Junior Letters from Muscatine Youths in 1908
A collection of short letters from Muscatine Iowa youths dated February 1908. Betty Anderson, Mamie Morris, Bertha M. Davis, Sylvia F. Buser, Callie Buser and others share school life notes, prizes for writing, puzzles, skating, fishing, and birthday plans. They mention Miss Platt, Miss Raymond, and local editor Miss Morehead.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Conesville
Raymond
Lenox
Callie
Warren
Mamma
Grandpa
Sylvia F. Buser
Miss Raymond
Callie Buser
Miss Raymond gets a note from Hattie Wetzel about school and writing
A junior correspondent writes to Miss Raymond about the Junior page. Hattie Wetzel explains she is unwell and cannot write a full story. She mentions geography study and a sister starting school, and notes her intention to write during a new contest.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Muscatine
Miss Raymond
Hattie Wetzel
Mamie Barke Seeks Junior Readers in Muscatine Iowa
A 12 year old Mamie Barke of 415 Lowe Street Muscatine Iowa writes to editor, expresses fondness for the Junior page, invites juniors to write back, and offers to respond. She hopes to get acquainted with juniors she does not know.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Muscatine
Mamie Barke
Lowe Street
Iowa
Junior readers write to Miss Raymond from Muscatine and Letts
A Muscatine and Letts exchange of letters from 1908 shows junior readers Katherine Flood and Hattie McCleary inviting publication of their pieces. Katherine sends a story How Hazel Was Disappointed and hopes it avoids the waste basket.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Muscatine
Miss Raymond
Katherine Flood
West Front St
P. S
Hazel
Dear Editor Letter Mentions Mail Delay and Teddy Bear Wish
A reader writes from Fern Wolford praising the Junior page picture and noting mail arrives late on Mondays around 11 oclock. She explains the habit of sending letters, hopes to visit, and expresses a light preference for a Teddy Bear if she wins.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Conesville
Fern Wolford
Prize Recipient Thanks Dear Helen Raymond in Muscatine Note
A Muscatine, Iowa message dated February 5, 1968, expresses heartfelt thanks to Helen Raymond for awarding a prize. The author notes personal delight and effort put in last week in earning the prize.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Muscatine, Ia
Helen Raymond
A Skating Party Letter to Helen Morehead and Ethal
Betty Andersen writes from 214 W. Seventig St City thanking for a beautiful spoon and plans a story about a skating party. She mentions two minutes of photo viewing, asks if you could see it, and signs as a loving junior.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Helen Morehead
Helen Ethal
Spoon
Betty Andersen
W. Seventig St
City
Mildreds Mistake in the Junior Page Letter
A young writer Helen Ethal from West Chester Iowa in 1908 asks Miss Raymond why her story Mildreds Mistake was not printed on the Junior page and hopes to have it published. She signs as a loving junior and mentions her sixth room A class and a wish for a tablet if she wins. Verna Auten responds about Christmas gifts and the Junior page readers and asks for a reply.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Miss Raymond
Mildred
Helen Ethal
P. S
West Chester
Helen Ringle
Verna Auten
Skating Party Story Prize Note From Helen Ringle
A 13 year old Helen Ringle of West Liberty Iowa writes to the editor on February 5 1908 sharing a prize story titled The Skating Party She compliments Betty Anderson for remembering numbers and dates without a book and signs as Your junior.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Liberty
Betty Anderson
Helen Ringle
Junior writes of skating party and hope for honor
Ferne Conklin from West Branch Ia writes about a skating party story and expresses desire to keep her name on the roll of honor. She notes a preference for a set of tablets if she wins and signs off hoping to see her story published.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Branch
West Chester junior letters on blizzard day inquiry
A junior writer in West Chester Iowa on February 3 1908 describes a blizzard day asks Miss Raymond about a funny picture and inquires when a new contest will begin. The note closes with affectionate sign off.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Chester
Letter from Lizzie Schmelzer to Miss Raymond on school page
Dated February 2 1908 from Muscatine Iowa a youth writes to the Junior page noting colder weather a preference for ribbons if she wins and that she did not gap at the picture on the Junior page. The letter signs off with good bye from Lizzie Schmelzer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Muscatine
Raymond
Lizzie Schmelzer
Mildreds Mistake grade school note from Zella Shepard
Fruitland Iowa on February 3 1908 a nine year old reader Zella Shepard writes on the Junior page seeking any prize and signing with affection. The brief item showcases a child contributor and a playful request to a local newspaper feature.
Jack's Keepsake and Famous U.S. Leaders
Orville Hawkins of Tipton Iowa presents a sentimental piece about a boy named Jack and his mother’s voyage to Minnesota for health. The narrative shifts to brief life notes on Abraham Lincoln, William Henry Harrison, and George Washington, linking grief and memory to historic figures.
Mildreds Mistake in Pie Sugar Mix Up
A young girl Mildred, twelve, in Columbus Junction Iowa, accidentally used salt instead of sugar while baking pies for Christmas company. Her mother finds the error too late to fix, leaving Mildred remorseful. The note is signed by Reuben Allen from Columbus Junction.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mildred
Famous February Birthdays: Washington and Lincoln
February honors two leaders. George Washington born February 22 1732 at Bridges Creek Virginia and died December 14 1799 at Mt. Vernon Virginia aged 67 from acute laryngitis. Abraham Lincoln born February 12 1809 at Nolin Creek Kentucky and assassinated by Booth in Washington DC.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George Washington
Bridges Creek
Virginia
Mt. Vernon
Augustine Washington
Mary Bell
Martha Curtis
Williamsburg
Abraham Lincoln
Nolin Creek
Kentucky
Washington, D. C
Booth
Thomas Lincoln
Nancy Hanks
The Stray Junior Shares Two Schoolyard Tales
A 12 year old boy named Jack recalls Miss Ward who ran a home school a mile away. He strives to be good, wins a prize a book titled Evangeline, and keeps it as a keepsake. A second tale follows Esther and a rich girl hosting a party, leading to Esther’s misfortune after muddy streets ruin her dress.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jack
Miss Ward
Mamie Barko
Lowe Street
Muscatine
Iowa
Esther
New York
Porter
Blanche Preston
Nebraska Street
Keepsake Rug From Billy Goat Tale
This short tale recounts Jack receiving a billy goat in childhood, caring for it through years until it died, and then preserving its hide as a rug. As an old man of eighty two, he keeps the rug wrapped and shows it to visitors, tears welling as he recalls happier days with his goat. Eva Maurath.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jack
Billy Goat
Eva Maurath
Verna Auten
Remembering Loved Ones Through Keepsakes Story
A reader recalling treasured keepsakes from family bonds explains how a dollar from Jack's uncle and beads from a grandmother become lasting memories. The note highlights a tradition of saving small items to remember loved ones who have passed away, ending with a personal goodbye from Hazel Nickols.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jack
Hazel Nickols
Editor's Letter Corrects Previous Puzzle Omission
Dear Juniors, the publisher apologizes for omitting last week's puzzle answers and presents them here. Helen Raymond signs off with two themes Dorothy's Valentine and A Valentine Party. Geographical questions cover China Odessa Lyons Everest Pyrenees London Amazon Madagascar.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dorothy
Helen Raymond
China
Russia
Odessa
Lyons
Mt. Everest
Spain
France
Pyrenees
London
Amazon
Africa
Madagascar
Famous February Birthdays and a Keep-Sake Tale
A list of notable February birth dates for figures like George Washington Abraham Lincoln and Charles Dickens follows a story about a boy Jack who receives a keep-sake from his grandfather. The tale emphasizes restraint and family ties as the boy grows up with the keepsake.
Esther Woods and the Lost Doll in the Woods
Esther Woods with her doll Rose and friend Alice Smith visit the woods to find wild flowers. They rest under a big tree and forget Rose. Returning home they realize Rose is missing, a misfortune for Esther.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Esther
Esther Woods
Rose
Alice Smith
Gladys
Alice
Ether
Jack and his papa work on the farm for a keepsake
A young boy named Jack assists his father with planting pumpkin seeds and weeding in summer. After completing tasks, his father rewards him with a five dollar keepsake. The tale concludes with Jack intending to treasure the keepsake from his papa. Albert Schuessler, Lone Tree, Ia.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jack
Albert Schuessler
Lone Tree
Jack's Keepsake
A ten year old boy, Jack Morgan, son of a poor family, sits on a step in despair after failing to find work. A compassionate man encounters him, learns of his plight, and offers help following their brief conversation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jack
Jack Morgan
Mrs. Morgan
Pitty
Mildred’s Mismatched Slippers At The Depot
Mildred in the country races to meet cousin Marie at the train. She switches from a brown slipper to a black one but arrives with a mismatched pair, prompting laughter before she explains to her mother and proceeds to the depot to reunite with Marie.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mildred
Marie
Mamma
Violette
Esther the orphan parlor boarder becomes kitchen maid
Esther, a rich girl in India, moves to a London girls’ school with lavish gifts from her father who then dies penniless. She learns she is a kitchen scullery maid, endures poverty, and dreams of helping a poor girl, while clinging to her doll Emily.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Esther
India
London
Emily
Shen
Ellen
Esther’s chance to reclaim money through a monkey tale
Clara Belle Evans recounts Esther’s strange misfortune as a monkey leads to a door and a revealed owner who offers to return her money. An Indian gentleman invites Esther to live with him, promising restitution, closing the curious episode with a hopeful turn.
Jack and the birthday watch in hard times
A poor boy named Jack endures work after a tree injures his father. Years pass with schooling interrupted until Jack’s birthday when children arrive with a gold watch and chain as a keepsake. He asks for a book if he wins, signing with Earl Haroff from Letts Iowa.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jack
Earl Haroff
Letts
Iowa
Esther's Errand Ends in Spanking and Slips of Paper
A short, dated tale recounts Esther an eight year old sent for thread. She hesitates to go then forgets the item at the store. After a delay and a slip of paper payment she returns with thread but faces chores and a spanking from her mother, concluding with a stern note from Hattie Wetzel.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Esther
Hattie Wetzel
The Widow Lady and Her Little Daughter
A narrator recalls living near a very poor widow and her unfortunate child. The mother walked five miles to work, leaving the girl alone at night where she suffered injuries and near misses, including a bleeding nose a wolf incident and a broken arm. The family moved away one summer and the tale ends.
Esther Miller Wins Skating Ring Then Breaks Leg
Esther Miller, a nine year old from a rural school, was celebrated as the top student and best skater. She won a gold ring for fastest end to end pond skating but fell homeward, breaking her lower limb and delaying her return to activity while Eva Maurath remains noted.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Esther Miller
Esther
Eva Maurath
Also Mentioned on This Page
Washington School
Miss Platt
W. 7Th St
Woai
Georon
Tannoam
Erond Ldnias
Hata
Tinui
Coe
Locust Street
Bertha M. Davis
Lowe St
Ema
Revan
Rey
Goodby
Hattie McCleary
Fruitland
Zella Shepard
Junior Stories
Minnisota
Minnesota
Mrs. Grey
Earl
Mary Todd
Lexington
Abe
Rall
William Harrison
Berkeley
North Bend
Ohio
Benjamin Harrison
Elizabeth Bassett
Hampden Sydney Colleges
Harrison
Lincoln
Washington
Orville Hawkins
Tipton
Reuben Allen
Columbus Junction
R. R
United States
William Henry Harrison
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
James Russell Lowell
Charles Dickens
George William Curtis
Charles Lamb
Victor Hugo
William Phips
Daniel Boone
Ruth M. Noble
Eesther
Clara Belle Evans
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