davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
Lee Henry Gets Lost /:
by Caryl.

Dear Editor:
I will write story about little
neighbor whose name is Lee Henry. It
was on New Years night. The family
gathered around the supper table but
Lee Henry's chair was vacant The
family were alarmed for it was night.
It was still moonlight night. His
papa and little, brothers took the Ian
tern and went to search for him.
The children had been to school and
on their way home had stopped to play.
He set his dinner basket down and for
got it.
When he got almost home he missed
It, He started back for the basket that
was the last his brothers had seen Of
him.
His papa and brothers searched the
barn, corn crib, hog houses, straw
stacks and all around, and called out
LEO Henry at the top of their
voices, but no Leo could be heard. Then
they became more alarmed and called
some Of the neighbors to help search.
They took lanterns and searched the
fields and timber but could not hear a
sound Of little Lee. Just then his papa
said Listen" and they stopped They
heard cries Of Joy I'VE found him"
Little Lee was up stairs under the bed.
frightened from seeing the lanterns
and crowd.
Caryl Rice, age s.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
Fish;n' in the Greek

OF all things in summer, when I'm free
to play, ..
I like nothin' better than to get away
With my rod an tackle, bout six times
week. . .."a. ..
An spend lazy hours fishin' in the
creek. ". Be-.
Not for trout an such things-'taint
no place for that;
Sunnies there, an suckers, an some
times cat,
An the little minnys' playin' hide an
seek, ...g
That's what I go after, fshin' In the
creek.
An II l don't catch 'em, it's lot OF
fun r.'
JUS to stir the water an to see EN-
run,
Dartin' through the shadows, all so
smooth an sleek,
KNOWN I can't hook 'em, fishin' in the
creek.
There's place make for, by a quiet
pool,
Where in hottest weather it Is always
An you'll mostly find me, if you care
to seek,
Underneath the willows fishin' in the
creek.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
Mary Josephine Wants to
be a Telegrapher.

Dear Editor:
am little girl nine years old. have
blue eyes, light hair and little pug
nose.
haven't any brothers or sisters liv-
Ing.
had a cat for my pet. And I have
fourteen dolls and two toy dogs and
other playthings too numerous to men
ton. r.,
NY name is Mary Josephine. My
mothers Is the same.
MY grandmother's name is Mary
Francis Markee. She lives in Chilli
cothe, Mo. ..r
And my great grandmother's name
was Mary and the other one was Marie.
I also had an aunt Mary who died
several years ago. IN" seems to be the
popular letter In our family.
My papa is station here and he takes
the Daily Courier. We have taken it
about five years u.s. g.
I am in the fourth reader and papa
is teaching me telegraphy.
I hope to be able to be an operator
some day.
Mary Josephine Lisetor, age 9.
West Grova- la
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
Why q Kitten Stopped
Chasing Birds.

One day a little kitten was playing
nicely in the yard with ball when a
big Newfoundland dog came along and
took the ball away from her. OF course
this made her angry and she struck at
him with her foot. After while she
started Onward the house and when ne
saw this he ran after her and chased
her out Of the gate and down the road
. ways where she ran up tree. Soon
q little boy Of six and girl OF four
came along and drove the dog away
and took the cat home with them.
Farmer Gray. tho children's father.
did not want the cat 30 one evening as
he drove of In his buggy for town he
the road. SheNwandered about that
night and the next morning but could
not and anything to eat. She was get
ting very hungry as she had wandered
about 80 long. Fortunately for her a
little girl came to the woods where she
was and called to her. The little girl
tok her home and fed her and hxed a
nice warm basket for a bed out in the
summed kitchen. She lived at her new
home forever. Louise called her Daisy
as she was 80 beautiful.
One day as the kitten was lying on
the back porch she saw bin on the
water tank and went after it but tho
bird flew to the other side and tho kit
water and almost drowned, 50 ever
after this she never chased a bird. I
guess that this taught her a lesson. I
think this poor kitten had many adven-
lures. don't suppose she wanted any
more, do you?
Mabel Skirvin, age IA.
Agency, Ia, r. No. I.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
Perry Clark Gives Idea of
Fairgrounds.

Dear Editor:
A playground ought to be place for
boys to play who are too young to Join
tho Y. M. c. A. I wanted to Join but
they said was too young so haven't
any place to go. There ought to be a
base ball diamond for the boys and q
sand pile for little children. Girls and
boys both would enjoy swings and .
merry go-round. Il
I think 1t would be nice to hnvo the
Ottumwa playground near the river
AMI some one there to teach children
to swim.
II boys meet on the street corner
they are likely to think Of something
mean to do, but If they go to q play
ground they have a good time and
don't get into trouble either.
I think a playground ought to have
nice drinking fountain.
I visited a play ground in Iowa City
once. There were nice lot Of swings,
teeter-totters, sand pile and q nice
drinking fountain. The little park was
nice and shady. like to go there with
my cousin.
/ wrote this letter all my self on the
typewriter.
Perry Clark, age 10,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
THE STORY OF NY LIFE.

was born In Highland Center May
10, 1900, and lived there for five peace
full, happy years. when my father died
We lived there for two more years.
when we moved to Trumball. Nebr.
And there my mother was suddenly
taken away from the homo which we
all loved so well.
From there my brother and went
to stay with my cousin, while my sis
ter went as bookkeeper to the Clay
Center Roller Mills. She has kept the
position for the past four years. Her
name is Charlotte and my brothers
name is Warren, and my name you all
know at the end Of tho letter.
My brother, sister and / keep house IN
the winter time and go to school, while
in the summer time we go to the coun-
try We do not take the Courier as
circumstances prevent It.
This summer caIne back to my old
Iowa home, but will return Aug. 81
Aurelia Mccormick, age Is,
Farson, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
vlcToR's FIRST LETTER.

Dear Juniors:
I have never written to the Junior
before, 80 thought would write once
I will tell you about my school.
I am in the fourth grade. don't
like to 90 to school.
Sometimes we wrestle in school.
tried to put my neighbor boy down.
He is eight years old. I am eleven.
Sometimes can put him down and
sometimes can't.
II I write letter I always write q
long one.
My brothers name Is Roy.
am about four feet tall. have
black hair.
20 to the Goodspeed school,
Irene Swenson's name was in the
paper one week. She goes to the same
school as do. She Is my neighbor. She
IL always happy.
Victor Adams, ago II,
Waverly, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
Indian Custom

"Well,"' said granfather, as he picked
little Arthur up and set him on his
knee, you ought to be glad you aren't
a little Indian boy, for, II you were,
you'd be almost old enough to get q
whipping such as no American boy
ever has to bear. A long, long time
ago was out among the Zuni Indians
and witnessed their strange ceremony
of initiating a number Of their boys In
a sort Of club which they called the
Kok-ko.
There was a big room followed
out down underground and in this the
godfathers of the boys to be initiated
assembled about dusk. They sat In a
circle in the middle Of the floor and
each of them tied a little boy, face
downward, across his knees.
Then four Indians, wearing hideous
false faces, with horns, and carrying
long swords in one hand and thin,
Enotted strips of leather in the other,
came dancing in. Taking each boy
In turn, they gave him most terri.
bic whipping, hitting over the max
ed back with those cruel leather
thongs.
"Of course, the boys yelled-for they
simply couldn't help it, though they
tried their best not to. Then, when
all the lads had been whipped, the
men took off their masks and put
them over the boys heads, in turn.
They also handed them the swords.
The boys then raised the swords and
struck the men on their ankles and
on each arm.
"And after that, each boy rushed
out of the underground room and ran
around through the village, carrying
switches and beating everyone whom
they met. Lots of the other Indians
purposely got in the way of the boys
SO that they might be whipped, for
they believed that such a whipping
would prevent them becoming Ill.
These Indians believed that certain
spirits, called Kok-kos, dwelt up In the
mountains and whispered secrets to
the Indians; but it was necessary for
the boys to be whipped and then hit
the Indians wearing the false faces be-
fore they themselves can be able to
hear the whisperings of the Kok-kos.
Every Indian boy initiated was
held that If he ever revealed any Of
the secrets his head would be cut of
with stone knife. So dare say,
Arthur, you're mighty glad you are
not a little Zuni Indian boy, aren't
you?"
And, you may be sure Arthur was.
Aren't YOU?
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
Ethel Writes About Her
Mammals Mother.

Dear Juniors:
I am going to write about my grand
ma. She came to the town of Oska1oosa
50 years ago.
There was only one long cabin COW
cred with bark there.
There were lots Of Indians here then.
The nearest trading place was Fair
field.
She was born in Indiana and moved
to Iowa by wagon. She was five years
old. She Is now "a.
She was married in 1873 to William
J. Wheeler.
There was only one child and that
was mamma.
We children like to hear grandma
tell about when she came to Iowa.
Well as my letter Is getting long
will close.
Ethel Jones, age Is,
Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
KATE is NAME OF RLANcHE's
MOTHER.

s
Dear Editor:
l thought I would write Letter. My
mammals name Is Kate. She has blue
eyes and light hair. will tell you 8
good joke on her. We went to the
county fair hast fall. My sister Caryl.
age 6, and went with papa to see the
live stock. And mamma took my little
sister Margaret age 4, and my little
brother Chester, age year, with her.
When we got back we had the laugh
on mamma for we had Margaret with
us.
She was lost from mamma when
thew were looking at the poultry, and
a lady who knew her had found her and
brought her to us.
We asked mamma where Margaret
was and she said why don't know.
I wonder where she can be.
She had never missed her Then we
laughed at her good.
Blanche Rice, age 8,
Packwood, age 8,
Packwood, Ia, r. 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
WAS SISTER LYDIA.

Dear Junior:
I received my pretty post card you
sent me and thank you very much for
it. I thought would write about my
sister Lydia.
She has dark hair and black eyes.
She goes to school. s
She goes to Maple Grove school.
She is in the sixth or seventh grade.
She lives about mile from my
house We see each other often. She
has a kind heart She is thirteen years
old. Her birthday is the oath Of Sep
TENDER.
She lives about half mile from the
church and about three quarters Of q
mile from her school house.
Iva Traul,
Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
Maude Describes An Old
Orchard.

The birds were singing merrily az
they flew from tree to tree on bright
May morning. The sun was shining
brightly as If 1t wanted to send Its
blessings down upon the whole earth. !
A large flock of birds had settled
down In an old orchard only few days
before and as no one else came near
they decided to make 1t their home.
The trees were planted in straight
rows, but weeds had grown up between
them SO that. 1t would have made 1t
hard for anybody to go through.
But it hadn't been so hard for some
body for under one Of the largest trees
was a piece of an old carpet. The grass
was trampled all around 1t and on the
carpet was things that had been put
there by some child. On one side was
doll bed with two dolls fast asleep
tucked under the cover made by their
little mamma.
On little stand were some story
books. the go-cart, the table, the cup
board and the chairs were all there and
it looked like a regular doll house.
Under another tree was another
house but this was so much different
from the other 1t was not neat and
tidy, but covered with strings, paper
whistles !. and almost anything one
could have The owner Of the first
house was a little girl Of seven or eight
and little boy Of five or six. Close to
the orchard was an old house and barn
that looked as If no one had lived there
for five or ten years. Not far away
from this house was little four room
house where the boy and girl lived
with their father and mother.
Most Of the orchard consisted OF ap-
pie trees, but few cherry trees and
peach trees were there. About half tho
trees were dead, so not much care was
taken Of the orchard.
Every summer since these children
could remember some people from the
city had come out and picked the
fruit.
The birds thought this a most won
derful place and stayed there until fall
when they went to their winter home
in the south.
Maude Skirvin, age IA,
Agency. Iowa, r. No. l.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
Donald Goes to
A Circus at
the Zoo

Nurse and Donald had settled them
selves comfortably at the foot Of a big
oak in the Geological park. The after.
noon was drowsy and hot and nurse
was not in the best of humors- that
is, not until the big, blond keeper
came up and took off his hat to her.
"Shs-s-sh, don't wake him. she
cautioned, pointing to little Donald,
who lay curled up on the thick car
pet of green grass. Hes sound
asleep!" w..
But that showed how little nurse
knew about it! Donald asleep? Indeed,
no! Why, at that very moment, he
was talking with his fairy friend, the
Old Man of the Woods!
.I never could see, Donald" the old
man was saying, why little boys are
always so crazy to go to the circus
when it comes to town, when right
here at their own Zoo they can see
circus every day in the year, II they
like. Most boys like to look at the
animals in their cages; but If they
would only watch them more closely
they would find that they do all the
tricks that are performed in most cir
cuses. Here, I'll wave my magic wand
and make you small; then we'll sit on
this oak leaf and sail from one cage
to another. Now-ready-hold tight
here we go to the monkey-vage
first" s..
A gentle puff of wind caught up
the leaf and away they sailed over
the green fields and straight through
the omen door of the building in
which the monkeys were housed.
Now, as you have already guessed.
this Old Man Of the Woods was q
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
West Grove Junior Has :
Grandmas, / Grandpa.

Dea Courier Junior: I have one
grandpa and two grandmas.
Grandpa and Grandma Lsetor live
IN Sumner, Mo-, and Grandma Markee
lives in Chillicothe, Mo. they are
about twenty miles apart.
Grandpa Lisetor was born IN onlo
In 1852. He is 81 years OLD. he was
nine years of age when the war broke
out 80 was not old enough to go.
Grandma Lisetor was born IN Eng
land in 1854 and is 50 years old. she
came to America when she was ~
spending her 18th birthday on tne
water. She has told me many inter
esting stories about the trip.
She and grandpa were married III
1870 and in 1875 they moved to Ne
braska. In 1878 returned to ONO:
Then in 1885 they moved to missouri
where they are now living. think
they are coming to see us soon ana
win be glad to see them.
Grandma Markee is visiting us now
She was born in Kentucky IN 1916.
She will be 81 years old this October.
When she was about six years OF age
they moved to Illinois going up the
Mississippi river in boat where she
iived until the fall Of 1869. Then they
moved to Missouri where she has lived
over since.
She and grandpa were married IN
Hancock county, Illinois, inthe spring
Of 1863, grandpa died in January 1890.
He was born in Ohio In 1888, dying at
the age Of 81. -,
AS my letter is getting long l will
close. This is the third letter l have
written to the Junior.
Mary Josephine Lisetor, age 9,
West Grove, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
MAURICE LIVES NEAR BRAKES.
VILE.

Dear Juniors:
As have never written 70 the Jun
Tor thought would write.
live on q farm eight miles north Of
Drakesville.
For pets have dog. He is black
with a white ring around his neck. His
name IL Ring. can hitch him up to
my little wagon.
have two sisters. Their names are
Maude and Murlie and three brothers.
Their names are Eugene, Guy and
Roy. Eugene is married and lives at
Grinnell, Iowa Guy Is married. He
lives in Ottumwa.
MY sister Maude is married and
lives six miles west Of Drakesville.
have three little nephews. Their names
are Willie and Allan Kinsinger and
Charles Wintermate.
Charles lives up at Grinnsll. have
not seen him for almost a year. Willie
and Allan were up to see him last
week.
Maurice Wintermate, age 8,
Bealknap Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16

Dear Editor:
My papa's name begins with N.
Manma's name begins with M.
have two little sisters. Their names
are Mabel and Luvell.
I have three aunts. Their names be-
gin with M, aunt Myrtle. aunt Margie
and aunt Matte.
NV aunt Myrtle, husband and three
children visited us in January. They
live in Washington. Aunt Margie lives
very near us. I like to visit her very
much. I have nice time there. Aunt
Matte lives in Bloomfield, Ia She has
two children. Their names are Freder-
lex and Helen We have five little
canary birds. I will tell some Of their
names: Molly, Teddy, Ira and Bubby-
hubby.
Avon Ware,
Bloomfield, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
Georgiana Enjoys Her Trip
to Colorado.

Dear Editor: will write and tell
you about my trip to Colorado.
We left Eldon about 1878 q. m.
We travelled all day and arrived at
Cameron, Mo-, that evening. We
stayed all night at my aunt's in Cam.
eron.
The next morning we LETT for Kan
sas Cty.
Z We left about 6 a. m. and arrived
In Kansas City about s a. m.
We left Kansas City about 1880 a
m. and travelled all day and air night
and arrived In Pueblo about 8 a. m,
where we went to a hotel and got our
breakfast. When we finished break.
Iast we left for Colorado Springs
we LETT Pueblo about 1880 q. m,
ana arrived In Colorado Springs at
10 p. m. What made US SO late getting
into Colorado Springs was because
they had washout.
Mamma went up town to hunt a ho
tel. She was gone about ten minutes,
She told my sister and I she found
q rooming house but the lady acted
crazy. We went to the house but did
not 60 in. There was house next
door and they told US the lady was
crazy and so we went to another
house. We had nice room
We left Colorado Springs aoout ~
o'clock a. m. and arrived in Texaa
Creek about 4 p m.
We left there about 4:30 p. m.
There is only one store, 2 houses,
a saloon and a depot and postoflcs
in West Greek. The postoff1ce Is n the
depot
We arrived in Silver Cleft about 9
p. m. Nobody came to meet us 80 We
stayed all night in a hotel. We had
to ride nine miles in wagon yet
The next morning about 10 they
came after us with wagon.
It took us about tree hours to
get there. We ate dinner and then
climbed mountains. We just had a
jolly time We went fishing and rode
horses. We saw several prairie dogs.
Rosta was the name of the place
was visiting.
We stayed about week and then
we went to Victor, Colo.
When we arrived in Victor
friend met US at the depot. We stayed
at the hotel a couple of days and then
we rented furnished house.
found plenty Of playmates. The
one played with most was Hazel
Lusk Berry.
We took pictures. and oh! we just
had a splendid time.
We stayed about six weeks.
was glad to see all my friends
again.
Well, this is all about Colorado &C
will close. Yours truly,
Georgiana Hawkins, age IL.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
SOME SHORT STORIES.

We want all the Juniors to write
short stories taking for their subjects
some current event. When we say
"current event" we mean something
that is taking place today or has taken
place within the past few days. For
Instance story about the circus
might be one current event Then
again the Juniors can write about a
picnic, social, a party or some other
interesting event. The prize will be
1 beautiful basket or doll for the
girls best story and knife or book
for the boys. This contest opens
today,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
A Kansas Junior Goes
Flower Hunting.

Dear Juniors:
One bright Saturday afternoon in
April Bessie Thomas and her brother
went to the woods to hunt violets.
They expected to be gone late SO they
asked their mama to fix lunch, SO
she said she would. She had killed q
chicken and she fried some for them.
The mother told Bessie to get the
lunch basket. Her brother Ray was
helping his father with some work
out doors until time to 60.
The mother put in their basket
chicken, pie, cake, bread, onions.
baked beans, pickles. and cookies.
When they were ready to go she said,
start home at o'clock"
! They said all right. and away they
went
They walked very fast along the
grassy roadside leading to the woods.
Pretty soon Bessie said, II found a
violet
Here are some more" said Ray.
"Oh, here is a whole lot"
Pretty soon they heard bird. Look
ing up they saw a blue jay. They
watched the bird little while, then
set their lunch basket under the tree
and began picking as fast as they
could. They soon had large handfuls
of shining violets. While they were
busy they never noticed the large
clouds gathering above. They went on
farther in the deep shade Of the
woods. There the ylolets peeped up
everywhere.
Ray called to his sister to come and
look at squirrel that he noticed hop
ping about in large tree. While they
were watching the squirrel, much to
their surprise there came a loud clap
of thunder which frightened them
very much. They got their flowers to-
gether and hurried back to where they
had left their lunch.
Come" said Bessie, picking up the
basket, I'VE must hurry home before
it rains"
"Oh. no, sister," said Ray, ''let us
spread out our lunch and eat 1t. Then
we can run and get home before It
rains" :.
~ suppose you must have your way"
So they began to eat hurriedly, but De-
for they were through drops OF rain
began to fall on the grass beside them.
They gathered up their basket and
flowers and ran as fast as they could,
but not fast enough to escape good
wetting by a heavy April shower.
Beulah Zimmerman.
Randall Kansas.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
AuRELIA,s IDEA OF PLAYGROUND

I think q public playground is Just
about the incest amusement that can
be had for children. .-
Every town ought to have one. no
matter whether large or small. II they
did children would not get into 50 much
meanness.
The playground should be in q shady
place with swings, hammooks and lots
Of games and other things that are
amusing to children and also I think
the chiidren's parents ought to accom-
pany the children whenever they see
fit.
Aurelia Mccormick,
Fa1Son, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-16
MAx's RELATION
Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:
AS have never written to the Jun
Tor page before I thought would like
to write. have an uncle and two
cousins whose names begin with Q. MY
Uncle Otto Hermann is fourteen years
old. He is about five feet tall and has
dark hair and gray eyes.
My cousin Ora Hartmann Is eight
years old and has dark hair and gray
eyes. She goes to Oak Ridge school NO.
1 and is in the third reader.
Cousin Otto Montague is years old
and has dark hair and gray eyes. GER
tainly have a good time when see
him.
Max H. Wiley, age 10,
Ia Ri1rar11iaU1 addiflOf