davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
Stories and Letters.
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS"

William Mckinley, twenty-fourtt
president OF the United States, was
born January 20, 1843 at Niles, Ohio
His ancestors were Scotch-Irish and
German. And he inherited great en-
ergy and perseverance from his an
cestry.
He had also great intellectual abil-
ity and he was a student when the
civil war broke out.
He was before the public almost
thirty years; he was considered a
typical American, and a self-made
political life.
His early education was that of the
common schools.
In 1860 he entered Allegheny col
lege. At the battle cry Of freedom he
enlisted as a private in the Twenty
third Ohio regiment, and remained
there throughout the war.
He was a soldier four years; con
gresham four terms; author of the
famous Mckinley bill; twice governor
Of Ohio, then president of the United
States. and died at the hand Of an
assassin.
President Mckinley was shot Sept
6, 1901, by Leon Czolgosz, for no bet
ter reason that he did not like our
government.
James Longstreet's birthday was al
so in January. He was born January
9, 1921, and died January 2, 1904. He
was major general of the confeder
ate army in the civil war, and was
wounded in the battle of the wilder
ness but recovered and was minister
to Turkey in 1880.
Francis Landey Patton, clergyman
and educator, was born January o.
1S43, in Warwick Bermuda island.
John Mozart was born in Salzburg
Germany, Jan. 27, 1856. He was
noted musical composer.
Joseph Kershaw's birthday was also
in January. He was born January 5
1922 and was a general in the civil
war
Vida Conger, Age IA.
Lyons, Nebraska
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
ROSA WANTS SOME ONE TO PUT
LETTER IN JUNIOR.

Dear Editor.-I thought l would
write, as I haven't written for long
time.
I have three sisters and four broth
ers. Their names are Elizabeth, Helen,
Clara, Charlie, Burney, Hughy and
James
For pets we have cat and dog.
For Christmas I got cat and two
hair ribbons and handkerchief and
some candy.
would like some one to write to
me through the Junior and I would
answer them.
I go to school every day and l like
to 20. There are fourteen pupils IN
our school, There are thirteen today.
We are going to move the first Of
March.
It showed a little today and it Is
cold outdoors.
MY studies are reading, arithmetic,
physiology, history, geography and
smelling. I am in the fifth reader and
am nearl ythrough 1t.
MY playmates are Florence Latta,
Anna Lawson, Laura Wilson, Ethel
Morrison.
have one-half mile to 60 to school.
One Of my brothers goes to school
and three of my sisters.
l have one post card from the edi-
tor.
Hoping to see my letter in print.
Yours truly,
Rosa Eta Roberts, age II.
r. r. No. 2, Agency, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

On the 18th day of January, 1905, al
Boston, Mass, Benjamin Franklin was
born.
His father was a foreigner, having
come to New England in 1885.
When his son Benjamin was e1gnt
years old he was sent to school. ne
learned how to read when he was
very young, as he said he could never
remember when he couldn't read. he
was sent to school to learn writing
and arithmetic, but he could not learn
arithmetic.
When he was ten years old he was
put to work with his father. But he
diu not like this work and wanted to
20 to sea. His father saw this and at
the age of twelve he was sent to his
brother James, who had printing Of
flee. He spent most of his money for
books as he was fond lover of l1tera'
ture. The first books he bought were
those of Bunyan's.
When about sixteen he read book
recommending vegetable diet. ne
learned to prepare dishes such as
hasty pudding, boiled rice, etc.
He saved some money by this and
as he knew nothing about arithmetic
he took a book on that subject and
mastered it by himself.
In 1888 he began to study different
languages, such as French, Latin,
Italian, Spanish. He became almost
entirely selfeducated.
Under the advice Of Governor Keith
Franklin left Boston for Philadelphia
and later went to England. In Its
he returned to Philadelphia. He went
to work in printing Office and in 1929
he began to publish the Pennsylvania
Gazette.
In September, 1880, he married
Miss Read.
In 1882 Poor Richards Almanac was
published and continued for twenty
Ave years. In 1886 he was chosen
clerk Of the general assembly. In
1887 he was made deputy to the
postmaster general.
Franklin saw the flilthiness of the
streets and labored until they we're
paved and clean. He planned and
organized the militia for defense
against the Indians. He also organ
lied the first fire companies.
It was he who fostered and aided in
procuring funds and building the first
hospital in Philadelphia and instituted
the first library in his city. The Uni
versity of Pennsylvania was planned
and begun by him.
In the scientific world Franklin
is regarded as one of the greatest
scientists of his age. His discoveries
in electricity are are very important.
Franklin died April II, 1890, aged
"a years and three months. His
remains lie in the northwest corner
of Christ church cemetery In Phtla-
delphia by the side Of his wife. A
marble stone, six feet long and four
feet wide are over the graves Of them
both.
Maude Skirvin, Age 10.
Floris, Iowa, Route No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
BIRTHDAYS OF GREAT STATES
MEN.

William McKinley's birthday is jan
uary 20. He was the twenty-fifth presi-
dent of the United States. He enlisted
as a private when the civil war broke
out and at the close of the war was
breveted mayor. In 1891 he was elect
ed governor of Ohio and reelected IN
1893. He was born in Niles, Ohio,
January 20, 1S43. In 1900 he was elect
ed president for the second time by
large majority. September 6, 1901, he
was shot down at Buffalo, N. Y, by
Leon Czolgosz. He died at 2:15 a. M.
September IA, 1901.
Willard Fillmore's birthday is jan
uary 7. He was the thirteenth presi-
dent of United States. He was born
at Summerhill, Cayuga county, New
York, January Z, 1900. He died IN
Buffalo, N. Y, March 9, 1874. He was
"A years old.
MY little brothers birthday is jan
uary 6. He is II days old. His name
is Floyd John.
Elva May Huffman, age Is.
Route No. 1. Chillicothe, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
SILK

Silk is peculiar glossy thread
spun by the caterpillars of certain
kinds of moths, Of which the silk
worm is the most conspicuous. The
common silk moth possesses rather
short body, stout legs and white
wings, which are marked by black
lines running parallel with the wing
borders. When extended, the wings
measure about two inches.
In the wild state, the female de-
posts her eggs in the summer on the
leaves Of the mulberry tree, but IN
silk culture, the moths are placed on
pieces Of paper or muslin, on which
they deposit their eggs. For Matching
artificially the eggs are placed In a
room heated gradually up to tenn
perature of about 80 degrees Fahren-
heit. The room must be we'll cleaned
and we'll ventilated.
In eight or ten days the young ap-
pear.
When first Matched, the worms are
black and about quarter OF an inch
long.
1t requires twelve pounds OF CO.
coons to produce one pound OF raw
silk and one ounce of silkworm eggs
to produce 100 pounds of cocoons.
The female moth produces from 300
to 500 eggs.
China, Japan, Italy, India, France
and Spain are important silk produc-
ing countries.
This is school composition.
An old Junior,
Martha Marie Scott. age Is.
North Court St., Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10

good covering for his head. AS foy
what the people would say, what did he
care His home was In the country and
a very wild country it was. He knew
much more about bears, snakes. birds
and bird eggs than he did about school
or books. The house in which he lived
was a rough built shanty on side Of 2
hill. 1t was built Of logs and mud,
with squore holes for windows. 1t was
the only home he ever had and it was
very pleasant for him. Just little way
back Of the house was railroad
track. Andy often set by the track and
watched the trains go past. He liked to
wave at the train men as they
went past. One day as Andy was
crossing the track he saw a broken
place in the track. Just then he saw
train coming. When he saw 1t ne
stretched out and stood in the center
part of the track. When the train men
saw him they stopped the train and got
out and wanted to know what ne
meant by standing there. He pointed
to the place and then all OF
the people got out Of the train and the
boy collected over one thousand dol
lars.
Allen Luzadder,
Martinsburg, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
HAROLD'S STORY.

am three year old filly. My name
is Maude. 1 am black with two white
feet and white star in my forehead.
My little masters name is Harold.
When he was ten years old he taught
me to carry him on my back and ne
rode me to Sunday school and then
he hitched me to a little cart and i
was very good. 81.
Now he drives me to buggy and
his papa and mamma and little sister
20 with him for a ride. My little
master is very good to me. He feeds
me hay and corn and gives me water
to drink. | like to run and play with
the other horses, when out in the pas
ture, Some day l shall work in the
field and help to raise the grain | eat.
Harold Niece,
Richland, iowa, Route NO. 8.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
TOO LAT e.

Dear Junior: Ellen Morris was an
amiable and affectionate child, very
much beloved by her parents and
friends: but she had one fault that
caused great deal of trouble. This
was O. habit of putting Off anything she
had to do, till the last minute, and by
so doing, she found that she was al
most always too late for school or for
church, and sometimes too late even
for a party Of pleasure which she was
anxious to join.
She was fond of reading and often
when she was engaged with some in
teresting story, her mother would say,
"Ellen. my daughter, it wants five min
utes of nine; you had better start for
school" Yes, mother" Ellen would
answer without looking up, "in one
minute; there is plainly Of time" and
then she would read on, till she was
startled by hearing the nine o'clock
bell; when she would Jump up and be-.
gin to collect her books, and look for
her bonnet and shoes; and sometimes
she would not till then recollect that
she must have pen mended, or stop
and buy a slate pencil; so that she
was often not at school till half an
hour after the time.
After dinner, too, she would some
times go out to swing under the trees
and when her father called to her,
ELLEN, it is nearly two O'clock" she
would answer, Eyes, father, just one
swing more" but after the one swing
she would take another and another,
and, at last, she would start off only
to find herself too late. Her teacher
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
EFFlE WRITES TO HEDvEG.

Miss Hedvey Carlson, Ottumwa. Ia.
1915 Locust st.
Dear Junior Friend:-As haven't
heard from you for sometime,
thought l would write to you through
the Junior page. How are you?
am fine and dandy. Do you go to
school? don't. My school was out
the 5th of January. How many post
cards have you? I have sixty-three.
How many Juniors do you exchange
cards with. exchange cards with
five of the Juniors. Their names are
Elva Huffman, Vida Wahle, Forrest
Weber, Clarence Bartmes and you.
I would like to exchange cards with
some more of the Juniors. will ans
wer all 1 receive. will close, hop
ing to hear from you soon.
| remain your friend,
Miss Effie Hale, Age IL.
Floris, Iowa, Route No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10

But Norman shook his head, smil'
ing. Il know, daddy; but you can't
understand. The fairies have strange
ways with them, so old Granny Cub.
bard has told me many times. The
fairies made you forget all about it, for
1t 1s not wise to allow grownup people
to know about fairies''
Just then old Jack and young Tom
came ashore, and Dan, the fisherman,
looked at them and shook his head
1.-The laddie has had a strange dream,
boys, and somehow he got the message
OF our danger. | thought to keep the
! secret from him, but he declares he
knows it-that the fairies led him to
u.s."
Then turning to Norman, Dan said:
Eyes. sonny, We we're all but wrecked
on some rocks, but thanks to dead
wind We got out all right, then the
wind was obliging enough to drop dead
and let us out again. But never meant
that you should know of the close call
We had. All, such is life on the deep
me boy!"
But l saw it all. daddy, and was
with you when you got out of danger.
You looked white from fear. So did
old Jack and young Tom"
All three fishermen shook their
heads, and Dan said: Get awake, my
child. You are still half asleep. Run
ITO the house and tell Kate Logan that
We are three hungry fishermen Get
something to warm up our stomachs,
too. We're most starved-after a
hard trip
And after Norman had gone running
to the house Dan looked at his COM
panions in serious way strange
the laddie should have had such
dream. Strange. And he describes it
just as it was-except for the fairy
ship. Strange"
And SO it happened that the story
of little Norman's dream got about,
and became one of the stories along
the coast, and on dark days when the
sea ran high little Norman would sit
on the sand and tell in low, impressive
tones of the time when the fairies took
him to the seagirt rocks where his
fathers boat was all but wrecked. And
the children believed the story, and so
did Norman, and even old Granny
Gubbard nodded and said in hep I'M
canny way: "It's to the childer that
the fairies come.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
nd was much liked by the boys and

|
When Fort Sumter was fired upor
he quit teaching and away he marched
to the war with the first company Of
Ohio volunteers. At that time he was
| Just past his eighteenth year.
For fourteen months he carried
musket. He was a good soldier, OBEY
ed all orders, and was always pleasan,
| to his comrades. He had plenty OF
sold ering among the mountains, ano
was made sergeant for his good worA
in West Virginia. Other promotions
were followed in order, and finally ne
received q commission as brevet major
"for his gallant services
The fighting was over. The country
was a peace Mckinley thought ne
would like to be lawyer, as he was SO
good talker.
He entered a law office and began
to study. In two years he was ready
for practice, and hung out his sign ID
Canton, Ohio.
He was elected to congress in 1876
In 1890 he was defeated in the cleo
ton for congress and the next year ne
was elected governor OF Ohio by a
good majority. In 1893 he was re-
elected by $4,000 votes.
In 1896 when the presidential cleo
ton came around Mckinley was
elected.
The Cubans, who live southeast OF
the United States, were treated cruel
ly by Spain, so they began to fight for
liberty. The Spaniards treated them
worse than ever, causing thousands OF
them to starve to death. When NC
IN }o l.
ty she would not.
A few great battles were fought.
Admiral Dewey won naval victory
in the Philippines and there were pat
ties in Cuba, Porto Rico, and the
Philippines were given over to this
country; Cuba was taken from Spain
and made free nation.
In 1900 Mckinley was more popular
than ever. He was chosen by the
republican convention and was elected
by 1877 votes His second Inauguration
took place in March, 1901.
The country was growing greater
and business was better. The pres1-
dent and his wife took long Journey
that spring from washington to San
Francisco.
In September he went to Buffalo, N.
Y, to attend the great exposition. On
September a reception was held In
the Temple of Music. AS the people
were shaking hands with the president
a young anarchist shot him. Let no
one hurt him." he grasped as the
guards rushed at the murderer.
After that there was a week OF ter
rible anxiety in the country, and the
people hoped and prayed for his re-
covery. On Friday he began to sink.
Good bye, all; good bye. It is Gods
way, his will be DONE" These were
his last words. A few hours after
wards he was dead.
He was our third martyred president
and was one of the kindest and gent
lest Of them all.
Yours respectfully,
Mary Bonett, age IL.
r. R. No. 2. Charlton, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
The Fairies
And Little
Norman

Little Norman sat on the seashore.
his wistful eye looking out over the
waters The sun kissed the sand on the
beach and made the place lovely and
warm. But Norman did not think Of
the atmosphere, which was always
warm where he lived-in southern
cline.
Little Norman was the 10-year-old
con Of a fisherman. His father made
long voyages into the great deep for
fish, sometimes being gone from home
for two weeks together. On the day OF
this story's beginning Norman's
father had been gone the entire two
weeks, and the lonely child was look
ing eagerly for his boat to come over
the horizon line. Never had his father
remained away longer than two weeks,
and rarely so long as that.
Norman's mother had been dead for
two years, and during his fathers alb
sence the child stayed at the home OF
another fisherman. There were two
little children in this home, and good
mother. But the mothers own tots
occupied all her time, they and the
work about her small house, and she
let Norman amuse himself as he
pleased.
81 wish I might go out across the
water and meet daddy. and old Jack
and young Tom" he said to himself.
Ynusing as he watched Old Jack was
another fisherman who worked with
his father, a partner. Young Tom was
a youth who was learning the trade, y
working his way with the fishermen.
They were three sturdy seamen, rough
but kindly, and when they were at
home for week Norman enjoyed his
evening more than he could have ex-
pressed Round the yard in front OF
the Shanty, Norman't home. the
crowd would gather to tell sea stories
and unravel yarns" till Norman would
fall asleep listening.
ooh, I wonder why daddy doesn't
come" So whispered Norman, his eyes
becoming very tired watching the
sunny waters. The glare Of light on
sand and sea was hard on his sight,
30 he closed his eyes to rest them,
saying: 'tI'll hold 'em shut till l count
twenty. Then I'll open 'em very
quickly and maybe I'll see the Gull
coming out of the water" (The Gull
was the name of his fathers boat)
Then Norman began counting and
went up to iSxapt5. Just as he spoke
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
HELPED BROTHER UNLOAD Al
FAlFA.

Dear Editor:
AS have never written to the Jun
ior thought 1 would write letter. I
helped my brother unload load Of al
falfa. stacked it and my brother un-
loaded it. went to Newell with my
brother after feed.
At night I get my coal and wood in
and feed the chickens. unloaded load
of coal the other day. Papa works at
Orman and my brother and 1 do all the
work Papa doesn't come home only
once a week.
Earon Yoder, age g.,
Horse Creek, 8. D.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
WALTER At GRANPA'S.

Walter had been pretty good boy
at school. He never played truant, and
he usually tried to have his lessons.
and keep his teachers rules, though
he did not always succeed in these
two things.
When vacation came, his mamma
let him go with grandpa out to the
farm, where she used to live when she
was little girl, to spend a few days
as reward for what he had really
tried to do.
1t was nearly night when they
reached grandpa's home, and by the
time Walter had eaten his supper and
rested little, it was too late to see
much that day.
But very carly next morning. hafore
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
JESSlE,S BIRTHDAY PARTY.

Last January the 18th we had a
birthday party on our schoolmate Jessie
Vannote. On the evening of January u
we were going from school and
some Of the girls going that way took
her home and stopped and played with
her. We went around to the front door,
knocked and called happy birthday. We
played games until s o'clock. Then q
dainty lunch was served, consisting OF
oysters, crackers, candy, cake, popcorn.
pie and lots Of other things. We then
played on the organ and then went
outside and played. We left about 8
o'clock, all saying we had had very
nice time.
Mary Palfreman,
Lucas. Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
SNOW BIRDS.

Snowbirds are seen in flocks in the
winter time The range from Mexico
to the northern regions of Canada.
The snowbird has a slate gray color
above and with white beneath.
Snowbird's are often seen around
barnyards and houses in winter time
and in the winter time they find
shelter in hay stacks and corn shocks.
Snowbirds usually congregate IN
small flocks and visit the barnyards
in search of seeds and berries.
Miss Varina Dunning,
Fldon. Iowa. r. F. D. No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
ANNA's BIRTHDAY IN JANUARY.

Dear Editor:
There are quite few birthdays in
January. MY birthday is in January. I
was born in 1900. I am IL years old.
There are quite few birthdays on the
same day.
William Mckinley was born at Nile,
Trumbull county, Ohio, January 90,
1913 and died Sept. IA, 1901 He was SO
years, months and Is days old. He
was married to Ida Saxon. He was
president Of the United States. His
fathers name was VIM. Mckinley His
mothers name was Nancy Mckinley.
She was born in Ohio.
President Mckinley was shot at Buff
falo, N. Y, by Leon Czolgoss. Presi-
dent Mckinley was good man.
My brothers birthday is January 20.
and he is Is years old.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.

/. Use one side of the paper only.
2. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil.
Always sign your name in full
and state your age.
4. Number your pages.
s. DO not copy stories or poetry
and send us as your own work.
6. Always state choice of a prize
on separate piece of paper, with
name and address in full.
Z. Address the envelope to Editor
Courier Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
Oakley. Iowa.
WILLIAM M'kINLEY.

William Mckinley was born in Niles,
Ohio, January %, 1S43.
His parents were not rich. but they
had enough to live on, and he had
plenty Of time for play and for school
life.
Mckinley got a good education. He
went to the academy at Poland and
to the Meadville college in Pennsyl-
vania. He became a school teacher
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
BEAUTIFUL POST CARDS.

We have some beautiful post cards
which we will send to each Junior who
writes either letter or a short story.
The following subjects will make a
good story:
just OUR DOG.
OUR CAT. i;
A CRAFTY CAT.
THE SNOW MAN,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
Fishes and Fisherman.

The dear little fishes
Were swimming around
Down meath the crust
That covered the pond;
And they sang, How we love
The winter so nice,
For the fisherman's hook
Can't get through the ice!'
On the bank walked a man
And he scowled and he frowned;
As he said, as he stamped
On the hard-frozen ground.
'Twon't thaw 'nough fer flshin'
Fer many day;
So in me warm shanty
I'd best 60 and stay"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
A STORY OF A BRAVE BOY.

Andy Moore was a short, stout little
country lad, with a freckled face and
rough, brown hands. Sometimes he
wore a cap and sometimes he did not.
He was not careful as to that, for he
thought that his long, bushy hair was
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
A VALENTINE CONTEST.

In less than one week st. Valen-
tines day -ill be here. OF course we
must have a valentine contest. We
only want short stories on the fol-
lowing subjects:
81. VALENTINE.
ORIGIN OF ST. VALENTINES DAY.
A VALENTINE PARTY.
The writer OF the best story will re-
ceive as a reward box of candy and
the others valentines This contest
closes Tuesday Feb 10.