davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Gertrude Kelly = The -Four
Leaf Clover
Dear Juniors:

Dear Juniors:
Once there was little girl who was
always looking for the four leaf clovers.
Her sister hAd told her time and again
that she could not find them if she was
always looking for them but she would
not listen. One day she had forgot all
about hunting il and all at once there
was four leaf clover right in front OF
her She took ii home and showed it to
her sister and her sister told her she
could find them easier if she did not
hunt for them. She would not listen
but went on looking. One day after she
had been looking for it long time she
was out walking with her mother. All
at once she said Il wish | was not so
tired" And her mother told her to sit
down on the green grass and rest. So
she sat down and began to play with
the grass, when all at once she spied a
bunch of four leaf clovers. And ever
after she never hunted for them and
they grew with great plenty.
Gertrude Kelley
North English, Ia, Box SO.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Bernice WilcOxsOn Plants
Garden to Help Feed
Soldiers

Dear Juniors:
AS have nothing to do, thought
would write to you. This is my second
letter.
am girl, IL years old. have blue
eyes. light brown hair and light com
plexion. My birthday is March 10.
live in the south The Mississippi
river is in front of the house. like it
fine down here We moved here the
first of January. 1t is a very nice
place. We have had high water here
for about month. The water was all
over the land. II was in our yard
about foot deep, but it is going off
now so we can see most of the yard
My pets are nine chickens and we
have a pony. | can ride.
] have planted garden so can help
feed the American soldier
My papa takes The Courier and
like to read the Junior page.
Bernice Wilcoxson, Age IL.
Gum Ridge, Miss.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Harriet Holden = Story of
a Nickel

Dear Juniors
This is the first time I've written to
the Junior page. will tell you The
Story of Nickel.
One day man gave me to a grocer
man. In two or three hours little
girl came into the store and asked for
some change. The grocerman gave
me to her but she lost me on her way
home One or two days after that a
little boy found me lying under an
elm tree and took me up town and
git an ice cream cone. The man who
owned the soda fountain gave me to
his little girl that evening when he
went home. This little girl belonged
to the Mothers Jewels and had very
pretty paper box which she called a
mite-box and she put me into 1t. Soon
they had what they called mite-box
opening day, and she took me to the
church and the box which | was in
was put on little table with lots Of
other boxes. A woman came up and
opened all the boxes. She dumped me
out of the dark box onto the table
with lots of other nickels, dimes and
pennies The lady counted all of us
and in few days ] was sent to the
George o. Robinson home in Porto
Rico, where | helped to feed hungry
boys and girls while the mission
aries told the story Of Jesus.
Harriette Holden, age 8.
Morayia. Iowa, Lock Box 8.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Eythel Arvilla Fife - He
Cousins Have Shetland
Ponies

Dear Juniors:
| live two miles west of Eldon on
the Des Moines river. go to the Dial
green school. There are fourteen
pupils in the school. My Teachers
name is Mrs Mabel Stilfeld. Our
school was out April IS. am in the
second grade but will 60 to the third
grade next year. like to go to school
have two brothers. Their names
are Orval. age 8, and Harold, age 5
Harold has not gone to school yet, but
will go next year.
Harold has dog. It's name is Toby
Harold has great times with him.
have three little cousins who live
at West Branch They have three
little Shetland ponies. would like to
go and visit them this summer for
know we would have good time play
ing with the ponies.
get so lonesome since school is
out
am always glad the day we get the
Junior page.
Eythel Arvilla Fite. Age Z.
R. r. 2. Eldon, Iowa
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Cecile Williams ~ The Way
of the Desert

Tom Wheeler and his two boys Marx
and Hugh went out into the Painted
Desert region early In the spring. There
was promise that the government ir-
rigating canal under construction.
would pass through Juniper ravine by
midsummer which meant that all OF
the sandy land following the floor Of
the long winding coulee, would be re-
claimed and the value Of claims raised.
The Wheelers took a claim about four
miles from the post route road. AZ soon
as the father had helped the boys To-
cate the corners he went and joined the
government surveying party. az he had
a position offered him. He left the boys
to bufh a shanty.
In day or so after the father left
they began to have trouble. They had
taken thirty or forty acres Of bottom
land. Bosh Tucker. an old plainsman
came over and said you've located the
wrong corner. That's on my land. Your
corner is farther up on the ridge" 4
Our corner is right here. and We
are going to stay here"
mo. It's not, the old man returned.
It's up on the ridge covered UP with
sand"
Then how do you know It IL therer'
The boys went on building their
shanty and soon had It finished.
In day or two old Bosh Tucker
came over and said Don't you boys
go fifty feet away from this house. or
you'll be sorry"
With that he turned and rode away.
leaving two startled and armxed
youths standing in the doorway.
More bunk Hugh finally said.
II don't know about that" said
Mark. He had Just finished speaking
and they were going in the house. The
wind started blowing and sand was
flying every place. They shut the door
and locked It and fastened the win.
dows.
The sand piled up until 1t came to the
window sills.
An hour passed and still the sand
was blowing.
After 4 white It stopped. They heard
the tramp of horses feet.
Then came sound faint, far
away sound. They sat without moving.
II called again, this time 1t seemed 20
come from within the shanty.
It came a second and third time BE-
fore they could tell that It was coming
from the cookStove.
Bosh said, '-Cut hole near the
stove pipe"
They piled up boxes and chairs and
cut the hole and came out.
You have never seen two boys -
happy to see Mr.. Tucker as those two.
Cecile Williams, age ~.
32s E. Main ST.. Ottumva. In
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Lavada Tolbert - Abraham
Lincoln

Dear Juniors:
AS this is my fourth time to write, l
thought would write about Abraham
Lincoln.
Mr. Lincoln's home was once in Indi.
ana He moved from Indiana to Vir-
ginia He lived in little log cabin
with stumps in the ground for chairs
for himself and little family to sit on.
There was a followed out stump to
serve as water bucket. The beds
were made Of some strong pine wood
and oak The pillows were sacks full
of leaves. They used big bear skin
as covering to keep them from suffer
ing from the severe cold. The only
food they had was the food that he and
his sons helped him to hunt and that
was bears, deer and fish, The bear and
deer meat are very good. have eaten
bear and deer meat and it tasted deli
Cious.
At times the Indians were very
friendly to them and at other times
they were unfriendly.
President Lincoln. like President
Washington. was very true and nom
est man. They were both very dear
to their country and they served their
country If it took their life to do It,.
And so it did take their lives but 1t
was an honest, truthful life. President
Lincoln and President Washington
were the most dear men to their coun-
trv that I have ever heard Of. II they
were still living they would save this
country from many q trouble and hard.
ship. But we should be thankful that
it is not in any more trouble than 1T is
in. So this is my motto, God bless
ALL
Lavada Tolbert. Age 49,
$40 Ogden st. Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Violet Ellen Hults - The
Cats Fright
Dear Editor and Juniors:

Dear Editor and Juniors:
AS have not written to you for quite
while thought I would write an or
iginal story. not one have taken from
something else. but one made up my
self. will call my story The Cats
Fright.
One day an old cat lay before the
fire asleep. She was purring softly for
she was dreaming of catching fish
along the edge of the river.
Suddenly the door opened and
Pussys master came in. He had been
fishing and had caught a very large
crawfish which was still alive and he
laid it down on the floor very near to
where Pussy was sleeping.
Suddenly in her dream the cat reach
ed out her paw thinking she was
catching fish and the crawfish caught
hold Of her paw Pussy was terribly
frightened and jumped up. The craw-
fish released his hold on her paw but
much worse caught hold OF her tail.
Pussy raced through the house
meowing with pain. She jumped over
chairs and upset lamp and broke 1t
and jumped up on the table which was
and got stuck in some honey. She
knocked dishes off and broke them,
but the craw fish still held fast to
Pussy's tail.
Finally her master freed her from
the crawfishs pincers and she ran to
the barn for fear she might meet Mr..
Craw-dad again.
She always after that when a craw-
fish was brought into the house Pussy
would drop her tail between her legs
and stink off and hide.
So my story ends and l hope it will
interest the readers.
Violet Ellen HultS age 49,
Ottumwa, Ia. r. No. I.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Helen McGOwen-COrn and
Apples

Dear Juniors:
May Join the Junior page?
This is the first letter l have writ
ten to The Courier Juniors, 80 Will
be glad to see my letter in print.
am going to write a composition
about corn and apples.
Corn grows on a tall stalk. They
plant two or three grains in hill.
They use corn for many things -
to feed chickens, feed the stock, to
make hominy, corn meal, and many
other things.
Apples grow on a tree. Early In the
spring the green leaves appear. They
are followed by white and pink bios
SONS. Then later green apples ap'
pear. They grow and turn yellow and
red as they ripen. There are sum
mer, fall. and winter apples.
Helen McGowen, age 9.
Bloomfield. Iowa. R. No. 2, Box No. 4.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Madeline Fugate - The
Fairy Ring

Dear Juniors:
AS have never written before
will write fairy story, THE Fairy
Ring"
Once upon a time May went tc
hunt tadpoles In slough. In trying
70 catch one she lost her pearl ring
In the water. The current OF the
stream took her ring down the stream
May sat down on log to weep
While she was weeping fairy came
and stood by her side.
why DO you weep, my chiId?' said
the fairy.
"Are you fairy" questioned the
schild.
81 am fairy, but you have not
Answered my question"
t"Oh! / have lost my pearl ring, the
ono. got for my birthday" said the
child.
as this your ring?" asked the fairy.
"Oh! My ring was not as pretty as
that" sRid the child.
take this ring, my child, it is
magic, it will keep you from all harm, y
said the fairy.
"Oh! thank you," she gasped
That night on the way home she
met a mad dog. 1t ran up to her but
did not bite her.
May looked at her ring, and gave it
credit for keeping her safe.
She told her mother about the fairy
ring and Of the mad dog.
Madeleine Fugate, age 10.
1886 South Willard St. Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08

So the contest for correct English in
the Payne family began and so it con-
tinued throughout the summer Hon
est Margaret filled The little squares
and each night tabulated their con
tents. 1t was wonderful how Billy and
Paul and Bobby Payne set a guard up.
on their lips and equally wonderful
how critical they became of every
word which fell from their parents
and their sisters mouths. Never will
Billy Payne forget the day when his
college bred sister said those kind
at the dinner table and he knocked
over two chairs in his effort to get to
the paper and write it in the square op.
posite her name "Aint" disappeared
from the family circle, and its hated
twin was seen no more. BY July rs
Billy, with 416 against him. spoke
more circumspectly than ever, and
finally talked no more than was abso-
lutely necessary By July 81 he was
brilliantly inspecting new fishing
tackle. while his younger brothers
were trying to decide between boxing
gloves and an air rife.
The morning of August ] found faith
er and mother Payne packing their
grips for the second honeymoon. That
same day at lunch Bobby came to the
table late but wholly amused.
What do you think, Margaret he
cried Jim Browns mother has a
black-mark paper for the Brown family
over the kitchen table and Jim's work
ing for squirrel trapsi"
Well said Margaret, after Bob's
information had been thoroughly COM
mented on, ITS August and we've all
won out. so suppose the paper had
better come down.
Nor. SIR" cried Billy. II say keep it
up till Christmas anyway. It's not half
bad, after ALL"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Ethel Margaret Brown :
"My Best Friend"

Dear Juniors:
want to join your contest. 30 will
write a story about my best friend,
who IA a little short. fat girl who has
blue eyes and black hair. She goes
to school every day she can. She
came over Sunday and we played
school. then we played house. After
p O'Clock we gathered flowers. all
kinds. sweet williams. lilacs. violsts,
and bluebells- We had good time
Well. as my letter Is getting long ]
Wal close, hoping to see 1t in print.
Ethel Marget Brown, age 10.
Eddyvi1le, Iowa, r. No. 3. Box 50.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Mary Brain my Home
State"

Dear Juniors:
| thought l would write about my
home state, which Is Iowa.
Des Moines is the capital and Sioux
City Is a large city in the prairie re-
gton. and also is a market for grain
cattle and dairy products.
Dubuque and Davenport and Other
cities on the Mississippi river are lum-
Der markets. The products of Iowa are
as follows: Corn wheat. coal, oats, rye
and several kinds of fruit.
The states that border Iowa are:
Wisconsin Illinois, Missouri. Nebraska
south Dakota and Minnesota. There
are two rivers that border Iowa, the
Mississippi river and the Missouri
river. also the Des Moines river for
short distance.
Iowa is in the cool or warm climate.
Mary Brain, age 10.
Unionville, Ia, R. No. 2.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
FLAG DAY JUNE IA.

We want all the Juniors to write
patriotic stories for the contest which
viii close June IA, national flag day
The writer's will all be awarded small
nag emblems and the one whose story
Is considered best by the judges will
be given surprise prize. The Jun
1ors working In this contest can choose
for their subjects: The Red Gross
Flag Day. Gardening or any other pa
triotic subject.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
THE COURIER JUNIOR
DEPARTMENT
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING CO.
Ottumwa, Iowa
EDITOR
MATILDA OEVEREAUx
sueJEcT-PIcTUREs.

Dear Juniors: Today we have for a
new subject the pictures on this page.
We want all the Juniors to study all
these pictures carefully and then write
splendid short stories. We are sure
that each picture will suggest a won
derful idea and when all the ideas are
woven together the result will be a
most interesting story. The awards
win be surprises, unless the writer's
desire to select their own prizes.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
SEVEN SUBJECTS.

We al want the juniors to send h
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
10 encourage originality and variety
In the Juniors work tho following list
% given:
FLAG Day.
School compositions.
(. Ancestor stories.
interesting letters.
Unusual stories.
Current events.
Soldier stories related by veterans
and reteld by Juniors.
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, 1917-06-08
aEvEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.

1. Use one side of the paper only.
2. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil.
8. Always sign your name in full
and state your age.
1. 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
. separate piece of paper, with mans
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
ALL ABOUT PRIZES.
We do wish the Juniors would 40

We do wish the Juniors would ae.
knowledge their prizes.
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 70.
eeive a prize after it 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, 1917-06-08
THE SECRET.

To a Dimple said Frown,
II would give you half crown,
To teach me how compliment Nto
win
To the Frown replied the Dimple,
.Why the trick is very simple;
Dance on tiptoe all around the
mouth and chin.
John B. Tabb.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
ANOTHER CONTEST.

We also want the Juniors who
think the other contest Is too hard
20 write on one OF the following sub.
jeots.
Ny Best Friend. -.
A Pet Dog.
Corn and Apples.
8Weet Potatoes and Cotton.
A letter.
Select prizes from among the fol-
lowing: Box Of candy, bird kite, roller
skates. doll, knife or book.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
THE PRIZE WINNER.

Harriet Holden is awarded a prise
today for her very unusual Nickel
story.
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-11-29
LEE COUNTY
Beattyville

Beattyville. Nov. 26. - Circuit
Court adjourned here last week,
after being in session about two
weeks trying mostly civil cases
and during the whole time the Jail
doors have stood wide open - the
first time such a thing has happened
in the history Of the county when
court was in session, several times
in the past few years the Jail has
been without prisoners. but not
while court was in session. Our
county has been breaking a good
many records lately in politics, pa
triOtism. and business. Clark
Stamper Of Crystal was in town
Monday on business. - The County
Board of Education met Friday last
in the County superintendent Of
flee and quite lot Of business was
transacted. - Two or three more
good oil wells We're drilled in dur
ing the week in this county. which
is proving 10 be good oil field,
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-11-29
PULASKI COUNTY
Walnut Grove

Walnut Grove, Nov. 26. - Prof.
J. s. Martin of Todd has just organ
lied large singing School" at the
Walnut Grove school house. He
will teach for four Sundays. You
will be a welcome visitor there. -
The Pie supper given "Wednesday
night by the Walnut Grove school
was quite success: the crowd was
large and orderly, and the generous
returns will support singing school
and make a respectable gift To the
Red Cross. - Herbert McGraw killed
81 rabbits Friday. - Mr.. and Mrs.
w. V. Carter made business trip
to Somerset Thursday. Quite q
few farmers who saved their Buck
wheat till now are getting si65 per
bushel for il. - There have been
many bird hunters in this section
recently. They have had good luck
and great sport. - The farmers OF
this community have learned to
feed their Buckwheat straw II
saves fodder and is much better than
red top" or herd grass" Try it,
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Logsdon who
have been spending a few months
in Gallon, o., are home again. We
are glad to welcome such good
neighbors back home. - Egbert
Abbott is principal of the Walnut
Grove school this week while Mr..
Cook is on a business trip through
Madison. Jackson. and Owsley Coun-
lies.
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-11-29
LETCHER COUNTY
Polly

Polly, Nov. 20. - The Rev. j. n.
Peters filled his regular appointment
here Saturday and Sunday. - The
farmers in this section report lots
of corn damaged by the early frost.
Blaine Crosse still remains quite
sick. - Miss Horton, who is visiting
her brother, j. r. Peters, attended
church at this place Saturday and
Sunday. - Miss Regina Brown re-
turned home after spending several
days at Whitesburg. - Stevis Polly
spent Sunday with homefolks and
returned To McROberts where he is
employed in the McRoberts store
X. X. Polly came home for a few
days stay with homefolks and re-
turned to his work at Lexington
Mrs. Maggie Lucas is reported very
low with consumption. The chill
dren lOf Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Vermil-
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-11-29

week. - w. N. Gabbard and son
are visiting friends and relatives in
Estill County this week. - Chester
A. Gabbard and his sister. Hattie,
went to Bonneville to the play Sat
urday night, and report a fine time.
DR.. Is. +. Tye went TO Bonneville
Saturday on business. - q. II. Bow
man filled his regular appointment
at Moores last Sunday.
Conkling
Conkling, Nov. %. - J. +. Golden
of Clark County is a week end Wis
itor in the home Of Mr.. and mrs.. w.
Anderson. - Miss Martha Caldwell.
teacher at Brookside. is boarding
with Miss Eliza McCollum. - Miss
Mary McCollum. who has been on
the sick list. is somewhat improved.
Mrs. Ruth Wilson is visiting her
Mr.. and Mrs. b. p. Ambrose,
at Berea. - Mrs. Margaret Day has
her house. completed and will move
into il soon. Miss Sallie May
Smith, who has been visiting rela-
lives here for the past month. left
for her home at Valley
View, accompanied by her cousin.
John Blake.
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-11-29
ESrILL COUNTY
Locust Branch

Locust Branch, Nov. %. - J. w.
Richardson of Horns River will move
to Pamela to make his home there.
He and his family will be greatly
missed. - U. S. Coyle had big pub
lie sale November IL. He sold corn,
hogs, cattle. farming implements,
and a few goods in the store. -
Several from this place attended
court was in session. Several times
Nick Harris Of Richmond visited her
father, J. M. Kindred, few days
last week.
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-11-29
MADISON COUNTY
Bio Hill

Big Hill, Nov. 26. Mrs. SaIlie
Powell was born February %. 1850.
She was married TO J. B. Medley
February 7, 1868; died November 81,
1917. She leaves a husband and ten
children, all were present but one;
forty-fOur grandchildren. seventeen
great-grandchildren, three brothers,
three sisters, and a host Of friends,
She united with the church years
ago and lived a true Christian life;
a faithful wife and mother and was
loved by all who knew her. She was
buried at Pilot Knob cemetery. The
Rev. R. l.. Ambrose preached her
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-11-29
HARLAN COUNTY
Harlan

Harlan. Nov %. - Recently the
local water plant was taken over
by the Harlan Water Company and
will give better service to Harlan
citizens than ever before. - Next
Tuesday night revival service will
begin in the Baptist Church to which
all are invited. - The Thanksgiv-
ing exercises in the different rooms
of the Graded School will be worth
while for every parent TO be present.
John q. Foley has returned to his
home in Pineville.
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-11-29
PERRY COUNTY
Hazard

Hazard. Nov %. - One death from
diphtheria in our town should cause
all to be cautious: the infant Of Mr..
and Mrs. Smith died last Friday
night from this dread disease. -
Thanksgiving service will be held
in the Court House where all the
churches will join in day Of pray
er. - Every parent should attend
the parent-Teachers Association
Friday at the school house. The
programs in the past have been
good.