davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
oTTUMwA, WAPELLo COUNTY, IOWA
Dollie May Richardson Tells
of a Real Cleanup Day
, Down South

Dear Juniors:
What is more interesting than clean
illness and purity. For cleanliness comes
next to goodness. How can any OF us
ever get tired helping in the clean up
work? And what IS nicer than having
everything clean where we go.
am a country girl and l have been
working hard to have our place clean
ed up and vines growing around the
corners, sweet smelling flowers at the
windows and hope to have several
beds of pretty blooming flowers as soon
as the weather. Is warm enough. !,
do think the Ottumwa Juniors anu
all town cousins would have sucn nice
times If each one would take just an
hour or two some afternoon in each
week planting and working flowers. l
think it would help the city so much
and the Juniors would have just a
picnic time with little expense. do
love flowers and pot flowers and nope
to have some some time.
I wish a bunch Of the Juniors could
go to the timber with my little friends
violets. We have all got lovely beds OF
violets set out.
Just two years ago when l was visit
ing a southern city saw the prettiest
parade Of my life. The town was nav
ing their clean up day In the afternoon
and at 10 o'clock the parade began, OF
only city officials and employees, and
autos from the department stores and
green houses, and the school children
who were to help beautify their school
yards. The first in the parade were
mounted policemen. band OF fremen
on their big white horses, then the hre
wagons, and foot men and the PONCE
men that were walking with their BRASS
band. The music was Sunny Tennes-
see" Another band played America
and Dixie
They had the sanitary officers and
the big yellow wagons with brass
trimmings, big black mules and pc
sides each mule was the driver who
was a big colo/d man In yellow duck
suit. There were several hundred OF
these garbage men. The department
stores and green houses all gave away
flower seed and at / o'clock p. m. sharp
every one in town seemed busy. All
back alleys were cleaned out. Many old
buildings were torn away. vines OF all
kinds were planted over the coal
houses and corners Pretty flower BEDS
in everybody's back yards. Many vacant
lots were made into flower beds with
one side for a play yard for little chill
dren.
Why can't every city have a day like
this? OF course it would add much IN
every way and boost the city quite a
bit and each town would be the pref
test in the state.
love flowers and could write about
them ever so much. .
I enjoy the Junior letters and love
the page so much.
With love and best wishes to all Jun.
Tors and our dear editor. 80.
Dollie May Richardson age ~.
|: Fremont. Ia, r. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20

(Annie Nj. l.. Hawes.)
Eyes, Tommy Thoms is pretty good"
And that is all they'll say,
Because he has this naughty trick
Tommy will run away.
If he is playing in the yard,
He goes outside the gate,
And off to call on Jack and Jill,
And then for school is late.
Instead Of coming home from school,
AS good boys always do,
He wanders down to Haystack Farm,
To visit with Boy Blue.
And when we all to drive would go,
Down on the beach at Rye,
Tommy has gone to see Bopeep.
And never asked, May I?'
O Tommy Thoms, o Tommy Thoms,
We know what we will do
Wen send you to the Woman Wise
Who lives in the Big Shoe.
She has so many boys and girls
They have to stay In bed,
And all they have to eat, you know,
Is broth without the bread.
Yes, Tommy Thomas, yes. Tomm
Thoms .-s..s
In bed you'll have to stay.
Until you promise us that you
No more will run away.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Thelma Langdon Tells How
Ottumwa Can Be
gs Made Clean

Dear Juniors:
thought I would write about clean
up Ottumwa.
l think Ottumwa Is very dry
place. The city where I came
from. Muncie, Indiana, is very clean
all the time. Muncie has many men
cleaning the streets every day and has
a garbage furnace. They also keep the
alleys clean and sanitary and healthy.
Instead Of the Ottumwa people
boosting so much to clean up Ottnmwa
there should be men to clean the
streets and alleys, also man to take
the garbage and burn it. so as to make
the city sanitary and healthy.
am trying to help clean up Ottum-
wa by raking the yard and planting
flowers. also keeping my desk clean at
school and about my seat. ] like to
clean up things around the yard and
house. We can all help.
Thelma Langdon. age u.
215 n. Green ST.. Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
a COMPOSITION.

Lear Juniors:
IN AS I have not written to the Junior
mage for long time ] will write a
30chool composition.
M, ,ss Once upon time three boys were
l4oing to school They had very warm
clothing. It was in the winter and snow
IN the ground. After they were near
school they met a boy who was poor
Nv dressed. One Of the boys gave him
3his mittens. They took him to school
and gave him a warm seat. He was
xiven food at noon. That evening one
M the boys took him home. The boy
Void him where he lived and how he
Nappened along the road. He then had
Ahis supper and was given better cloth
ding. He returned home happy.
Cecil Garfield, age 13,
w ChillicOthe, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Zenetta Storms Teacher
Has Had the Measles;
Now Her Sister
Has Them

Dear Courier Junior thought I
would write to you as have written
to you three times. The last time
didn't see my letter in the Courier
Junior. hope to see 1t in this time.
I have some hens setting. have
missed a week of school. My teacher
has been sick with the measles.
She had to miss school and while
she was sick Marie Trint taught us.
Ny teachers as come back by now.
I haven't seen her yet. Her sister
and her niece have the measles.
Zenetta Storm.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Birney Shoemaker Writes
an Onion Story
Dear Juniors:

Dear Juniors:
One day a gardener went to town
and as he was in a grocery store he
saw a great big basket full of red
onion sets, and / was sitting on top
of them all and l cost ten, cents The
rest of them cost six for a nickel.
So the gardener bought me and he
took me home, dug hole in the
ground put me in and then dug holes
for the other onion sets. After three
weeks he came out to look at me and
just my green sprouts were sticking
out. Just after the fourth week had
passed he came out again and pulled
me up, roots and all.
The gardener took me to the store
window and put me there SO the peo-
pie could see me. Two days after
that he took me home and for dinner
the gardener and his wife ate me and
he told his wife that | was the best
onion he ever tasted.
Birney Shoemaker, Age 10.
321 North Weller St. Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Clara Rill Is Very Thorough
in Her Story of How
to Clean Up

Dear Juniors:
When we begin to clean in the spring
time we first clean all out buildings and
if there are any loose boards or any
thing needing to be fixed we see to it
at this time.
Next we pick up all pieces of rubbish
not leaving any
We then rake the yard, make a fire
and burn what we can.
The rubbish that will not burn we
take away.
We begin to rake the yard at the
back and go to the front, not leaving
any unraked.
If we paint the buildings they will be
very pretty.
We should put some flowers in the
yard. ... .-..
If there is no garden spot spade up
a place in the back yard and have a
nice little garden.
Clara Rill. age I,
Agency Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
ANCESTOR STORIES.

q We want the Juniors to write about
some Of their ancestors (Which
4means your parents, grandparents.
great grandparents, etc.. We will ask
the Juniors to write nice short stories
atelling something remarkable or I'M
usual about their ancestors.
The Courier Junior is always glad
when the Juniors send in unusual
Setories. The unusual feature of the an
Scestor story is what appeals to The
Courier and prompts it to continue the
scontest. The Juniors certainly send in
tsplendid ancestor stories. ..
The writer's can select their prizes
from among the following: A box of
candy, roller skates, book, friendship
link, pin or knife.
Genevieve Miller wins the ancestor
prize this week. .,..
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Gookin Seems to
Appreciate Her Prizes
Very Much

I received my prize as camera on
April 20. like it fine and mamma is
going to get some films so I can take
pictures, was not looking for it quite
as soon as received it for you said In
the letter you would send 1t May l..
Nothing would suit me better for a
prize than the ones which I have re-
ceived from you.
Papa has a fountain pen. He said
that he would trade with me when l
got mine but didn't trade with him.
Marvel Gookin.
Charlton Ia r. 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Madam Maribran and the
Young Musician - BY
Veronica Coleman
It was a morning in spring

Little Pierre sat by the bedside OF
his sick mother Pierre was eight
years old. His father was dead and
Pierre was too young to work.
Therefore, his mother could not GET
the proper care. Pierre know now
much his mother would like sweet
juicy orange, but he did not even nave
piece OF bread to give her.
Pierre walked over to the little WIN
dow Of the little fiat in which they
lived. He looked down on the crowd
ed streets of London. He was look
ing for about five minutes when his
eye caught sight of man putting up
bills which road, Madame Maltbram
will sing here tonight" Pierre at
once went over to the stand by his
sick mother and out Of little box
that was on it took a piece Of faded
paper. ~.
He smoothed down his yellow cures
put on his cap and was seen coming
down a fight of stairs which led from
the nat in which he lined to the street.
When he reached the bottom he ran
along the street till he came to large
house. He rang the door bell and a
young lady opened the door.
Does Madame Malibram stay
here?' asked Pierre. EYES," answer
ed the lady, but she hasn't time to
talk to YOU
Madame Malibram heard the lady
tell Pierre this and at once sent for
him to come in.
What do you WANT" asked Mad
anne Malibram when Pierre came in.
He handed her the piece of paper and
asked her If she would sing his little
song at the opera which he composed.
Madame Malibram hummed the tune
over to herself and then said, And did
you compose this yourself?" Pierre
told her that he did. Then Madame
Malibram asked him did he want to
come to the opera that night and here
her sing his song. He said that he
couldn't leave his mother as she was
very sick but he thought II she would
sing his song for him 1t may bring
him some money to get medicine for
his mother.
Madame Malibram said that she
would get some one to take care OF his
mother, then giving him ticket said
for him to come that night. She also
gave him some money and food. Then
after taking his dress he went homo
promising to come to the opera:
That evening he went to the opera.
He was very excited about his song.
Pretty soon Madam Malibram came
out and sang it.. Pierre noticed tears
in everybody's eyes. >''.
After the opera Madame Malibram
saw that Pierre got home all right.
The next morning Pierre was very
much surprised when Madame Mali
BRAN came in his nat. She said that
one of the best publishers in London
offered her 5000 pounds for the song
She also told his mother that Pierre
would be great musician.
When Madame Malibram was dying
the person who stood by her bedside
was Pierre who had won great fame.
Veronica Coleman age IA. f.
- Melrose, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
ALL ABOUT PRIZES.

We send out prizes within two
seeks after the names of the winners
ire Published.
ss \ We % wish the Juniors would &C
Exnotsfedge their prizes.
II any Junior has ever failed to re-
e&edyo . prize after his or her name
EjSppearsd in this paper, 1t is because
wrong address has been given us.
when We say wrong address we es.
Il ocfally refer to incomplete addresses.
All city Juniors should put their
d troet number and all Juniors living
Aln the country should put their, box
Naumber or failing to have box send
Sin their parents names.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Nebraska Juniors Mamma
Was Born in Wapello
County; Tells of
Indians

Dear Juniors:
am going to write about my ances.
tors. ....
My mamma was born in Wapello
county, Iowa, and when a little girl her
father, mother, and one little baby
brother started for Nebraska to take
government land. They landed in Feb
ruary. There were no school houses nor
churches and very few houses. Her
papa built a little shanty on their claim
and made one shed on one side for the
horses and the chicken house on one
side and the pig pen on one corner.
They lived that way till in the fall and
then built a sod house.
There was one tribe Of Indians IL
or IL miles north Of their place and
mamma said when her papa was gone
to town her mamma made her sit on
a box in the yard and watch and tell
her when she saw any cowboys or Ind
ians coming.
One Saturday when her papa had
gone to town she was sitting on that
box with her old doll which had no
hands nor feet, playing with 1t. She
looked up and saw four people coming
over the hills and coming right to-
mamma and she came and they watch
ed till thew got pretty close to the
house. It was three women and q man.
The lady wore a red shawl, SO they
were sure it was Indians for they wore
lots Of red. -. B..
When they got pretty close mamma
started to run and the people said.
don't run we are Just white folks and
heard there were some new settlers and
came to get acquainted"
How glad mamma and her mother
were to see some one come to their
house to get acquainted.
There was no school for three years.
The first school was taught In one room
Of her house. The desks and seats were
made Of planks laid across goods
boxes
Genevieve Miller, age II,
Broken Bow, Nebr..
GEORGETOWN Star Route.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
lice Sowder's Great Grand.
father Believed in Adolf
ton and Was 81
When He Died

Dear Juniors:
Since 1 have never written before to
to Courier Junior will write about my
great grandfather whose name was
Hamilton.
He was a large slave owner, but he
believed in abolition and freed his
slaves before the civil war. After the
war he served his country as sherin.
circuit clerk and other offices. He had
twelve sons and one daughter. At the
age of seventy-two he became blind,
but lived to be ninety-two years old.
He was highly honored by all who
knew him.
flee Sowder. age 10.
1926 w. Fourth ST., Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Villa Tells of Her Family
Her Likes" and
Her Pets
Dear Juniors:

Dear Juniors:
7 have not written to the Juniors for
a long time. So thought I would write
a letter. Ny school was out the
21st OF April have little baby
brother. His name is Eugene Hugh. /
have a sister also. Her name is Mar
iorie Lucille. She is seven years old.
For a pet have a dog. His name is
Shep. He is not very large. I like to
look at Bringing up Father" ''Petey
Dink" and like to read Benny's Note
Book and the Children's Evening
Story.
Villa Muriel Latta, age 9.
Birmingham, a., r. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
A Spring Airing

their mittens,
And hung them up to dry
They're gray and fluffy, and soft and
muffy,
But it time to lay them by:
And now that we've come to the spring
of the year.
They have them all out airing here;
And that is the reason do suppose,
Why this little tree that every one
knows
BY the name of Pussy willow goes.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Seventy Little Lambs a
Fl Leta Jane Evans Home

ftoear Juniors:
Sl thought l would write letter to
1.-The Junior page. I have never written
before.
EI have two brothers and one sister
n Ny oldest brothers name is Stanley
Z Md the youngest is Jasper, and my sis
TIERS name is Leona. My birthday is
! Nov. q. i will be eleven.
1--WE have seventy little lambs seven
little calves and eighteen little pigs.
Leta Jane Evans, age TO-
\ gss Douds- Leando Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Mary Patrick Writes a Very
Newsy Little Letter

Dear Junior:
7 like to read the stories in the Cour-
Ter Junior.
I live on the corner of Dewey and
Weller. have four brotherS and half
sister go to the A. w. Stuart school.
I like to go there. 1t Is a new school.
Edna Thomas is my teacher. I am In
the fifth room in the last part Of the
fourth grade.
My papa died in August, so my
mamma rented the farm to my brother.
I am 10 years old.
Mary Patrick.
1873 NJ Weller ST., Ottumwa. Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Leota Spencer's Grandfather
Fought in the Civil War

Dear Juniors:
I have not written for long time, so
I thought would write about my
grandfather. He fought in the civil war.
He enlisted when he was 20 years old.
It was the year of 1862. He was wound
ed at Elkins Ford in 1864 in the right
limb. He can to this day feel the ef-
feet Of the wound. His name Is Thos.
A. Carter, He married Leah L. Byrlee.
He came to Iowa in a wagon.
Leota Spencer, age 10.
Abba, Ia, r. 5.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
|SEvEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS

1. Use one side Of the paper only.
Z. Write neatly and legibly, using
Ink or sharp lead pencil.
NJ 3. Always sign your name in full
and stats your age. a."
I. Do not copy stories or poetry
md send us as your own work.
s. Number your pages.
s. Always state choice of a prize
EEon separate piece of paper, with
name and address in full.
Z. Address envelope to The Cour.
3or Junior. ....
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
DELTA MARIE's FIRST LETTER.

Dear Juniors:
This is my first letter to the Courier
Junior. l go to school. I am years old.
MY teachers name Is Edna Robertson.
have one brother. He goes to school.
He Is six years old. have one sister
three years old.
Della Marie Gayer.
Ottumwa Iowa, r. No. 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
THE COURIER JUNIOR
Published by
rHE COURIER PRINTING co.
Ottumwa, Iowa
EDITOR
MATILDA OEvEREAUx
MEMORIAL DAY.

Dear Juniors: Memorial dayis Tues
day, May 80, Just twelve more days.
Well, we want all the juniors 10
write about Memorial or Decoration
day The writer of the best story will
receive Q beautiful basket Of flowers.
to b used on Decoration day. This
contest closes Saturday, May 81.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
WANT

VI want the Juniors to write some
lvofy interesting letters. "newsy" let
}fssv. Some Of the juniors can write
10 thear parents. Other Juniors might
write 90 though thoy were visiting
Is0mo city. The reward for the best
}letter VIII be box OF letter paper
and envelopes, = book, a friendship
Ink Or . knife.
Beside Pearsall gets the letter prize.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
THE PRIZE WINNER.

THE PRIZE WINNER.
Dul1e Mao Richardson Of Fremont,
~ awarded the cleanup prize, ten
lbeeuttfm blooming geraniums. We
hone DOME viii write to the Junior
AaAe9 and tell I'LL about her Courier Jr..
oWor bed.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
] SCHOOL COMPOSITIONS.

We want more school compositions.
Remember, we give one friendship
link, engraved to the writer of the
best composition. The boys can have
q knife, book, or friendship link.
IL Elmer Howard is awarded the COM
position prize.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
\ 10Y SCOUT CONTEST.

q BOY SCOUT CONTEST.
We have decided to ask the boy
scents to write stories about their
work. etc. Tho best story will entitle
tho writer to a boy scout knife. This
icentest closes Saturday, May II.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
JUANITA'S SCHOOL.
Dear Juniors:

Dear Juniors: Ut ~ - =
I have been reading the Junior page.
So I will write few lines about our
school. am eight years old. My teach
er's name is Helen Goehring. go to
County Line school. We have twenty
nine pupils in our school. have one
brother. His name is James. He Is ten
years old
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-20
Tommy Thoms

1873 N. Weller ST., Ottum,
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1916-04-13
CHAPTER v.
Anticlimax.

Antlclimax.
The surprise was complete; but it's
a question which party thereto was
the more affected.
Lanyard stared with the eyes Of stu.
pefaction, his jaw slack. To his fancy.
this thing passed the compass o.!
simple incredulty-it wasn't merely
improbable. 1t was preposterous; It
was anticlimax exaggerated to the pro
portion of the grotesque.
He had come prepared to surprise
and bullyrag the most astute police
detective of whom he had any knowl
edge; he found himself surprised and
discountenanced by this!
Confusion no less intense informed
the girls expression; her eyes were
fixed to his with a look of blank in
quiry; her face. whose coloring had
won his admiration two hours since
was now colorless: her lips were just
ajar; the fingers OF one hand touched
her cheek indenting it.
The other hand caught up before
her the long skirts OF pretty robe
de chambre. beneath whose edge was
visible a hands breadth of simmer
ing white silk, with the toe of silken
mule to match the dressing gown
Thus she stood, poised for fight, at
tired only in negligee over what, one
couldn't help suspecting, was her
nightdress-her hair was down. she
was unquestionably all ready for her
bed.
But Bourke's long and patient train.
ing had been wasted II this man
proved one to remain long at loss.
Rallying his wits quickly, he made a
brave show of accepting this amazing
accident as commonplace.
81 beg your pardon, Miss Bannon-"
he began with formal bow.
She interrupted with gasp of won
dering recognition. "Mr. Lanyard"
He inclined his head second time:
Sorry to disturb you"
But | don't understand"
Unfortunately" he proceeded
smoothly. 81 forgot something when
went out and had to come back for it. ="
"But-but-"
"Yes?"
Suddenly her gaze for the first time
broke from his and swept the room
with glance Of wild dismay.
This ROOM" she breathed-"l don't
know it"
1T is mine"
Yours! But"
THAT is how | happened to-inter.
rupt you"
The girl shrank back pace-two
paces-uttering in low-toned mono