davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Johnny Riggs - Story of a
Nickel

Dear Junior:
The first thing remember I was in
very dark place. l found out l was
buried in the ground. was little
piece Of silver. All around me were 9TH
er pieces of silver. After ] had been
there a long time some miners came
and began to dig. They dug down to
me and then drilled hole in me. When
the hole was made a stick of dynamite
was put in the hole. The man who made
the hole in me ran away. The first thing
knew something went bang. l was
blown to pieces. Then was picked up
and taken to a factory where l was
smelted. Then was made round and a
buffalo was stamped on one side of me
and an Indian head on the other side.
Then was sent through the world.
Finally I grew slick. The Buffalo and
Indian head were worn off my sides.
One day person lost me and ] have
not been found.
Johnnie Riggs, age II.
Eldon, Iowa. r. 2.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Hazel Brown - The Lost
Child

Once there was little girl whose
name was Elizabeth. One day Elizabeth
and her mother went to the woods to
gather flowers. Elizabeth wandered
away from her mother and when her
mother got ready to go home she
could not find her and her mother, had
to go home without her. When her
mother got home she went to the
neighbors to tell them about the little
girl They all went out to search for
her. They called and called but no one
answered and it began to grow dark
and they had to go home In the morn
ing they went again. When they reach
ed the woods they saw her lying on the
bank asleep. EliZabeth's mother woke
her and asked her If she had good
sleep and Elizabeth said yes. Her
mother said she thought the wolf had
got her and they went home. Elizabeth
and her mother and father lived hap
PLY ever after that.
Hazel Brown, age 2,
DoudS- Leando Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Delmer Heckart Is Going to
Join the Red Cross

Dear Juniors:
am a little boy years old the first
day of May. SO l had birthday and
May day at the same time.
l made two May baskets and hung
them on Mrs. Hawkinson's door,
knocked and ran. She found them and
then found me.
I have pet rabbit that call Bum.
Papa found him in the field. We taught
him to eat oat meal and drink milk. He
loves clover, too let him loose in
the house and we play hide-and-seek.
only he does all the hiding.
Did anyone read Villa Fellows let
ter? She is my cousin and one time
when she was little girl she was at
mammals and was playing on the
porch, when a bee got tangled up in
her hair. She ran to mamma and said,
"Oh, Aunt Lizzie, there's bee bizzing
in by hair?" Wasn't that joke on
Villa?
have lots of relatives that have
fought in wars. My great grandfather.
Ruben Sperry, was in the Mexican and
civil wars: my great uncle, Jim Sperry,
was in the civil war, and my great
great uncles. John and Sam Written,
were in the civil war. One of them
starved to death in the Andersonville
prison. Ny great uncle, Winn Sperry,
was soldier, too.
Grandpa Heckart had brother in
the civil war who was never heard
from after big battle.
Papa has big team OF mules and
one day when / was just little bit Of
a boy old Kate got her head over the
gate and brayed so loud, said. Essen
mamma, list hear that moole WHSLE
have a big dog Ned that play
with. I harness him up and we have
lots of fun. He can find me when l
hide, too.
Delmer Heckart
Highland Center, Iowa.
P. S. am going to join the Red
Cross?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Marjorie Mick = True Story
of a Wren

Dear Juniors: am a little girl
years old. ! have been reading the
Junior page for year And have
seen so many little stories about the
little birds, I thought ! would write a
true story about little wren.
A year ago last summer we slept in
a tent. Papa had hung pair of
pants up in the tent. One day little
wren came and built the incest little
nest in the pocket She laid seven of
the incest eggs.
Then she went to setting and hatch
ed out seven little wrens. They were
very tame. They played about the
yard all summer. At A o'clock in the
morning they would sit on the foot Of
the bad and sing their pretty songs,
Marjorie Mick,
Route 1, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
OTHER SUBJECTS.

We want all the Juniors to send in
school compositions and other stories
besides the ones on the subjects We
suggest. Sometimes children can
write better compositions when choos'
ing their own subjects. We especially
want letters and ancestor stories.
TO encourage originality and variety
In the juniors work the following list
10 given:
Tho Fourth Of July.
4 School compositions.
Ancestor stories.
Interesting letters.
Unusual stories.
I Current events.
! Soldier stories related by veterans
!. and retold by juniors.
Corn and Apples.
Sweet Potatoes and Cotton.
Z A letter.
Select prizes from among the follow.
ing: Flag pin, book, box of letter pa
per, doll, box of school supplies, box
Of candy or knife.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
MyrOn Francis La Point :
Little Boy and His
Little Dog Dick


Once upon time there was little
boy and he had a little dog named Dick
The boys name was Ernest. Ernest
and Dick loved each other very much
but one morning Ernest awoke and ate
his breakfast and was going to feed
his dog, but when he called his dog
did not come and he was not there all
day. Next day Ernest went to hunt him
He had gone about two blocks when
he heard some one calling. Here Dick
Here Dick. A little dog just like Ern
est's came running up. The one who
called him was man with an AK In
his hand He was going to kill Dick but
Ernest called. Here, stop that: stop
don't kill my dog. Ernest walked up and
picked up his dog. Then he went home
and the dog never ran away again.
Myron Francis La Point, age 6,
1114 n. Elm St, Ottumwa. Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Hildred Brown = A Trip to
the Moon

Dear Junior: 1t was very nice
night. The moon and stars were shin
ing very brightly while little Johnny
White lay in his bed dreaming that he
was going to take trip to the moon.
About twelve o'clock there came tip
tap, tip tap on the door. Mr.. White
got up and went to the door. II was
Mr.. Green.
What do you want?' asked Mr..
White. II want to see Johnny White.
Mr.. White went to where Johnny
was lying and said: Johnny you are
wanted to the door" Johnny got UP
and went to the door.
Mr.. Green said, II have rot the air
ship for you to go to the moon in"
Johnny jumped right in without saying
a word to his folks.
He started of and it was the NEXT
day before they reached the moon.
"Ha ha!' laughed Johnny, There
come the birds back from the south.
They stayed up there about Ave days
and then Mr.. Green said, Johnny are
you ready to go home?" mo-" was the
answer Johnny gave in gruft voice.
So they got in the airship and start.
ed home.
When they reached home Johnny
ran to his mother and putting his arms
around her neck, kissed her and said:
Mother. l will never do that again.
Mother answered, "All right my
child" Mother said, II never want my
boy going without asking his mothers
consent
Johnny never went away again with
out his mothers consent.
Hildred Brown, age IL,
Douds-L eando. IN.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Margaret Canny ''The
Poor Little Girl and
the Fairy"

Dear Courier Junior:
! am going to write a story about
"The Poor Little Girl and the Fairy"
There was once a poor little girl and
she was very kind.
One day her mother said Alice, will
you go pick some berries for dinner?"
Alice said Sure, mother" So she
took a basket and went running after
the berries. She got the basket as full
as she could. Then as quick as she
could she ran home. But she had just
gone a little ways when a fairy ap-
peared in front of her.
The fairy said Little girl, you have
been very nice and kind and l will grant
that you will be rich little girl, and
have what ever you want"
Then Alice ran home as fast as she
could and as soon as she got home she
told her mother.
Before she knew 1t the house had be-
come castle. the furniture was shin
ing and her dresses were no longer
shabby but silk and satins. After that
everybody was happy.
Margaret Canny. age 3,
Ito South Iowa Ave. Ottumwa. Il.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
OUT OF PRosERPlNE's APRON

Out OF Proserpine's apron,
Leaptng and laughing they come,
Buttercup smoothing her petals,
Grasshopper sounding his drum;
And little Fern tucking
His round head and sucking
The tip OF a tiny brown thumb.
Out OF Proserpine's apron
Qome little gossamer things
0onning their bonnets Of scarlet.
Tying the golden strings;
While butterflies, soaring
In clouds, come up-soaring
On sapphire and silvery wings.
Out Of Proserpine's apron
Tumble the blossoms and bees
Something else tumbles beside them
That only the little child sees;
Something that haughtily,
Friskily, nanghtily
1dles away on the breeze.
Out Of Proserpine's apron
A.ffting their mushrooms high,
Lest little noses be sunburned.
The fairies come mincing by;
And there's nobody knows
But the bird and the rose
And the lad with the laughing eye!
Garnet Noel Wiley in st. Nicholas
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Elmer E. Asher - A Pretty
Close Call

Dear Juniors: This is my first letter.
to the Junior page. I am little boy
eleven years old. go to school in the
country. My school is now out. I like
to 60 to school very we'll
thought would write you a story
I made up at school. The name of it
will be, "a Pretty Close Call
Edith Brown was in the habit of go
ing down and playing on the beach
with little boy whose name was Tom
Smith. as the other boys called him.
Tom had been out riding in his faith
er's big six cylinder motor boat His
father had let him run it little. OF
course Tom thought this was a great
thing to run a motor boat
They went down on the beach to
pick up some sea shells and to build
! castles of sand. Tom rather liked the
water. He already could dive very
good and swim like fish.
Finely they grew tired and thought
it would be no harm to sit in the big
motor boat and rock 1t. Once they got
1t started to rocking good they loved
, to close their eyes. They kept on rock
ing until finally Edith looked up with a
startled cry. Look" she cried point.
ing toward the east. Tom opened his
eyes and looked in the direction indi.
Gated
He began laughing at her. The boat
had in some way cast off her moor.
ings and was swiftly going with the
tide. He instantly reached over and
turned on the engine. gave the fly
wheel turn and the engine gave a
proud chug chug and they started to.
ward the shore.
Tom said, Lets take ride, papa
will never know it." Edith was fond of
riding so she said, Just as WE'LL
They really ran farther out in the
ocean than they thought. Finally they
turned and then started back. Right
! here is where the best part comes in.
They got about one-fourth mile of
land when there was a grinding sound
and the boat stopped with a jar that
! nearly threw them out of the seat
Tom began to turn pale. Then he
kindly cheered up again. He started
the motor threw in the reverse and
backed off the sand bar with loud
scraping sound.
AS soon as they We're off the sand
bar the water began pouring in. This
made them more pale than ever. Tom
who had read about great heroes be-
gan to collect his thoughts The boat
was already half full of water and was
sinking very fast. Tom after little
thinking took off the gasoline tank COW
er threw 1t into the sea and took out
the gasoline tank and emptied out the
gasoline into the sea. Then he told
Edith to hold on tight to it while he
held it in the water. Edith did as she
was commanded. Then Tom sprang
after 1t. BY kicking his feet he could
drive 1t to shore.
When they got home they didn't get
a whipping as they thought Their
fathers said it was good lesson
Well as my letter is getting long,
will close for this time.
Elmer E. Asher. age II,
r F. D. !, Abba, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
A LESSON IN PREPAREDNESS.

Mrs. Cat sat in the middle while
her kittens sat about her.
when you see dog" began Mrs.
Cat hump your back up. So" Mrs. Cat
stood up and made a perfect V upside
down, with her back. Also spit, and
make great fuss"
The little kittens tried it and it
worked very we'll
I'VE will take stroll now said
Mrs. Cat Mrs. Cat and her kittens
walked along till they came to Bobby s
play dog.
Mrs. Cat and her kittens bumped
their backs and began to spit and make
a loud noise.
That is only play dog said one
of the kittens.
They walked on and very soon they
came to a real dog. The kittens and
Mrs. Cat ran up trees and jumped over
fences and hedges, trying to get away.
AS soon as the dog left them, Mrs.
Cat and her kittens went home very
weary from running.
1T just goes to show said Mrs. Cat,
that there is no use in being prepar-
ed!"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
ALL ABOUT PRIZES.

We do wish the Juniors would 40
knowledge their prizes.
I, Recently we have sent out flags
dolls and little flag emblems. but the
Juniors to whom the gifts were sent
have forgotten to acknowledge them.
II any Junior has ever failed to re.
ceive prize after 1t is announced
IN this column, it Is because the
wrong address has been given US.
When we say wrong address we es'
pecially 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 failing to have box send
In their parents names.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Lois Mccoy - A Pet Dog

bcdT Juniors. t#t
AS have not written to the Junior
for long time will write a story
about "A Pet Dog"
The dogs name was Mouflow and
his masters name was Lolo.
Lolo and Mouhlow lived in Italy and
they were very poor. Lolo's brother,
who was larger, was the bread winner
for the family.
There was little bridge not far
from where Lolo lived. Lolo and
Moufflow used to go and sit on the
bridge for hours.
Lolo was little cripple and could
not go to school. He had taught
Moufflow very, very many tricks.
One day as they were sitting on the;
bridge stranger came by and stop
ped to look at Moufflow. He SAID,
Can your dog do any tricksr
Tricks" laughed LoIo. ''he can do;
most anything
The stranger asked Lolo to put.
Moufflow through some of his tricks.
This Lolo was glad to do and after he
had done so the stranger put two
shillings and little card In LoIo's
hand and told him to call at the hotel
had little sick boy there.
home. When he got home and told his
story his mother was very glad and
told him to 30 early so he could get
back before dark.
After dinner was over he went to the
hotel and and there on the cot lay a
little boy, pale as ghost.
Lolo put Moufflow through his tricks
several times. The man gave Lolo two
more shillings but when Lolo started
to go the little boy started to cry for
he wanted the dog to stay there. His
father quoted him by telling him that
the dog would be back the next day.
Lolo went back the next day and put
Moufflow through his tricks many
times. This time the little boy did not
cry for the father had made plans with
the mother of Lolo to buy the dog
without letting Lolo know of 1t until
it was done.
The next day Lolo's mother sent him
to his aunt's house. He started and
called to Moufflow to come. but his
mother would not let him take the
dog
When Lolo had gone the dog was
taken away. Then when Lolo came
home he called for Moufflow but the
dog did not come. Lolo asked his moth.
er where his dog was. The mother.
half crying and half laughing, told
Lolo the story. Lolo throwed up his
arms. gave little cry and fell to the
floor, pale and cold.
For weeks Ilolo lay very still and all
he could say was "Moufflow, MoufI.
low
The doctor said that il he did not ret
what he called for he would soon die.
One day the doctor said that Lolo
had only few more hours to live. A
ball Of mud flew over the heads Of the
kneeling family and Moufflow was on
the bed with Lolo. Lolo's eyes bright.
ened and he did .not die.
Not long after that the stranger re.
turned to see II the dog was there. The
stranger said that the dog had come
200 miles to get there. The stranger
said he would not take the dog but
would buy another IL Lolo would train
II for him. Lolo said he would and
Moufflow was not taken away again.
Lois Mccoy. Age 70.
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Glee holland Writes About
His Good Dog, Bounce

Dear Juniors
I have never written before so guess
will write on my pet dog. I have lit
tie dog whose name is Bounce. Bounce
is a good dog. He scares all the hawks
away.
We have little pantry in the house.
On cold nights he sleeps in there. When
papa comes down to build the fires he
let's him out and then he comes up
stairs.
/ have little sister one year old. She
loves him.
Glee holland, age 9.
Blakesburg Iowa.
Blakesburg Iowa. r. r. No. !
haas
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Viola May Marks = STORY
of Myself"
Dear Editor and Juniors:

Dear Editor and Juniors:
I like to read the Courier Juniors
stories and so I thought | would write
one about myself.
l weight about thirty-two pounds
and am three feet, seven and one-half
inches tall | have black eyes. black
hair, and am going on eight years old
/ go to the Irving school. Miss Statia
Feehan is my teacher, and just love
her have two brothers. but ] have
no sisters. have lived on a farm and
many other places.
/ like Ottumwa.
Viola May Marks. age 8,
733 Church St, Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Maurine Opal Fuhs - Pet
Dog Shep
Dear Juniors.

Dear Juniors:
This is my first letter to the Junior
page.
I am going to write on one of your
subjects. Ny pet dog. His name is
Shep / think he is a smart dog. j can
ride him up to the mail box, and If l
tell him to go and bring the cows up he
will run down to the pasture and bring
the cows up to the gate and ! open
the gate Then Shep and ] will drive
the cows to the barn. And my papa
puts them in the barn for us.
Maurine Opal F'uhs, age 10,
Ottumwa, Ia. r. No. s.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
THE COURIER JUNIOR
DEPARTMENT
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING co.
Ottumwa, Iowa
EDITOR
MATILDA DEVEREAUx
CONTEST CLOSES JUNE 80.

Dear Juniors: The News contest
Is proving to be very interesting one
as many of the Juniors are sending in
excellent News" stories.
A News" contest is one in which we
want all the Juniors to write about the
pleasant events in their neighborhood.
For instance: A children's party, a
Sunday school program or picnic. In
fact any affair in which the Juniors
are interested will be a News" event.
The prize will be croquet set and the
day of closing is June 80.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22

Dear Juniors:
I wish to extend my thanks through
the Junior page for the beautiful prize
I received for my composition on the
Red Cross
I take much interest in the Junior
page and each week look forward for
the day to come when it is in print.
MY brother Raymond has recently
Joined the navy and is now at the
training station at Great Lakes. ILL.,.
NV two other brothers have Joined the
National Guard. so you see there is pa
triotism in our family.
Anna Marie Gallagher. age IL.
800 n. Jefferson St. Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.

1. Use one side of the paper only.
2. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil.
g. Always sign your name in full
and state your age.
L. Do not copy stories or poetry
and. send us as your own work.
s. Number your pages.
6. Always state choice OF prize on
and address in full.
Z. Address envelope to The Courier
q separate piece of paper, with name
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22

were killed and one wounded. They
We're all members of the Red Cross
hospital The women were on their
way to Europe for nursing service.
Bernice Baldwin, age IL,
Birmingham. Ia, R. No. 1.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Dear Editor and Juniors:

Dear Editor and Juniors:
I received my prize and I think it is
very nice. ! also wish to say that l
think the Juniors are well paid for
sending in their stories. / think 1t is
pleasure to send the stories and see
them in print without receiving a prize
but ! certainly appreciate the prize
which I have received.
Irene Dexter.
Ottumwa. Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Bernice Baldwin - The
Red Cross

Dear Juniors:
4s have not written to the Courier
JuRior for while I will write about
Cross.
A$sood many boys and girls have
ioinA the Red Cross in this state.
read the paper where two women
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
THE PRIZE WINNERS.

The prize winners today are: Mary
Sullivan, Johnny Riggs, Margaret
Canny. Bernice Baldwin. Mary Elean-
or Canny, Myron Francis La Point,
Marjorie Mick and Glee holland. Each
one of these Juniors will receive a
little flag emblem attached to pin.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22
Three Juniors Who Appre.
ciate Their Prizes

Dear Courier Junior Department:
I received my flag while back and
I am very much pleased with it. think
it is so pretty. Thanks ever so much
for it.
Olive Morrow.
Bloomfield, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-22


kdd
4 below. ombne5 With satin Of
same
The daily progressive-miner., 1917-01-24
THEY ARE MIGHTY SLOW.

Those lawmakers at Washington appear to be mighty slow acting upon our halibut bill They evidently don't understand its importance at though if they only cared to look about them selves they would find that our neighbors con sider it very important as thes are quite busy in their fight against t. It is only few days ago that we noticed from the Prince Rupert papers that the council of that town appointed delegates to go to Ottawa presumably fer the purpose of organizing their forces in opposition of that dreaded measure. Thus far they have succeeded in preventing its passage, but 0z are glad to say that their little bali ot ya"n vii con be wound up, if half of what We hear cone ta pass.
 The mere fact that our neighbors are oppo-ad 10 the passage of that measure should be sui Tcient to create the necessary incentive for our lawmaking body to pass it without hesit ion It is of the utmost importance to us and since its passage will only give us tha- which rightly belongs to us we fail to see any reason that jus tifes the delay On the other hand if bE it's passage we would encroach upons anybody's rights, hesitation would be justified; but the re- verse applies. Hence our impatience.
The daily progressive-miner., 1917-01-24
DENIES GAIN BY PROHIBITION.
Washington Post.D

Washington Post.)
 That prohibition has not helped the cities of Washington and will help any large community is the belief of Capt J. Reynolds Of Washington state, who is at the Willard
 There an honest difference of opinion out West as to beneficial results of statewide prohibition said Capt Reynolds The law has been in effect in Washing ton long enough get line the conditions perhaps, but will take a longer time determine what will be the permanent results.
 The of the dry laws in Washington and Oregon certainly apparent in the big cities of those states Iev may have helped the retail merchants, but they have kep away from the state thousands of visitors In Seattle Portland other cities there is absolutely life left One do nothing in the evening for amuse- The hotels have suffered because there are no ater-heater suppers, and the payhouses have lost large of their patronage also There none of the old social life downtown that there used to be- and it is
 that travellers have rearranged their itineraries be compelled remain long in any of the cities vGepe they used to spend days and weeks"