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Newspaper
Muscatine Journal
Location
Muscatine, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 19, 1908
Page
10
Editor Helen Raymond invites juniors to write on the topic The First Christmas or Why We Celebrate This Day with prizes awarded. She wishes readers a Merry Christmas and notes the busy week ahead and the mailing of letters or stories on the single subject.
A short personal note from Bertha Davis in Muscatine dated December 14 1908 to Adele Fields discusses new juniors at Washington school, asks about age and grade, mentions Christmas and Santa, and notes Bertha’s measles while inviting a reply and a friend to join.
Nellore Lee of Fredonia and Elva E Milholm of Williamsburg, both Iowa, send Christmas greetings to Miss Raymond and the Junior page. Nellore thanks for a present and wishes a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Elva awaits Christmas, mentions a Christmas tree and exchanging ecards, and notes a story titled The Story the Christmas Tree Told.
Esther Stucker, a junior from Atalissa Iowa, writes to Miss Raymond about her surprise at winning a prize story and eagerness to receive the book. She describes a Christmas program at school, her role as organist, and daily music in class.
Adele Field writes from Muscatine Iowa December 17 1908 about her sixth grade at Jefferson School on East Seventh Street at the corner of Seventh and Orange She lists eight subjects including arithmetic spelling geography history music physiology reading and language and signs off as your junior.
A collection of short infant and young student notes to Miss Raymond from Flora Marks Ruth Van Horn Ada Briggs Ada Briggs Ruth Ramer and Cecilia Gatins. The letters mention exams readings gifts birthdays prizes and school life from Conesville Letts West Branch and surrounding areas in December 1908.
A reader from Grandview Iowa writes on December 8 1968 expressing happiness at seeing his letters or stories appear in print and noting anticipation for Christmas.
A portrait feature on the Queen of Roumania describes her as an author of high standing and noted for beauty and philanthropy including efforts for the blind. The piece contrasts her current reign with childhood, praising her talents and public regard.
Paul R. Wagner mentions a week off and lists three pets: a dog and two cats. He closes with a brief goodbye for now.
A Moscow Iowa student writes from December 1908 about missing a week of school for studies, enjoying sledding and games, and asking Miss Raymond about future contests while signing as a junior Erma Finley.
A 12 year old Gertrude Beatty writes to Miss Raymond from Lone Tree Iowa describing her fifth grade with teacher Miss Alice Jarrard and two junior writers Alice Day and Ruth Ramer. She signs off hopeful for a prize set of tablets if she wins.
Dorothy Smith, a junior at 624 So Lucas St, Iowa City, writes from December 1908 to thank the editor for a Christmas book and request the prize tablets she preferred. She threatens to accept a bead necklace if the tablet set is not provided.
A Muscatine student writes to Miss Raymond dated December 10 1960 describing many juniors writing stories and puzzles for the paper. She says her story was submitted along with puzzles but notes not all items appeared due to volume. She mentions asking a classmate to collaborate and signs off as a junior.
A 1908 letter from Elva E Mithholin in Williamsburg Iowa writes to Miss Raymond on the Junior page. She describes attending a country school and lists studies including reading arithmetic history spelling writing grammar geography. She asks how the snow is and proposes exchanging postcards with other juniors.
Miss Helen Raymond receives thanks from Anna and Lena Marolf of Wilton Iowa for a book described as a pretty fairy story. They mention Xmas preparations at school and church and express happiness about a new honor roll.
A Worthing South Dakota letter dated December 10 1908 from a student to Miss Raymond explains plans to write weekly to stay on the Honor Roll and to craft a story with the subject How a story remains to be completed.
A brief note from junior Clara Marshall ends with a farewell line and a Christmas wish for a box of writing paper if she wins. The fragment suggests a personal message included in a newspaper page.
A 1908 letter excerpt details family news from Columbus Junction and Marte Overholt describing life at school. It mentions whooping cough, Sunday school, Postcard exchanges with Edith, and planned Junior Page contributions. Marte describes riding a pony named Flossie, a dog named Penny, and a cat, plus her schooling in Miss Moore’s second room.
A Letts IA reader writes from December 1908 noting stormy forecasts, wishing for warmer days, and describing the Junior Page. She promises a girls name puzzle and a story and letter this week, asks about a cousin letter, and mentions Miss Raymond.
A Muscatine, Iowa resident expresses gratitude for a box of Christmas gifts received, thanking Miss Raymond for the thoughtful gesture and holiday kindness.
A boy skates at a distant pond despite his mother’s warnings. He falls through ice, is rescued by friends, contracts typhoid fever, and is quarantined for two and a half months. Upon recovery he vows to seek parental consent before skating again.
A child describes a magical journey by train to Santa Claus Land. They visit Santa's big house with fifty children watching him and explore rooms full of girls toys and boys toys. The return home coincides with Christmas as they share the cheerful tale.
A 13 year old boy named Harry Jackson from Mt. Vernon helps his widowed mother who works hard to support his schooling. He runs errands to earn money for his mother and for Christmas.
In September the yard wakes to snow and Ned, a Scottish boy with a new sled, joys at first but finds no hill to ride. His uncle John plans to hitch the dog Shen to the sled, and Shen soon adapts. Ned and Shen ride daily through the orchard waiting for more snow.
A nine year old named Harold Grey wanted to go skating. His family was very wealthy and his mother refused the request, leading to a narrative about the consequences of disobedience and desire.
A West Liberty Indiana report recalls young Clarence who coasted down the stairs in a clothes basket after his parents had put him to bed. The family had recently given him a new sled and he enjoyed coasting, saying he could coast all night.
A personal reminiscence describes Christmas before modern excess, detailing morning devotions, sewing by maidens, and simple gifts like face cloths and prayer books. The piece contrasts Puritan thrift with contemporary gift shopping and recalls Santa’s quiet visit as a sign of holiday warmth in Mrecatine, Iowa.
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