Oral Histories: S
Liz Safly Safly, Elizabeth "Liz" Elizabeth Safly began working at the Harry S. Truman Library in 1962. In her position as research room librarian, she witnessed the development of the Truman Library and Museum. In this interview she discusses the Truman library and focuses particularly on the inventory of the Truman home that she helped compile in 1981-1982. Interview (pdf - 365KB) 
No Image Available Sapper, Carl Carl Sapper's uncle was an auto dealer and good friend of Harry Truman who furnished cars to the Secret Service. He lived in the Truman Home neighborhood post-presidency and discusses security in the neighborhood. Interview Not Transcribed 
Elizabeth Sapper Sapper, Elizabeth Elizabeth Sapper grew up on North Delaware Street in Independence as a contemporary of Margaret Truman. Sapper relates several stories about plays and other activities which filled the days of Truman neighborhood children. 
Thomas Saulter Saulter, Thomas Thomas B. Saulter owned T.B. Saulter Tree Service and was hired by the Trumans to remove over ten trees after their return to Independence in the 1950s. Saulter also painted stumps, sprayed for weeds, and cleaned the gutter. Saulter discusses his first meetings with Harry S Truman, judge, in downtown Kansas City during the 1930s. Interview Not Transcribed
No Image Available Schlichenmaier, Frances Myers Frances M. Schlichenmaier was hired by Rose Conway in 1951 to serve as an assistant in President Truman's White House office. Schlichenmaier worked for Truman until shortly after his death in 1972. She describes the development of the downtown Kansas City office and then the transfer to the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. Interview Not Transcribed 
Walt Schneider Schneider, Walt Walt Schneider became a member of the Grandview Lodge in 1958. He discusses his association with Harry Truman, who was also a member and routinely installed officers there during the post-presidential years. Interview Not Transcribed
No Image Available Sermon, Roger T. Jr. Roger Sermon, Jr. co-owner of Sermon-Anderson, Inc., provided window treatments for the Truman Home. In the first half of this hour-long interview, Sermon walks through the Truman Home's first and second floors while discussing curtains, draperies, and shades. Interview (pdf - 445KB) 
Robert Shemwell Shemwell, Robert R. Robert R. Shemwell, podiatrist, served the Trumans from 1954 until Harry S Truman's death in 1972 and Bess W. Truman's death in 1982. Interview (pdf - 72KB) 
Velma Simmons Simmons, Velma James Velma James Simmons was a nurse and companion for Bess W. Truman for sixteen months. Simmons discusses the meals she prepared for Mrs. Truman, the other nurses employed in the Truman Home, and visits by Margaret and Clifton Daniel.
No Image Available Stewart, Larry Larry Stewart, member of the Secret Service's Truman detail, describes the procedures and persons utilized to protect the Trumans. The majority of Stewart's information explains the period from 1977-1981 when he served Bess W. Truman. Interview Not Transcribed 
Sol Stolowy Stolowy, Sol Sol Stolowy a Kansas City tailor, made several suits for Harry S Truman from the time Truman was president until his death. Truman was buried in a summer suit made by Stolowy shortly before Truman's death. Interview (pdf - 145KB)
No Image Available Stone, James and Clare When James and Clare Stone were in the market to rent a house in 1962, they chose one with a unique characteristic. It was owned by former president and Mrs. Harry S Truman, and situated two doors east of their Independence home. For five years the Stones rented the house that was built for Bess's brother Frank and his wife Natalie. Interview Not Transcribed 
Martha Ann Swoyer Swoyer, Martha Ann Martha Ann Swoyer, daughter of J. Vivian and Luella Truman and niece of Harry S Truman, was raised on the family farm in Grandview, Missouri. Swoyer discusses the many relationships within the Truman family spanning four generations. Interview 7-9-1991 (pdf - 241KB)
No Image Available Symington, James W. From 1969 to 1976, James W. Symington (born September 28, 1927) served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Missouri. As a candidate in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate from Missouri, Symington visited Bess W. Truman twice in her home in Independence, Missouri, in 1975. Mrs. Truman agreed to serve as honorary chairperson of his campaign. Interview (pdf - 2.08MB) |
Did You Know?
Harry Truman was modest almost to the point of apology, which did nothing to inspire public confidence in him during the early stages of his administration.