davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-01-16
EARLY Training.

Willis-Is that new young preacher
you hired fresh from college up to
date?
Gillis-You bet. He called out the
Easter choir squad last SUNDAY. and
has ordered practice behind closed
doors -PuCk
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-01-16
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDMSCTIOOL
LESSON

by u. o. SELLERS, Director of Eve
ming Department The Moody Bible In
sutute of Chicago.)
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-01-16
LESSON FOR JANUARY 10
MANS FIRST SIN.

LESSON TEXT-Genesis 3.1-12, 2-24.
GOLDEN TIGXT-"Every ono that COM
nitteth sin is the boEd servant Of sim"
John S:34 II. V.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-01-16

PUTNAM rADELESS DYES
a g eft
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-01-16
FREE TO ALL SUFFERERS

W. N. w., ST. LOUIS, NO. s-1o13.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
''Wear Your Oldest Clothes
or Be Fined"

1t was a rainy afternoon on the 25th
OF October, that sat by the window
watching the raindrops running down
the window pane. fs
The mail man brought me an invita-
ton to party. opened the envelope
and 1t read thus:
! "You are cordially invited to attend
party given at the home of Miss
Margaret Ferry. Wear your oldest
clothers or a fine will be given. On Oct.
81. Meet at o'clock
The invitation was wrapped In
piece of packing paper sealed with
piece of rag.
It was a nice moonlight night and so
there was quite a large crowd present.
Everybody brought pumpkin and a
candle.
We had nice time and some of the
games we played were: Forfeits, The
Happy Family, and then there was a
big tub of water and then there was
apples in it. Then there was q string
which hung from the ceiling and on
the end was an apple and the one
that grabbed it got to eat the apple.
For lunch we had mush and milk, corn
bread and molasses candy. And then
afterwards had ice cream, cake and
toasted marshmellows. And then we
went around and showed the pumpkins
in the houses. We all had nice time
and it was 1 o'clock when we go home.
Anna L. Palfreyman, age 10,
Lucas, a., II. NO. l.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
Jimmy Came Limping Along
on His Clutches

!" George and Tom decided to have a
surprise on friend with Halloween
party. "
They sent messages to their play
mates, some girls and some boys.
They told them each to bring a nickel
if they could except Jimmy, a poor
lame boy, in whose honor the party
was to be held. ~,
His invitation read: Dear Jimmy:
You are invited to our Halloween
party at our house Friday Oct. 81, 1913.
s D. m. Yours respectfully. George and
Tom. -.
At o'clock Jimmy came limping
along on his crutches. George and Tom
met him at the steps.
At $50 every one was there and
enjoying themselves with games and
toys. a.... -... g..
Then some of the boys got a pump
kin face and put it in the window
where Jimmy could see it. Jimmy
laughed at it when he saw it but one
little girl ran and hid. At o'clock
pop corn, candy, cake, ice cream and
fruit were served. .... s
Everyone had gift for Jimmy or a
post card which he examined with
great joy. After the refreshments were
served games were played.
At 10 o'clock everyone went home
saying that they had had good time.
But Jimmy. had had the best time
In the morning George and Tom woke
up to sweep the corn off the porch.
Rudolph Dahlen, age II,
TOT Grant ST., Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
Lois Swinney's Brother
Led the Crowd

Last year we had Halloween party
at our house. 1t was my sister Hazels
birthday. The rooms were decorated
with black paste-board cats and yell
low pumpkin faces and autumn leaves.
On the front porch were pumpkins cut
like letters to spell Halloween" with
candles in them and there were big
pumpkins with ugly faces with candles
in them sitting all around on the lawn
The boys and girls came with white
sheets for wraps and pillow cases for
caps and they had their faces covered
so you could not tell who they we're.
They looked funny and scary too.
Mamma served them with refresh
ments.
My brother led the crowd with his
drum and they marched around the
house in through the dining room TAX
ing their plates with them to the par
lor and living room where they un-
masked before they began eating.
Everyone just laughed and laughed.
No one we're the ones I thought they
were while they were masked. They
played games, and played the piano
until it was quite late Then they all
went home Lois Swinney, Age 10
Belknay, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
Ghosts" Have More Fun
Than Guests

There was to be Halloween party
at one Of the neighbors and I was in
vited. My friend and ! were to be
ghosts so went up there early in the
afternoon. The house was fixed 80
jack o-lanterns lighted the whole
place. Black cats, bugs, and bats
made out of black crepe paper served
as decorations. g.
When evening came my friend and |
dressed up in sheets with masks on
our faces so people couldn't see who
we we're.
We had white kid glove filed with
-four and a stick stuck in at one end
with which we shook hands with each
guest. Soon the guests commenced to
arrive and we met them at the hall
door and shook hands and took them
upstairs to take off their wraps.
Some of the girls were afraid and
wouldn't shake hands with US Git was
more fun for the ghosts than the
guests. After all were there and
games were played the ghosts had to
lead the guests to supper. 1t was all
over the house, some in each room.
After luncheon we we're all shut up In
one room lighted by jack'o-lanterns
and told ghost stories. Some were
awful creepy. After that was over the
guests started home all saying they
had a merry time.
Floy E. Young, Age 10.
Charlton Iowa, Route Z.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
Some Pulled Out Chairs,
Tables and Beds

Once upon time Nellie Brown sent
an, invitation to thirty-one boys and
girls.
The boys had made something up
with some other boys to be at Browns
house at half past 8 o'clock. At $3.50
the other boys were there.
They were going to knock and then
run. When they knocked and started
to run there right before them was a
jack o-lantern, and then lot OF water
fell upon them and then there was a
lot of laughing and cheering. They
were invited into the house. =
They had lunch and then played
"I Spy" Hide and Seek" and got ap-
pies out of tub full Of water with
their hands tied behind them.
Nellie told some boys to slip out OF
doors and dress up like ghosts and
scare the rest Of them.
They both pointed towards some
strings. Each one got a string and
pulled on them.
There were some newspapers pinned
around all the edges except one inside
were different kinds of things cut out
OF paper. ~
When the strings were pulled some
pulled out chairs, tables and beds.
Then they all went home and went
tc bed for the night.
-. Ronald McVey, Age 9.
Floris, Iowa, P. 0. box 80.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01

not knowing what they were doing,
and not making any attempt to get
out, when suddenly Jimmie Gordon's
voice was heard above it all, shouting
their fire drill, which Instantly
brought the children to their senses
and they marched out in perfect
order.
When they thought all was safely
out Mabel Brown was missing, and
they heard her screaming at the
farther end of the barn, where she
had hidden herself, too frightened to
come out with the rest of the chill
dren. The flames and smoke were
now so thick that there seemed no
possible way of reaching her. No one
would dare go back into that barn to
help her, when brave Jimmie Gordon
was seen pushing his way through
the barn door again. Everyone was
sure that he would perish with Mabel
in the flames, but presently he was
again seen coming with Mabel in his
arms. He had wrapped his coat
around her head and face, and she
was only slightly burned.
The fire department had got there
by this time and had extinguished the
flames with only slight damage to the
barn
And so ended Helen's Halloween
party-but let us all hope that Mabel
Brown learned that night that true
courage is not always hidden under
fine clothes.
Eden l. Keller, aged 8.
Charlton. Iowa, r. F. D. No. Z. 49,.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
Frank Harris Gets Caught
On a Fence

Once upon time there was to be
a Halloween party. There were a lot
of children going out together, they
were going to have great time that
night. They were all going over to
the Lucas house and get the two
Lucas children, Mable and John and
tn N they we're going out together.
There were Mable and John Lucas,
Myrtle and Grace and Frank Redman,
the two Cougar children and Lucy and
Frank Harris. and Harry and Wick
Arnold. d..
They first went through cornfield
to Graham's house; they, pulled
Graham's lumber wagon down in the
road and hung old rags on the clothes
line and left old tin pans In the yard;
they left Graham's then and went
through a pasture over to old Mr..
Shocks farm. On the way through
the pasture Frank Harris got caught on
"a fence and was left behind. He was
by himself and he had to make his
own way now. He thought he would
go over to the Morriss house where he
knew some boys and he thought he
would get them to go with him.
They were at home but their parents
told him that they were out. They
were in the upstairs window watch.
ing for any body that came. They
saw Frank and they thought they
would play 2 trick on him. So they
thrust a big pumpkin face with a sheet
tied on to it down at him. He got
scared and ran home: When he got
home he found the children that had
gone with him in bed. So he didn't
have such a good time after all.
May Belgard, age 10.
Agency, Iowa. r. R. No. I. . ......a
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
ONE HALLOWEEN NIGHT.

When we lived at Fairfield we chill
dren thought we had the time of our
lives. We gathered all the children
in our block together. Some carried a
pumpkin face with lighted candle in
side. Some had chalk to mark on win
dows; some threw corn and others
tick tackled.
One lady came out and thought she
would brighten us away by saying the
sheriff lived there but we did not scare.
Some older girls thought they would
scare us so they dressed up as ghosts
and took after us. We ran until tired
and out of breath. Then all went
home and went to bed, as it was get
ting late. -.. -
Beulah Grebe, Age II.
+: Libertyville, Ia, Route No. l.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
Mary Cleans House Before
Halloween Party

Dear Juniors:-It was only a week
until Halloween. And Mary's mamma
said she could have party.
So Mary wanted to begin cleaning
house right away, and by the time it
was Halloween the house was clean
ed and every thing put in order and
everything looked nice.
1t was Halloween and everything
looked real nice. They invited fifty
to the party. They had red over the
electric lights and green over the
hanging lamps. They had the whole
house lighted up. .....
They were all dressed up, some
dressed up as negroes, some as
ghosts. When the party was over they
served candy, nuts, pop corn and
other things and gave each one a post
card with ghost on it.
When it was time to go home every
one said they had good time.
Bertha Bishop, Age II.
......~. Selma St., Eldon, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
Mary Jones Sends Out Hal
lOwe'en Invitations

Mary Jones was sending out invita-
lions for a party. There were six
girls and six boys. ~.
On Halloween they came into dim
ly lighted room. Strewn about the
walls and curtains were black cats,
witches, COLLINS and ghosts. AS they
came into the lighted room they saw
large tub filled with water and ap-
pies. They were told to try to get
the apples in their mouths with hands
behind them. o..
It was pretty hard to get any apples
because sometimes their heads bump
ed and their apples would sail away.
After awhile the little company sat
down by the fire to roast chestnuts.
After awhile the children were call
ed out door to have games and stories.
When told, whole band Of tiny elves
and COLLINS danced around and around
them, singing a little tune all the
while. In short time they all scamp
cred away.
AS they went in to supper they
noticed all the little elves and COLLINS
seated on one side of the table.
At the side of their plates were
small paper pumpkins with the date
written on them In red ink. Under
the nakins were small candy hearts.
In a little while the elves pulled
down their long caps and the children
recognized them as playmates they
thought were not invited.
After supper some Of the prizes
were given out. They played and
cracked nuts for a while.
Then they broke up into small
groups ready for a pleasant trip home.
Mary watched them from the gate,
some of them sang back at the others,
some going in different directions and
the swinging pumpkins sent long NOV
ing lights along the white walk.
Blanche Redman,
1872 Iowa avenue, Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
Helena's Parents Gave Her
a Surprise Party

One day Helena Brown said to her
mother, MAY l have party HalloW-
e'en?"
Mrs. Brown answered, Il don't
know. I will think it over
Helena then ask her father. Her
Father said he didn't know.
Mr.. and Mrs. Brown had talk ed it
over and had decided to have a sur
prise party.
Mrs. Brown said no more about it to
Helena. She told Helena not to say
any more about it. Helena was very
obedient and didn't say anything about
it to anybody.
Halloween Helena was very sad.
Her mother said, Helena, would you
like to go to grandma's to spend the
day."
Helena was happy now. "Oh, moth
err may go?" she cried.
you may go if you want to- an
swered her mother.
Helena began to get ready to 60.
"Rose will call for you at this even
ing, Helena Be good girl and mind
grandma. Goodbye" said her mother.
Helena departed with a very happy
face.
At 7:3O the guests began to arrive.
At 8 Rose went for Helena and at
$50 the fun began. ..... ....
The parlor was decorated and the
guests were in the parlor. Helena,
her mother and father were always
used to going to the parlor after din
ner. ...
Mrs. Brown said, Helena, let's go
to the parlor."
Helena said, Cali right, mother"
They went into the parlor and a
crowd Of boys and girls greeted them.
Helena stood still for moment and
then she went to her mother crying,
ooh, mother, thank you"
Her mother smiled. Then they be-
gan to play. The bobbed for apples
and played many games.
Then they had refreshments after
that they talked and then as they had
jack-'o-l lanterns they went outside for
some fun.
Helena went to her mother and said
"May I go out a while too? I won't
stay out long?'
Her mother said, 1T is only. half
past nine. You may go and stay until
ten"
They all went out and had good
time. At ten they all went back to
Helena's and she gave them each q
black cat or witch. They then de-
parted, saying they had had a good
time.
Helena said, Fl have had a nice time
too. Come back again. Eve will"
they answered. MI,
Then they all said good night. They
went home to tell their parents of their
good time They were all very tired
and sleepy and soon all were home and
in bed asleep. p
Doris Gray, Age IL.
615 A Ave. E., Abba, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
II Liked Toasted Marsh
mallOWs Best"

Mary and Dorothy had been promis-
ed that they could go and visit their
aunt in the country on Halloween.
If they didn't miss a day Of school until
then. .,
The first day of school Mary said
she had a headache and didn't want to
go to school. 49,.
But her mother said she could not
visit her aunt Cecilia on Halloween
if she didn't 60. So Mary was willing
to go for she wanted to see her aunt
on Halloween. .......
When the time came for them to
pack their grips they said they would
write mother and tell what they did on
Halloween. They got off the train and
went into the depot who should they
see but their aunt. On their way home
their aunt stopped at house and told
some girls mother when Mary and
Dorothy did not hear for those girls
and their cousin to come over to her
house to party on Halloween and
each Of the girls to bring pumpkin
face with them and light it before COM
ing into the house.
Then they asked some more children
over the phone when they came home.
When Halloween came their aunty
cleaned the house and was busy dec
Grating with pumpkins etc.
When evening came their aunt
changed their dresses and combed
their hair. Then they had supper and
then the pumpkins were lit Such a
happy time it was for the two little
girls that night. After a while the
company came. Then the fun began.
They toasted marshmallows, popped
corn and roasted apples. Then few
games were played. By that time it
was almost eleven o'clock. After that
the refreshments were served. Then
the people began to go home. Then
the children began to go to bed.
That night the last words Mary said
to Dorothy were, "I liked the toasted
marshmallows best"
Louise Nelson, Age 9.517 Camille, st
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
"Sun Made Every Gold and
Crimson Leaf Dance"

One evening in October, was stand
ing by the yard gate waiting for the
mail man. When he came he gave me
several envelopes but the queerest of
all was one of peculiar shope and size.
It was of q yellow color with black
witches and their cats in the corners.
I opened it and on the inside was an
invitation to q Halloween party at one
of my friends home. Her name was
Marie Douglas and they live about
four miles and half from our house,
so she said II 1t was nice she would
come after me. wrote and told her
I could accept her invitation. The days
seemed very long but found much
time to make my masquerade. It was
an old witch's costume, composed Of a
tall, black, peaked hat with yellow
cats on the crown, long loose flowing
black robe of cheese cloth which was
also trimmed in yellow, and a long,
black, wand with yellow star on the
end.
Tht day dawned at last. It was a
very beautiful day. The sun seemed
to make every gold and crimson leaf
dance. The party was to commence at
1870 and Marie was to come after me
at 7. l was ready long before seven
and she was on time. She did not
know what kind of masquerade was
going to wear so when We arrived I
was almost the first one there so l
went in to the dressing room and put
on my masquerade. waited till many
guests had arrived before I went in to
the parlor. OF course she did not
know me and she was talking to some
other girl whom she thought was me.
There were various costumes, witches.
ghorts, Aunt Dinahs, and many others.
The lawn was lit up with jack-o-lant-
ems and Japanese lanterns. One girl
got her costume afire but it was soon
extinguished.
Many refreshments were served at
the beautiful decorated table. or
course We first unmasked which caused
much laughter. After supper we played
many games and returned home at
late hour and light hearts. I am plan
ming on as much fun this Halloween.
Your Junior friend,
Genevieve Mincks,
Ottumwa, a., R. r. No. 3, Box 85.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
The Twins Dress as Ghost
and Satan

Neddie and Nellie were twins. One
day week before Halloween, .Neddie
said, II wish we might have a
Halloween party" ooh! let us ask
mamma If We may" suggested Nellie.
So off they went to get mammals
consent.
Mamma, may We have Halloween
party?' said Nellie, Il don't know
about that said mamma" please, "
said Neddie. well I guess &c." con-
scented mamma, But that means
work" "We'll work! Well work."
exclaimed Neddie and Nellie in one
breath. cali right" said mamma and
to work they went. a-.,
They hung apples from the ceiling on
strings, and then they sat up at the
table and wrote the invitations. Papa
sat with Neddie and mamma sat with
Nellie.
They invited, Mary Jones, Silvia
Alexander, Edna Johnson, Ethel Arm.
strong and Sidney Ellsberry, Marian
Steadman, Raymond Gatewood, Rob
ert Shuts. When Halloween night
came they built bonfire, and toasted
marshmellows and weinnies. Then
the girls went in one of the bedrooms
and the boys in another bedroom.
Nellie dressed as an old witch, and
the girls dressed as ghosts. Neddie
dressed as satan and the boys also
dressed as ghosts. Then they went
out doors and sat in ring around the
bonfire and ate the Weinnies and
marshmellows, and then played a
while, When they came in they pulled
off their wraps, and mamma tied their
hands behind them and the one who
could catch an apple in their teeth out
of tub of water could have it. Then
they swung the apples hanging from
the ceiling and if they could catch
them with their teeth they could have
them. .......
Then they went home. They said
they had a fine time. After they were
gone the twins went to bed tired but
happy. Mozelle Gochnour age 10,
2O3 WEIGH Ave-, Ames, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01

house ready for the party. When the
day came for the party all the children
were so excited that they didn't think
they could wait until evening.
When the guests arrived they were
all so happy.
The house was lighted with pump
kins.
The children played games and then
they tried to get an apple out of tub
of water with their hands tied behind
them. ..
When the party was over and the
children gone to their homes they left
behind them four tired little children
but also four happy little children.
Ethel Armstrong, age 10.
116 WEIGH Ave-, Ames, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
Left Four Tired But Happy
Little Children

Robert, Marie, Margaret and little
Harry were all sitting on the porch
thinking what they could do on
Halloween when Marie said. maybe
mother will let us have a party
So they all hurried off to find mother
and see if they could have party.
When they found their mother, they
asked her if they could have a party
and she said. well | don't know about
that" but they begged her until she
said they could have a party.
They were all very busy getting the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01

we were given number of our part
ner with whom we were to eat.
We went into another room which
had long table In it. The table had
a large pumpkin, which had been hal
lowed out and was being used as
vase for flowers. I ate supper with
a pretty little girl with black curly
hair
Our plates were of paper and by
each plate was a nut with conundrum
in it.
= We had pumpkin pie, cake with
nuts in it and pop corn balls.
After supper we played games of all
kinds and about 10 o'clock we left
wishing Halloween came oftener
This is my first story to the Junior.
I am a little boy s years old.
Craig L. Coy,
Batavia, Iowa, Route No. l
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
Roberts Sister Wants to Be
Ghost

Halloween is the last day in Octo-
Der. On Halloween I think I will go
out with my big plaster Of paris jack
o'lantern, Last Halloween I went
over to my friends house and then
we went out together.
This Halloween | would like to
dress like witch. My sister would
like to dress like a ghost.
Robert Nelson, age 6.
... SIT Camille street
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
THE COURIER JUNIOR.
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING co..
OTUMWA, IOWA.
MATILDA DEVEREAUx,
EDITOR.
MARY AND RUDOLPH ARE THE
PRIZE WINNERS.

Dear Juniors Today we have a
splendid Halloween paper, and all the
interesting stories are written by the
Juniors. The Judge awarded two prizes
one to Rudolph Dahleen and one 10
Mary Belgard. "
The Halloween stories failing to ap-
pear today will be in next weeks
Junior.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-01
WANT INTERESTING LETTERS.

We hope that many more of the
Juniors will write letters. We will
offer box of paper and envelopes for
the best letter and all the Juniors can
work for it.
We want more Juniors to. send In
some Of their school compositions. We
will award surprise prizes for the best
ones from time to time.