davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-02-15

Representative H. c. woodward has
received an invitation to attend the
nineteenth anniversary OF the blowing
up OF the Maine which will be mem.
orialized at Fort Myer February Is,
and will attend.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-02-15
FARMS FOR sALE

EASTERN ONO FARMS FoR SALE.
Write w. w. Luce, Colimbiana, o.
1906 No, 1926
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-02-15

Representative H. C. woodward filed
at the Pension Bureau today the ap.
plication of John e. Logston, of Top
pins Grove, Jackson county, for an
original pension.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02

there on the ladder leading up to the
lhayloft sat Cousin Kitty's chauffeur
man. grinning like jack-o-lantern.
The boys didn't notice that he gave
Father Ham sly wink.
"T've got good mind TO give YOU a
good walIoping all round said Faith
err Ham in his deepest voice. "Yo-l
pretty-near scared your little Cousin
Kitty
"Oh. wait till tomorrow to punish
them" said Mother Ham. This is
Halloween and, sakes alive. any
body's likely to get scared"
Just then Grandfather Turkey set
up another gobbling. only faster and
more frantic than ever.
Hes laughin' at US" whispered
Roddy to Tou. Hope we have him
for dinner soon"
But whether Grandfather Turkey
was laughing at the boys or not nc
body knows Kitty's chauffeur-man
got up and said:
well, the last laughs always the
best. so I've heard tell"
Roddy was wondering and wonder
ing if the chauffeur-man didn't per-
haps know something about that talk
ing-pumpkinhead ghost!
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Stella Tuttle-School Com
position, "Corn."

Dear Juniors:
I thought you would like to hear
one of my school compositions on
corn.
Corn is one of the most useful grains
in the world. There are one hundred
and fifty-two manufactured products
made from corn. including corn syrup,
corn starch. sugar and corn flakes
The states that produce the most
corn are Iowa. Illinois. Missouri, In
diana. Oh;a. Nebraska and Kansas.
The United States produces more
corn than all the rest Of the world to-
gether.
The spring blowing is done in March
and April Then the ground is disced
and narrowed to prepare for planting.
The corn is generally planted in May.
1t comes up about a, week after 1t Is
planted. Then it is cultivated three
or four times. After it is cultivated
the last time nothing more is done to
it until harvesting time.
The seed corn is usually picked be-
fore gathering time and put into an
airy place to dry.
Corn gathering time is a very busy
time, especially in this part OF Iowa
this year, because the crop is very
heavy. After it is gathered part of it
is hauled to market. manufactured in
to the products named above. The
remainder of it is kept and fed to
stock in the winter and the next sum-
mer
Stella futile. age 10,
Charlton, Ia.
Route g.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Robert Matthew-''A Wise
Dog" School Com
position.

Dear Juniors:
AS I have not written for long
time, ! thought would write about
"A Wise Dog" There was an ole
blind man and he had dog which
every morning would take his master
down to the corner. The man would
sit down and then the dog would take
his hat and hold it out, and as the
people passed by they would drop in
in money.
One morning the man was i'll, but
the dog took the hat down to the cor
ner and held it out. There was one
man passed by and saw that the man
was not there. SO he knew the man
must be ill. That evening he fol
lowed the dog home and saw that the
man was sick. He cared for him all
he could.
This is school composition.
Robert Matthew, age 8.
1872 North Moore street,
Ottumwa Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Charles B. DOmmer-'' Why
One Likes the Country"

There are several reasons why one
might prefer to live in the country.
When one lives in a large city he
probably would not have a yard for
his children to play in. then the only
place for them to play would be in the
street or park. The air is impure and
full of smoke and germs. There are
not very mary birds and trees. if any
CT course TIE city is be,ter prepared
for the entertainment Of the young
people, but there are places in the
city that the young people should stay
away from.
In the country the farmer and his
family can enjoy the freedom of a
farmer. He has his garden which the
family can tend to in spare moments.
He can tend to his crops in the field,
and in the evening he and his family
can take a spin in their motor car. &C.
ing to neighboring town and enjoy
ing the entertainment that the city
folks ENJOY. But the city folks do not
enjoy il like the farmer and his fam.
lily do.
Chas B. Dommer.
Unionville. Ia.
Route =
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
lola Ruth. Sayles-"M N,
Grandfather and the
Flag"

Courier Junior:
AS have not written to the Juniors
for quite while, am going to write
about "My Grandfather and the Flag.
Our first flag was made by Betsy
Ross on June IA, 1777. The colors are
red, white and blue. Red is for
bravery, white is for purity and blue
is for loyalty.
When the Civil war broke out in
1861, my grandfather, William M.
sayles, with his two brothers, enlisted
in the third Iowa cavalry. He has told
us quite number of incidents he en-
countered while in the army. He. was
always proud of the U. S. flag and al
ways carried large one on memorial
day. He died November s. 1916.
lola Ruth Sayles, age IL,
Drakesville, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Vera Freeman Hallow.
cen Prank By a Little
Girls Parents"

Dear Juniors:
Once upon time there was little
girl who said that nobody could scare
her. 1t was just about Halloween time
knew she would be scared to death, but
she didn't tell anybody. Her father and
mother at last thought of plan. Their
plan was to go to town that night and
leave her at home. They got a bunch
of children and had them dress up as
ghosts and other horrid looking crea-
lures.
Now this little girl was scared when
she heard her parents were to leave
her. But she didn't say anything. The
time came when they were to go. About
an hour after they had gone she heard
an awful noise. She went to the win
dow and looked out of the window. just
guess what she saw. Why, there in the
moonlight We're the most hideous
creatures she had ever seen. She ran
from the window and hid her face. Her
father and mother had left the window
unlocked on purpose so they could get
in. The creatures raised the window
and one by one came into the room
She was so scared that she opened the
door and ran out. There she met her
father and mother. They said "Oh
Mary. what is the matter: why are you
so -pale?' oh" she said. Look in the
house | am scared to-" and there she
stopped Her father said For once
daughter. you are scared, aren't your
Yes" she said. Il think ! will tell the
truth the next time"
Then her friends unmasked and
laughed at her 1t all turned out as a
party. Ny but she was surprised. And
the reason why was that her father
and mother both had said that they did
not want her to have one. And that
night when she went to bed she dream
ed of another party for next year.
Vera Freeman, age II,
S1S N. Benton ST., Ottumwa, Ia,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02

Carrie Dyer The Ameri-
can Flag"

Dear Junior:
AS ] have not written for Ions
time thought | would write on "Tht
Flag"
The American flag is very beautiful
There are all sizes of flags. 1t Is
oblong in shape. 1t has six white
stripes and seven red stripes. In the
upper left hand corner is a blue
square with forty-eight stars in it.
The colors of the flag are red for
bravery. white for purity, and blue
for loyalty.
The first flag was made June IA
1777 by Betsy Ross. When the first
flag was made there was only thi--
teen stripes and thirteen stars. They
were going to add another stripe for
each new state but that made it so
big they left the thirteen stripes to
represent the colonies and added a
star for each new state.
Carrie Dyer, Age 10.
F1oriS Iowa
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Gladys Burnside 3Hallow
cen Night"

1t was about week before Hallow.
cen when little ten year old ruth re-
ceived an invitation to q masquerade
party to be given at the home of very
rich girl on Halloween night. Ruth was
Of course wild with delight and at last
the happy day arrived. Mothers busy
hands had prepared the costume which
was that Of Little Red Riding Hood
and q very good Red Riding Hood Ruth
made. A large red ribbon was tied high
on her head. She wore red dress and
cape with peaked hood to match. Her
red stockings and black slippers were
also added to her costume.
She hung her basket on her arm, then
tied her mask. Then kissing her moth
or and daddy good bye she went on her
wav to the beautiful residence Of the
Van Dursens.
When she arrived she saw many
Jack o. -lanterns glazing from the
windows and the house was glimmer-
Ang with lights.
Ruth went up to the door and rang
the bell. The door was opened by a
prim little maid who wore black
dress with white collar and little
white apron with cap to match.
The girl showed Ruth into the large
ball room where there were many
clowns, knights, princes and princesses.
There were even animals crawling
about the room on the floor.
The evening was spent with games
and at last the lights were turned out
and the jack-o'-lanterns glared more
than before in the dark room.
Everyone told a ghost story and
there was a great deal of soaring and
also merry laughter of the children.
After these the lights were turned on
once more and the children were taken
to the dining room where covers were
laid for thirty-five. The pumpkin pie
and hot chocolate tasted delicious to
the children after their games.
About fifteen minutes after refresh
ments the little hostess who was dress
ed as princess shouted Masks off"
The children jerked their masks off
and about a half hour later the jolly
group departed.
Ruth's father was waiting for her in
front of the Van Dursen residence.
She told her daddy everything that
had happened and he listened to her
with great interest.
When they reached home her mother
asked "Well how did my little girl en-
Joy her first masquerade partyT'
"Oh, mother I have never had a
better time in my life" Ruth answered
with a contented smile. Then glancing
at the clock she exclaimed ooh grac-
ious. it is eleven o'clock. | must hurry
to bed as am very sleepy
Then kissing both parents she went
up to her little bed and was soon in
the land Of slumber, dreaming of her
good time.
Gladys Burnside, age ~.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Larada Tolbert School
Composition, 1'The Gen
eral and the Spy

Dear Juniors:
AS have not written for long
while thought would write school
composition. The title is "The Gen.
eral and the Spy
Before an important battle there was
spy captured within the American
lines; he was taken before General
True. The General said to the spy:
What is your name, bad fellow, and
whence do you come from?"
The spy replied: "My name is
Count Frederick, and / am from Aus
ia-Hungary. Is there anything else
you would like to know, sir?" he re-
piled.
The general answered, Eyes there
are many things would like to know,
but won't find them out now. But
there is something want to know
from you, and that is, do you want to
live very bad or not?"
The spy replied, Eyes sir, certainly
do"
Then the general began to look sly
and sneaking, So he said: "You shall
die at once" Then the spy began to
plead and ask the general for mercy.
"Oh! please don't kill me; am
good man; no spy any more; don't
you know am your son? They took
me from you and my dear mother
when was but a mere child and made
me Count Frederick after their custom,
and now they have made me spy to
go against my own beloved country
and betray my people and bring
trouble. Oh! please save me. could
not help it, because if had not done
it they would have killed me and
burnt my body into ashes.''
The general took this sad story to
heart and he said to his son:
"Son. thou art faithful son to
friend and foe, SO thou shalt live peace
fully ever after" So the son bowed
down and kissed the ground and
thanked the Lord for having saved his
faithful life. He was very happy and
joyful ever after that narrow escape.
Lavada Tolbert, aged 10 years.
$40 Ogden Street, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Dorothy Lewis-s'Th First
Lady's Slipper"

Dear Juniors:
] am writing school composition
about How We Got the First Lady Slip
per.
of Greece believed in gods and god
desses. They believed that Jupiter
was the god of the earth. Juno. Jup-
tiers wife, was the goddess OF heaven.
One day Juno was travelling through
the clouds when suddenly she lost one
Of her slippers.
Down. down it went, through the
clouds. to the earth.
A man who was wandering tnrCusn
the woods saw the slipper fail. and
reached for it, but just as it touched
the ground it Immediately turned into
flower.
Ever after, this little spring flowex
has been called the lady slipper.
Dorothy Lewis, age IL
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Felicia Zenor-" How Hal
lOWe'en is Observed"

Dear Juniors:
AS have not written for a long time
I thought would write about Hallow-
cen.
Halloween is the evening of October
31st, which precedes Novemer 1st.
known as the Festival of All Saints. On
this evening witches and all sorts of
mischievious spirits are supposed to be
abroad. 1t is formerly quite as safe not
to be caught out alone on Halloween,
and even now ii is considered good
manners, at least. for elderly people to
stav in doorse. The belief in spirits
abroad has faded out, yet the many
pranks still played that evening indi-
cate unusual agencies are at work.
Many children like to go out on Hal
lowe'en with JACKIE lanterns and scare
Felicia Zenor. age 10.
40 N. Miner St, Ottumwa, La.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Ernest Matthew" Thc
Days Of Chiyalry."
-"THE DAYS OF cHIvALRY."

"THE DAYS OF cHIvALRY.'
Dear Juniors:
! thought would write about THE
Days of Chivalry.'
A hero of Greece was rowing the
country. When he got to England ne
heard of beautiful nrincess under the
control of a king The, king. lived in 2
oa7tIo, At ore end Of the town and he
bad tho princess on mour7tain with
]icne. tigers and snakes around the
castle to keep everybody away. When
the hero heard where the princess was
he climbed the mountains and killed
the animals. When the animals were
all killed he got the princess and was
soon back in Greece. where he'married
her.
Ernest Matthew, age 6 years
1875 n. Moore st. Ottumwa, lowe.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
May Belle Austin The
Race"

Dear Editor:
I received your post cards and liked
them very well.
am going to write story The title
Of it is going to be "The Race
Once upon time there lived a
young man who was tall and hand
some, and could run like the wind.
He and his beautiful sister were the
only children of great king who had
been warning with another nation.
The kings were both very powerful.
At last the king had decided to end
the war.
Each king had son and daughter
who were equally matched in beauty,
strength and speed.
The day was set for the race and
four judges were chosen. The dis
lance was set at three-quarters Of a
mile Three wise men were chosen to
tell what the end of the race was to be-
The wise men said that King JON
athan's son, Apollo, should marry King
Leavand's daughter, Victoria, and that
King Jonathan's daughter and King
Leavand's son should be stolen away
some time never to be rescued but by
their own bravery.
The kings both laughed and declared
that their children should never be
stolen away from them.
At given signal the two Processes
and the two princes stood on the start
ing place. After the racers had
reached their goal the judges declared
that it was tie.
The racers were walking in a wood
when some men sprang from behind
large tree and made Prince Lenorda
and Princess Gloria prisoners. They
were put on swift horses and carried
away. The men took them south for
long ways until they came to great
forest where were some small houses;
into one of these they were put.
After being there about two weeks
Lenorda told Gloria that he had dis
covered that they could travel north
for a few days, and they would reach
their homes.
One night as the moon was rising
they slipped into the woods without be-
ing seen. After going little ways
Lenorda climbed tall tree and looked
all around. Soon he saw the north star.
Climbing down they started north. In
the morning they reached small glen
in the forest through which ran
small stream overhung with bushes
loaded with ripe berries.
After they had bathed their faces
and hands and drank of the fresh
water and ate of the delicious berries
they laid down or the soft MOSES to
rest and soon fell asleep AS they slept
a searching party found them. They
we're taken back to their homes where
their parents and relatives received
them with great joy.
After years Apollo and Victoria,
Lenorda and Gloria were married.
After years, when the old kings had
died they reigned justly and wisely.
and lived long and happy lives, ana
raised their children to be just ana
noble.
May Belle Austin. age u,
Route No. /, Agency, Iowa
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Hazel Brown-~L i b e rt y
Bonds" a True Story.

Dear Juniors
Early one Monday morning mamma
called Us children out Of bed to see a
biz halloon, going through the air.
When it got near County Line II was
down so low that everybody could see
it.
II had II liberty Bonds written on il
and there were two men in il.
The balloon went through here at 8
o'clock in the morning and reached
Fremont at 9 o'clock. They were down
lower than they thought and the bal
loon got tangled up in a tree top and
bursted. The men got out and they
We're not hurt.
Hazel Brown, age TO-
Douds, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
HALLOWEEN PRIZE WINNERS.
Felicia Zenor, Vera Fireman, and
Gladys Burnside.
SEVEN RULES.

We want all the Juniors to follow
the seven rules carefully in all their
writings:
I. Use one side Of the paper only
2. Write neatly and iegibly, using
Ink or sharp lead pencil.
8. Always sign your name in full
and state your age.
4. % not copy stories or poetry
and send In as your OWN work
S. Number your pages.
s. Always state choice Of a prize
on q separate piece Of paper, viii,
name and address In full.
z. Address envelope to The cour
Ter
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Oleta Beatrice Harter Of
Mississippi HallOw-
cen"

Dear Juniors:
On Halloween people go out and
have good time.
Halloween comes on Oct. 81. II is a
pleasure to those who go out and put
pop corn on peoples door and hang llt-
tie paper baskets on the door. Then
they knock and hide them. People go
out and hunt the children. Sometimes
thew go to the same house three or
four times one night after another. 1t
is great fun to go out on Halloween.
| have never been out on Halloween
but ! know it is great fun just the
same.
hope all of the Juniors had a
good time Halloween.
Oeleta Beatrice Harter.
Purvis, Miss, Lock Box 101.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Opal Utterhack-A New
Junior.

Dear Juniors:
This is the first time ! have written
to the Junior page. Papa has been TAX
ing the paper for two or three weeks so
thought | would write.
/ enjoy reading the Junior page
My teachers name is Alma Shaw. l
am in the fourth grade at school.
I have one brother. He is five years
old. He started to school this year and
is in the primary grade.
Well, as my letter is getting long ]
will close.
Opal Utterback, age 3,
Hayesville, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
THE COURIER JUNIOR
DEPARTMENT
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING co.
Ottumwa, Iowa
EDITOR
MATILDA DEvEREAUx
a THANKSGIVING CONTEST.

Dear Juniors: In just four weeks
that wonderful day of days. Thanks
giving, will be celebrated throughout
all countries in which the American
dag is carried. And we have much TO
be thankful for this year. However,
We are going to let the Juniors tell
Us all about Thanksgiving Day, All
the following subjects belong to this
contest:
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY.
THANKSGIVING DAY IN 1917.
THANKSGIVING DAY IN ENG.
LAND, FRANCE AND THE UNITED
STATES.
THANKseiviNG DAY At GRAND.
MAS IN 1916.
MY AMBITIONS.
OUR PRESIDENT.
MY ANCESTORS. Z
THE DAYS OF cHivALRY.
THE FLAG.
LETTERS.
SCHOOL COMPOSITIONS.
This contest will open today and
close wednesday, November 81 The
writer's can select their prizes FROM
among the following articles: Ten
pins. (s11 inches high) and balls.
Knife, book, doll souvenir spoon, book
sf patriotic songs, candy, paper dolls,
pr school supplies.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
Vera McKaig, a New Junior.
Gladys Burnside-A Hal
lowe'en Story, "A
Masquerade"

Dear Juniors:
AS l have not written before I
thought / would write about Mary
Pickford have seen here in THE Poor
Little Rich Girl and "Rebecca OF
Sunnybrook Farm" ! like to see her
act. She is a good actor. She dresses
like little girl. She has very pretty
curls.
Vera McKaig. age II.
2h5 n. Moore ST. Ottumwa. Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02

~ HE Spirit of '76 as displayed in
1917 is one of the many interest
q ing features of Uncle Sans pho
toplay recently staged to boom the
Second Liberty Loan and in which
practically all the biggest stars" in
civic, motion picture and theatrical
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02
70 ANNOUNCE PRIZE WINNERS.

Next week we win announce the
ufdze winners in the contest closing
October 81, and we Will also have the
seven compositions written by seven
Dupils Of the Franklin school.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02

fields appear. Billie Burke, the IA
nous film actress; Clarence Harvey,
the noted writer, and Charles Thorne.
the popular actor, are the three figures
who depict the spirit of '76 in the 1917
motion picture. Among the other
prominent persons who appear in this
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02

film are President Wilson, Secretary
of the Treasury McAdoo, Thomas A.
Edison, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fair
banks, William S. Hart, De Wolf Hop
per, Raymond Hitchcock, David War
field, Lillian Russell, Pauline Freder-
ick and many similar celebrities.
The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1917-08-03
PUBLISHING YOUR NEWS.

Frequently the editor of this newspaper is reproached
for not having published the news of visitors in town or of
people visiting other places. We admit that we are only hu-
man and submit that we are not a detective. Sometimes we
learn news by observation, but not being twins we can only be
in one place at a time and must rely on your telling us the
news of your visits and your visitors if such news is published.
Some people have a we'll defined delicacy in imparting
information concerning themselves. They should remember
that such news is interesting to their %neighbors, and that we
are glad to publish it. At any rate, next time you feel like
criticizing this newspaper for its lack of news, please try to
recall the numerous times you have overlooked telling us news
when it was convenient for you to do so. Our telephone No
26 will be answered any time you call. And right here we
might confess to making mistakes. 1t may sound strange but
mistakes do occur in the newspaper business just the same as
in any other business. When we cease to make mistakes we
will notify you so you may send flowers.