davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
Moreno Larson Tells How
Lincoln Acquired an
Education

Dear Juniors AS have never
written to the Junior page before,
thought l would write about Abraham
Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Ken
lucky, Feb. IL, 1909.
His father was restless, shiftless
man. When Lincoln was seven years
old they moved to Indiana. Though
Lincoln was but a child he was given
an ak to help clear off a place for their
cabin The cabin, when built. had a
doorway, but no door. A window, but
no oiled paper or glass. Lincoln's bed
was nothing but heap Of dry leaves
in the loft, to which he climbed by
pegs driven into the wall. ..
Lincoln learned to read, write and
cipher at school taught by wandering
school masters. AS soon as he learn
ed to read he borrowed every book he
heard of. Among them were, Aesop's
"Fables," Bunyan's "PilErim's Pro-
gress," Robinson Crusoe,' "A Short
History Of the United States" and
Weem's Life Of Washington" The
last book got wet and he bought it
Of the owner by pulling fodder for
three days. ...
His slate was a wooden fire shovel
or shingles, when they were to be had,
and his pencil was charred stick
From the books he narrowed he wrote
long extracts, using briarwood ink ant.
quill pen made from a turkey buz-
Yards feather.
When paper was not to be had he
wrote the extracts on shingles, or bits
of board.
After Lincoln grew up he moved ia
IIlinoissand became a lawyer. In az
ter years he became the sixteenth
president Of the United States and be
fore he died, the whole world had
heard of him.
Moreno Larson, Age 13.
Abba, Iowa, Route Ne. ;
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
Story of Washington and
Lincoln - BY Pearl
Ross

Dear Juniors: The two men born in
February, who are famous in American
history, are George Washington and
Abraham Lincoln. Washington was
born February %, 1892. Lincoln was
born February IL, 1909. a.. ~.
Washington went to school more
than Lincoln ever did. If all Lincoln's
schooling was put together 1t would be
about a year. After Washington fin
ished the country school he went to
college.
Abraham Lincoln was born in log
cabin. Abraham's mother taught him
how to read, write, and SPELL Abra-
ham was kind hearted boy. He liked
to read books. s.
One time he borrowed book OF
neighbor. So one night it ra1ned and
got the book all wet. The next day he
went to the neighbor and told him that
the book was ruined. The neighbor
told him he could pull corn fodder
three days for him and keep the book
He was an earnest and ambitious boy.
Washington's first duty for his coun-
try was to take message to the
French people. He had to cut his way
through the woods. He had to cross
river This river was the Delaware
river The French people did not like
the message. Abraham had to write
on shovel for his slate.
He did not have any light only the
light from the fire place. Lincoln be-
came president Of the United States
many years after Washington died He
read books about Washington after
Washington's death.
Lincoln freed the slaves.
Yours truly,
Pearl Ross, age 49,
Box 20, Kirkville, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
The COURIER JUNIOR
Published by
the COURIER PRINTING CO.
4 Ottumwa, Iowa
EDITOR
MATILDA OEvEREAUx
THE BIRTHDAY STORIES.

Dear Juniors To-day we have
many excellent Lincoln stories, as
well as many Neutrality-suspicious.
Sotories. The birthday contest is GER
Stainly a splendid one. The judges
have selected two prize winners to-
day. They are:
Ii February is the birthday month OF
two very notable American men We
want all the Juniors to write about
/ me OF them or both of them. We will
Slet the Juniors tell who these grand
Smen are.
We have reserved the Washington
hotories for next week. There is still
~ little time for some of the "tardy'
Juniors to write in the contest which
docs not close until Feb. o.. How
Il ver, many of the Washington stories
will appear next week.
Select prizes, first and second
9ohoice. from among the following. ar
s11cles: Souvenir spoon, book. toun-
Neain pen. small camera, writing pad
box Of school supplies or roller
skates.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
Villa Stevens Says Lincoln's
Earliest Home Most
Humble

Abraham Lincoln was born IN
Larue county, Kentucky. in the year
1909. ,,
Abraham's ancestors were Enghsn.
His residence was In Illinois.
When Abraham was So years ola
he was inaugurated. in the year 1861.
He died at Washington. D. c., IN
1865 and was Sc years old.
Ahraham's father always wanted to
live in a wild place. When little ape
Lincoln (as they sometimes calleo
him) was years old his father moV'
ed from Kentucky to Indiana winch
was then a will 7untry.
The house tn; = tile Abe had to i've
in was of the poorest and rougnest
kind of wood.
sometimes little Abe attended one
Of the backwoods schools. The boys
who went to that school had to cnop
the wood for the fire.
Abraham was very bright for ne
soon learned to write. Little ABE was
then very useful to his friends anu
narents for he would write letters for
them. ,.
Lincoln was very honest. One day
when he had taken seven cents TOO
much from a woman he walked sew
eral miles that night to return II.
In 1882 there was an Indian war III
Illinois known as the Blackhawk war.
In this war Lincoln volunteered TO pe
captain and fight against BlacknawK'
the chief. and his Indians.
After the war Lincoln was sur
veyor. ~;
In 1884 he was elected to the I'LL
nois legislature. In suit OF nome.
spun clothes he walked a hunoreo
miles to attend the legislature.
When Lincoln had enough money
he studied law but when his none?
was gone he went back to surveying
In 1916 Lincoln was elected mem
Der OF congress. This r''s during the
war with Mexico abo, . avery. me
southern states had sizes but the
northern states had stopped IT anu
we're trying to free the southern
slaves.
In 1851 Lincoln was elected presf
dent of the United States.
After another war Lincoln was IN
theater where he was shot by an as
sassin on the 14th of April, 1865.
Villa Stevens, Age IL:
719 Gladstone st. Ottum"a, H.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
THE PUPPY AND THE CARPET
SWEEPER.

Do you see that awful monster
That Nora just brought in?
The sight of him's enough to make
A little pup grow thin.
He eats up ev'rything he finds
Upon the carpet there.
l jump. and growl, and bark at him,
But little does he care.
I've had that thing attack poor me,
Without the slightest cause;
When I was on the rug, he jumped
To gobble up my paws.
If Nora hadn't held on tight
As tight as she could hold
To that long round hard tail of his
This tale had not been told.
It's all that Nora-strong, brave girl!
Can do, to hold him tight;
At last, though, she can conquer him
And put him out OF sight.
She shuts him in the closet small
Where it is still and dark,
And I'm SO glad, / sit outside
That door, and bark and bark!
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
Helen Carrigan Did Not
Forget About St. VAL
entine's Day

Dear Juniors thought l would
siprite a story about the unexpected
valentine.
Long ago there was very poor fam
nv. They were loved by every one
IN account of their gentleness and
Kindness.
Saint Valentines day was not far
IN. The little girl thought she would
not get any valentines this year, but
she got enough that made her real
happy. And after that she never said
she was not going to get anything
until she found out.
Helen Corrigan,
121 Myrtle St., Ottumwa la.
N Alya Cobler and Clifford Irelan.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
Maurine Casady's Story OF
Abraham Lincoln

Dear Juniors: After reading OF the
birthday contest I could not keep from
writing a story about one Of those
men. so l will write about Abraham
Lincoln.
In a little log cabin in Ohio in 1909.
little baby boy was born. His par
ents named him Abraham, for his
grandfather who had been killed by
Indians while cutting logs for cabin.
The Lincoln family was very poor but
very happy. Although the mother had
to take her rifle and 90 out and kill
turkey and deer for them to eat she
still found time to be with her child
rem. Abraham's cap was made OF deer
skin and he wore clothing made OF
the same.
There were very few schools At this
time so Abraham got his frst lesson
in reading from his mother, who WAS
very anxious for him to learn. He
never went to school more than year
in all for he had to help his father
earn a living, but no was very anxi-
Gus to learn and would study until late
of nights. For his chalk he used
charcoal, and for his slate wooden
fire shovel. He read and re-read all
the books he could got, and he pulled
fodder for three days to pay for
book called Weem's Life OF Washing
ton. At one time he walked six miles
to get the only English grammar to
be had in that part Of the country, and
studied it until he knew 1t all by
heart.
It was in this way Lincoln had to get
his education. He later studied law
and was elected to tho state legisla-
ture of Illinois at the age Of Is years.
It was during this term he voted
against slavery.
In 1887 he moved to Springfield,
where he practiced law until 1867
whom he was elected to the highest
once in the land. Shortly after this
the civil war began between the north
and south over the slavery question,
and in September, 1852, Lincoln abol'
ished slavery in our country. rms
was an awful war and lasted for -FOUR
wears. But Lincoln managed the al
fairs of the nation SO well that they
reelected him president again in 1858.
While everybody was rejoicing be-
cause the war was over, the sad new
came that the president had been shot
by John Wilkes Booth. This hapueneo
f{ty-six years ago but Abraham Ian.
coin is still honored and remembered
in the hearts Of all American people.
Maurine Casady, Age IL.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
Alice G. Conner Tells of
Washington and Lincoln

AS this is February, the month in
which two of our greatest presidents
were born, | will write few lines to
say that | think all of us should hon.
or and celebrate the days on which
they were born.
First is Lincoln's birthday on the
twelfth. Lincoln was the sixteenth
president of the United States. He
was president during the civil war.
When Lincoln was a boy he was
but he borrowed what books he could
and read them when he had time.
The only time he got for reading
was at night. After he was through
splitting rails for the day he would
build good fire in the fireplace and
get the shovel and piece of charcoal
or book and he would work arith.
metic problems or read until time to
go to bed. Abraham Lincoln or Hon
est Abe" as he was called, grew up to
hate slavery and when he became
president he set the slaves free.
George Washington Is another great
president that was born in February.
His birthday Is on the twenty-second.
George Washington was the first pres
ident of the United States and a great
general in the revolutionary war. He
was boy who never told a lie. He
was the son of rich Virginia planter
and unlike Lincoln, received good
education.
When the revolutionary war began
he was appointed commander in chief
and later became general. After the
war was over and the country was in
need of a president, the people nearly
all voted for Washington. He served
two terms and when he was elected
for the third, refused to be inaugural
ed.
He then went to live in his home on
the Potomac river where one night he
caught cold, took pneumonia and died
soon after.
Papa's birthday is the same day as
Washington's. He laughs sometimes
and says that they celebrate his
(papa's) birthday.
l think If the United States should
get into war that the boys should all
be as willing to go as Washington was.
II I was a boy am sure I would, but
as I am a girl cannot fight but l could
be nurse and take care of the wound
ed soldiers.
Let's all hope that the United States
does not get into a war.
Your Junior friend,
Alice G. Conner, age 15
Selma, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
Vesta Ann Winkler Writes
of the First President
and the Sixteenth

Dear Juniors:
1 thought I would join the February
birthday contest.
George Washington was born in
Westmoreland county, Virginia. Feb
ruary %, 1892. and was the son Of Aug
Justine Washington. who died in 1744
His early life was spent chiefly with
his brother at Mt. Vernon and with
Lord Fairfax.
At tn age of 10 at the beginning OF
the Seven Years war he was appointed
ad1utant OF the provincial troops. with
the rank Of major. In 1881 he made his
with his brother Lawrence, who died
soon after, and left George heir to his
estates at Mt. Vernon.
In 1855 two regiments Of regulars
were led against Fort Duquesne by
General Braddock. Washington volun-
teered and at the disastrous ambuscade
Of July 8, 1855 he was the only aide
not killed or wounded. He had four
bullets through his coat, and two horses
were shot from under him.
In 1853 he married Mrs. Martha Cur
tbs, wealthy widow. He was, like near
ly all Americans Of property at that
1874 slaves at his death. whom he d.
rected in his will, to be emancipated al
the death Of his wife, who survived him
but three years.
George Washington was the first
president Of the United States. He was
inaugurated at New York April 30, 1883
He served two terms. and died Deem
Der IA, 1893.
Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth
president Of the United States. He was
born in Kentucky February II. 1909
His grandfather was an emigrant from
Virginia, his father a poor farmer who
in 1906 removed from Kentucky to
Indiana. In the rude Life Of the back
woods Lincoln's entire schooling did
not exceed one wear. In 1884 he was
elected to the Illinois legislature. He
spent his leisure hours in studying law
He lived with his family until 1886
when they removed to Illinois, where
he was elected to the legislature.
He was inaugurated March 4, 1861
His election was followed by eleven
southern states secession, and a wal
for the restoration of the union.
On January I. 1863 Lincoln proclaim
ed the freedom of all slaves In the
southern states. and was reelected tc
the presidency in 1864.
The war was brought to a close April
2. 1865 and on the 18th Of the same
month Lincoln was shot by an assassin
Lincoln was characterized by strong
sense OF duty and great f1rmness.
Vesta Anna Winkler. age 12,
OttumWa Ia, r. No. 9.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
Clifford Irelan's Birthday
Same as Abraham
LincOln's

Dear Juniors: AS my birthday Ia
February IL, the same as Abraham
Lincoln's birthday, l will write my
composition about Abraham Lincoln.
He was born on Nolin Creek, Hardin
NOW Larue) county. KY. His parents
were frontier people and did not get
to go to school, but they were indus
trious and good people who wanted
their son to have better opportunities
than they had.
When Lincoln was seven years old
his parents moved to Spencer county,
Ind. His mother died in 1918. His
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12


father married, again the following
year.
Lincoln's stepmother took great in
terest in his life and encouraged him
to study.
He found a variety of employments
while in Indiana In 1928 he went to
New Orleans on a fiat boat. In 1880
the Lincoln family moved to Macon
county, ILL., Abraham helped his father
clear the farm there which caused
him to be called rail splitter In later
years.
In 1881 he went to New Orleans
again, when he saw how badly the
negroes were treated.
When he went home he began to
study law, while he acted as clerk,
grocer, surveyor and postmaster. He
was captain in the Black Hawk war
for three months in 1892 He served
one term in the house of represer ia
tives and always voted against
slavery.
He was elected president in 1860
and reelected in 1854.
Just as the end of the civil war was
near. on the evening OF Good Friday,
April IA, 1866, Lincoln was assassinat-
ed at Ford's theater in Washington by
John Wilkes Booth. The president
died the following morning and the
mourning was universal. The grief OF
the people of the north was great.
They had considered him their truest
friend.
Clifford Irelan, age II,
Route /, Bunch, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
May Stocker Writes of the
Two Great Presidents
Dear .IuniOrS.

Dear Juniors:
I am a girl II years old. | am going
to tell you about Lincoln and George
Washington.
George Washington was born Feb. %
and Lincoln on Feb. II.
George Washington was the first
president Of the United States. He
fought many battles. He became presi-
dent and was born in 1882 and died in
1893. Once he was going to 20 to sea
and become one of the kings sailors.
But when the time came for him to 90
he made UP his mind to stay with his
mother.
Lincoln was born In 1909 and died in
1865. He was murdered in Ford S
theater by a party called Booth
MHyIns Stoeker, age II,
I.3E Bl2kesburE Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
Gladys Kendall Sends il
Some Current Events

Dear Juniors: think about the big
rest current events that have hap
Dened lately were: the Cornell boy get
ting his leg cut of, Frfedman's hre and
the five and ten cent store.
The current events at my home are
that my mother, brother and papa are
sick. -,
I think it is awful that, the Cornell
boy had his leg curt off, know | would
hate it very much. 1t Is awful that
Friednan's lost 50 much. And Sw1rles
lost quite bit too.
wen hope none OF you Juniors
have your houses burned or get SICK.
Well I will close.
Goodbye.
Gladys Kendall, age s,
E46 Chester Ave, Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
AL ABOUT PRIZES.

Ss We send out prizes within two
weeks after the names Of the winners
are published.
4 We do wish the Juniors would &C.
their prizes.
n IL any Junior has ever failed to re-
Eeeive q prize after his or her name
appeared in this paper, it is because
sShe wrong address has been given us.
when we say wrong address we es-
S6ecially refer to incomplete addresses.
All city Juniors should put their
shtreet number and all Juniors living
IN the country should put their box
gnnmber Of failing to have box send
M their parents names.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
Florence V. Schooley on Two
Great Men Born in
February

Dear Juniors: I will write story
about two great men, who were born
in February. First I will write about
Abraham Lincoln. He was born in
Illinois, February IL, 1909 and died in
1866 A man by the name of 30 l
killed him. He served as president
one term one month and ten days in
1851 to 1865.
Abraham Lincoln lived in a log
cabin. His fathers name was Thomas
Lincoln. His mother died when he
was a little bit Of a boy. Then he
lived with his stepmother. When
Abraham's stepmother came to live
with him she brought dishes and
trinkets for the children and this
pleased them very much. George
Washington was born in Virginia, Feb
ruary %, 1892 He died 1899. He
served as president two terms 1889 to
1897. George Washington was first
president of the United States. He
was first in war. first in peace and
first in the hearts of his countrymen.
When Washington died he was mourn
ed by American people. Washington
took command of his army July, 1775.
He once took a journey from Mount
Vernon to New York. Along the road
women, men and children gathered to
see there great leader and to give him
blessing On April 80, 1889 on the
balcony of old Federal hall in New
York City he took the oath required
by the constitution and the people
crowded in the streets, in the windows
and on the house tops cried: Long
live George Washington, president OF
the United States"
This Is my first letter to the Junior
page so I will close, hoping to see
it in print.
Florence v. Schooley. age 10,
Route 2, Batavia, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
|nEvEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS

snEvEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS
Use one side of the paper only.
4. Write neatly and lightly, using
INK or sharp lead pencil.
M 3. Always sign your name in full
md state your age.
4. Do not copy stories or poetry
md send us as your own work.
5. Number your pages.
6. Always state choice of a prize
nm q separate piece of paper, with
name and address in full.
SSSs7 Address envelope to The Cour.
S1Sr Junior.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
ANCESTOR STORIES.

We want the Juniors to write about
znome of their ancestors (Which
means your parents, grandparents
great grandparents, etc. We will ask
the Juniors to write nice short stories
9eliinx something remarkable or un-
usual about their ancestors.
The writer's can select their prizes
SSrom among the following: A box OF
candy. roller skates, book, friendship
sEnk, pine or knife.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
WANT LETTERS.

We want the Juniors to write some
very interesting letters, "newsy' let
49,. Some of the Juniors can write
~ their parents. other Juniors might
write 90 though they were visiting
lDo0s city. The reward for the best
|1ekter will be a box of letter paper
and envelopes, book, a friendship
NIX or q knife.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
ar. VALENTINES DAY.

We are very happy to be reminded
That st. Valentines day is coming. We
s4Orgot about 1t last week. but Helen
gEorrigan did not. Consequently we
nil live a box Of valentine candy for
The best valentine story. You can
read Helen's story today.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
acHooL coMPosITIoNs.

We want more school compositions.
fPanamber. we give one friendship
INK, engraved, to the writer OF the
lost composition The boys can nave
y knife, book, or friendship link.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12

Gladys Kendall, age 8,
E4E, Chester Ave, Ottumwa, Ia.
Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-04-20
WHO SAID NASEDA
COULD NOT VIVA
GAhEN HAWAII?
Visitors Finally Take Game
After Battle of Ten Innings
at Fort kamehameha

Waseda University of Japan visited
Fort Kamehameha yesterday after
noon and defeated the fast 91st Com
pany by score of to 1, the game
going 10 innings. Two costly errors
caused the downfall of the enlisted
men. The features of the game were
the fast and faultless fielding of the
visitors and the pitching of Kelly,
who held the Japanese to one hit.
The game yesterday gives the fans
an idea of the comparative strength
of the coast artillery teams and the
Oahu League aggregations. Kelly
pitched better ball against the col
legians than any OF the Oahu League
pitchers, and game between one Of
the coast artillery teams and one Of
the Oahu League squads would be
big feature The score:
91st Company.