All Items 19

The rough it club, or, The famous gulf city club

Attributed to William Little, the alter ego of Arthur Nelson, "The Rough Club" tells the story of a rivalry between the Red Bud Boys and the Gulf City Club and takes place in the imaginary world of the Nelson brothers. Hutch Harvard is the leader of the Red Bud Boys and Jimmy Allen (son of the Nelson brothers' character Ethan Allen) leads the Gulf City Club, also known as the Rough It Club. The story follows two main narratives. First is the tale of Jimmy Allen and the Rough It Club pursuing a bank robber. The Rough It Club pursues the outlaw over one thousand miles and is aided along the way by a whaling ship and a schooner from Big Continent. The Rough It Club is able to sneak up on and board the criminal's vessel and bring it back to Gulf City. The second narrative follows the rivalry between the two clubs. The rivalry begins with a boat competition and escalates to a battle by the end of the book. The cover indicates it was "published by Green and Little," the Nelson brothers' fictitious publishing house representing the alter egos of Elmer and Arthur Nelson respectively, and the book features both color and pencil drawings.

The rough it club, or, The famous gulf city club
The war news, 1895 June 24

An issue of the Nelson brothers' periodical featuring military news of their fictional characters and places, presented in a three-column format and published by their fictitious enterprise, the War News Pub. Co. This issue opens with a detailed account of the Great Battle by Ethan Allen. In this battle that involves much of the Nelson brothers' world, Ethan Allen leads his troops to victory while instilling fear in his enemies. The issue concludes with summaries of war-related new from New Poplington, United Division, and Big Continent.

The war news, 1895 June 24
Nelson brothers fragments from a story about Forest Continent

Three sections from an unidentified work by one of the Nelson brothers largely concerning the settlement of the fictional Forest Continent. The work begins with a fragment describing the settlement of Forest Continent. The story picks up at the end of a conflict between Long Continent and Big Continent and the settling of Forest Continent. John Little and Samuel Green lead an expedition to check on the settlement and they discover only a few remaining colonists who they lead to the coast and New Poplington. Later, New Poplington is purchased by Ethan Allen of Big Continent. This is followed by chapter 2, titled "United Division. Other Settlements," which tells of the roles of Burt Green (sometimes referred to as Birt), Ethan Allen and William Little on Forest Continent after its colonization by Big Continent, Long Continent and Round Continent. This chapter describes in detail the land holdings and trade between the three major areas on the new Forest Continent. Chapter 3 titled, "The Blacks. Their Tribes and Customs," describes the history of "the blacks" on Forest Continent and the conflict and battle between them and the settlers. The chapter ends abruptly and appears to be unfinished.

Nelson brothers fragments from a story about Forest Continent
Chit Chat, [1892] December

An issue of "Chit Chat," the fictional illustrated weekly presented in a two-column format published by William J. Little and Ethan F. Allen, the alter egos of Arthur Nelson and Walter Nelson respectively. Included are chapters from the serialized stories, "Skating When It Is Not Fun" and "How the Hunts Became Rich" as well as the story "An Adventure on the Shore of Big Wolf" about an encounter between two trappers and Indians. Also of note is a story told from a girl's point of view, "A Curious Adventure: A Girls Story," in which a young girl recounts her encounter with a rabid dog she is forced to shoot, leading her to conclude that "boys need not think they have all the glory and honor of stories." As with other issues, there are a variety of illustrations, advertisements, poetry, puzzles and other content created and arranged to entertain and inform the boys and girls who are the intended readers.

Chit Chat, [1892] December
The mountain news, March 11

A March 11 issue from an unidentified year of the Nelson brothers' periodical featuring stories of rugged adventure from around their fictional world. The front page indicates the periodical was "published by W.R. Nelson." This issue, presented in a two-column format, begins with the conclusion of the story "Adventure on New Poplington" by Walter Nelson. In this story the ship Sunbeam faces the Indians, battling them upstream and eventually forcing their retreat. Oval Island features in the "Places of Note" section providing a detailed description of the island along with a map. The Second Battle of Poplington is described in the next feature recounting how Burt Green (sometimes referred to as Birt) and William Little are forced to retreat in defeat. The story is to be continued in a future issue. Concluding this issue is an extensive "Condensed News of the Week" section updating the readers on the explorations, agriculture and battles happening around their world. Included are New Poplington, Big Continent, United Division, Long Continent, Round Continent and Chipewa.

The mountain news, March 11
History of Long Continent

Nelson, Arthur W., 1880-1958

One of several fictional histories written by the Nelson brothers to document the development of the imaginary world they were creating. Written by Arthur Nelson, this history describes battles and other key events in the history of Long Continent. Two full-page color illustrations have been taped into the fold on smaller scraps of paper. The first is captioned "William J Little" and the second is captioned "Birt S Green" (sometimes referred to as Burt), the alter egos of Arthur Nelson and Elmer Nelson, respectively. Walter Nelson's alter ego, Ethan Allen, is not pictured although he and his men are described as having fought bravely.

History of Long Continent
2d. Battle of Poplington. Chapter 1

A detailed account of preparation for battle in the fictitious town of Poplington written by an unidentified Nelson brother. Specific numbers of troops from each of the vying armies are mentioned, and their positions are precisely illustrated in a map. With infantry, cavalry, artillery, sharpshooters, spies, sentries and outposts, the author has arranged for major deployments by half a dozen generals using breastworks, trenches, flanking maneuvers and other realistic features of battle planning from the 1860s when this imaginary battle took place. Unfortunately, the story is cut off after chapter 1 but there is information included about Poplington in other documents written by the Nelson brothers. This story provides another example of the competitive connection between William Little and Ethan Allen found throughout the imaginary works of the Nelson brothers.

2d. Battle of Poplington. Chapter 1
The fight of the boys

Nelson, Arthur W., 1880-1958

Describing a hard-fought battle between East Siders and West Siders, "The Fight of the Boys" was written and illustrated, in color, by Arthur Nelson. The cover does not mention Arthur Nelson by name, but advertises that this work was written by the author of "The Mountain Fighter," a story signed by Arthur Nelson. The battle described in "The Fight of the Boys" was fought with "clubs, canons, wooden spears, wooden sords [sic], and bow guns." In addition to the heavy fighting, some prisoners are taken who later escape from the jail with help from the outside.

The fight of the boys
The mountain news, January 30

A January 30 issue of the Nelson brothers' periodical from an unspecified year, featuring stories from around their imaginary world. The front page indicates this periodical was "published by W.R. Nelson." Beginning this issue, presented in a two-column format, is the second part of chapter 2 of the story "An Adventure on New Poplington" by Walter Nelson. In this segment, Joe and Harry have been split up and Joe fears that Harry has been "carried off by some animal." Joe finds a note hidden by Harry indicating that "the Indians are up the river come quick." The next section of the periodical covers news of the Nelson brothers' imaginary world including New Poplington and United Division, among others. The boys column instructs readers on the construction of a sail boat. The issue concludes with an account by Burt Green (sometimes referred to as Birt) of the battle of Poplington. Of note is a humorous quip on page two from a mother to a daughter regarding her romantic encounters.

The mountain news, January 30
The mountain news, February 5

A February 5 issue from an unspecified year of the Nelson brothers' periodical featuring stories from around their imaginary world. The front page indicates the periodical was "published by W.R. Nelson." Beginning this issue, presented in a two-column format, is chapter 3 of the story "An Adventure on New Poplington," by Walter Nelson. After being shipwrecked, Joe is able to scavenge a small boat from the wreckage and make his way back to General Allen's vessel and report for duty. The boys column instructs readers on the construction of a snowball cannon. Following this is the news section covering news and developments from around the Nelson brothers' imaginary world including New Poplington, United Division, Chipewa and others. "What I saw of the Battles of Poplington" is an account by Burt Green (sometimes referred to as Birt) of his facing Ethan Allen and the army of Big Continent. The final pages feature advertisements for several fictitious companies.

The mountain news, February 5
Complete history of Big Continent

Divided into ten chapters, this history of the Nelson brothers' imaginary Big Continent is richly illustrated, largely in color. It begins with original settlement before moving on to George and Ethan Allen's presidencies and the battles with surrounding continents and nearby islands. Whether building a ship out of driftwood to be able to return home or quarrying granite to build a fort, the people of Big Continent are shown to be very brave and resourceful. They also are very interested in the trains, steam engines, fire engines, bridges and other technology and infrastructure that the Nelson brothers have incorporated into the history of Big Continent.

Complete history of Big Continent
The weekly telegram, 1894 April 19

The April 19, 1894 issue of "The Weekly Telegram," a Nelson brothers' periodical describing news and events from their fictional world, presented in a two-column format. The cover indicates it was "published by the Telegram Publishing Co.," one of several fictitious Nelson brothers' enterprises. This issue opens with the conclusion of a three part story titled, "The Blues in Torora" by W.J.L. (William J. Little, Arthur Nelson's alter ego). In this last installment, the fictional hero Ethan Allen leads his men to victory. The bulk of the periodical is made up of a section titled "Condensed News of the Week" and features news bits from around the world of the Nelson brothers. News bits are divided geographically and include news of building and development, agriculture, town and city happenings, sugaring and other topics relevant to the week. Much of the news in this issue is about sugar yields and industrial production partnerships. The last page contains editorials. One editorial expresses disappointment in some underhanded dealings. Another editorial is an account of two adventurers narrowly escaping Indians as they paddle to safety on a river.

The weekly telegram, 1894 April 19
The mountain fighter

Nelson, Arthur W., 1880-1958

Arthur Nelson's Civil War story that contains references to "rebels" and "Union" fighters, a chapter titled "The Battle of Bull Run," as well as two chapters on the capture and hanging of John Brown. The story centers around two rugged men from the White Mountains, Ethan (misspelled by Arthur as Eathen) Allen and William Little, described as stout men whose height of six feet four inches is often remarked upon throughout the story. The two men meet after Little saves Allen's son from a wolf. They meet again some time later and join in battle against the rebels in the Battle of Bull Run. Of note in the second half of the booklet is Ethan Allen's pursuit and capture of John Brown as well as Brown's subsequent hanging.

The mountain fighter
Thirty days war, volume 1

Nelson, Arthur W., 1880-1958

An account of a war in the Nelson brothers' imaginary world attributed to William J. Little (Arthur Nelson's alter ego) and published by their fictitious company Green and Little, representing the alter egos of Elmer and Arthur respectively. William J. Little gives his account of a large battle between the three main continents in the Nelson brothers' world. William Little of Long Continent and Burt Green (sometimes referred to as Birt) of Round Continent work together to fight against Ethan Allen, leader of "the blues" of Big Continent. This detailed account is divided into five chapters titled as follows: "The Beginning," "The Blues Are Planning Something," "We Go to Prison" and "Scouting at Allenstown." Chapter 4 is untitled.

Thirty days war, volume 1
The popies cruse [sic]

This unattributed story tells of two fictional warships called Popie. The ships are engaged in several battles and are led by the Nelson brothers' character Ethan Allen. Battles at sea are described in much detail. Allen's son Jimmy Allen features prominently in the story and even accompanies his father on one of the sea battles. This small book features illustrations with some color details and includes portraits of Ethan Allen and Jimmy Allen at the end of the book.

The popies cruse [sic]
Eathan [sic] F. Allen and his family

Nelson, Arthur W., 1880-1958

This book by Arthur Nelson is richly illustrated with color drawings depicting events from the life of Ethan Allen, the Nelson brothers' imaginary hero who is modelled roughly on the historical figure and who appears throughout their writings. This book introduces the reader to Ethan's wife, Mary Allen; their ten year old son, Jimmy Allen; and their nine year old daughter, Alice Allen. The story tells of battles fought as Ethan Allen rises to the presidency of Big Continent, one of the primary locations in the Nelson boys' imaginary world. The details of this imaginary world are surprisingly consistent across the many works written by the Nelson brothers, and in this story Arthur Nelson carefully refers the reader to a specific page number in another work where additional detail can be found.

Eathan [sic] F. Allen and his family
The Chit Chat, 1893 February 4

"The Chit Chat", presented as an illustrated weekly paper in a two-column format published by William J. Little and Ethan F. Allen, the alter egos of Arthur and Walter Nelson respectively, is a fictional publication intended for boys and girls. This issue of The Chit Chat features chapters from the serialized stories, "Skating When It Is Not Fun," "Allen's Regulars on the Border," "How the Hunts Became Rich" and "Lost Mountain," many of which feature skirmishes between settlers, including the popular character Ethan Allen, and Indians. "Lost Mountain" relays the tale of two boys who purchase a mountain from their town despite warnings that it is haunted, and decide to build a hunting cabin on the mountaintop. This edition also includes poetry; a "grand premium list" with advertisements for books, games and other offerings; and several pages of illustrations of the principle warships, cruisers and torpedo boats of Big Continent and Long Continent.

The Chit Chat, 1893 February 4
War news, 1896 November 13

An unfinished issue of the Nelson brothers' periodical featuring military news of their fictional characters and places, presented in a two-column format and published by their fictitious enterprise, the War News Pub. Co. The only complete article is "The First Fighting," an account of a major battle that caused losses for Long Continent and Round Continent. As with many other tales of battle, Ethan Allen features prominently in the story. The inside spread of this issue is blank except for column and header markings.

War news, 1896 November 13
Chit Chat

Presented as published by Ethan Allen and William Little, the alter egos of Walter Nelson and Arthur Nelson respectively, this issue of "Chit Chat" is the only one without a publication date. The first story, "Indian Wars," describes a series of battles fought over a tract of land somewhere on the Great Plains. Ethan Allen and William Little eventually defeat the Indians who are then captured and removed to a reservation. The second piece is entitled "Tom and the King" and it tells of a poor boy named Tom Newton who is picked on at school until Joe, a new boy the others call King, stands up for Tom Newton and successfully organizes a collection to raise money to help him and his mother. The final piece is called "A Visit to Mrs. Hutchensons" and it is a brief description of a visit from Mrs. Jackson and her son, a boy about ten years old, to the home of their neighbor Mrs. Hutchenson.

Chit Chat