davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1912-12-11
Have You Seen the Dolls -?

Down in the big basement which Santa Claus has
chosen for headquarters will be found wonderful collection
of doll babies
There Character Dolls that close their eyes, and can't
be told from real babes-handsome Wax Dos-servceabe
Kidboded Dols-unny unbreakable "Tiny Tots"n short
dolls for every taste and purse though especially pleasing
here for mothers who count the pennies
We have pardonabe pride this Christmas both in the
range and quality of stocks and in the appearance of
store We want you to enjoy them both.
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1912-12-11
Make Your Christmas Shopping TriI
at Our Expense.

Well be glad to pay for your oneway ticket if you pur-
chase to the amount of $0 we'll stand the amount of your
fare both ways purchases Of $50, or
We invite you day pleasant satisfactory shopping at
The Store Where Christmas Stocks Are Broadest and
Best.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
RUTH CHRISTY VERY MUCH
ALIVE.

Dear Juniors:
l thought l would write again to let
the Juniors know that we are living,
and not frozen as reported IN Iowa. II
has not been cold here like 1t has IN
other places. We had some very
stormy weather, but papa took me to
school on horseback. :, :,
l went nearly two and one-nall
miles to one school until 1t, was out, Dut
now 20 to another which is not quite
so far There were "a scholars at the
first school and 10 at the last. '.-. .s
The last day Of school all of our par,
ents brought their dinners and we had
our pictures taken. We had CHRIST
mas tree and program Christmas and q
program Thanksgiving There were ~
people there. We served popcorn pals
and apples to all.
My brother killed jack rabbit that
weighed seven pounds. He sent the
ears to our good friend Jacob Myers or
South Ottumwa. ~. ~.
There are lots of coyotes and an
telope out here, but most Of them stay
in the canons.
If any of my friends hear l am froz-
en- to death again don't believe it, but
write to me and see.
I would like to correspond with some
of the Juniors through the Junior
page. = -,
Ruth Christy, age II,
ChugWater, WyO. {.g
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
GEORGE WASHINGTON, BY RUTH

George Washington, the first presi-
dent Of the United States, was born
in Westmorland county, Virginia, Feb
ruary 20, 1882, and died at Mount Yer
non, December IA, 1893.
His father, Augustine Washington,
died when George was but eleven
years old. Owing to the lack of edu-
cational privileges, George was able
to get only a limited education, but
being of studious nature, he obtain
ed a fair knowledge of mathematics
and surveying and when he was six
teen years old chose the latter as a
profession.
In 1853 he was sent by Governor
Dinwiddie of Virginia to carry an i'm
portant message to the French in the
Ohio valley, and when war broke out
the next year he was appointed lieu
tenant colonel and acted as an aide
de-camp to General Braddock.
After the French and Indian war
was over, Washington married Martha
Gusts and lived for several years at
Mount Vernon.
In ITS Washington was appointed
commander-in-chief Of the colonial
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24

named Mr.. William. There he learned
reading, writing and arithmetic and
little Bookkeeping and surveying. he
would make between seven and tWeh-
ty-one dollars a day surveying.
Then Washington was captain or an
army for a long time. He marched over
the Trenton bridge with his army
Then he gave up soldier life and Went
back to Mount Vernon to live Qulet
life. He was fond of fishing and hunt
ing. Every day he wound ride over
his plantation to see If 1t was all right
and finally the country found they
would have to have a president. so
they wanted Washington for the. hrst
president But Washington did not
want to be the first president. But
when they voted Washington got the
most votes, so he was the first presl-
dent. When he got to Trenton the
people turned out and welcomed MIN
and had big dinners in the town, and
when he came to the bridge the Wom-
en- had made an arch and as ne passed
under the bridge girls dressed IN white
sang a song of victory and streWed
flowers before him. On the THIRTEEN OF
April 1888 he took his oath as presi-
dent. Washington was again elected In
1892. But he refused to take the Office
the third time so then he went back TO
Mount Vernon and two years after ne
died in Mount Vernon in 1893.
Helen Taylor, age IL,
Ottumwa, Ia, sol Church st.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

George Washington was born Feb
%. 1892. in Westmoreland county, V1r'
ginia. When he was was about SIX
or seven years old his father got him
little Ratchet. George took his
Ratchet and went out into his fathers
garden and was hunting for tree to
chop down, and he came to nttle
cherry tree and kept at it until ne nad
it chopped down. After while MS
father was out walking in his garden
and he came to his cherry tree ne
seen that it had been chopped down.
He went back to the house where
George was and asked if he knew who
had destroyed his cherry tree. George
said he had-and of course ne mad.
His father said: George, am so glad
you have told me the truth about 1t.
George felt very sorry that he had
chopped down his fathers cherry tree
that cost him so much. He told his
father and mother that he would never
forget the lesson which he learned the
day that he chopped down his fathers
cherry tree and he never did until he
died.
George was cur first president and
is often called the father Of his coun-
try.
He served us as good as though he
was our father.
He died at Mt. Vernon, December
IA, 1899.
l have cousin whose birthday is
on the 21st Of February. He will be
10 this month. His name is William
Lash. Il
(Forgot nancy
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24

troops and took command under the
historic elm at Cambridge, Massachu-
sets. His first work was to drill the
raw and ill-equipped troops. u
I All through the revolution. when
almost all others were disheartened
by the defeats and lack OF supplies
Washington remained firm and perse-
vering. -. .t.l
But in 1888, the colonial troops un.
der WASHINGTON, were victorious and
peace was restored between the
United States and Great Britain,
Washington then retired to- private
life at Mount Vernon and was a DEL
egate to convention in Philadelphia
where the constitution was adopted.
In 1888 he was nominated for pres
ident and was elected by unanimous
vote. On March 4th, 1897, he retired,
having declined third nomination to
the presidency.
~ Ruth Goodrich, age 13.
.Richland, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
Stories and Letters.
EuNlcE WHlTToN's WASHINGTON
STORY.

George Washington was born in
Westmoreland county Virginia, Feb.
% 1882, and died Dec. IA, 1899. The
house Washington was born in had
only four rooms. At each end of the
outside the flue went up to the top.
His folks were plain in their ways.
The boys dark blue eyes first saw
such scenes as would be found in any
farm house in the land. There was a
low rom. a great, wide, brick fireplace
a we'll kept rug, few chairs with
straw seats, tall bedstead with posts
like masts. the same sort he slept in
all his life. Hung on the walls We're
prints of men who had been brave on
sea and land. Back of the door stood
a tall clock. The house in which he
was born was burned while he was a
child The plain way in which he was
bred made him like plain things all his
life. His clothes were plain, spun,
wove and made at home. Out door
life had charm for him. Once his
father sowed some seeds in the ground
in the shape of Georges full name.
Some days later the small boy saw the
name as it grew in green and came
in haste to tell his father of it. The
father tried to make him think it
grew there by chance, but young as the
boy was he knew that it could not be
true. A great truth was taught from
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Washington was born IN
Westnoreland county, Virginia, Feb
ruary %, 1892.
At the age Of 16 he was made sur
veyor of the large Fairfax estate.
When the French and Indian war
broke out, he was sent by the COVER
nor of Virginia to warn off the French
and his vigorous defense of Fort
Necessity gained for him, when only
%, the place Of commander -ln-chlef
of all the Virginia forces.
At the close of the war he married
Mrs. Mary Custis and settled at Mt.
Vernon, where he lived simple life
for twenty years.
When the time came to elect presi-
dent he was the one choice Of the peo-
pie. He was reelected in 1892 and re-
fused another election in 1896.
In 1896 on September II he made his
farewell speech and returned to MT.
Vernon. .fet..
He died December IA, 1899.
In the resolutions adopted by con-
gress the we'll known expression,
First in war, first in peace, and first
in the hearts of his countrymen.'
Helen Melvin, aged II.
316 North Marion st.. OttumWa, la,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
w ashington
As a Little
Boy

Children, when reading OF George
washington, the Father of his Coun-
try" rarely think Of him as having
once been simply a boy. But he was
! boy, and genuine boy at that. He
loved sports of every kind, was big,
strong and brave. and showed his
bravery in many ways long before he
was grown to mans estate.
His first home was the plantation
known as Wakefield, where he was
born, but the family moving away
when little George was but three, he
never knew much of the old place, al
though he visited it often during the
days of his youth and "conjured up
fond recollections" of the place. The
new home was fifty miles higher up
the Potomac river and was in it's ear
lier days known as Epsewassan OF
Hunting creek. It was later named
Mount Vernon-a name which it bears
to this day.
When George was little fellow his
father, Augustine Washington, made
many voyages to England, where he
gathered shiploads of ex-convicts and
indentured servants to carry with him
to Virginia. One of these unfortunates
IAN ex-convtct-was Georges first
school rSster, teaching the children
OF the plants><s in little log school
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24

to him, for him to settle.
When George was eleven years OLD
his father died, and his mother took
pains to give her boys good
education. He soon learned reading
writing and arithmetic, to which were
added a little bookkeeping and sur
veying.
George took pains with what he did
They had kept his copybooks to show
him his handwriting and neatness
when he grew older. He also wrote
over hundred rules for behavior In
company" so you see he tried to be
man in every way.
A man by the name of Lord Fairfax
had George Washington go over the
mountains to survey some land fol-
him. He gave him from seven to
twenty-one dollars day. -#
George Washington kept getting
higher and higher till he came to be
the first president of the United
States. George Washington died at Mt
Vernon in 1899.
Verda Mae Baggs, aged IL.
7O2 East Main st., Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24

the strife on Bunker Hill at Phlladel-
phia, May 10, ITS. Wise heads chose
Washington as chief of all the troops.
On July 3, 1775 he took command OF
the american army
Great cheer came to him and his
troops when they heard that move
had been made in congress that our
land would be free from Engllsh
ruls" This act was called the "Declara-
ton of Independence" on the fourth
of July" and has been kept as holl-
day ever since. Great struggles came
after that. Times that would try
mems souls" The British were fight
ing, capturing forts and many other
things which caused sad losses TO
WASHINGTON and his men. Just at the
time help was most needed 1t came.
France sent one of her best men La
fayette to fight for our cause. he lett
wife and friends and cast his lot with
ours. The English fought for the forts
on the shores Of the Hudson. They
captured two of them but Washington
was in time to save the rest. Inc
war did not come to an end as soon as
the people had expected. 1t was hgnt
fight inch by inch from the time the
first blood was spilled at Lexington IN
April 1875 until Oct. 1881. 1t took all
this time for England to give in. Our
land then had a new name nation
The time came when the war was over
and Washington had to leave ms
troops Tears came to his eyes. He
said that each man must come to him
and grasp his hand. He then went to
his home in Mt. Vernon. He was made
the first president of "U. S. OF A" and
took his place April 80, 1889.
One day a shock came to the whole
land. The sad news went forth that
great man had gone Washington was
dead..--It was in Dec. 1893.
Eunice Porter Whitton, age II
MOrayia Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
LELA's WAsHINGToN's STORY.

| G6Or2e WdSu1uSIOA was OSAA -,
Bridges Creek, in Westmore county,
Virginia, on February %, 1892. HIS
fathers name was Augustine Wash
ington, and was an old time Virginia
planter, and lived in an old time
Virginia house. This house was burn
ed down when George was three years
old, and the family moved to enother
plantation on the Rappahannock river.
Here Washington's youth was passed
and when he was eleven years old mis-
| father died, leaving his young tamlly
| in charge of his widow, whose name
was Mary. She was an able, sensible,
strong-willed woman. :,.~
In those days they only got their
mail once in two weeks from the north
and once month from the south.
There was no newspaper published in
Virginia until when Washington was
| four years old. ..H
In those days each large planter
! had his own mechanics. The most IN
telligent negro men being trained as
blacksmiths. carpenters and masons.
There were very few schools at this
| time. The sens of the rich planters
were taught by clergymen or tutor
of the family, and were often sent to
England and educated at the great
schools and universities there.
The Virginians of the upper class
We're hearty, athletic, independent
men. The rich planters usually devoted
their time in fishing, fox hunting horse
racing and cock fighting.
Washington went to an "old-field
school, taught by man named Hob
by. After his fathers death he went
to live with his half brother, Angus
tine so that he might go to better
school. He was taught no other
| language than English, but his instruc-
| ton in arithmetic, geometry and sur
veying was excellent. He was good
student and an active, strong boy.
While at school he had great longing
to go to sea. He thought that the life
on board a ship must be fine thing
His mother was almost persuaded to
let his 20 to sea wnen his brother ad-
vised so strongly that he gave up the
idea. -
He left school at fifteen and went
to live with his eldest half-brother.
Lawrence, who had built a fine house
on high ground overlooking the
Potomac river. Not long after this
| Lawrence died, leaving George heir to
his estate 49, @. u
About the time he was twenty-five
years old the French and Indian war
was going on He had two horses shot
from under him and four bullets pas
sed harmlessly through his clothes.
{ One Indian is said to have walked a
hundred miles to see Washington,
whom he mad shot at twenty times,
missing him every time.
When a youth Washington has been
said to have thrown stone across the
Rappahannock river where nobody else
could. He kept his strength and when
he was forty years old he could throw
an iron bar an incredible distance.
Leila Burnaugh, age IL.
Pulaski, Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
of the second family.

of the second family.
His military career commenced al
the age of nineteen, when he was ap'
pointed acknowledgement of Virginia
militia. In 1855 he accompanied Gen
eral Bradock as a volunteer and was
almost the only officer who returned
safe from the disastrous expedition.
In the meantime extensive estates and
plantations at Mt Vernon had come
into his possessions through the death
of his half-brother. To these posses
sions he added largely by marrying in
1859, Mrs. Martha GUSTS, a wealthy
young widow. Under the constitution
he was chosen president and In
augurated at New York April 30, 1879.
At the second presidential election
in 1892 he desired to retire, but yielded
to the solicitations of the people ana
served four. years longer. In 1896 ne
positively declined reelection and on
March 4, 1897, returned to Mt. Vernon
for the quiet home life. On December
IL. 1879 he was exposed In the saddle
for several hours to cold and snow
and attacked with acute larynglt1s,
sank rapidly and died December IA.
His last words were characteristic.
He said: 81 die hard, but am not afraid
to CO." After some instructions to his
secretary about his burial, he became
easier, felt his own pulse, and died
without a struggle. He was mourned
by the whole nation, and amply de-
served the immortal epitaph, First in
peace, first in war, and first IN the
hearts of his countrymen.'
Ruby M. Graham, aged IL.
Selma. Iowa, r. F. D. No. /.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
ORIGIN OF 81. VALENTINES DAY


Many, many years ago, there lived
in Spain a man whose name was Val
entine. He was loved by everyone be-
cause OF his kind ways He was al
ways helping the poor and the sick.
He was always doing something for
someone else. But there was one
man who hated Valentine and was
jealous of him. One time he pretended
to be sick and Valentine came TO see
him. Tom O'Br1en, for this was the.
mans name. asked Valentine for a
drink of water, and of course Valen-
tine got it for him. AS Valentine
handed him the drink Tom shot him.
This man was punished severely. The
people ever since called him St. Val
entine, and every fourteenth Of Feb
ruary we celebrate his birthday by
sending little messages of love to
every one-called Valentines.
j. June Mason,
- 1
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
LETHA A NEW JUNIOR.
Dear. Editor:

Dear Editor: .a.-
am a little girl years old. live on
farm near Batavia. go to school but
our school Is out now. 1t was out the
10th of January. Our teachers name
was Aletha Gilly read in the second
reader. Since school Is out Z help
mamma wash the dishes. I have q lit
tie brother His name is Kenneth. He
is three years old When it is warm
enough we play out of doors and help
carry in wood. We like to coast. Papa
takes the Daily Courier. like to read
the Junior page.
I am new Junior.
Letha Ornduff. age 6.
Batavia Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24

Washington was born in Westmore-
land county, Virginia, February o.,
1892. He was the first president OF the
United States. He was the greatest OF
the worlds great men. His father died
when he was small. His mother gave
him good training. He had little
schooling and spelled badly, but could
write poor. verses. He copied fifty odd
rules of behavior He could shoot well
and always told the truth.
He was sent on mission by Cover
nor Dinwiddie to the French OF the
Ohio region. This was dangerous
task, but nothing could prevent him
from going and in three months he
was back at Williamsburg with the
French answer.
Afterwards he married widow and
settled down to farming.
In 1774 he was ready to raise one
thousand men and support them at his
own expense and march them from
williamsburg to Boston.
A few weeks afterwards he attended
the first continental congress In Phila-
delphia.
Washington won great fame at the
sufferings of Valley Forge. Had ne
not kept his ragged troops together
this union might have been lost. In
1888 he signed the treaty Of peace. He
was always First in war, first IN
peace, and first in the hearts OF his
countrymen."
/ He was chosen president in 1888.
He was reelected again and held the
office until 1897.
Afterwards he>was appointed lituten-
ant general, which he accepted. On
December IL, 1893, he was exposed in
the saddle for several hours to cold
and snow. He suffered an attack OF
acute laryngitis. sank rapidly and died
December a., 1899.
Ola Sauer, aged 10. !
Hedrick, Iowa, R. F. D. No. /.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Washington was born Feb
ruary %, 1892, in Virginia.
He did not go to schol very much,
but when he went he studied reading,
writing, arithmetic in district school
He was a surveyor when he was SIX
teen years old, and when nineteen
quit land surveying.
He was major all through the
French and Indian war.
He was commander-in-chief OF the
revolutionary army.
He was a good man. He never told
g. lie.
George Washington was the first
president of the United States.
He was inaugurated April 80, I|S9
at New York capital.
George washington died December
IA, 1899 at Mt. Vernon.
Lulu Jones, aged 13.
Hayesyille. Iowa,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24
WASHINGTON, BY VERDA MAE

George Washington was born in
Westmoreland, Virginia, on the
twenty-second day of February, 1872.
George Washington went to an 'cld
field schoolhouse" as it was called,
because they were built in fields where
nothing could be grown. This school
was taught by man named Hobby.
George Washington was not afraid
to get astride of the widest horse or
unbroken colt. This shows that he was
strongly built and fearless boy. But
Il better thing is told Of him. His
schoolmates would bring their quarrels
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-24

this. From the first he had strong
love for truth. From the plain farm
house George went to field school, "
kept by Mr.. Hobby. He rode to school
on his horse and was gone all day for
the school was five miles from home.
He gave time and love to his books,
but he also loved play and sports Of
all kind. He would drill band of
small boys, march them down the road
and lead them at all times. Folks
large and small would like to see the
brave and good child When he was
sixteen years old he went to the home
of the red men with chain and rule
and found the length and breadth of the
land. In four more years he had
charge of troops sent to save his state
from fierce Indians and French who
would steal land. More work soon
came and the young man had to start
out and see If it were true that forts
were to be built on the Ohio. The
roads were bad and the woods dark,
but Washington with four men and a
guide who spoke French went through
mire and swamp until they came to
the fort for which they were in search,
The chief of the French troops had a
long talk with Washington but he
would not give up. He sent back a
note ard with this Washington set out
for home. Snow and ice were on land
and stream. There was one bad place
on the way where they had to stop and
make q raft SO they could cross the
stream. While crossing the stream
Washington slipped off the raft into
the stream which might have caused
his death if the man who was with him
had not drawn him out from the cold
stream. Washington did his work so
well that at the end Of five years he
was at the head of the forces Of his
own state. Ew
In Jan. 1859, he married Mrs. Martha
GUSTS young widow with two chill
dren girl and boy. They went to live
in New Kent and later to Mount Yer
non where he took care Of his farm.
England's rule grew more and more
hard to bear. The laws made by the
king were not just. The tax was hard
to pay. The king did not ask his
folks in America how he could help
them. In the spring of ITS came the
first fight at Lexington. Next came