davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Milford Brody-How Amer.
lea Got Its Name.

Dear Junior:
am writing on How America Got
Its Name"
Amerigo Vespucci is the man whose
Christian name was bestowed upon the
new continent. The manner in which
It was applied is especially curious.
The letters addressed by Amerigo
Vespucci to his correspondents, relat.
ing his voyages and the strange
things he met with In the new land,
had 9 great success.
The name of Vespucci became pub
lie as his letters were published in the
papers.
The fourth part of the world, which
may be called Amerigo-that is to
say, land of America-since Americ
has found it.
These parts Of the world, Europe,
Africa, Asia. have geen explored in
every direction. Amerigo Vespucci
has found fourth part / do not see
BY what right anyone should be op-
posed to this, that from Amerigo, the
author of discovery, man Of saga
cious genius, it should be called Amer
iEe-that is to say, land of Amerigo or
America-since Europe and Asia have
owed their names to women. This,
then, = the baptism of the new world.
J Milford Brody, Age 10.
NJ Daak Main 81 Ottumwa. Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
HlsroRY.MAk,NG EVENTS

We want the Juniors to be in
terested in all the events Of the
present week and the past week. You
know these are days when the freedom
Of the world is at stake. Everything
we do nowadays must be for the good
of the country in which we live. You
al read the war news. We know that
you are buying War Savings Stamps
and that some of you will buy Liberty
Bonds, too. Well, now, we want all
Juniors who are taking an interest in
all the war movements to tell the
world about it through the Junior. A
great many have already told the
readers of The Courier Jr. what war
work they are doing. However, we
want to be sure that all Juniors are
patriots, so we ask them to write
about the war, the savings stamps, the
Liberty Loan, food conservation, and
the '.Red Cross in Our Town." as we'll
~ other patriotic events.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Cecil Observation-Disclosures In
South Dakota.

Dear Junior:
This is my second letter l have writ
ten. ~
J lived in South Dakota before it
, was settled. There were Indians in
South Dakota then. We settled on
/ what they used to call the Sioux reser-
walton. We could not see houses like
we can here. Some places there had
Ia tent or two. We settled between
Cheyenne reservation and Pine Ridge
reservation.
There were rattlesnakes, prairie
dogs, coyotes, porcupines.
After a time there was town built
called Nolin. We moved to the town.
The Indians would come every summer
about the last of July and August to
gather the Indian turnips. We call
them Jack-in-the-pulpit. One day
one hundred wagons Of Indians
came to Nolin. They hadtwar dances
on the banks Of Bad river. One day
some Indians we're at our house. put
on my Indian suit. The Indians want
ed to buy me, but papa would not sell
me. One day the Indians had dance.
Papa and Uncle John and went to the
dance. Mamma was afraid. The In
dams made papa and Uncle John dance
with them. One Indian was dancing
and every time he came around he
would shout over my head out of the
big tent-there was no top on the tent.
The Indians made a preacher dance
with them. Two Indian women got him
by the arm and took him and made
him dance.
Cecil Buckholz,
R. F. D. No. 2,
Floris, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Cleda Hanan-The Story of
a Nickel.

Dear Juniors:
AS / have never written before. I
thought would write about "The
Story of a Nickel"
One morning a shining new nickel
came out of a mint and started its jour-
ney around the world. At first 1t went
to bank and then man came In and
wanted change for a five-dollar bill
and the banker gave the nickel to him
along with the other change. The man
went down to a grocery store and
bought some candy and then the
grocer got 1t. Next little girl came
in and bought some dishes, and she got
the nickel in change. That afternoon
they went out wading in pond and
here 1t was lost and fish swallowed
it. A fisherman caught the fish and
when his wife cut it open they found
the nickel and they gave 1t to their lit
tie girl. She put it in with two dimes
and then she bought thrift stamp.
The postmaster dropped the nickel
down in a hole and here it ended its
life.
Clara Hanan, age 9,
Box 722, Yuma, Colo.
Formerly Keosauqua Junior.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Edward Penegar-Th First
Flag Made By Betsy Ross.

Dear Juniors:
This is my first time to write to the
Junior.
am going to write story about the
flag.
The first flag made in the United
States was made in Philadelphia by
Betsy Ross and was adopted by con-
gress in 1777.
The blue field of the flag was made
out of an old army coat. The white
stripes and stars were made out of
white shirt worn by soldier. The
red stripes were made out Of red
flannel petticoat.
Betsy Ross received her instructions
from General Washington as he heard
she was noted for her hand work.
The first American ensign was a
flag with the picture of snake on It,
and below were these words, Don't
Tread on Me-" Paul Jones appeared
to have raised this flag at sea while
having a combat with Scraps
For while congress was going to
addsa star and stripe for each state
but found it would make the flag too
large.
The most it ever had was in 1914.
The Star Spangled Banner had fifteen
stars and stripes.
But today it has only thirteen stripes
and forty-eight stars.
Edward Penegar, Age II.
5O2 Webster st. Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
jeanette Smith A Trip
From Liverpool.

Dear Courier Juniors:
Being my first letter, I hope you wnl
like It.
Mamma and my brother Jack and
myself left the Port Of Liverpool, No
vember IA, 1906, on the American line
steam ship "Noordland." The voyage
was, ! understand. very rough and
stormy, because 1t only takes eleven
days to reach Philadelphia, 80 you can,
understand how rough 1t was when Il
was the 28th of November before We
reached America. Mamma was very
sick. was only nine months old and
my brother was 21s years old. So you
see mamma was busy taking care OF
us. Mamma says the steward had TO
tie my brothers chair to hers at the
dining table because OF the stormy
voyage The tables are provided with
q storm board during rough weather.
1t is fixed on so that the dishes won't
fall Oft.
Mamma says she was glad to coma
to the railing Of the ship to see paDo
aiting for us. On landing We had =
wait till all our baggage was checked.
Then papa took US in . cab to the
depot BROAD street station) and took
the train for Pittsburg, Pa, where We
lived for two years. Then We caRla 70
Ottumwa, where we have lived ever
since.
Yours truly,
jeanette Smith.
21s West Williams, St, Ottumwa, Il.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Bessie Logue-" How 1 Can
Help Win the War;"

One Of the greatest problems of the
world at this time is how we may help
win the war. The aim Of every true
American Is, how can I help win the
war.
Let us all then do our bit. We can
do this by buying War Savings Stamps,
Thrift Stamps and Liberty Loan Bonds
If possible.
Every child can save his money and
buy Thrift Stamp instead Of chewing
gum and candy. All housewives can
observe meatless and wheatless days.
There are many good substitutes both
for meat and wheat. BY observing these
days it does not mean that we must go
hungry. Only eat one Of the substi-
good housewife should know how to
prepare.
Let us all plant large gardens, let
ting no weeds be seen in our garden,
but rich and thriving vegetables for
food. All the vegetables that are not
used during the summer season may be
preserved for winter use. Then toilers
Of the soil. let us be able to say, when
the boys return from the battlefield, II
helped win this war. You fought on
the battle field for your country, but
fought for my country by providing
you with food"
Let every one be found carrying her
knitting in her hands and busily work.
ing at the garments for the soldiers in
the trenches. Unless our soldiers are
well clothed and fed. they will not be
able to fight and conquer 70 rus by the
force Of arms.
Every son Of the great Washington
loves America for the principles for
which she stands. Then let us all join
in harmony and work to maintain
these principles and make the world
safe for democracy.
Bessie Logue. age IL,
Bloomfield, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Nicky 5 Hiding
place
Francis Mercer Waller


) Mrs. Smutty Dusty, the old house
cat, lived very happily with her three
children, Patsy Tee Tee, Nicky, and
Rosy O'Grady, at Sununyside, the Wall
Ter place.
Nicky was the special pet Of Mercer,
the only child Of the family, who taught
him many funny little tricks, such az
standing up like a man." Singing for
his supper like little Tom Tucker, and
walking about on two legs.
One evening when the little boy call
ed him to give him his supper Of nice
bread and milk, Nicky did not come,
but the little boy was not uneasy, be-
cause he thought the kitten might be
playing outdoors. But the next morn
ing he was nowhere to be found,
though the little boy and his mother
looked in the ice-house cellar, barns
and henhouses, and everywhere little
cat might hide.
When the little boys mother was
washing the breakfast dishes In the
kitchen she thought she heard faint
NEW. She called "Nicky" and the NEW
was repeated. Sometimes it seemed to
come from the floor under her feet,
sometimes from the ceiling, and some
times from the walls. She called the
little boy and his father and they
searched, but. though they could hear
q AeA1AAI AAO" oAS0 AA n "AAAAO my SOaAN
not find Nicky. They looked in the loft
over the kitchen. They looked under
near the floor and all around the walls,
thinking Nicky might have foundl a
hole somewhere, but there was no hole,
and the little boy cried till his eyes
were red and hurt him. All day they
looked for and called the little cat and
the faint little NEW would answer,
sometimes overhead, sometimes under
foot. and sometimes it seemed to come
from the walls. Next morning the little
boys mother said she dreaded to go in
the kitchen, for she felt as II a little
half starved cat was somewhere in the
wall or under the floor. She called,
"Niclky" and the faint NEW answered
her as before.
In the middle Of the morning tho lit
tie boys father sent him to get q piece
of Irvine out of the drawer in the big
table in the kitchen, and when the lit
tie boy pulled open the drawer, who
should jump out but Master Nicky!
Then 1t popped into the little boys
head how father sent him the day be-
fore yesterday for a ball Of twine out
of the table drawer and in his hurry he
forgot to close the drawer and then
mother remembered she found the
drawer open some time afterward and
closed it. How happy father, mother,
and the little boy were to find their
pet! And how hungry and thirsty
Nicky was after his long fast!-The
Christian ReGister.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Louise Hick1nan-A School
Composition: A Worn
Out Soldiers Coat.

U00T courier junior.
I have never written to you before.
Am enclosing my school composition
ON the subject Of "A Worn Out Sol.
der Coat"
One rainy day two small children
were ransacking the attic for old
clothes to dress up in, for 1t was too
wet to play out of doors. Seeing an
old chest in the corner they opened
the lid and were surprised to hear q
small voice say, Hello, my children.
Glad to see you. I've been shut up
SO long with no one to talk to. Think
I'll have to tell you my story.
''First, I was the wool on sheep
at Youtsey's farm. I was cut from
the back Of the sheep with large
shears, put into a big sack with other
wool and shipped to the factory. There
was washed and combed ready to be
used. Instead Of being made into yarn
and shipped to John H. Darrah's big
store at Charlton, Iowa, to be made
into soldiers quilt by the pupils in
Miss Wiltsey's room, was sent to q
uniform factory where was made in
to this coat. From there I was ship
ped with other uniforms to Camp
Greene, North Carolina, and was given
to a splendid young soldier named
George Hanson whom you know as
your beloved grandfather. AS he be-
longed in the engineers corps my col
lar was decorated with little fortress
which, together with the army but
tons, made me feel very proud. Then
this young man made good as he al
ways had and was made first lieuten-
ant. was then decorated with the
shoulder straps and two bars.
"Soon after we were sent to France.
We had an interesting trip. Sighted
some submarines but got safely across.
thought I had lot Of wear when he
was drilling in the good old U. s. A.,
but here l learned what 1t was to be
wet and muddy and even torn by
barbed wire entanglements. In my
many pockets carried trench mir
ror, bible, housewife, handkerchief and
a picture Of his mother and sweet
heart.
"While in France / was again dec
grated with a war cross and many
other medals because of the bravery
and courage Of my wearer.
cat last our army was victorious,
peace was declared and we returned
home where we were much embraced
by his loved ones. We had been such
close companions, my wearer hated
to part with me, so he had me cleaned
and laid me away tenderly IN this
chest"
Louise Hickman, Age II.
TIC Usage st. Charlton. Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Harold Abernathy-Life of
George Washington.

Dear Juniors:
I am going to write a story on the
life Of George Washington.
of George Washington.
He was born February 20, 1882. His
father died when he was eleven and his
education was directed by his mother,
a woman of strong character.
Even when he was boy his favortte
amusements were Of military char
acter.
He made soldiers Of his playmates
and offered mock parades.
He was q great lover OF his home and
always spent his evening with his fam
lily. AS an officer he was brave, endur-
ing, and very sympathetic, always sha5>
ing the hardships Of his soldiers.
He was the first president, serving
two terms and declined the third.
Washington left no children. It has
been said providence left him childless
that his country might call him father"
His last illness was short and his
closing hours were marked by his usual
calmness and dignity.
II die hard" said he, but am not
afraid to CO."
Harold Abernathy, age IL,
Ottumwa, r. f. D. No. 3.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
ALL ABOUT PRIZES.

We do wish the Juniors would &C.
knowledge their prizes.
II any Junior has ever failed to re-
ceive prize after his or her name
appeared in this paper, it is because
the wrong address has been given us.
When we say wrong address we
especially refer to incomplete ad-
dresses. 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, 1918-04-16
Verda Nutt-The Faithful
Dog. .

Dear Juniors:
This is the first time have written
to The Courier Juniors.
I thought would write about "The
Faithful Dog"
Once there was a little girl-her
name was Helen. She had little dog.
Her grandma had given 1t to her.
One noon she could not find her dog;
she hunted and hunted but could not
find 1t.
The dog was with her little brother
who was playing Indian In the woods.
He got sleepy and went to sleep un-
der an old oak tree.
AS Helen was coming from school
she saw dog watching over Tom She
ran to see whose dog it was and it
was her own dog. She awoke Tom and
they went home happy
They told their mother, who was
glad that Helen had come home by the
woods and found Tom and the dog.
verda Mutt age 8.
poNdaMoWa
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Mandle Cooperwasser-
"War Is Fought For
Democracy"

Dear Juniors: AS I have not writ.
ten for long time will write story
the subject being about the war we
are now fighting.
THIS war is fought for democracy.
It has many countries in the war and
will cost much loss of many lives.
After this, war ends, as l hope that
will be soon, many soldiers will lie in
unknown graves, but they will long be
remembered for their bravery.
Fearing my story is getting long I
will close, hoping to see my story in
print.
Mandle Cooperwasser, Age 10,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Nettie Bohi-Her Pet Dog
Is Named FidO.

Dear Juniors:
am a girl IL years old. I used to
write to the Courier Junior but l
haven't written fora long time.
am going to write about our pet
dog. His name is Fido. He is one and
one-half years old. We got him for
Christmas in 1916. He Is black with
some white on his breast.
II we throw ball he will get it and
bring it back to us. He will shake
hands with us.
We have a little wagon and harness
for him and we hitch him up and drive
him.
This winter when we coasted down
hill he would pull the sled up the hill
for us.
One day one of our horses kicked
him and knocked him senseless. Now
he is so afraid of her that he won't
go near her.
Nellie Bohi, Age Il.
Care Dan Bohi, Route O.
80 n = RlnnsnA~aA h
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIOR

/. Use one side of the paper only.
a.. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil.
3. Always sign your name in ;ull
and state your age.
4. Do not copy stories or poetry
and send lis as your own work.
8. Number your pages.
6. Always state choice of prize
on a separate piece of paper, with
name and address in full.
Z. Address envelope to The Courier.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
CONTEST SUBJECTS.

We all want 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 is
given:
Z War Savings Stamps.
Liberty Bonds.
The Red Cross.
A Soldier In France.
What We Are Doing for the Soldier.
How to Win the War.
George Washington.
Abraham Lincoln.
Our Presidents.
Patriotic Duties of Today,
School compositions.
Ancestor stories.
Interesting letters.
Book reviews.
Unusual stories.
Soldier stories related by veterans
and retold by juniors.
Select prizes from among the fol.
lowing: Book, box of letter paper.
doll, box of school supplies, knitting
needles, flower seeds or knife.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
A1REArY OF PEACE.

Small Elizabeth was visiting her
grandmother In the country, accord
ing to Harper's. Going from stile to
stile across field one day. she had
to pass close to ferocfous looking
cow with long horns and bloodshot
eyes. Said she, arguing with the
creature and shaking her finger at It.
sIf you'll let me. alone. III let you
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
THE COURIER JUNIOR
DEPARTMENT
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING co.
OttumWa, Iowa
EDITOR
MATILDA DEvEREAUX
A NEW CONTEST

Dear Juniors: A picture of dear
little girl adorns the center of this
page. And this child is saying MY
Daddy Bought Me Liberty Bond!
Did Yours?" Now we want all the
Juniors who own Liberty Bonds
to write and tell us why their daddies
buy Liberty Bonds. The writer of the
best story will receive surprise prize.
This contest closes Tuesday, April %.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Thomas Eskew-A Pet Cat
Called Tom.

Dear Juniors:
I thought would write about my
pet cat.
His name is Tom. He is black and
white spotted.
He catches mice and rats.
He is years old.
Thomas Eskew, Age 9.
1444 West Second st. Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Mary Ellen Learns
One of the Secrets
Of Nature

1870 .sAAAoe VAAAAo AAAoAy A2AASAA W0o
eating her breakfast, q little girl came
ana stood at her elbow and looked MP
INTO her face. It was Larinza, httlss
creek girl, who had slipped OF her
snoes on the uncovered porch and
come softly throu9h the open hall
door' After Mary Elen's mother had
taken the basket OF cakes and home.
made bread Lar1nzas mother had sent
sne gave her two oranges. Ono OF
tnem was larger than the other.
one orange u for you." she told
her And the other you may take %
your 1ttle brother:
~ Lar1nza. asked Mary Ellen.
curiously, which ona are You going
to give to Achilles"
Lar1nza waited q long time beforol
answering. Mary Ellen looked Inn
patiently at her mother
Lerinza has been taught. Mary M
len. that It II not very polite for
child to answer promptly or n avolco
loud enough to be heard By any one
besides those to whom she u Speaking.
Wait little dear, advised mother.
But Mary Ellen thought Lartnxa was
waiting even longer than good man
ners required. She watched curiousH
e Lar1nxa examined each orange care
fuuy Then Larinza held one toward
Mary Ellen and whispered This
orange, II was the larger orange.
But Why. arinxa, don't you e1ve
Achilles the smaller ofange1 He n .
small boy, Mary Ellen asked
Lannza aug her tiny feet 1neo the
solt carpet ana twisted her apron
strings before she answered.
Sister 10 waiting for mo down Of
the gate BY the moss-rose trees. she
said. Sister and l will eat my orange. 4
together. NY sister would not IKE to
take sn pieces Il ! had only dve. You
see my orange has twelve pieces. The 4
otner mas only eleven.
But how DO you know about the
pieces!" Mary Ellen asked You can't
see through the orange rind to Count
them And why has the Smaller orange
more pieces!
Then Lar1nza told the Interested
Mary Ellen the secret OF the Orange.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
Ruth Coffman-"We Are
All Getting Thrift Stamps"

Dear Juniors:
I am new Junior. / am ten years
old. go to the Washington school.
am in the fifth. grade. My teachers
name is Miss Saunders. We all are get
ting thrift stamps, then we are going
to knit and sew for the soldiers.
Ruth Coffman. age 10,
1879 a Ava East Aha. Iowa. !.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
ANOTHER CONTEST.

We also want the Juniors who
think the other subjects are too hard
to write on one of the following sub.
jects.
The Story Of q Nickel.
Ny Best Friend.
A Pet Doa.
Corn and Apples.
Sweet Potatoes and Cotton. .
A letter.
Select prizes from among the fol-
lowing: Game, flag, football, doll,
knife or book,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16
TWO PRIZE WINNERS

Louise Hickman and Bessie Logue
are awarded prizes for their excellent
war stories by the three judges.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-16

21s West williams. St. ottamwa, Il.