davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04

should recall the day when, after Ions
and serious waiting, the Declaration
of Independence" was adopted and
signed by the delegates on July 4,
1875.
The delegates from the different
colonies met in Philadelphia, signing
their names to the immortal Declare
ton of independence, pledging their
homes, their fortunes and their sacred
honor to the achievements of indie
pendence.
The war had already waged for
more than a year.
Lexington, Bunker Hill and Boston
had already proved their strength and
patriotism.
Washington was in command of the
army The battle of White Plains, of
Long Island, of Brandywine, Of Ger
mantown, Of Monmouth, of Camden,
we're still to be fought.
But justice in our cause, despite the
Tories and traitors. triumphed on land
and sea, and on September 3, 1888, the
treaty of peace signed at Paris made
ours a country and us a nation.
Frank Haiss, aged IL.
Ottumwa, Iowa, r. R. No. 6.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
Three Sisters Fourth of
of July - Louise K.
Nelson

1t was the day before the Fourth and
Mrs. Rose promised Mary, Martha and
Marie they could buy some Fireworks.
That afternoon she told the girls tl,rv
could go to town and make their sele
tons. Mary's choice was; pin wheels
and firecrackers. Martha wanted rom :,
candles and skyrockets, Marie preferred
VOLCANOES and flower pots. So together
they spent Is cents which their mother
had given them for being her good lit
tie helpers. The next morning the girls
arose bright and early for it was the
glorious Fourth, and as early as 5
o'clock frecrackers were heard from,
all directions and Mary, Martha and.
Marie were soon ready to Join in the
celebration of the day. The early nlorn-
Ing and forenoon was merrily spent at.
home and about 1fa1f past twosthe Rose
family left for, Hickory Valley fora,
picnic where the girls spent a jolly aft
err<on. About o'clock they, returned,
home and an hour later it began to get
dark, so the girls got out their fire..
works for the big event. Mary whirled
her pinwheels, Martha shot her roman
candles and Marie fired her flower
pots and VOLCANOES and surely the girls
were having good time and it was
nearly eleven o'clock when their moth
er called them to go to bed. This ended,
their busy and jolly Fourth of Julv.
long to be remembered when they get
older.
Louise x. Nelson, age 10.
617 Camille ST., Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
The Declaration of indie
pendence-By Marion
Daniels

The English colonies in America
were oppressed by the stamp tax. The
Americans were thoroughly indignant
(they had right to be). They forced
the stamp agents to resign and then
destroyed the stamps. Then King
George III. (then king of England)
thought that the Americans were get
ting too independent and so he had
large tax placed on tea.
Soon after a large shipment of tea
was sent to Boston. The people of
that city refused to allow the tea to be
landed.
They held a town meeting and every
one was wondering what to do with
that bothersome tea until someone re-
marked:
II wonder how tea would taste with
salt water"
That set them to thinking. That
night some men dressed as Indians
threw the three hundred and fOrty-two
chests of tea into the ocean.
After Lord North's Tea Tricks,
King George was angry, very angry
with the Americans. They in turn re.
scented being treated as slaves to the
British crown.
Troops were sent to Boston after its
"tea party" with the intention OF
starving the people into paying for the
tea. The people of the other colonies
sent help and messages to "hold out
against the tyrants," to the Boston
ians. After the Boston Massacre"
Patrick Henry in the Virginia legisla-
ture, who was cross at weak attempts
of the people to conciliate with Eng
land exclaimed: 1--WE must fight;
repeat it, sir, we must fight, These.
with other stirring words and phrases,
goaded on the movement to send let
ter to the other colonies to send rep
resentatives to a convention. This
met and on July 4, 1776, the final arti-
tcles were drawn up and 1t was signed
by all present.
These men knew that this document
meant war with England and that II
we lost, the patriots who had signed
this would be caught and sent to Eng
land to be put in prison.
Some very curious Incidents and
witty speeches were made on this oc-
casion.
John Hancock, president, wrote his
name in large characters so, King
George wouldn't have to put on his
spectacles to see IT, Charles Carroll
was joked that some one else might
be taken for him so he wrote Charles
Carroll of Carrollton." -
The colonies of New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Con.
necticut, New York, New Jersey, Della
ware, Pennsylvania. North Carolina,
South Carolina and Georgia, sent rep,
resentatives. <1 'as a
This Declaration of Independence
established the United States IN the
eyes of the world as a free and indie.
pendent nation A long war followed
but we won. May 1t be America for.
ever!
Marion A. Daniels, Age IL.
500 North Market St., Ottumwa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
How Reub Celebrated the
Fourth BY William Haiss

Once there was boy whose name
was Reub. He was working on farm
for Mr.. Enos Judkins. 1t was the
day before the Fourth Of July. Reub
wanted to go to the celebration but
the farmer said he couldn't 60 on &C.
count of him getting into mischief.
you said I might have day off for
working hard all through spring." said
Reub rebelliously.
The farmer was bound and determin-
ed that the boy shouldn't go. He said
he might wait till huckleberry time.
The boy had been drilling rocks the
last week. He had them all drilled
that night and had them filled with
dynamite and powder.
The farmer asked him how many he
had drilled. Reub told him that he
had about forty drilled. The farmer
didn't know that there only were for
ty rocks. He told Reub that when
they all were drilled they would set
them off some fine morning before 1t
was light enough for travel.
Reub slipped off to bed in very gay
spirit. He thought of the morrow
About 8 o'clock in the morning of
the fourth there was an awful explo-
sion. Then came another and many
more in rapid succession. Mr.. Jud-
kins woke up with a start.
He thought the city folks we're sure
ly celebrating. When he got down
stairs there came another explosion
that shook the house.
AS soon as he got out doors he found
that the sound was from the pasture.
a
he was going to whip Reub when he
came home for setting them OF be-
fore all were drilled Ia
The dogs were barking In the pas
ture. Mr.. Judkins started that way
but he changed his mind.
He turned around and started to-
ward town.
He was greeted cordially and adj
mired for beating the town folks for
he and Reub had beat another town
which had been boasting about the
Fourth. Mr.. Judkins hadn't had any
thing to do with the city folks before
and was surprised at being treated SO
cordially He said it wasn't him but
that boy Reub who did them up.
They told him to hurry and bring
Reub and his wife to the celebration.
When Mr. Judkins got home he saw
Reub coming from the pasture with
the dogs. He wanted to know why
he set the rocks of but Reub told him
that he said they had to be set off be.
fore daylight and as he had them all
drilled he thought that he would do 1t.
Mr.. Judkins told him to hurry and
get his best clothes on and they would
20 to the city to the celebration.
William Haiss, Age 10
Ottumwa, r. r. 6.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
Little Willie, the Crippled
Boy, BY Ida Braden

It was on a cold December day, some
boys were going up by the old school
house that stod on a big hill. They all
had sleds, but one boy had the incest
and largest sled and they all wanted to
ride on his sled. One time four boys got
on the sled and were going to all ride
down the hill at once, but the boy who
owned the sled whose name was Jack
Johnson, said Say. you can't all ride
at once,' so three Of the boys got off.
After while one little boy whose
name was Ned said: II wonder why
Willie Thompson wasn't at school last
week."
oh" said one large lazy boy whose
name was Tom Adams, Willie fell and
sprained his ankle last week and he
can't even walk.
They looked up towards Willie's
house and saw Willie standing by the
window watching them. He looked SO
lonesome and Ned said Let's go and
get Willie Thompson and take him a
ride on Jacks sled.
They all wanted to but Tom. He id,
"Why, he is crippled and we would
have to pack him around. No we
wont: we can haul him on the sled and
show him merry time if he is Grip
pied"
"All right" they all said, lets go to-
gether."
When they got up to Willie's house
he was still standing by the window.
Ned picked up handful Of snow and
threw It against the house and said,
Come on and have some fun with U.S."
Willie pulled up the window. His face
was brighter, but he said II can't go
along boys, 1 sprained my ankle and
would be too much trouble to YOU"
mo you WON'T" the boys said, come
on"
The boys went into the house and
Willie got all bundled up. Thena the
boys backed him out and put him on
Jacks sled and went back to the hill
and had fine time.
About o'clock Willie said he expect
ed he had better go home, SO the boys
took him home. When they got him
into the house, Willie said Il have had
the best time believe have ever had
If have got my ankle sprained." The
boys all laughted and said 1--WE are glad
Of it. We will come and take you again
some time"
Then they bid Willie good-by and
started for home. While they were go
ing Jack said lets some of US boys
come and take Willie to school on my
sled next week.
They did so and Willie never missed
day the next week at school.
The teacher said it was very kind Of
the boys to do it.
Ida Braden,
Hedrick, Iowa, r. No.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
Reya Has One Grandpa and
Two Grandmas

AS have not written for long time
T will try and write
I am living east of Chequest store on
the Jacob Goltfelter's farm. go to
We all enjoyed Children's Day Sun
day June IA.
I have one grandpa and two grand
mas living in Iowa
One of my grandmas lives about one
mile from us. Her name Is Grandma
Powell. was named for her.
I have another grandma who lives in
Ottumwa, Ia.
NY grandpa has been over to see US.
r would like to see my Aunt Edna.
She has been sick since last year. she
is so kind to me.
I have two pet bantams.,
I have a baby brother fifteen months
old. His name is Kenneth.
I have three more brothers and two
sisters.
Reva A. Goodwin. age 9,
Floris, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
A Song For Sleepy Eyes

Sing a song Of morning
For sleepy little eyes,
Four and twenty robins
r Are soaring to the skies.
Long before the sun was UP
heard their tuneful notes;
Wasn't that welcome sweet
From little feathered threats?
The blossoms IN the garden
Opened when twas sunny,
And soon the bees were on the wing
Gathering their honey.
Rover barked and wagged his tall
To show me that he smiled,
And then he trotted In and walked
A drowsy little child
Birds and bees and blossoms
Are as glad as they can be,
So now, my little sleepy eyes,
Ope and smile at me.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
A New Junior, William Tyr
rell, Jr., Writes on the
Declaration Of independence

The Declaration Of independence
was written by Thomas Jefferson and
was signed July 4, 1776.
It was written to show that the
United States were to be free and In
dependent of Great Britain.
The free and independent states
have full power to levy war, conclude
peace, contract alliances, establish
commerve and all other acts which in
dependent states have the right to do.
A new Junior,
William Tyrrell, Jr., age IL.
highland Center, Ia, Box )
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
Waldo Beck Says in Story,
"Great COmmOti0n in
Little City

There was great commotion in the
little city Of Philadelphia. Everybody
was on the streets. People from all
around had come to Philadelphia.
The first day Of this commotion was
on July /. All the people were gather
ing around the court house.
In the presidents chair sits John
HANCOCK. All around him stands
George Washington, Benjamin Frank,
lin. Paul Revere and all such men as
that.
The people would say, who is
speaking? What's the news? What
OF Adams? What of Sherman? On!
God grant they won't refuse"
A person would be likely to smother
IN such dense crowds.
Every once In a while someone
would say: II am stiffling." Then
someone would say, "Stiffle then
When a nations LIES at hazard
we've no time to think Of men,
By the portal stands the little boy
The breeze is blowing his hair. Every
body was watching the boy.
In the bell tower sits the little boys
grandfather. He is old and has gray
hair, but will do anything to help his
country.
The people watch the bellman also
The man has hold Of the rope at
the bell. He is ready to ring 1t any
minute.
The boy stands by the portal, and
the bell sets in the tower on July l,
July the End, July the srd, and at last
on July the 4th, the boy is notified and
he cries, 'tRing grandfather! Ring! on
ring. for liberty The old man
reaches for the rope and rings the bell
Bonfires were made, bells were rung
guns and canons were fired, and every
one shouted, liberty
This happened on July 4, We Should
not forget the bellman who rang out
our independence.
Waldo Beck, age 6.
Hedrick, Iowa.
p. s-The liberty bell has fallen
and has been cracked, but 1t was put
back in the belfrey and still hangs
there to this Cay.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
The Small Taper

One night man took a little taper
out of a drawer, and, lighting it. be-
gan to ascend long, winding stair.
Where are you going?' said the
taper.
Away high up said the man.
higher than the top Of the house
where we Sleep"
And what are you going to do
there?" said the little taper
II am going to show the ships out
at sea where the harbor is said the
man. For We stand here at the en-,
trance to harbor, and some ships
far out On the stormy sea may be
looking out for our light even now"
ALAS! no ship could ever see my
light" said the little taper, 1T is so
very small"
IF your light is small" said the
man, keep it burning bright. and
leave the rest to me-"
Well, when the man got up to the
top of the light-house,-for this was a
lighthouse they were in,-he took the
little taper, and with it he lighted the
great lamps that stood ready there
with their polished reflectors behind
them. And soon they were burning
steady and clear, throwing a great,
strong beam of light across the sea.
BY this time the lighthouse man had
blown out the little taper, and laid it
aside. But 1t had done its work.
Though it's own light had been so
small 1t had been the means Of kind
ling the great lights in the top of the
lighthouse: and these were now shin
ing brightly over the sea. so that the
ships far out knew by, it where they
were, and were guided safely into the
harbor.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
Paul's Fourth of July -. BY
Robert Nelson

Dear Editor:
1t was the Fourth Of July and Paul
was up bright and early shooting nre-
crackers. In the afternoon he went to
picnic dressed in red, white and blue
colors. AS he was to speak piece
about Paul Revere, his namesake.. In
the evening he hurried home to shoot
off his fireworks. He had sky rockets,
roman candles, pin wheels, grass hop
pers and many other kinds to make the
whole neighborhood lively that night
and Paul surely had jolly good time
that Fourth.
Robert Nelson age I,
SIT Camille ST., Otumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
A NEW CONTEST.

A NEW CONTEST.
We wish all the Juniors would write
q nice story on one of the following
subjects:
Midsummer Day In Sweden.
Tho Birthplace Of My Parents.
Summer Pleasures.
The Good Roads Near My Home.
Why | Like My Home (City or
Country
What Makes City Grow.
A Successful Boy or Girl Farmer
This contest opens today and closes
Monday, July 10. Select prizes from
among the following: A beautiful
doll, knife, book, roller skates, letter
paper, or beads.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
Declaration of independence
BY Mary Dean of Hedrick

It was not until more than a year
after the battle of Lexington that the
people of the American colonies began
seriously to think OF independence
from Great Britain.
True, the laws of the king of Eng.
land had been openly opposed. An
army had been formed with George
Washington as commander-in-chief;
there had been sharp fighting in more
than one place, and the British sol
diers had been driven out of Boston.
But the Americans were contending
only for their liberties as British sub
jects. "Give u.s. said they, 1.-The
rights that properly belong to us, and
we will submit"
But the king and his counselors re-
fused to listen Matters grew rapidly
worse and worse.
The breach between the colonies
and the mother country became wider
and wider every day. Men were every
where losing their feeling of attach
ment to England. At last the ques
ton of independence began to be open
ly discussed.
The continental congress was sit.
ting in the old state at Philadelphia,
The men who composed it represented
the people of the thirteen colonies
among them were many whose names
afterwards became famous in the his.
Tory of our country. They pondered
this question long; they discussed 1t
in all its bearings; they studied IT
from every point of view.
To submit and make peace with
Great Britain now would be but 10
fasten the chains of slavery upon the
colonies, to go on with the conflict
might result only in disaster at last on
the 7th day of June, 1776, Richard
Henry Lee arose and in clear, sharp
tones that rang into the very street
offered this resolution: Resolved
that these United Colonies are, and
ought to be. and Independent states
and all political connection between
us and the state of Great Britain Is,
and ough to be totally dissolved"
John Adams seconded the resolution
and at the same time made speech
SO full of fervor and prophetic ardor
that every man who heard him was
carried away by it's eloquence. A com
mittee was named to write Declare
ton of independence, and further &C
ton upon the resolution was postponed
until the first Of July.
When the appointed day came, Mr.
Lees resolution was taken up In com
mittee of the whole. and nine colonies
except one, voted in favor of 1t.
In the meanwhile on the 2Sth day OF
June. the Declaration of independence
had been submitted. It was the work
chiefly of Thomas Jefferson, but the
task of urging its adoption by congress
fell mainly upon John Adams. NC
sooner was Mr. Lees resolution dispos
ed of than the declaration was taken
up and read. Each article was consid
cred. The whole matter was bitterly
opposed by some of the members, but
after a debate which lasted for nearly
three days. the declaration, as 1t now
stands, was adopted.
It was signed on the 4th OF July
1776, by John Hancock, the president
o. the congress, and published on the
same day, but not until the End OF
August after it had been engrossed
were the names of the other members
affixed to it.
Mary Dean, Age 10.
Hedrick, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS

SEMEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.
1. Use one side of the paper only.
3. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil.
8. Always sign your name in full
and state your age.
4. Do not copy stories or poetry
and send as your own work.
s. Number your pages.
6. Always state choice of a prize
on a separate piece of paper, with
name and address in full.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
SCHOOL COMPOSITIONS AND

i We hope that many more of the
sJuniors will write letters. We will
offer q surprise prize for the best
letter and all the Juniors may work for
It.
We want more of the Juniors to
send in some of their school compost
tions.
We will give a beautiful doll, knife,
book, roller skates, letter paper or
beads for the best composition.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
ABOUT PRIZES.

II the Courier Juniors have ever
failed to receive prizes when the win
ners' names were published we want
to be told about it right away. we
also want all of our prizes acknowl-
edged. We send out prizes within two
weeks.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
The Glorious Fourth
Frank Haiss

The Glorious Fourth, the birthday
of our country, is holiday dear to
us all. The festivities OF the day
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04
THE COURIER JUNIOR
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING co.
OttumWa, Iowa
MATILDA DEVEREAUx
EDITOR
MARION PRIZE WINNER.

Dear Junior Today we have many
splendid stories on the patriotic con-
test. After carefully going over all
the stories, the three judges decided
that Marion Daniels was entitled to
the prize.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04

If the old black pig thought he could
make Patty Ann smile, he was mis-
taken. Patty Ann was obliged to stay
at home on the farm that summer at
ternoon, and the pig had been request
Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-12-07
United States is Not Prepared To
Defend Monroe Doctrine, Asserts New
York Ex-Mayor; Scents Great Danger

Princeton, N. j., Dec. 7.-George
B. Mcclellan, ex-mayor Of New York
and now professor of public affairs
at Princeton university, warns the
American people that If the Monroe
doctrine is to be maintained, the ma
ton must be better prepared than is
now is for war. Speaking before the
International Policy club here. Nc
Clellan said:
LET us face the conditions as they
are In any circumstances we must
not believe that universal peace will
follow. The spirit Of nationality will
not be less at the conclusion. The
victors will continue to make trial
for a world power. and Germany and
growth must take them beyond the
seas.
IF Germany wins she will not be
satisfied with North Africa. German
interests will not restrain her from
establishing coaling stations, and
spheres of influence, in South Amer
lea. Should the allies win the same
thing will happen. japan needs terri
tory. She has seized the Marshall
islands. The door Is closed to immi-
grafton and they are waiting to seize
Mexico.
mo matter who wins, 1t is almost
certain that at some not far distant
date we shall be confronted with the
alternative of either abandoning the
Monroe doctrine or fighting to MAIN
tain it. We have made of 1t great
national principle, question of ma
tional honor, so that II we abandon
it we must concede that we are not
strong enough to maintain It, and that
we are only a second-class nation at