Dear Bess: March 17, 1914 (postmarked)
Transcript
Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for March 17, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, in partnership with the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, part of the National Archives, the keepers of the Dear Bess and Dear Harry letters.
Today’s selection was postmarked on March 17, 1914. There’s a lot in this letter. But listen closely to the section about the Post Office. Later that year, Harry Truman was indeed appointed Postmaster for Grandview, Missouri. On December 2, 1914, in fact. But Truman didn’t really perform the tasks of the job, nor collect the pay. He, instead, turned the job and pay over to a woman who needed the work, and the pay. We wish we knew more about that. So his appointment was short lived.
As always, thanks for listening. Here’s the letter. [postmarked March 17, 1914]
Dear Bess:
I did not arrive at home at the proper time. It has taken me all day to get here. I took the drill casting to an auto welding co. down on 19th Street. They agree to have it done at a quarter to nine. I went back at that time and the thing was so hot it couldn't be touched for a half hour. I got a 19th streetcar and made it to Swope Park as fast as I could. Missed the train by about 200 yards. The 200 yards is all I lacked making a mile run. My breath is coming in spurts yet. By the time I'd made it back down town it was after twelve and I supposed it would be too late for lunch anyway so I didn't call. I caught the K. C. S. [Kansas City Southern] at 1:45 and almost got home. Got as far as Hickman's Mill where a freight train was off the track, after sitting a half hour I got off and walked home. Arrived at 4:30. That's some record. From 9:15 to 4:30 covering twenty miles. I could have walked it in half the time. Uncle Harry wanted me to go see the lawyers with him but I refused because I didn't have time! After I got home the confounded casting was too tight and I had to file it for an hour. I am hoping to get an oat sowed tomorrow all day anyway. Papa said he was getting on fine sowing by hand by I noticed him stop when I have in sight. It seems that there are times when Fates are in a contrary mood with some people. Today was evidently their off day with me. Had I have followed my own inclination, I'd have arrived home just as soon. My casting would have been finished smoothly and I'd have been in a most agreeable frame of mind in place of the opposite. I hope you had better luck and got your wedding present all right. Luella is here with the babies. She is nearly well. I have been trying to teach the boy to say Uncle Val. Out of pure revenge Mary tried to make him say Aunt Lizzie. I nearly had to pour a glass of milk down her neck before she came to her senses. (This pen is feeling good or something the ink won't stay on it at all.) Mary and Val nearly came to Independence last night. They said they were afraid they'd cause me too much embarrassment. I told Mary she needn't have worried it wouldn't have been at all necessary for them to have seen me.
It seems that there is going to be some fun over the post office after all. There's an old politician out here by the name of Lindsay who is acquainted with Kim Stone and The Hon. W. J. too. He has a nephew-in-law who took the exam and is trying to have him appointed. This kid has agreed to put the office in Dr. Bradford's Drug store. It is merely a booze emporium. Therefore we've got to beat him for the office. I don't know if we can or not but when I get done sowing oats I'm going to try my luck.
I forgot to ask you if I should get your cousin a seat to Roddy by ours. I can do it as well as not if you say the word. I am hoping to get in some day this week but I have so much to do there's no telling what I'll get to do.
Anyway I'll see you Sunday if not sooner. You needn't worry about not sending me a big to your party I knew you were only entertaining her friends and I don't know her when I see her. I only met her once and then she sat on my hat. You must send me a long letter if you can find the time (do it anyway.)
Sincerely,
Harry
A fascinating Dear Bess letter, postmarked on this date in 1914. Before Truman bought his car, it took a lot of effort to get back and forth from his family farm in Grandview to Independence or, well, anywhere, as the first paragraph shows. And Truman gives an indication that he is trying for a Post Office appointment.
https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/march-17-1914-postmark?documentid=NA&pagenumber=7