davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
1.-THE HAPPIEsT EVENT OF NY
LIFE IN 1e1O"-ALBERTA LEWIS

,
One beautiful September morning
mamma, Aunt Lizzie my cousin Mar
jorie my sister Maize. and went out
to spend the day at our cousins TN the
country.
We hitched up the horse and started
about half-past ten Saturday morning.
It was about four miles. We were all
very happy. Marjorie and sat in the
back Of the buggy going. 1t was lots
Of fun to sit there.
As soon as we got there we jumped
out, and began hunting turkey feathers
for our dolls hats.
We saw some little calves, they
were very cute. We hunted eggs too.
After playing about an hour we went
into the house and ate q good dinner,
after which we went outside and
wheeled the baby up and down the
yard.
After putting him to sleep we went
up to one OF the neighbors near by.
They have two OF the dearest little
Shetland ponies have ever seen. We
went up there on purpose to see them.
They have two little girls about. as
large as L am. When we got there,
they went and got the ponies and put
a riding bride and little saddle on
each of them.
They are coal black and their names
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
1.-THE HAPPIEST EVENT OF ny
LIFE IN 1910."-MAUDE e.
BELGARD. r .,'.

The happiest event Of my life in
1910 was when Ringing Bros. show
was here. My father, brother and
went to the parade and show. We
went to the parade in the forenoon and
the show in the afternoon. .@
First in the morning, about $3.50
o'clock, my father, brother and start
ed from home. When we got about
block west Of Kitterman's black
smith shop we met the wagons tax
ing the animals and things up to the
show grounds.
We went on up town and we stopped
at the Globe Tea company. Here came
the elephants down the street. We had
brought some tomatoes up with us and
as we passed the show wagons our
horses got frightened and our black
horse got up on the sidewalk. We
then had to turn and 60 up another
street. We went to the show in the
afternoon and staid until about
O'Clock.
We then came. out~of the show tent
and looked at all the animals. Then
we went and got the horses and came
home. 1t was about o'clock when we
got home, and my older brother, John,
went. up in the evening. Tt
Maud Elizabeth Belgard, age H..
r. r. No. /. Box sc. Agency, Iowa,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
r. F. D. No. 8, Ottumwa, Ia.
-"THER HAPPiEeT EVENT IN NY
LIFE IN 191o'-ANNA DRESH.

My happiest event in 1910 was in
August. When my sister and my
aunts and cousins came out from Chi
cago Illinois. There we're eleven of
them al together. There were, two
girls and five little boys, and three of
my aunts and one of my sisters. We
had lots of fun we went fishing quite
often and caught lots OF fish, and the
boys went hunting and fishing too.
And we went out visiting and to
parties, and in the evening when 1t
was warm we were swinging all even
ing. The two little girls names was
Helen, and Eligabeth. Helen was
eight years old and Eligabeth was two
yeors old. We had party at our
place one evening and we had lots of
fun everybody enjoyed 1t.
They all stayed here two weeks.
Annie Dressh, age II,
Pleasant Plain, Iowa, r. r. No. 1
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
any HAPPlEsT EVENT IN 1907
AMY SAL HONS.

Last summer I went and stayed
with my friend Annie Carter Her
brothers we're breaking sod several
miles from home and Annie was keep
ing house for them. Her sister and I
went over after her and we stayed I'M
til after supper. We rode home in
the hayrack and played with her
dolls on the way home. The next
morning we went over to one of her
neighbors and asked their little girls
to come to our picnic. About o'clock
we spread q table out under the trees.
The things we had to eat were chicken
cake, apple sauce, egg salad and other
things. Then we went into the house
and played with her dolls until we got
tired, and it was getting late, and we
girls went after the COWS and played
along the road, and we saw q snake.
We picked up stick and killed it..
After supper we played show little
while.
Amy Sammons,
Ed. No. 1, washington, 8. D.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14

to Atlantic, Mo-, last August. we
started at O'Clock Friday morning,
August ~, 1910. 1t was - o'clock noon
when we got there. We went to my
aunt's house first. We visited in town
until Sunday. We went out into the
country on a picnic on the creek. we
took our dinner with us. There was
quite a few people there. The men
f1shed while the women fixed the ain :
ner. The names Of the people that
were there follow: Mr.. and Mrs. D. r.
Doggett, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Doggett
and son Ivan, Mr.. and Mrs. Howard
Doggett and son Oren, Mr.. and Mrs
Charlie Waters and five children, Er-
cell, Ainslee, Dorothy, Lois and Ed. Mr..
and Mrs. Will Yeater and two children
Juanita and Forest, Mrs lisa LYDIA ana
son Paul Of Great Bend, Kans.. Mr..
and Mrs. Alma Nash and two sons,
Herman and Holland, Mr.. and Mrs,
Will Winsor and nephew, Mrs. Arm
strong and sister. mamma sister Esth-
err and I. We children found Indian
beads along the creek. For dinner we
had chicken, meat, bread, tomatoes,
pie, cake, butter and such things that
go with a picnic dinner. We ate din
ner and supper on the creek. Oren,
Herman, Ercell and I went after water.
Ercell and took a bucket and the boys
took a jug each. We had to go up
steep hill after water.
We stayed till the 26th of August
then came home. He came home on
mama's birthday We went to eighteen
places in our two weeks visit.
Hazel Main, age -,
Moravia, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
"THE HAPPiEsT EVENT OF MY
LIFE IN 19f0"-DORENA LOWE,

the happiest event Of my life in
1910 was q fishing party. There were
nine Of us. We took our dinner and
staid all day. We went on the hand
car. 1t was about six miles to the
place where We were going to fish.
When We got there we stopped at the
bridge. ar
After while we took our fish lines
and went down to fish, It was Large
Cedar Creek. It is in the woods.
did not catch any fish. but the rest did.
At noon we took our dinner and sat
down under tree to eat. After din
ner we went on the other side Of the
bridge to fish. sat down hoping to
catch some fish. only caught one and
was soon tired Of fishing and took my
line and went around where my sis
ter and her friend were We took off
our shoes and stockings and I waded
little. Close by was place where
we got drink. When we put our
shoes on tried fishing again. 1t was
cool shady place and there was a
large tree near the waters edge and
Of course there were roots in the
water. I put my hook in the and
when went to take 1t out it was
caught. got my line tangled and I
tried to get 1t out but broke the pole,
so threw It in.
After while I went around where a
couple Of my friends were fishing and
they asked me where my line was and
of course told them what happened
to 1t and they laughed at me. That
evening when we were ready to 60
home my brother asked one Of our
friends where his line was, he said it
was in his pocket, and then he asked
me where mine was. I told him but
he did not say anything and then we
went home and when we reached home
one of our friends brother and sis
ter were waiting for her. It was
about o'clock when we reached
home.
Dorena Lowe. age II,
R. F. D. No. 8, Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
STORIES AND LETTERS,
JULIAN'S HAPPIEsT 1910 EVENT.

Dear Editor:
have been reading the stories and
letters In the Courier Junior and l
thought would write you letter and
tell you the happiest event of my life
in 1910.
The happiest event was surely
Christmas morning when Lucia and l
came down stairs and found so many
Christmas presents where we had
hung up our stockings. My stocking
was lull of candy, nuts and an orange,
an aeroplane, skates that I had been
wanting SO long, a cap, book, mittens
and handkerchief. Then my aunt
Ella gave me a printing press and my
aunt Emma gave me book and Mrs.
Manchester gave me bag Of marbles
necktie and handkerchiefs and lot
of books.
/ have just read Tom Sawyer and
I think it very funny.
belonged to the Stocking club
when we lived in Ottumwa. I wish
we lived there now.
| like Ottumwa better than I do
Battle Creek.
Mamma said that we would not have
a tree this year SO Gibbs Mitchell and
| went out to ,Davidson's farm and he
gave us two nice trees and Lucia and
| trimmed it,, We had lots Of fun trim
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
THE HAPPlEsT 1910 EvENr-LoIs
GRIFFIN.

Lear Editor:
The happiest event Of my life in 1910
was last spring when I recovered from
o sick spell the second time. The first
time was belfast six weeks. and was
operated on for appendicitis. When I
took sick the second time was so
nervous for knew just what was be-
fore me. The doctors said another op-
Grafton should be performed on Mon
day. sudden change came Sunday
morning and was SO much better that
didn't have to be operated on again.
l was SO glad and happy to thing I
didn't have to go through with it
again l didn't know what to do was
80 happy. was soon we'll and was up
playing with my cousin Daniel, and it
was so nice to be outside again play
Ing and able to go to school. We never
know how nice it is to be well until we
have been sick and we are never
thankful enough for good health.
Lois Griffin, age II,
Abba Ia r No
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
THE HAPPlEST EVENT OF NY
LIFE IN 1910-IONA HANCOCK.

The happiest event of my life in 1910
was my trip to Montana.
MY mother, sister and started from
Russell, Iowa Tuesday evening August
Nebr. Aug. 18th and stayed there all
night and started on our way again
the next day at noon. We arrived at
BalIantine Mont, Friday morning. MY
brother was there to meet us and we
We're soon enjoying visit at his home
land having good time playing with
my little nephew. -
On Sunday morning we all went to
Sunday school and in the afternoon
ball game between the Ballantine boys
and the Indians. The Ballantine boys
beat. IA to II. On Tuesday we went
picnicking with my brothers and Mr..
Kinmoths. Just after, we had stopped
to eat our dinner lot Of cattle and
horses went past. When they crossed
THE, Yellowstone river we could see the
top Of the, large iron bridge shake
there were so many cattle. After din
ner we started on and drove almost to
Billings, Montana. The scenery was
very interesting and we were all very
sorry when 1t was time to turn around
and go back.
The rest of the days were spent very
pleasantly. Ny sister and were going
to town with our brother or going out
in the field and getting waterrelons or
something every day and the time
passed too quickly. On the next Thurs
peifs pillar but my sister was sick
and we did not get to go. On Saturday
we started for Bear Creek. Montana,
also visited with Mr.. Thomas and
family who were former residents of
Ottumwa and perhaps some of my
Junior friends may be acquainted with
them. We certainly had a fine time
there, horseback riding and every
evening going walking. 4
One Sunday, week after we arrived
Mr.. Thomas took us all up into the
mountains. We started early in the
morning and had not gone very far
until it began to rain. We stopped un-
der some bushes and got our pictures
taken, but as it was raining, they
were not very good. After 1t quit rain
ing we started again and camped by
the point of rocks We certainly
was near where we camped and the
water was so clear that we drank the
water right out Of it, After dinner sew
eral Of the young people climbed a
mounta When we got down again
we did not want to climb another one
very soon. Late in the evening we
started back again. On the way back
we passed lime kiln and little girl
a sked her mama If that was the place
they killed lions.
Monday was Labod Day and we all
went over to Red Lodge. In the after
noon we took the train for Ballantine
and left there on Tuesday. We arrived
in Hemingford on Wednesday and
stopped there that night. Then we
started for home and got here on Fri
day. We we're very glad to see the
folks back here and we had long
story to tell.
Iona Hancock,
40. MelrOse Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
Bobby's Exciting
S1eiqhr;de

Bobby was not boy. Bobby was a
dog. And Bobby belonged to Ned
Nimmons, the son Of DR.. Nimmons, OF
Greenville. Ned had no brothers or
sisters: but he had Bobby. OF whom
he was more than fond. Everywhere
that Ned went Bobby was sure to &C.
company him, after the story of Mary
and her little lamb.
Az Ned's father was general practi
toner in the town where he lived and
often went on calls into the country
Ned liked nothing better than bearing
him company on days when there was
no school.
One day, following a very heavy
snow storm, DR.. Nimmons drove up to
his front gate in fine new sleigh. one
that he had had made to order, for in
the rear of the seat there was place
in which he might carry his medicine
case and extra robes and wraps. Ned
was the happiest boy in Greenville
when in response to his fathers call
he went to the gate to inspect the new
sleigh and to hear his father say:
Come, son, get your heavy topcoat
and muffler and bear me company.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
1.-THE HAPPIEsT EVENT OF nv
LIFE IN 191O."-ALDEN DOUO.

The happiest event in 1910 was
Christmas. 1t brings not only gifts to
the rich and poor but 1t tells OF g
new born king. 1t tells us that Jesus
our Savior came to save soult and that
we must be kind to the poor Tor
Jesus father Joseph was poor ana
they had to stay in barn and that
great king was born in manager And
now 1t is 1910 and we have celebrated
Christmas, or have celebrated Jesus
191Oth birthday. Should we not re-
joice? At this time the Salvation
Army collects money to feed the poor.
Is it not happy time for the poor?
Yes, and when the Christmas Stocking
club of the Courier Junior gives them
stockings full of good things. DO they
not rejoice? Then let us rejoice and
shout because those that are poorer
that we are made happy by Christmas.
Alden Doud,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
THE HAPPtEsT EVENT or NV
LIFE IN 1s1o"-ELvA MAE
HUFFMAN.


The happiest event OF NV ,;sa IN
1910 was when we had the .Inn;or
Picnic. We had it Wednesday Aup.
ust II, 1910.
Josephine Norton and Leona Vest
were the two Juniors that got il IN
MY sister Ethel and went to the city
park at 1 80 when we saw all the Inn
Tors coming. Their names were
Josephine and Frances Norton. Henri.
eta Plaster, Hedveg Carlson. Leona
Vest, Forest Weber, Mabel and Oscar
Root, Juliette and Desdemona and
Lewis Eisenbeis, F1oy Fisher. nv sis
ter Ethel and I. It began to rain very
hard and we went over to the library
and stayed there until 1t stopped rain
Ing little. Then we went down to
the Courier where we saw the Courier
people. We were very glad to see
them. We played many nice games
IN the Courier library. About $3.50 we
had our lunch, which was sandwiches.
apples. cookies, cake, pie, bananas.
oranges, chicken, and tomatoes. and
the Courier people got us some ice
cream, candy, nuts, and fruit, /
think they were very nice.
We started home about 4 O'Clock
think this was the happiest event
of my life in 1910
! would like to exchange cards and
letters with any of the Juniors.
Elva Mae Huffman, age IA.
r. f. ID. No. 1, Chillicothe, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
1.-THE HAPPIEST EVENT OF nv
LIFE IN 191O"-FOREST WEBER.

The happiest event of r,y life in
1910 was the second day of last June
when was ten years old, and lot OF
my little playmates had a postal
shower on me. never dreamed OF
such thing and was out in the yard
helping papa cut grass when l saw a
lot of girls and boys running, and they
all turned into our yard and COM
menced to throw, post cards at me.
There were Is Of them and some
brought more than one. We had a
nice time playing and then mamma
treated all Of us to ice cream and
cake. She had baked a large birthday
cake for me and we all had a piece OF
it, 1t was all trimmed in candy corn
and acorns. We played all kinds of
games and then 1t began to get dark
and the girls and boys went home.
received twenty-three post cards.
Some we're from the Juniors.
Forest Weber, age 10,
1906 East Main St., Ottumwa, Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
1.-THE HAPPlEsT EVENT OF MY
LIFE IN 1e1o"-CRETA HUSTON

I think the happiest event of my
life in 1910, was when I went flower
hunting out south OF town. MY aunt,
uncle and four cousins went. We
started about 9 o'clock. When we got
there we were tired. We sat down in
the shade to rest until the boys got
back with the water. Then my uncle
built fire and made coffee and stir
red it with a stick. We also boiled
eggs. Mamma and my aunt got din
ner. We had cake, pie and other good
things In the afternoon we picked
flowers and had good time. We found
sweet williams. violets and may
flowers. We went up to my uncle's.
When We started home he brought us
in the wagon.
Creta Huston, age IL,
$40 Boone Ave-, Ottumwa,, Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14

are TEDDY" and "Topsy." rode
Teddy most of the time. It was lots
OF fun to ride them.
| went real fast, but did not fall Off.
Besides the ponies they had merry.
go-round, a hammock, a little wagon,
and bycicle. When we had been
there an hour or more mamma tele.
phoned for US to come back. We did
not want to come at all but had to as
1t was getting late. We said goodbye
to the ponies and girls and started
back.
When we got there mamma and
Aunt Lizzie were about ready to start
home, we were sorry to 60.
We got home about seven o'clock.
and thus ended the happiest day Of
my life in 1910.
Alberta Lewis, age II,
Williamsburg, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14

from the academy were on the hill
side sliding, about eighteen In num-
ber There was one boy whose name
was Jack, and he had the longest bob
and It always went the farthest, so
they all wanted to take ride on It.
He was very kind and was going to
let them. AS they we're coming up
the hill one time they saw in q little
cottage window q small pale faced
boy, and Jack said to the rest OF the
boys, LET US go and get Tim and give
him ride on our sleds.' But tho
rest Of the boys complained by saying
"He is a cripple and We will have to
carry himup the hill" But Jack gave
no attention to the boys, and going up
the hill picked up handful OF snow
and threw it against the window, cry
ing out in merry voice, Come out
Tim and have a slide" But Tim said,
ooh thank you, Jack, I've been watch
ing you fellows all afternoon. The
going down would be fine but the COM
ing up would be the rub Of it you
know ooh, never mind about the
coming up, there is enough of US boys
out here to sec to that all right" said
Jack, and by this time the other boys
had joined.
Before Tim knew it he was on
Jacks sled going down the hill like
flash. The boys would pull him up
again Upon talking to Tim during the
afternoon they found he had been kept
at home from the academy on account
of not being able to walk through the
snow. They pulled him home that
evening on their sled, but he did not
look like the same pale faced boy that
he had been about two. hours before.
AS they were going home they made
1t up to take turns about hauling him
to academy each morning and Jack
made up his mind that it was more
blessed to give than to receive.
t.- Leila Burnaugh, age 10,
Pulaski Iowa. Box No. s.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
TIE HAPPlEsT EVENT or nv
LIFE IN 1910"-GlENN Gil vFAnr

TIE 'E HAPPIEsT EVENT or NY
LIFE IN 1s1o"-GLENN GILYEART
l am q little boy, and win be- eight
years Old March 81. live three miles
north Of ottumwa. 4 20 to the brick
scnooi house They call 1t Center"
| am IN the second reader.
The happfest event of nv life IN ON
was at Christmas time. There are two
churches In our neighborhood and
both Sunday schools went topether
and We had a Cantata.
Santa Claus was there and he p,v.
US boxes OF candy. He told me ha
would bring me what wanted ana !
told MIN l wanted q pair Of skates. 4
french harp. and gun. he bought me
the gun and harp but guess he forgot
ABOUT the skates. II I am a eood nov
maybe he will bring me the skates next
christmas. He also left drawing slate
sweater, one pound and a half ~
snot Tor my gun, a book "Try and
lrust' and lot Of candy and nuts.
we had company Christmas dav ana
| mad good time with my gun. 80
Your Junior friend.
Glenn Gilyeart, age 3
ottumWa, Iowa. r. r. No. 3. ~
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
II Won't Be
Long

II won't be long, the Little Boy said
AZ he clattered down the stair,
And found him q hat Tor MS curly
head
And called to dog somewhere
Then OF like Hash down the sandy
lane
with q whistle and cry and song;
And back to us ever 1t came again:
II won't be gone very long,
IT won't be long" the Little Boy said
AZ We saw, him among the trees, :,
flis eyes Ill bright and his cheeks all
"A friend Of the birds and bees;
Then through the hedges and out Q,
the gate
For naught In the world goes wrong
with 8 boy Of six, or seven or eight
al won't be gone very long,
90, won't be long" the Little Boy said
aI'm lust going out to play
And the little dog barked and the two
OF them sped
Over the clover away
He waved us kiss with little Drown
And cries rose from here and there
For oh. but boy does understand
A dog in the open air!
"Iwon't be long," the Little Boy cried
Don't wait any superior see,
I'll Just have bowl Of milk and bread
And my dog he will eat with me.
Then he swung his hat on Its tangled
string
Till the curly dog wagged his tail
And romped and played like a boy III
spring.
~ won't be long," the Little Boy said
Oh mother Of him don't cry!
The leaves come green again, yelio"
and red,
And the years and years go by,
hut sometime he'll come, as ives seen
him do,
with the bark of dog and song,
For 1t must be true-oh, 1t must be
true
That he'll not be gone very long!
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14

ming it. spoke a piece at school.
We gave our teacher spoon with
her name on it and our Sunday school
class all took present for poor lit
tie sick boy. Our teacher had us
bring books and toys and clothes that
we did not need and things to eat to
give to the poor. They got lot OF
things.
MY papa has taken the Courier over
twenty-five years. like to read the
Courier Junior.
Julian Manchester Garriott, age 9
Battle Creek, Mich.