davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
Ethel Meier.
Ottumwa, Iowa.
THE BLUE BIRD.

Dear Courier Junior: l thought l
would write letter to the Junior
page, as have never written before.
And hope this one will be accepted.
Well I will write on the Blue Bird.
The blue bird is an early spring bird.
Some of them pass the winter in shell
tered places as far north as southern
Connecticut.
1t appears very early in the spring,
and IN New gland begins nesting in
April. BY the middle Of the month
about five bluish-white eggs are laid.
Two or three broods are reared in a
season.
The blue bird is about the size Of an
English robin, it's feathers are of a
rich sky blue above, and of reddish
chestnut on the throat and breast. 1t
is of happy social disposition, and
builds it's nest In orchards and near
houses, and will take a deserted wood
pecker's nest, or hole in fence post.
It eats insects and spiders in the sum-
mer. think it is a very pretty bird.
Well as I don't know anything else
about the blue bird, ! will close,
hoping this will be suitable
I remain your friend.
Anna Smith.
Otumwa, Ia, r. F. D. No. I, Box 63.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07

Once upon time number OF boys
and girls went nutting in the woods.
We went to. a great large pasture Iuii
Of nuts. We gathered nuts till twelve
o'clock then we ate dinner.
We began to gather again about hall
past one. We began to feel tired about
four O'Clock, so we thought we would
like to 60 wadding. We soon found
very large pond. Among the boys
and girls was one of my sisters and
we did not want her to go. But soon
after we were wadding awhile we
missed her. We all got very scared
and looked for her. We had hog
with us named Carlo. Soon we saw
Carlo running very fast to the otner
end of the pond. He brought her ont
safe.
After that I always thought Carlo
my best friend. He was always treat
ed with kindness for being so brave.
Helen Thona,
Batavia, Ia, Route 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
HAZEL WANTS TO HEAR FROM
HER COUSIN THROUGH THE
JUNIOR.

Dear Editor and Juniors AS have
not written to the Courier Junior for
some time I will now write. I think
the Juniors are improving in the
story writing. I am going to send
Elva Huffman, a postal card today.
My birthday will be the 10Th Of Oc-
tober and I will be IA years old. l
have two sisters older than myself
their names are Sylvia and Pearl.
I am going to school. l am in the
eighth grade. I do not study reading
now l like to 60 to school. am
going to Charlton this afternoon, if it
don't get too rainy. We drive the
ponies to town most of the time, but
are going to drive the work horses to-
day as we will have a heavy load NY
ponies names are Dick and Twi-
light.
I wish my cousin, Glenn Hatfield,
would write me a letter through the
Courier Junior.
I like to read the stories the boys
and girls write to the Junior page.
Well as my letter is getting long,
must close, hoping the Junior page
much success.
Hazel Hatfield, Age 10.
Charlton, Ia, Route No. 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
RUTH WANTS A BIRTHDAY POST.
Al SHOWER.

Dear Editor and Juniors Il haven't
written to the Junior page for a long
time, so thought would write again.
I like to read the Junior letters.
go to school and my teachers
name is Harry Smith. like him fine.
My seat mate is Florence Swift. l
like her fine.
l study reading, writing. arithmetic,
spelling, geography, grammar, phys
ology.
For pets l have got one dog, three
cats and have eight dolls, one Teddy
bear, one set of dishes, table and
tove. I have fine time.
October the 9th is my birthday.
will be nine years old. would like
to receive some post cards from my
Junior friends. I will answer all |
receive.
AS my letter is getting long will
close, hoping to hear from you soon.
Ruth Hutchings, Age s.
Bloomfield, Ia, Route No. S.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07

bridesmen and kinsmen and brothers
and all" Gas Sir Walter Scott says)
came to enjoy the day with their reia-
lions. The forenoon was passed by
the chatting OF men and women al.
most drowned amid the laughter and
games Of the young people. Then they
were ushered into the large, old-fash-
toned dining room, where the table
stood, loaded with good things to eat.
The afternoon was spent as pleasantly
as the forenoon, and in the evening
when 1t came time to CO., they left. de-
claring they had never had q better
time and as the family stood on the
porch listening to the last faint jingle
Of sleigh bells. Mr.. Davis said:
This has certainly been grand
year."
Mildred M. Walker, age IL.
Corydon, a., r, F. d. No. 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
NY PET poo.

MY pet dog was part bull dog.
l got him Of John Frey, while papa
was on the mail route.
I could do. most anything with him.
II rode to school he would follow
me.
MY cousin taught him to pull things
One night she shut him in the barn
but he got out and came home.
Last summer he went away and
never came back.
waited q long time for him to come
back. But he never came.
He was eight years old when he dis
appeared. Well, as my letter Is ger
ting long, will close.
Twila Downward, Age IL.
Stockport, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
ERMA CARVED HER NAME ON
POMPEII'S ROCK.

Dear Editor:
This is my first letter to the Courier
Junior -
l am going to tell you Of my trip TO
Pompeii's Pillar.
We took our dinners and spent the
day.
Pompeiis Pillar is a large rock
nearly one hundred feet high and COW
ers about cne-half an acre OF ground
It is close to the Yellowstone river:
Large pieces of rock have broke off and
fallen to the ground below.
1t was discovered by Clark when
Clark and Lewis made their trip 10
the northwest.
Clark had cook by the name or
Pompeii who was very sick Wn1ie
camping at this place. And this large
rock was named Pompeii's Pillar.
There are many names carved on this
rock. My uncle. mamma and all the
children climbed to the top of the rock
and carved our names.
Erma Xix, age 10.
Ballantine. Mont
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
The River Jordan a
Most Interesting
Stream

The Jordan river, talked so much
about in sacred history. is not a
stream of great width or length. In
deed. it might be called a fourth rate
river, for straight line drawn from
its source to its mouth would only
measure about 115 miles, although
the rivers actual length measures
about $50 miles. From these figures it
will be seen that the river is very
winding. 1t is said that within the dis
lance of a few miles the stream flows
east west, north and south, but that
it rarely varies in its course & dozen
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
STORIES and LETTERS
PHILIP.

Little Philip DeFrance was the son
of William DeFrance VINO used to lie =
professor over in Germany. After
Philips mother died, his father and he
cane over to America to live. They
settled in New York City.
William DeFrance was passionately
fond of music and so was Philip. Mr..
DeFrance earned their living by ped
ding goods and he also was g. poor
carpenter. After Philips father had
gone to his work, Philip would take
his violin down on the street corners
and play the songs that his father had
so carefully taught him. Sometimes
Philip earned as much as a whole dol
lar and at other times he only receiv-
ed a quarter.
It was on one cold day that Philip
took sick. His father didn't know
what was the matter with him, for he
was too poor to summon doctor.
Things were getting serious 80 Mr..
DeFrance called doctor. The doctor
said that Philip had la grippe and
that he must have very close atten-
ton. Philip and his father lived in a
little room in the garrett of an old
house. The wind would whistle
through the cracks OF the door ana
windows and also the floor. For fear
of Philips getting worse, Mr..
DeFrance sacrificed his own coat and
spread it over Philip. He also put an
old rug against the door to drive back
the wind. In spite OF the fact that
they were so poor they could hardly
keep soul and body together, Mr..
DeFrance had gotten a few flowers in
a wood and had placed them in the
window to brighten up the room.
Philip steadily gained strength and
one day he delighted his father by
being able to sit up in bed. After
few weeks, Philip was able to go out
doors, but he never went down on the
street corners to play issviolin cold
days.
Vida Wahle, Age 49,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07

and the Des Moines river below keo-
kuk. We arrived safe. Uncle George
is better. had q fine time. Illinois
is well supplied with peaches, apples
and plums. Peaches sell at SO cents
per bushel at Bluffs. We visited my
aunts and cousins.
We then went to Jacksonville, ILL.,,
It is q real nice place. It is real level
and trees on both sides Of the street.
They have many institutions. Went
through the insane asylum. It, Is q
beautiful place These insane pa
tents have everything to an1use them
selves. The men play ball; they also
have pool room. Every Sunday the
Illinois band plays on the grounds.
The grounds are a half mile square.
Every day they take the patients that
are durable for walk in the grounds.
Some of the women sew. There are
pianos for them to play on and H.
braries for them to read. 1t is nice
inside they have long halls which
have waxed floors with strips Of car
pet down the middle and in these halls
are chairs and rocking chairs and
pianos and on both sides of the halls
are small bed rooms. The windows
are all barred. There are about 1000
patients.
I also went to the deaf and dumb
asylum and the blind asylum and the
old peoples home. They have good
many colleges in Jacksonville. visit
ed many parks. went to Nichols
park. This is an amusement park. |
saw many animals and pretty flowers.
1t also had large pavilion, and an
artificial lake runs through this park
and young folks go rowing. On the
lake are pond lilies, swans and ducks.
Well I guess will come to a close
this time.
Ethel Meier
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
HELEN, AN APPREcIATiVE LIT
Tile JUNIOR.

Dear Editor: received your postal
card the other day. It was pretty. 1t
has some cows standing in some wat
err. There is q mountain in the water
too thank you very much for 1t.
b go to school every day. l like to
go very we'll. My teachers name is
Miss Millen. think she Is fine. My
studies are: Reading, arithmetic, geo.
graphy, writinf, grammar, and spell.
ing. I am in the fifth grade. should
like to exchange post cards with any
of the Juniors. Hoping to see this in
print will close,
A Junior friend,
Helen Larkin, age 9.
Charlton, Ia, r. F. D. No. s.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
EVA A BUSY JUNIOR.

Dear. Juniors:
AS have never written before l
thought l would write. ! go to the
Hardy school. My teachers name IS
Miss Buena Kennedy.
I have two sisters and one brother
NV sisters names are Hazel, age IL
and Audrey, 20 months
Nv broiher's name is John. He has
been sick for nine months. He is not
able to go to school.
When come home from school so
and get the COWS and help milk ana
carry in the wood and wipe the dishes
and play with Audrey.
Eva F1agin, age 8,
bloomfield, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
RUTH DESCRIBES A BIRTHDAY
SURPRISE.

Dear Ed: or:
AS I have not written but once be-
fore I thought I would write letter
to the Courier Junior.
will tell what a good time had at
a birthday surprise.
On Sunday August Is, 1911. There
We're between "a and 80 people there.
About u o'clock dinner was ready and
we had everything good to eat such as
pie cake, chicken, apples and ice
cream and everything else I imagine.
The men and boys played base ball.
About o'clock the people began to 60
to their homes all saying they had had
good time.
Ruth Mabel Grant, age II,
F1oris, a., r. No. I.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
Princess Primrose
Gives 4
Party

Princess Primroses real name was
Marie Cross. But whenever Marie
played at being a grown-up lady, just
like mamma and Auntie Helen, She
called herself Princess Primrose. ut
was Marie's papa who gave her the
name).
One afternoon in the early fall she
decided to have a play,party. So she
asked mamma to please call over the
telephone to Auntie Helen and ask if
Cousin Betty and Cousin Junit might
come over to reception given by
Princess Primrose. Mamma said,
why, At es~sse, my darling, ! shall
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
SEVEN RuLEssFoR THE JUNIORS.

. Use son1aside Of the paper only.
a. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or a sharp lead pencil.
s. Always sign your name In full
andsstate your age.
~ ,Number.your5 pages.
DO nota copy stories or poetry
andt eendgus as your own work.
Always state choice OF q prize
on, aEseparate piece of paper, with
name.and address in full
/ T. Address the envelope to Editor
CourieM Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
ANOTHER GRATEFUL JUNIOR.

Dear Editor:
will write few lines and thank
you for the nice drinking cup you sent
me. ! like it ever 80 much and hope
Marie Kneeler does 10. was surprized
to find out I got one, but am glad ]
did
Pearl and Olive Lemley, Dora
Thompson. Beatrice and Louise Hickey
Olive and Adrain Holt and my sister
and myself were horseback riding to-
day. Had four horses.
I'VE had an entertainment and fee
cream social at the school house re-
Gently. Will close for this time.
Mary Palfreyman,
Lucas Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
ROBERT HAS $50 GOATS.

Dear Juniors:
I have written to the Juniors before
and I thought would write again.
/ am going to school now. L only
have six months old school out here in
the country. It starts IN September and
ends in February.
Some time might write in a con-
test.
We have $50 goats out here on the
farm now. We have the goats for eat
ing brush. They are mostly Angoras.
have small camera. 1t takes 2hx
2h pictures. We are going to the pas
ture this afternoon and try and take
a picture of some Of tho goats.
Robert T. McMin1, age 10.
Boyler's Mil, Mo.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
A FRIEND.

I went to see a friend Of mine last
Sunday and we played blackman. We
ate grapes and drank cider. We had
lots Of fun and she came home with
me. We got up the cows and then we
played house for an hour. Then 1t was
s o'clock and mamma said for us to
come and feed the chickens and hunt
the eggs, and then it was night.
Goldie Butler. age 10.
Hedrick, Ia, r. No. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
PEARLS A NEW JUNIOR.

Dear Editor:-I have never written
to the Courier Junior before. My
name is Pearl Stump. I live on South
Ransom street, Ottumwa. Iowa.
I have two brothers, Harold and
Floyd. I go to the Jefferson school.
My teachers name is Flora Gaily. l
like her fine.
Papa takes the Daily Courier and /
enjoy reading the Junior page.
AS this letter Is getting long I will
close for this time.
Pearl Stump, Age II.
402 South Ransom ST., Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
OPAL A NEW JUNIOR.

Dear Editor:
This is my first letter to Courier
Junior.
l am a little girl years old.
For pets have a dog. cat any
pony.
Ny dogs name is Shep and the
pon's narle is Deacon.
My school began the first Monday in
September. 3
Ny teachers name is Puma Town
send.
Ny birthday is the 18th of January.
My papa takes the Daily Courier.
like to read the Junior page.
Opal Grant, age 7,
F1oris, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
GOING TO THE WELL.

Y Little Mary was going to the well to
get some water. When she got to the
house her mother said, Ibid you get
the water, Mary?" mo-" she said, Il
broke the pump "How did you 90
that?" ooh, I was mad because
Annie wanted me to come over and
knew you would let me, but am very
sorry Gid not see that woman watch
ing me when did it,
So her mother sent her up to bed
without any dinner.
Hattie Kinds, Age 10.
Ottumwa, Ia, Route NO. 6.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
ETHEL's VACATION TRIP.

Dear Juniors:-I want to tell you
about my vacation trip. was so anx.
ious to get out of Ottumwa and visit
somewhere. My papa received card
from his nephew saying his brother
was sick. So we all decided to go. The
folks lived in Bluffs, Ill We started
for Bluffs. August q. We went across
the Mississippi river at Burlington,
the Illinois civer at Beardstown, ILL.,,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
FOREST WRITES TO JOHN
FLOGlNS.

Master John Flogins, Bloomfield, Ia.
Dear Little Friend:
read your letter in the Junior page
and was sorry you have been sick as
that is not very pleasant. had sick
spell once, but not as long as you have
been. was sick only six weeks. ] had
pneumonia and pleurisy. That was the
only sick spell I ever had.
sent you card. Did you receive
1t? I have about 700. cards. A lot of
them are from Junior boys and girls.
have been a Junior for long time.
I was about the first boy. that be
longed.
I have received lot Of nice prizes
from the Junior and have been to two
Of the picnics.
I go to the Franklin school. / am in
the fifth grade, third quarter. Ny
teachers name Is Miss Doller. I like
her real we'll.
have pet dog. His name is Noble.
That was his mothers name. We got
him at Abba. have six rabbits, some
are white angoras with long hair. We
have some pigeons. We have three
horses and / like to ride them. DO
you live on 8 farm? We live in town.
like to go to the country.
/ was II years old last June O. l
see you are not as old as am.
Well John hope you received lot
OF nice cards for your birthday and
hope you are improving SO you will
soon be we'll and then you can write
and tell me about yourself. would
like to see you.
Do you 60 to Sunday school? I go
every Sunday. I go to the Presbyterian
and only have two blocks to 60 and
the same to go to school. I expect you
have quite ways to go if you live in
the country
We have some chickens and have
two nice large ducks. We Get the eggs
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
MADELINE's NICE STORY.

Dear Juniors II thought / would
write story about a summers vaca'
ton.
Once there was q little boy named
Frank. His school was out the first OF
May. He asked his mamma If he could
go to his grandma's she said yes. %
he got ready to go.
He liked to be in the country. He
hunted eggs, picked berries and helped
milk cows.
Madeline johnson,
iss6kF1ysatA Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07

ston. the author Of 1.-THE Little Coll
onel.' 1.-THE Giant Scissors" etc.
4, cannot go into details about the
story as to do so would take up q
whole column In the Junior page.
But 1t Is q fine story and one that
wish all the Juniors could read.
h Henrietta Plaster. age 13,
III sCskaloosa, Ia. 211 8, Market.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
LEo'S BROTHER FORGOT TO SIGN
HIS NAME.

Dear Juniors:-I have never written
to Courier Juniors. I have three
brothers and four sisters. Their
names are Leo, Lloyd, Robert, Imo.
gene, Nomah, Irene and Grace.
Ny birthday was July Z, l was ~
years old.
This Junior forgot to sign his name.
Route No. 1, Box 81,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
HOW TO GET a POST CARD.

Remember, either nice letter or
dsiittle story will entitle the writer 70
one of the beautiful post cards the
Junior sends out each week. One OF
the following subjects will make a
good story:
IA SlCksJuNioR." as,
"AsPoLITEsJUNioR." iiSi
INV PET PONY"
AAfNuTuNo PARTY" =
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
HENRIETTA LIKES HER BOOK.

Dear Editor and Juniors:
wish to thank you for my nice
book 1t is certainly fine and am more
than pleased with it.
I will endeavor to tell the Juniors
a bout it.
The title of it Is MARY Ware in
Texas" It is written by Annie john
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07

under hen. They are what you cali
Indian runners.
Well will close for this, time,
From your Junior friend,
Forest Weber,
1902 East Main ST.. Ottumwa, ID.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE PRIZES

We, have sent out some splendid
prizes recently, but some OF the Jun
Tors have failed to acknowledge the
receipt of them.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
AVIS HAS BEEN SICK.

Avis Mccoy writes the following
nice letter. although she has been SICK.
Wa hone the Juniors will give her q
post card shower. 49,, -
Dear Editor.-I am little girl ten
vaars old, have been out OF school
since April. -
I had post card shower on the
twenty.second Of June. 1t was my
birthday. got "a cards.
I would be very glad to receive
cards from any Of the juniors tnaI
would send them. have been SICK ana
can not go to school.
My papa has been dead over iour
wears. Well as my letter - gettlng
long I will close for this time.
Avis G.. Mccoy, age 10.
40 s. Ransom St, Ottumwa, iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07

We wish that, little John Flogins
would write and tell us how many
postals he received on his plrtnoay.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07

Vida Wahle, Age 49,
10 E. Court ST., Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07

Otumwa, Ia, r. F. D. No. \, Box 60.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-07
CARLO MY BEST FRIEND.

Corydon, Ia. R, F. D. No. 8.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-05-20
RAILROAD LISTS ITS
PROPERTY AT TRUE VALUE
Attorney for NOrthwestern Explains
Why Road Valuation is Higher
Than Assessors.

THE so-called generalization OF North
western and Omaha road properties is
nothing more than the real valuation OF
our railroad. property in this state" de-
elared BENJAMIN t White. general attorney
for the Northwestern lines west Of the
Missouri. "And II is nothing new this year,
as It has been valued that way for six or
seven years.
|. Years ago the railroads of this state
valued their property on an equivalent
basis with what the owners of property
near them we're placing their valuations
To-day we disregard the valuations OF farm
ers and other property owners along our
risht-of-way and pay taxes on what it Is
worth to us
Personally, OF course, I have nothing to
DO with the valuation OF property, but
can assure you It has nothing to do with
the rates based on physical valuation as
there can be no such basing. II there was
such rate rule a road in poor condition
could haul traffic much cheaper than a
line with more money in it's building.
But the valuations will probably be
Fnade each year on the basis they are now.
as the road is obliged TO swear It's list Of
property now"