davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Mildred Gray's First Story
a True Snake Story

Dear Courier Juniors:-I sent you
my first letter two weeks ago and did
not know you were going to have a
first letter, and story page so will send
you little story to go with my letter.
1t is snake story but true.
One day when I was five years cid
mamma left me in the back yard near
the cellar on bench in the shade, and
left my little sister and baby brother
with me while she went down by the
pond to get the turkeys. Pretty soon
loked down on the ground and saw
crawling toward me big, long snake.
screamed and called for mamma and
ran with the baby to the porch.
Mamma heard me and came as quickly
as she could and got the hoe and killed
it just as it was crawling in the cellar
window. l was very glad that it was
killed.
Mildred Gray, Age 8.
Eddyville, Iowa, Route No. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
June Elizabeth Gonterman
Sends in a Story Called
"The Old Mule"

Dear Junior: This is the first time l
have written to you. Once upon time
three boys were playing merrily. one
boy whose name was Jim spied mule
grazing in a field. Let us make old
Jack take us a ride, SO the three boys
went and climbed upon old Jacks back.
The old sleepy mule will not know
what to think said Jim. Sure enough
old Jack did not know what to think
but after awhile he commenced to
kick, plunge and jump. He threw two
of the boys off upon the grass and
threw Jim into mud puddle and 1t
took him all the rest of the afternoon
to clean his clothes. Then the boys
did not think old Jack was such
sleepy, drowsy old mule. must close
for this time.
June Elizabeth Gonterman,
EldOn, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Louise Gieg's First Compost
ton on George Washington

Dear Juniors This is the first
, time have written to The Courier.
thought l would write story about
George Washington.
George Washington was born in
Virginia February 20, 1872 He died
when he was 81 years old. He was
the first president Of the United
States.
George lived on a plantation in the
country they called Virginia.
George lived there when he was a
boy. In those days nearly all the peo-
pie lived on plantations or farms or
near the banks of the river.
When George was boy all this
country was ruled by the king of Eng
land.
He would not let them have great
shops or mills. So he thought If he
would do that way he would bring
much trade into England and make
the English merchant very much.
There would be ships that would
come from England and go back and
forth bringing many things.
1t brought beautiful dresses and
bonnets for Georges mother and sis
ter. 1t brought hats and coats for
himself, horses, wagons, plows to be
used on the plantation.
A few weeks later the ships would
come back and would not leave any
thing 1t came after the tobacco they
raised to pay for te goodhs they bought
When he was about IA years old he
thought Of trying to be captain OF
ship. He thought it would be pleas
anter than to be sailor than a farmer
He went down to the captain and
the captain said he would take George
with him. So he got little box and
put his clothes in it. He told the boy
to take it down to the boat. When he
got ready to start he bid his mother
goodbye and all the friends were
there to see him go. His mother did
not want him to go. He stood at the
door, his heart was sad. Goodbye,
mother, he said.
So he stayed at hoe to make his
mother glad.
George said he had made her
blessing.
Well, as my story is getting long |
will close.
Louise Gieg, Age s.
Nt+umwa iowa Route No, l.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Violets - Pretty Story BY a
Charlton Junior

Once upon a time there was a little
girl who went out to sell flowers. She
had gone into the woods to get some
violets. She was poor little girl.
Her name was Alice.
One day while she was selling the
pretty flowers a little girl saw her and
said. CHOSE are pretty violets. May
I buy some? How much will you
take for them?"
"Ten cents" said Alice.
The little girl stopped at every
house she came to and when she got
home that night Alice had one dollar
and ten cents. She went to the woods
on Friday and then sold the flowers
on Saturday. So she was called Sat
urday's child.
Rose Larkin, Age 8.
r Charlton, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Thomas Writes to Let the
Courier Know He is a
New Junior

Dear Juniors:-I thought | would
write few lines to let you know that
I am new Junior boy. l have never
written to the Junior page. l like to
read the letters.
am going to write about my trip to
Seymour February, 1914.
Seymour is about sixty miles south
west from here. My brother and l
started from my home to Farson
which is three miles and half forth
east of here. We got to Seymour
about noon and we went down to one
of our friends in Seymour and called
on my uncle, Reno Kaufman and after
awhile he got there we started to his
home in sled. We had to ride six
miles and tell you was glad when
we got home. Uncle Reno's family
consists of three girls. Their names
are as follows: The oldest is named
Osa, and the next ones name is
Concula and Beulah.
We had supper after awhile and we
S aged all night there and the next
day we went to my Grandma's house
and stayed there one day and night
Walter Nyes. The family consists of
Sctcu ILL &C SllAo oAu 1OuA
boys. We got there awhile before
noon and all of the children had gone
to school but Bethel who was sick
We stayed there one day and night
and the next morning we went back to
Uncle Reno's and had dinner and then
we started to Seymour and stayed
all night at Johnson's and the next
morning we went to my cousins house
which was about a mile from john
sons. This family consists of Mr.. and
Mrs. Condra and Caroline. I had a
fine time but we just stayed there till
about o'clock and we started to Sey-
mour and the train was to start at
about $3.50 o'clock but it was late.
Well, as my letter is getting long
will close.
Thomas Miller, Age r..
Hedrick, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Corn - Subject of Floyd
Gallup's First Composition

Dear Juniors AS this is my first
letter to the Courier | will write a
composition about corn.
Corn is very important product Of
Iowa. There are several kinds Of
corn. There are yellow dent, popcorn
and sweet corn. Corn must have
plenty of rain and sunshine to make
it grow. Corn is fed to hogs and cat
tie. In the spring the farmer selects
his ground and plants his corr.
the fall he gathers it and selects his
seed corn for the next year. Corn
grows to be about six feet tall and has
blades about three feet long. Corn
should be cared for we'll to prove a
success.
Well, | will close.
Floyd Gallup, Age 10.
Birmingham low.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Charles Hartman Regret
That He Missed School

Dear Juniors:
l am little boy 10 years old. | go
to school every day that can. My
teachers name is Miss Goldie Strait.
think she is very kind, good teach
er.
We have good times at school, coast
ing and playing ball and other good
games.
I was sick and missed school and
my brother, Henry, came home from
school bringing me letter from my
teacher and seven letters from seven
Of my school mates. They were all
regretting l had to miss school so |
hurried up and got well and went back
as soon as l could
My brother, Henry, and are both
in the fifth grade.
I like to read the Junior letters.
Charley Hartman, Age 49,
r. 2. Milton, Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Kenneth Ornduff's Grand
mother Lives in Ottumwa

Dear Juniors: | am a little boy, six
wears old. l live on farm near Ba-
tavia. go to school at No. 7 Locust
Grove township. My teachers name
is Miss Myrtle McCreery. | like her
fine. | read in the second reader. |
have one sister and one brother.
Their names are, Letha and Floyd.
Iyetha is nine years old and Floyd is
sixteen months old. s'.
MY Grandma Ornduff lives in Ottum-
wa
Mama. Letha and l went up and
spent one night with her at Christmas
time. Papa came up next day and
came home with us. We had a good
time.
1t is very muddy now. Papa takes
us to school when the roads are bad.
We have one mile to go to school.
Well | will close for this time,
Your junior friend,
Kenneth Ornduff, age 6.
Batavia, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Inez Patten, a New Junior.
Writes About birds"

Dear Juniors:
I am writing my first story to the
Courier Junior. My sister has writ.
ten two or three stories before.
am writing a composition on birds.
I think birds are very interesting.
I have seen a blue bird and robin
already this year | like to watch
the birds build their nests. 1t is very
cruel for boys to throw at birds and
rob their nests.
In winter when the snow is On the
ground the birds cannot find much to
eat. Some people throw crumbs out
for them.
Birds build their nests out of mud,
straw. sticks, hairs, feathers, etc. The
house wren builds it's nest in holes In
houses, barns and sheds.
One day l saw a little wren going
in a tin can that was hanging on one
side of woodshed. | watched the
wren a while and then saw 1t take
worm inside the can.
Inez Patten, Age 10.
keoSauqua, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Bernice Chafin, a New
Junior, Goes to Visit Her
Grandmother, at Newton,
Missouri
Dear Juniors:

Dear Juniors:
AS I have never written to the Jun
iors l thought would write few lines
to let you know how am getting along.
l am a little girl nine years OLD. l
live on three sixteen Mcpherson street.
I go to school to the Hedrick school. MY
teachers name is Miss Tullis. l like
my teacher fine l am in the 4th room.
70 to Sunday school at the first
Christian church on Marion street. MY
Sunday school teachers name is Miss
Robertson. I lived in Ottumwa three
years and my mamma died. We went
to Lucerne, Mo-, and lived one year and
came back to Ottumwa last April.
NY papa took me to NeWtone, MO,
last Sunday to see my grandma VINO
is very i'll. have lots of fun this win
ter sliding. My grandma went down
last September to see her daughter.
She was getting ready to go to church
and fell down some steps and dislocat-
ed her hip and has never been able to
come home since. She is 81 years old.
/ have read many fine letters Of the
Juniors. have three sisters and one
little brother. My birthday is the third
Of February. will be ten years old. l
will close for this time
Bernice Chaplin, age g.,
316 Mcpherson ST.,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
he Flo ck Of
Dreams

All through the pasture bars of sleep
Nv flock of dreams comes home to me,
The glad ones and the sad ones, and
the ones that bring me rest
At twilight, when the day is done,
My slumber fairy chooses one
And leads it to me gently, by road
she knows the best.
Tonight the grass is dropped with dew,
| count the stars; and there are two,
And four, and three, and two again,
above the cloudy tree.
The misty world SO weary seems.
Dear slumber fairy, call my dreams,
Let down the pasture bars OF sleep,
and bring one home to me.
Miriam Clark Potter.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
The Mexican War - BY
Reynolds Cyrus Murdoch

Texas was annexed to the United
of Texas she also caused war with
Mexico
Texas claimed that the boundaries OF
| her country reached to the Rio Grande
and Mexico claimed the Nueces as the
Texas boundary.
! President Polk sent an envoy TO
Mexico but she would have nothing to
do with him.
! President Polk also sent a body OF
troops to guard the disputed territory,
that is. the land between the Rio
, Grande and the Nueces. They were
stationed at Corpus Christi and later
ordered to advance to Fort Brown
This, the Mexicans as they naturally
would, looked on as an invasion OF their
country.
They also ordered out body Of
troops and ordered them across the
river into the disputed territory and
there the first battle of the Mexican
was was fought.
When news reached the president he
sent a message to congress in which he
said: Mexico has invaded our terri
tory and shed American blood on
American soil: war exists, and not
withstanding all efforts to avoid 1t. war
exists by act of Mexico herself"
War had now began and $4,000 vol
unteers were called to the disputed ter
ritory The United States attacked
Mexico from four points. on the north,
on Mexico City, and on what is now
called New Mexico and California.
The United States captured northern
Mexico easily and the expedition
against New Mexico was entirely sue
cessful. We also captured California in
the winter of 1916 and an Independent
government was set up.
A large naval force sailed for Vera
Cruz, the port for Mexico City. After
four days bombardment Vera Cruz and
Fort San Juan De Ulloa, the strongest
fertilization in Mexico, surrendered.
The City Of Mexico surrendered Sep
TENDER IA, 1S47 and the war was prac-
tically over.
A treaty was arranged in February
184S By it's terms the United States
was to pay Mexico $15,0O0,000, satisfy
claims of American citizens against
Mexico to the amount Of $3.500,000 and
receive in return the territory COM
prising New Mexico and upper Califor-
MIA. BY this treaty 522. sos square miles
of land was added to the United States.
The total cost Of the Mexican war
to the United States was $100,000,00
besides the loss of life, which was
small
Reynolds Cyrus Murdoch age IA,
Keosauqua, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
The Life of General Grant
Lamar Charles Rhodes

I will write of the life of General
| Grant. He was born at Point Pleas
ant, Ohio, on the 9th day of April, in
for sport and he loved his gun and
horse.
When he was fifteen he took load
| of leather to Cincinnati and on the
way back he brought load of pas,
singers.
The Grant family was not a very
large family. 1t consisted of Hannah,
Jessie and Ulysses Grant. When
General Grant was eighteen he went
to West Point where he received q
good education. He ranked high In all
his classes. His department was ex-
ceptionally good Much has been said
and written about his life as tanner
boy. His father relates the story that
he never was at home in the tannery.
Before Grant was Is he gave him
warning that he would never work at
that business after he became OF age.
He was very fond OF driving the
team and doing the outside work OF
the leather business and that was
about ALL His father was warmly at
tached to the manly boy and fearing
that his self reliant quality and indie
pendent spirit would take him away
from home at an early age, he inter-
ested him in the idea of going to west
Point.
I can not write very much about 1t
but l guess will finish 1t.
He went to the civil war, and Dotn
sides won very many battles. But at
the battle of Gettysburg General Robt
E. Lee gave up his army and the slave
states were free After the war Gen.
Grant went to a trip around the world
He died in the month Of July and when
the news was given out both north and
south were greatly grieved. But as ne
died he said, II have done my part TO
nv country and I think he did.
Let us wish if we should get In war
another General Grant would spring
ND. NV story is getting long. l will
close.
Lamar Charles Rhoades,
12O South Ward St., Ottumwa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
ALL ABOUT PRIZES.

We send out prizes within two weeks
after the names of the winners are
published
II any Junior has ever failed to re-
ceive prize after his or her name ap-
pears in this paper, it is because the
wrong address has been given us.
When we say wrong address we especi-
ally refer to incomplete addresses. All
city Juniors should put their street
number and all Juniors living in the
country should put their box number
or falling to have box send in their
parents names.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Loretto Mccoy, a New
Junior, Goes to Bundle
Bee School

Dear Juniors: -This is my first let
ter to the Junior Courier.
I 20 to school every day. I am in
the fifth grade. There are elgnteen
pupils 60 to our school.
The name of our school Is Bumple
Bee. Our teachers name is Margaret
Whitmore. like her fine.
NV studies our reading, history
arithmetic, grammar, physiology, geo
graphy and spelling.
I have got three pets, dog, COW,
and horse. My horses name Is
Lady, the COW, Spot, and the dog
Shep. :,
Loretta McCord, Age IL.
Batavia, Iowa, Route NO. l.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Bird Club of Wyoming
Thanks Juniors for Gift

Dear Editor:
We, the undersigned, as officers and
members of Lone Tree Bird club &c
give our sincere thanks and appreciation
for the little gift you SO kindly sent
u.s.
Let us hope and suggest that othel
Juniors will also organize clubs and as
well as being protection to our feath-
cred friends, it can be social event.
Arthusa v. Williams. president.
Vern F. Ferguson. vice president
Claude Christopher, secretary ana
treasurer.
Julius Christopher
Earl l.. Day.
James Foster
Iris Dorothy.
Raymond Day.
Neva christopher.
Juanita christopher
August F. Stock.
Eta Stoner.
Fern Clay.
Everett Day.
[Note-The gift was d book on birds. ]
Lone Tree Bird Club,
Box 61t. Douglas. Nyo
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
New Junior, Ernest Shondel
Likes All The Courier
Features
Dear Juniors:

Dear Juniors:
I have never written to the junior
before so l thought / would try it. My
father takes the Courier. like to read
the children's evening story and Petey
Dink and Bringing up Father and Lit
tie Benny's notebook and also Mutt and
Jeff. / think those are the best stories
I ever read. ~,
AS my letter is getting long l viii
close. I hope TO Sc my letter in print
and would like to have a puzzle:
Ernest Shandel, age 10,
Selma, Ia, r. No. !.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Ards Gookin, a Charlton
Junior, Writes Her
First Letter

Dear Editor:
This is my first letter to the courier
Junior. ,;
l am nine years old. nave one si =,
+ar and one brother and my sisters
name is Marvel and my brothers name
is Donald. My school is out now NY
last teachers name was MISS Eo1la =
Bell. Our school was out the 22d o1
January. n.
We attend our Sunday school at "
terbe;n church. We have preaching
every two weeks. Our pastors name IS
Rev. George Conford.
Well, as my letter is getting long
will close.
Ards Gookin, age 3,
Charlton, Ia, r. 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Mildred Gray Has Now Five
Head of Cattle

Dear Juniors:
This is my first letter to you
I am eight years OLD and have one
brother and one sister, Their names are
Urban and Anna.
live in the country and go to school
We have a dog, two cats and three pet
pigs and Urban has e pet lamb
MY papa has cattle, sheep, horses
and hogs. ;
Nv uncle gave me Jersey calf 5
wears ago and now l have five head OF
cattle
Mildred Gray, age 8,
Eddyville, Ia, r. l.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Reva Patten Delighted With
Her Valentine Box of
Candy
Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:
received my Valentine box of
candy and also the card and I want
to thank you very much for both.
l got ten valentines this year. My
sister, Inez, got fifteen and Ruth six
teen.
We have a dog we call Teddy He
will sit up in front of us to be petted.
He stays in the house most of the
time.
Reva Patten,
Keosauqua, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Goldie Lenienween, a He'd
rick Junior, Writes
Letter

Dear Juniors:
I live about one-half mile from
school,
love my teacher. Her name is
Miss Elsie Johnson. l am in the
fourth reader. My other studies are
language. spelling and arithmetic.
I have one sister and one brother.
Their names are Beatrice and Willard.
My papa takes The Ottumwa Cour-
Ter. I love to read the Junior page.
Goldie Lemenwein, Age 8.
II. 6. Hedrick, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
WANT LETTERS.

We want the Juniors to write some
very interesting letters, "neWsy let
tiers. Some of the Juniors can write to
their parents. Other Juniors might
write as though they were visiting
some big city. The reward for the
best letter will be fountain pen or a
box of letter paper and envelopes
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Belknap Girl
Organize Liberty
Bell Bird Club

A number of the school girls Of the
Belknap school have organized club
with Miss Elizabeth Rough as presi
dent
The club is known as the Liberty
Bel! Bird club. It's object is the care
and protection of birds.
The club met Saturday afternoon at
the ]. E. Rough home northwest Of
town. ..- ..... .
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
COMPOSITIONS WANTED.

We invite all the Juniors to send in
school compositions each week. The
writer's can select prizes from among
the following articles: Roller SKATES
book, souvenir spoon, beautiful doll,
knife, work basket, box OF candy, letter
paper, marbles or string OF beads.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Sammp Taylor's Teacher is
Miss Finarty and Sammy.
Goes to the Agassiz

Dear Courier Junior: I am sending
YOU my first letter. am six years old.
am in the second room at the Agassiz
school. My teacher is Miss Finarty
and like her fine My brother, Arden.
Is III high school. We have fine times
together. AS my letter is getting long,
will close.
Sammy Taylor,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.

1. Use one side of the paper only
g. Write neatly and legibly, using
Ink or sharp Lead pencil.
g. Always sign your name in full
and state your age.
4. Do not copy stories or poetry and
send us as your own work.
S. Number your pages.
g. Always state choice of prize on
separate piece Of paper with name
and address in full.
Z. Address envelope to The Courier
Junior.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Florence Wolf, Six Years
Old, a New Junior

Editor of The Courier Junior:
I have never written to the Junior
page before l read the letters every
week and like them very much.
l am six years old.
MY pets are dog and little bird,
I have attended school one year and
have finished my first reader.
Florence Wolf, Age g.
Keosauqua, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Florence Says She Writes to
See if Her Letter Will
Be Printed

Dear Editor:
I thought l. would write you to see II
you would print my letter.
am a little girl 6 years old.
I live at Newport MINI. My papa
takes the Courier. I like to read the
Junior letters.
My papa used to live in Agency, Ia.
| have eleven white rabbits and two
gray kittens.
Florence Vera Mace,
Newport, MINI.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
FIRST LETTER CONTEST.

Mildred Gray and Reva Patten are
both awarded prizes by the Judges in
the First Letter Contest
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
Harold Kryner's Sister
Writes His Letter

Dear Juniors:
I am a little boy. I go to school,
started last fall My teachers name is
Ivy Loney. I like her very much.
I have four sisters. Their names are
Frances, Louise sA>'lra and Doline.
Harold Kyner age 5,
Derby Ia.
P. S.-My sister is writing this for
me
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-27
sENp OUT POST CARDS.

We are sending out post cards to all
the Juniors after their letter or stories
are published.