fishing business.
The other colonies began to make
household utensils. wines, hardware,
glass, crockery and furniture.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
FREMONT'S EXPEDITION TO
THE WEST
HELEN CUMMINGS.
Santa Rosa, Cal. Fremont school. A
Is Years


Fremont was sent west to explore the
northwest and to find the mouth of the
Columbia river
Captain Fremont had a very hard
time coming over the Rocky mountains
and he lost great number of men on
account of the cold weather.
The tops of the Rocky mountains
We're covered with snow and it was
very hard to cross them. 1t was very
steep on the western slope Of the
mountains and it was very hard TO get
down.
When they were up in the mountains
they had hardly any food to eat. and
so they had to eat horses and dogs, and
even men when they died
Ihey came over to Salt lake and
stayed there for awhile. They came on
over to California and went up TO Sut-
ters fort and stayed there for a while
Then Fremont started south down the
San Joaquin valley
Fremont was notified by Castro. the
Mexican general. to depart. Fremont
took position on mountain near by
to meet his foe, but Castro had no de-
sire to begin a fight and so Fremont
went north to klamath lake, where he
was overtaken by Lieutenant Gillespie
from Washington with a message.
Fremont came back to the Sacra-
mento valley and from that time on he
was active in the affairs which gave
the country TO the United States.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
KING PHILLIPS WAR
FLORENCE DAWSON
1853 Castro street. Oakland age I'd
Years


The great Indian chief. Massasolt'
had a1wavs been a true friend 10 the
colonists but after his death his son:
king Philip as he was called, proved
to be an enemy. When he heard OF tn7
great multitudes Of people VINO Were
continually founding settlements IN the
surrounding country. he began TO rear
for his people. He was afraid that
unless they were at once driven from
that region all would be lost 20 the
Indians.
With these thoughts he visited the
camps Of several other tribes, Whom
he at last persuaded to join hlm IN
the fight That night they together
made fierce attacks upon one vlllage
after another in Massachusetts. Rhode
Island and Connecticut. In Massacnus-
etts more than half the towns We're
either wholly or partly destroyed, ana
over 1000 men and a large numDer OF
women and children were killed.
A few days later King Philip was
hesieged at Mount Hope In Rhode
Island. One Of his men advised MIN
to surrender. but he was SO angry
that he instantly struck the man dead
In revenge the warriors brother crepc
away TO the cOlOnists, and told them
where the chief and his men were
hiding
The next day King Philip and most
of the others were captured and slain.
after which the people had no more
trouble with the Indians.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH
RUTH RATLIFF,
CIoyerdaIe ClOyerdaie Public School,
sixth Grade. Age IL Years


There was once a very brave man
named Captain John Smith. When a
little boy he ran away from home and
afterward became a sailor
One day he was taken prisoner
by the Turks and was sent to rich
lady She began to get very fond of
her slave and sent him to her brother
for fear he would be sold.
Her brother was very cruel master
and sent him out into the nelds 10 peat
the grain with club instead of fail
While he was working in the fields
his master came along and struck him.
raised his club with which he had been
working and killed his master Then
he got on a horse and rode away.
After a while he reached England,
and on hearing about an expedition
about to start to Florida decided TO
go along.
On the ship he was accused of mu
tiny and was put in chains until they
reached America. There he had his
trial but was found innocent.
While he was exploring the Chicka-
hominy river he was captured by the
Indians. Then he was led into a little
hut and was told to lay his head upon
two stones.
They were about to kill him when
Pocahontas, the favorite daughter of
Chief Powhatan, sprang UP and put
her arms around Smiths neck. This
act saved Smiths life.
Smith was made governor of the
Virginia colony, but he was not very
much liked. He had a wound on him
and as an excuse he said he would have
TO go back to England so he could get
IL cured.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
SIR WALTER RALEIGH AND
VIRGINIA
LUCILLE BEAUGHAN,
Dunsmuir, Cal. Dunsmuir school, Sixth


One of the favorites of Queen Eliza
beth was Sir Walter Raleigh. He was
brave sailor and fine soldier
Raleigh gained permission from the
queen to get some ships and send some
men TO America to explore. When the
men returned they told Raleigh OF the
friendly Indians. He named the land
Virginia in honor of Queen Elizabeth,
who was proud to be the virgin queen
Raleigh sent out colonists to settle on
Roanoke island in 15s5.e These colon
lists Were lazy and did not know how
to work
Sir Francis Drake came with his
ships on his way to England from the
West Indies and the people were de-
termined to return to England They
were out of food
A few days later a ship came with
provisions sent by Raleigh. but found
no colonists. Two weeks after, an
other ship came, but found not soul.
Richard Grenvile left 10 men there
with some food, for he wished to
keep the land for the English. A year
later another ship came, but did not
find the Is men.
Grenvi1le had been mean to the In
dians, so it was likely the Indians
killed the men.
Raleigh gave up. but he introduced
potatoes and tobacco into Europe.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
AWARDED A WATCH
FOUNDING OF GEORGIA
WALTER X. HUBERTY
Box II, San Andreas, Cal. Sixth Grade,
Fourth Crossing School. Age IL


After the return of the Carolinas to
the king in 1929 there was an estab-
lishment of the last English colony
ever planted in the United States. This
colony was founded by James Ogle-
thorpe, who was an English soldier
and member of parliament at this
time.
OgIethorpe was filed with pity for
the poor debtors of England, with
which the jails of England were
crowded. He thought of plan to
send these debtors to America, that
they might start life anew In short
time he had a great number of people
interested in this plan.
Twenty-one persons, under James
Oglethorpes lead, formed an associa-
ton and went to King George II to
secure a charter for a colony They
named this tract of land which King
George gave them Georgia.
This tract of land lay between the
Savannah and the Altamaha rivers and
extended from their mouths to their
sources and then across the country
TO the Pacific ocean. He selected this
tract in order that his colonists might
protect Charleston from the Spanish
attack, to which it was exposed.
Money for the colony was very easily
secured, and in November 1872, James
Oglethorpe with 130 persons set out Tor
Charleston, where he stayed Tor a
short time; then he went SOUTHWARK
and founded the city of Savannah.
It was but a short time until many
people of different naionalities made
settlements in Georgia.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
HISTORY OF THE PuRITANs
ETHEL WILSON,
24IS Clement street. san Francisco.
BergerOt school; Sixth Grade.
Age 13 Yearn

Queen Elizabeth was a Protestant
She wanted the people who didn't be-
lieve in her religion and go to the same
church to separate from the other peo-
pie. This they called purifying the
the church, and in consequence they
called themselves Puritans.
Robert Brown, minister, urged
them to separate from the Church of
England and so they did, and they
were called Separatists or Brownists
They said they wonld worship as they
pleased. A hot persecution followed,
and in 1908 a little party. led by VIII
liam Brewster and John Robson, went
from Scrooby in England, to Amster-
dam. in Holland: then to Leyden, where
they lived IL years. They had come
to Holland as an organized community,
but If they staid there their children's
children would speak the Dutch Ian
guage, forget their native land and
become Dutch They did not want this
to happen, and in 1917 they de-
termined to move to some other land,
where they might continue to be Eng
lishmen. They decided on America and
got ready for their voyage. After many
days they formed a company and asked
the London company If they might set.
tie on the coast of what is now New
Jersey The London company said they
could.
They set sail from a Dutch port,
Deft Haven, in July. 1920. in the ship
SpeedWeh. The Speedwell proved un-
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
WASHINGTON'S WINTER AT
VALLEY FORGE
SYLVIA ,SOULES
1900 Seventh Avenue south, san Fran
cisco. Bay View Grammar school,
II Sixth C<rade. Are - Years

.
Washington's winter at Valley Forge
marks the darkest time of the war. His
army suffered terribly from cold ana
hunger and want of supplies but
Washington did not go into despair
While he had been fighting one army
near philadelphia. another army under
the British general Burgoyne was
marching down from Canada. The
winter spent in Philadelphia had not
made the troops better soldiers. for
while the poor fellows in the American
army. at Valley Forge had been suffer-
Ing from hunger and cold, the British
ofncers had been having a round Of
balls and anusements, and the soldiers.
Tor the most part. had little lighting 10
do. Congress did not want to give
money to buy supplies. Robert Morris.
a patriotic citizen of Pennsylvania, and
a few other men helped them at this
time by borrowing money to support
them The darkest hour was just be-
Tore the dawn, when a PrUssiau soldier
came TO Valley Forge, turned the camp
into school. drilled the soldiers and
made them a better army than they
had ever been before. After the SOL
diers had been we'll drilled and had
become good army, France aeknowl-
edged our independence and Joined US
In the war She Joined US on February
6, 177S.