davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
CHICAGO.

Dear Editor and Juniors: Chicago
Is In the northeastern part OF Illinois
on Lake Michigan. It was settled in
1880. A fort called Dearborn was built
there to protect the settlers from the
Indians. 1t was very swampy. The
people built the houses on stills and
the space underneath was filled with
soil. In seven years it had four thou
sand people. In twenty years it had
ninety thousand people.
In 1871 an Irish woman went to
milk her COW. As 1t was dark she
took lamp. Tho cow kicked the lamp
over and many of the houses and
business places were burned. Before
tho bricks were cool the people started
to rebuild the houses.
Chicago has great stock yards
They have many cattle. There are
long troughs In which they have food
and water. There are many different
animals in the stock yards every day
as they are killed and then they
bring other cattle.
Chicago is beautiful place. 1t
has many beautiful parks. 1t has
elevated railroads and many suburbs.
Some streets are named after the
presidents. A little boy was walking
on q street which was named after
president and asked his father why
the presidents were named after the
streets. The people Of Chicago are
very proud of their city.
Gertrude Freean, Age 10.
l34 Cooper Ave-, Ottumwa. Iowa.
p. S.-This is my school compost.
ton.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11

time. But it was the same thing over
for a while. The people merely glanc-
ed at his work. Finally an old gentle
man came up and looking at the
statue exclaimed, ZACH it ish goot."
So saying, he took out several bills
and soon the statue exchanged hands.
One day, not long after, Mr.. Gurthe
received letter. It ran: Dear Sir:
I take pleasure in announcing to you,
that your statue named Small Fish
ermen" has lately come into my pos
session. You remember. you once had
a little sister years ago. Your father
called both OF you his ''little fisher
men" for you helped him by selling
fish In the market. You thought your
sister was kidnapped when she was
little. She was. want to tell you
that am that long lost sister of yours.
am now married to a very kind and
wealthy man. Both of us have been
looking every place for you. A friend
Of ours showed us beautiful statue
named Small Fishermen" On the
back engraved in fine letters was the
name "Gurthe." then knew that you
were my brother. l will come to you
IN few days.
From your sister Lou.
That night Gurthe's step was quicker
his eye bright, and his shoulders
straighter than ever before. After his
sister came, he no longer was seen
trudging up the hill.
Vida Wahle, age 10,
167 N. Willard st., Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
OF At FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED
TRY, TRY AGAIN."

Each night at the same time he
truged up the hill, his pack on his
shoulders.
Mr.. Gurthe was an artist, he also
made many statues. Every night the
dim light in his room was seen burn
ing far into the night. Every morn
ing he had some new picture or statue
to show to the people. Nobody SEEM
ed to care either for him or for his
work. Every night as he truged up the
hill, he thought there was nothing in
life to make him happy. He often
went without food and spent his last
cent for paints. One night he deter
mined to do his greatest work.
The statue that he made was Of a
little boz and girl with basket of
fish between them. A large dog was
behind the children. The name of
the statue was The Small Fishermen"
The next morning Gurthe started out
more cheerful fer he felt sure that
nobody would reject his work this
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
directly west and they soon lost sight
Of tho Canary islands.

directly west and they soon lost sight
OF tho Canary islands.
At that time tho earth was believed
to be nat. The only parts Of the
world then known by the Europeans.
was Iceland, British Isles, Europe and
q small part Of Asia and also . small
strip on tho northern coast Of Africa.
Tho ocean on which they sailed was
utterly unknown. They named 1t the
sea Of darkness. When the sailors
lost sight OF Canary Islands they cried
aloud for fear Of losing their way and
they begged Columbus to return.
Columbus Gained their fears, ex.
planned sights which they could not
understand. They kept going on their
journey when they noticed a flock OF
land birds flying southwark. They
then followed these birds and landed
on what is now tho Bahamas. He also
made many other discoveries. Col
umbus found q new world which he
supposed to be part Of the east, it was
settled with q race called Indians. He
died little while after, old, dis.
appointed, feeble and people were dis.
appointed as we'll as Columbus be.
cause he did not find new route to
India.
Mildred Johnston,
912 blackberry St., Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
NELLIE'S BIRTHDAY,

Nellie's mamma thought it would be
nice to have surprise for her. as her
birthday was Saturday. So she wrote
invitations, while Nellie was at school
Vadis their next door neighbor asked
Nellie over for dinner Saturday. SO
some Of the girls went out to the
woods and got leaves to decorate the
house with.
They went over early Saturday
morning and helped Mrs. Brown deco
rate the house. After they were done it
looked very pretty. Nellie and vadis
came over and who should they see.
but whole lot Of girls. They served
sandwiches. orange salad, two kinds
Of cake. and candy. All the girls that
was there was Pearl, Jennie, lone,
{ Zoe. Mable. Vera. Eva, Helen. Vadis,
] til. Bell, Fay, Ruby and Goldie. They
"a ont home very happy and wished
Ne = many more happy birthdays.
Hoping 70 see my letter in print, l re-
main,
Lucille Messer, age II,
Bloomfield, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
Bloomfield, Iowa.
MABEL LIKES HISTORY BEST OF
ALL.

Dear Editor and Junior Friends: AS
have not written to the Courier Jun
Tor for q long time will try and write
a short letter now, as I have not any
thing to do.
1t is cold and gloomy this afternoon.
We went to church this morning.
My birthday was the fifteenth Of
Oct. | got pair of ribbons and a
new dress for my birthday.
| am going to school. My teachers
name Is Ethel Dixon. like her fine I
had to miss school a day and a half
last week. for had the sick headache.
am in the seventh grade. My
studies are History. reading. arithmetic
grammar. physiology, geography and
spelling. I like history the best Of all
my studies. There are only thirteen
scholars going to school.
My schoolmates are Iona Hancock
and Mary Rooney.
AS my letter is getting long l will
close for this time.
From a Junior friend,
Mabel Price, age 10
Russell, Iowa.
P. S. would like to exchange post
cards with any of the Juniors.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11

Tho battle OF Trenton was fought
Christmas night. 1875 and was a great
victory for tho Americans.
Tho battle Of Princeton, Brandywine
Germantown and the two battles IL
Saratoga were fought in the year 1777.
The winter at Valley Forge was the
gloomiest period Of the war The SOL
diers were encamped in cold, comfort
less huts. with little clothing or food.
Barefooted, they left on the frozen
ground their tracks in blood
In the spring all hearts were gladden.
ed by the news that through tho Of
forts OF Franklin France had sent a
fleet to help them.
The war ragged on until October "a.
1881 when CORVALLIS SURRENDERED and
this closed tho bitter struggle. fhe
scene OF surrender was imposing. The
army was drawn up in two lines, ex-
tending over a mile-the Americans on
one side with Washington at their
head. and the French on the other with
Count Rochambeau
The captive army, about 1000 men.
with slow steps, shouldered arms, and
eased colors. marched between them
A prodikious crowd anxious to see
CORVALLIS, had assembled, but the
general, mortified at his defeat. feiRned
illness and sent his sword by General
O'Hara.
When the news Of the surrender
cached Philadelphia 1t was in the de-; 4
IT night. Tho people were awakened by
he watchman's cry. Past two o'clock
md CORVALLIS is taken" The old door
Keeper Of congress died of toy. Wash
ngton was inaugurated flrst president
# the United States April 80, 1879.
Then the United States commenced
Ter glorious national career.
Vida Conger, age IA,
Lyons, Nebr., r. No. 4.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
STORIES and LETTERS
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION,

The love of liberty of thought and
action which caused a greater portion
Of the settlers in America to leave
home and make an abode in tho wild
erness, was increased by its Indulgence
here.
They loved fatherland much, but
freedom more. There was a tendency
toward national independence from the
first planting Of the colonies.
The people, however. Rloried in be-
ing subjects Of Great Britain, so Iona
as the imperial government treated
them justly. When it ceased to do so,
they asserted their independence and
fought to secure 1t.
The national tendency toward indie
pendence:. the neglect of tho parent
country, the naisrule OF many royal
governors. the exaction of proprietors,
and the peculiar condition OF society
In America, were the causes which
made the struggle for independence q
sort Of necessity.
The immediate occasion of that
struggle may be found in the persist
ence Of the British ministry in taxing
the colonies. while. at the same time
they denied them a representation in
the parliament. The American said:
Taxation without representation is
tyranny"
George the Third took his seat on the
throne on England just before the
close Of the French and Indian war.
That war had cost England much
money and her treasury was empty.
The king asked how it should be fill-
ed and bad advisers said: "Tax the
Americans, they are rich and willing TO
pay the government a tax on certain
things"
This was called an impost duty. The
people refused to pay the tax and the
government tried other measures 70
get money from them.
Soldiers under General Gage were
sent to Boston from Halifax to assist
the tax gatherers in enforcing the
law. Finally, in March. ITO the citi-
zens and soldiers Of Boston had a
which resulted in the killing
Of three and the wounding of others by
the soldiers. The Boston massacre as
1t was called was long remembered.
During the summer Of 1774 the
Americans prepared Cor war by mill
tary drilling and collecting of arms
and ammunition.
A large body Of men were enrolled.
who were to be ready to go to field at
a minutes warning.
These We're called minute men.
In the spring of 1175 there were g.
900 British soldiers in Boston.
On April 10 General Gage learning
that the people were gathering milf
tary stores at Concord. sent out men,
under Colonel Smith and Major Pit
cairn to destroy them.
The patriots Of Boston. however,
were on the alert, and hurried out mes
sengers to alarm the country.
Paul Revere caused two lights to be
hung up In the steeple Of Christ
They were seen in Charleston:
sent ont and he soon fol-
lowed on his famous midnight ride.
When the British soldiers reached
Lexington. they found a company of
minute men gathering on the village
green
Riding up Pitcairn shouted, Dis
perSe, We rebels, lay down your arms"
They hesitated. A skirmish ensusd in
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
KENNETH HAS GOOD TIME GET
TING NUTS.

Dear Editor:
I thought I would write a letter tc
the Junior page.
l have not written for a long time
go to school every day. My teach
er's name is Cecilia Rowland. like her
very much. I have about mile and a
half to walk to school.
When 1t is muddy ride my pony to
school. She is very nice and gentle. Her
name is Pet.
Mamma and went to Bonaparte to
visit my grandparents and uncle Roger
Saturday Oct. 21.
Then Sunday my grandfather let
Uncle Roger and I go walnutting on
his velocipede car. We went down the
railroad track. We had lots of fun
picking the nuts up. We had three
flour sacks full Of nuts.
1t began to sprinkle rain and we had
to run because were were afraid We
would get wet. 1t did not rain much So
we hulled some OF the walnuts that
night. Mamma and I returned home Oh
Monday night.
I was Il years old Nov. 3
AS my letter is getting long VIII
close
My father takes the Daily Courier =
[ get to read the Junior page.
Kenneth Cox, age II.
KirkVille Iowa,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
Pas Happy Days

Pa is feeling rather clipper; every
day he wears a smile,
Though he has no public office and
keeps working all the while;
They have not increased his wages
,r and they never will, I gIess,
But his look is always cheerful and
he's full Of hopefulness.
His overcoat is seedy and his pants
bag at the knees;
We are not among the people who
can travel over seas:
The price Of living's higher than it
ought to be, tits true,
But pas clinging to his courage and
he takes hopeful view.
The folks next door have lately had
to cut expenses down;
1t seems they've been unlucky-it's
tho talk all over town;
They have sold their new electric
ma pretends it was too bad
So 1t seems pa needn't buy one-and
it makes him mighty glad.
Chicago ecord-Herald.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
ELIZABETH A NEW JUNIOR

Dear Editor: thought I would
write to you for the first time
go to school. MY teachers name is
Clita Whatlach. I have about one
mile to go to school.
Por pets l have pony and four
cats and one dog. Our dog is very
cute. He knows when / come home
from school. He is waiting for me.
ride our pony to church on Sunday.
Next Sunday there is to be Sunday
school picnic over at a church near
our house.
The Juniors and editors friend ar.
Elizabeth Fern Rohrer,
Russell, Iowa, r. r. No. 2. .n
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
"eUsTER" oPAL's PET PIGEON.

Dear Junior:-As I have never writ
ten to the Courier Junior, thought I
would write and tell you about my
pet pigeon.
It's name is Buster, and she Is a pet
for sure. She does so many cute
things. She is about four years old.
When I go to school mamma has to
let Buster come in the house or she
will go with me to school. She went
to school once and let the boys catch
her.
1t is not far to my Grandma Wits
ler's and Buster likes to go to see
grandma as we'll as I do.
have a little sister almost two
years. Her name is Leona Louise.
Opal Melvin, Age 8.
West Grove, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
Author of Alice
In Wonderland
AS a Child

Few children exist today who have
not gone through the wonderland"
of little "Alice." But very few indeed
have become acquainted with the man
who wrote that delightful fairy tale,
and who also wrote many others of a
like delightful nature
But 1t is not Of the man, author
OF Alice in Wonderland" that this
article deals. 1t is of him as a boy,
when his own world held imaginings
and fanc1es that maturer years dis
illusloned. But his boyhood seems to
have been passed in a state of en-
chantment, for otherwise he never
could have given to children the
stories they are indebted to him for.
Lewis Carroll, author Of alice in
Wonderland" was in real life Charles
Lutwidge Dodgson, and he was born
In Daresbury, England, on January
81, 1892.
He was the first child of his par
ents, but many brothers and sisters
followed in quick succession. His
father was a clergyman and came
from a family of gentlemen and
scholars"
During the first eleven years of his
life the little Charles lived close to
nature. The lands about the parson-
age were roomy, and over the IN.
cultivated acres the boy would wan
der, burrowing into the ground in
search of tiny, wiggling creatures,
such as worms and insects. and
oftimes their larger relatives, the tiny
animals that live in holes in the earth.
He studied their habits and was kind
to them, never inflicting any sort of
torture as so many wicked boys are
Inclined to do with the small and
helpless creatures.
When Charles was eleven years of
age his father was presented with the
Crown living of Croft, a little village
In Yorkshire. This meant that the
Dodgsons would live in better cir
cumstances than heretofore, for a
Grown living" meant comfortable
quarters and a very nice income. This
Insured certain advantages Of educa-
ton and society that had not been
theirs in their old parish.
In this new abode little Charles,
the big brother, passed many a hap
py day. lt> invented games for his
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
JOSEPHINE'S DIARY.

On Sunday October went to Sun
day school in the morning and some OF
my friensd came over in the afternoon.
On Monday did up my work and
was going to school, but mamma ana
papa went away. so stayed at home
with my little sister. I got dinner, did
the dishes and then sewed awhile. In
the evening I did up my chores. =
Tuesday I went to school, helped do
the chores morning and evening.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
were the same as Tuesday. ~
Saturday helped with the washing,
baked cookies and helped clean up tho
house for Sunday.
Josephine Oliver, age Is,
Selma, Ia, r. No. /
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11

younger OrOtnerS and sisters and con
structed in the great kitchen garden
a: railroad, following certain descrip
tons of one he had read about. He
fixed board stations at the ends OF
certain walks, and his railroad ran
between. He was of an inventive
mind, and made rude little railroad
coach out Of wheelbarow, barrel
and box. In this vehicle he conveyed
his passengers (his sisters and broth.
ers) from station to station, naming
the stopping places after some of the
large cities they had heard about.
In her interesting book, entitled
Lewis Carroll" Belle Moses gives the
following description Of his first days
at school away from home:
"Holidays in those days were not
arranged as they are now, for ono of
the first letters of Charles, sent home
! from Richmond, was dated August
S; so it is probable that tho term
began in midsummer. This special
letter WITS written to his two eldest
sisters, and gives an excellent picture
OF those first days, when as a new
boy he suffered at the hands Of his
schoolmates. AS advanced as he was
In Latin, Greek and mathematics, this
letter, for a twelve-year-old boy, does
not show any remarkable progress in
English. The spelling was correct,
but the punctuation was peculiar, to
say the least. Still, his description of
the school, when one overcame the
presence of commas and the absence
OF periods. presented a vivid picture
to the mind. He tells Of the funny
tricks the boys played upon him b.
cause he was new boy One was
called King OF the Cobblers.' He
was told to sit on the ground while
the boys gathered round him and to
say Go to Work. Immediately the
boys fell upon him, and kicked and
knocked him about pretty roughly.
"He closes this letter by stating
three uncomfortable things connected |
with his arrlval-the loss of his tooth
brush: his inability to find his blot
ting paper, and his lack of a shoe
horn. The games the Richmond boys
played-football, wrestling. leapfrog
and fighting-he slurred over con-
temrtuously, they held no attraction
Tor him.
1.-THE schoolboy or girl OF tho pres
mt day can have no idea Of the dis
comforts of school life in Charles
)odsson's time, and the boy whose
,entle manners were the result of
weet home influence and association
With girls, found tho rough ways of I
he English schoolboy a constant trial. {
strong and active, he was always up !
n arms for those weaker and smaller
han himself. Bullying enraged him: ,
nd distasteful as it was, he soon
the art Of using his fists for
he protection of himself and others.
"Flogging was then considered the
urest road to knowledge: teachers
ept birch rod and a. ferrule within
ripping distance. and the average r
thus treated like a little O
east could be pardoned for behaving t
Ike one occasionally" a
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
RABBIT, PIG, HEN AND PUPPY
FRANCES PETS.

Dear Courier Junior: I have never
written to the Courier Junior before. l
thought I would start writing.
live on farm. am years old.
have pet rabbit, pig, and puppy
and hen
We live 9 miles from Ottumwa. We
take the Courier and l read all of the
Junior letters.
have three sisters.
We go to school at Alpine
We walk one mile through the woods
to school. My teachers name is Miss
Reighard.
My birthday was the goth OF Oct.
Well this is all for this time.
Frances Johnson,
Agency, Ia, r. F. D. No. I.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11

Dear Editor: did not understand
how you meant to write that about a.
window, but thought would write
something so you can see If it will be
all right and if it is not you don't need
to put 1t IN the paper. I enjoy very
much reading the letters you print.
sometimes sign my initial G. F. c.,
Once when wrote signed my name
Fern but my middle name is Freda.
made mistake and never noticed
1t until saw it in the paper.
' You can do as you please with that
letter. I remain,
Your friend,
Gladys Calhon,
Stockport, Iowa, R. R. No. l
P. S. Thank you very much for the
cards you sent me.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
WANTS TO EXCHANGE.
POST CARDS. ~

Dear Juniors: AS saw nv letter
will write again. r.. ~
l like to read the Junior letters. y.
90 to school every day, am in the
fourth room. Ny teachers name is
Miss Reardon. " Z.
| was glad when Halloween came as
We all have good time
l would like to receive some post
CARDS from any Of the Juniors who
would like to exchange cards. ~
Florence Rupe, age I,
$40 N. Weller ST.. S. Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
JOHNNY WRITES AGAIN

Dear Editor and Juniors:
thought would write you letter
as it has been some time since wrote.
am going to school now.
The name Of my school is the
Koran. NY teachers name is Miss
Kent. 7 am in the second reader
My class mates in arithmetic are
Frank and Violet Houk, Lochelin
Craft. Bonnie Fitzgerd and Ada Wood.
like to go to school.
would like to exchange cards with
some Of the little Juniors. I will close,
hoping to see this in print.
Johnny Skirvin, age 7.
Floris, Iowa, Route No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
OUR PRETTY CAT,

Dear Editor: This is the second
time I have ever written to the Junior.
page.
we have pretty cat. His name is
Tommy. He is gray and white and can
catch lots of mice. Every time papa
goes to the grainary Tommy has too
go too. : ( -
His fur is soft and another cat came
mere and 1t looked just like Tommy,
only the other cat was lame, 81 IL -
Hattie Kinds. age 10,
OttumWa Iowa. r. r. No G ~
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
ARNOLD HAD A BIRTHDAY
SHOWER.

Dear Editor and Juniors: wish to-
thank the Juniors and friends for tho
pretty postals they sent me for nv
birthday. received just as many
cards as was years old. The Juniors
that sent me cards were Frank and
Johnny Skirvin and John Feagins.
received five other postals from
friends and relatives. =. ~ n.
l go to school. My teachers name
is Miss Martin I read in the f1rst5
reader. My sister is writing this for
me. I remain,
Your Junior friend, RS IA
Arnold Vest, age 8.
Ottumwa, Iowa, r. r. No. 6.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11
FRANKS HALLOWEEN

Dear Editor and Juniors:
Last Halloween we made a jack-o.
lantern and put a candle in it that we
got from the Courier Junior We also
had lantern like mans fare that
we got from the Courier Junior and
we lighted candle and put in it.
Then we ran around the house and
put it up at the window TO t~~ and
scare the folks. We did all kinds of
little tricks and then went to bed.
Frank Skirvin, age 9.
Floris, Iowa, Route No. 2.