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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Harry S Truman National Historic SiteTruman Home study
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Harry S Truman National Historic Site
Oral Histories: O
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Odum, Reathel
Interviewed October 10, 1988

Reathel Odum was Bess W. Truman's personal secretary from 1945 to 1953. Odum discusses living in the White House, Madge Gates Wallace, guests of the Trumans during the presidency, and visiting the Truman home in Independence.

Interview
Truman family in Brazil. Credit: Truman Library  

Did You Know?
Harry apparently never had a girlfriend other than Bess. After reading an anniversary letter from him, she teasingly wrote back, “It always amazes me how you can write such so-called love letters with such little practice.”

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Last Updated: September 14, 2007 at 17:18 EST