Comet “Tales” Essays, Poetry, Stories, Artwork, and More The Creative Arts Magazine of Marionville Elementary and Middle School Students 2015-16 Foreword Welcome to the fourth publication of Comet “Tales,” the literary magazine that celebrates the creativity of Marionville students in grades 3-8. Thank you to all the teachers who submitted student writing and artwork. A link to an electronic (full color) version of this publication is available on our school website: www.marionville.us. The Editors, Cindy Mueller, PK-8 Librarian Ashley Mann, Middle School Communication Arts Jenna Unerstall, Middle School Communication Arts Cover Illustration by Jana Fulp, 4th A Publication of Marionville R-9 Schools Marionville, Missouri 65705 Elementary Principal: Greg Hopkins Middle School Principal: Shane Moseman Superintendent: Dr. Larry Brown Totem: Sofi Armfield, 5th Why so Many Colonists Died in Early Jamestown Why had so many colonists die in early Jamestown? Jamestown was the first permanent colony in America. Jamestown was located in Virginia and was founded around 1607. Many colonists died for several reasons in Jamestown’s early years, early years being around 1608 to 1612. Jamestown colonists died mainly because of three reasons. These reasons are the Powhatan, starvation and health/water. The first and main reason so many colonists died was due to health/water. Evidence shows that their main source of water, the James River, was also used to dispose of human waste, food scraps and even used to wash clothing. Instead of the waste being removed naturally, like the colonist had thought, it stayed and drastically damaged their health and food supply. The fish in the river died, moved along or became contaminated, spreading disease to the colonists that ate it. To make matters worse, the water had also become brackish from tides, which led to salt poisoning. The colonists who were gentlemen were not used to hard labor and were prone to sickness and illness. The diseases and illnesses were most likely not treated properly because there was only one surgeon and no apothecaries. With bad water and weak men, most did not stand a chance against their illnesses. The second reason so many colonist died was because of starvation. There are several reasons why the colonist died from starvation including losing their main source of food in the winter and fall due to the water. With no fish, farmers, or women colonists had little options regarding food. Since they were up river, there was little fish to begin with. Finally, with no choice, the colonists opted to trade with the Powhatans for food. Realizing they did not have enough to support the colony, but they did have enough to get back to England, the colonist that went for the food never came back to Jamestown. The remaining colonists were left with little to no food to support themselves. The third and last reason so many colonists died was due to the Powhatans. With barely any items to trade with the Powhatans became hostile. Also with little food, the Powhatans and colonist fought for the remaining food which led to more conflict. When the colonist went to trade with the Powhatans, they used force and killed several Powhatans causing the Powhatans to become even more enraged. The Powhatans also besieged a fort, killing several colonists in the process. Trading was an important part of the colonist relationship with the Powhatans and when the trading was compromised, the relationship was destroyed in the process. Many colonists died in early Jamestown mainly because of starvation, health/water, and the Powhatans. It is significant we know how and why they died to understand what it took to start a successful colony. It is important that Americans know how America was started and to see how we progressed from our first colonies to our present state. It matters that Americans know this because in America today, we don’t usually go through the challenges and struggles Americans in the past were faced with. Madalyn Ernst, 8th Totem: Rachel McCraken, 5th Jamestown Essay The first settlements in America had a hard time getting started and Jamestown was no exception. The settlement of Jamestown was located on the Chesapeake Bay up the James River. Colonists arrived in 1607, built a fort, and then people started dying. There were about 401 deaths in early Jamestown (1607-1612) which poses the question, “Why did so many colonists die in early Jamestown?” Colonists died in early Jamestown because of three problems. These problems were the water and their health, Powhatan Indians, and starvation. The first reason colonist died in early Jamestown was from the water and their health. The location of Jamestown was at the salt-fresh water transition, so the tides would bring in salt water. This led to salt water poisoning and intrusion in the wells, then death. The colonists also introduced human waste, filth from clothing, and food scraps into the river at this point where they stayed instead of flushing away. In addition, the colonist didn’t bring any apothecaries, men that prepared medicines and drugs, so there was no one to care for the sick. This evidence helps explain why so many colonists died because about 288 colonists from 1607 to 1610 died of sickness. The second reason Jamestown colonists died was from the Powhatan Indians. The Powhatan Indians and the colonists fought over food and water. The colonist also killed some of the Powhatan leaders which led to attacks from the Powhatan Indians. This evidence helps explain why so many colonists died because about 141 colonists died from Powhatan attacks. The third reason Jamestown colonists died was from starvation. In the fall and winter, the colonists lost their food source of fish. Also, there was a drought, so the animals and plants on land deceased. The colonists were surrounded by Indians so the food sources were divided on top of being decreased. This evidence helps explain why so many colonists died because people need food to survive. Many colonists died in early Jamestown because of the water and their health, Powhatan Indians, and starvation. The water caused them to get sick and die, the Powhatans attacked and killed them, and little food caused death from starvation. This question is significant because we need to know how the U.S.A. was founded. It is important to know why early colonists in Jamestown died because it helps us today. It helps us today by showing us what not to do. Amanda Burnley, 8th To Step on a Sea Anemone As I walk across the beach, the warm and squishy sand tickles my toes. The free air of the Atlantic is relaxing. My dad is calling me to come into the water. All of a sudden, there was a - CRACK- of a shell and pain like a bullet through my foot. The agony was washing over me like a flood. The sea anemone’s stingers are still stuck on my foot. All I can do is scream and shout. Suddenly, I can’t feel the pain anymore. Everything in sight is raven- black. Then I woke up in a white room. There was a pulse oximeter in my finger and some sort of medical wrap on my foot. Out of nowhere, everything was dark, again. Mattie Wright, 6th Spiral: Brenda Morales, 4th White Squirrel: Dustin Janes, 4th Autumn The Sun shines happily as autumn approaches the Earth. The leaves fade from green to orange and crash against the ground. The crispy apple pie fills the air with its sweet fragrance. “It’s autumn now” a voice whispers from the woods. The wind starts whistling and smiles spread throughout the house. Our family drives off to find our favorite cold slushy apple cider, and then return to build a mountain of crispy orange leaves. It’s autumn now and everything’s happy. Charli Vodden, 6th The Matter Units In the city of Nuetork the city hall of matter is offering a day of a free tour of the nucleus, they decide to let two very special units of matter in the nucleus. First a very happy boy who always was supportive of the town hall Jack Proton who was full of joy. Next a very quiet girl who never did a single wrong thing Rose Neutron who seemed to not have a single thought about it but looked as if she didn’t have a choice. Though far away on the other side of Nuetrok laid a very angry man who wanted to go in the city hall his whole life but was banned a man called John Electron, he was so fast that some wanted to call him flash, but yet he still enjoyed running around the hall making faces at the mayor of Nuetrok who now seemed to not notice but just cover the window with a paper. Although they all were so odd for as usually every Electron moved in so did a Proton as some didn’t notice it managed to keep the city in balance, now in Nuetork most of the Electrons live in the outer cities like Sparks or Speed but they still all get along to form there big matter. Edwin Valente, 7th Monster: Cooper Workman, 3rd Monster: Zachary Easter, 3rd The Alien The alien that crashed to earth was truly a gruesome sight. The creature was a blob that was six feet tall with long flowing tentacles. Its body felt like cold dishwater that bubbled when touched. The alien’s breath smelled like roadkill skunk with onion perfume. The only sound the creature made was a strange alien language.