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The Dear Bess and Dear Harry Podcast, from Harry S Truman National Historic Site

Harry S Truman

From Harry S Truman National Historic Site; a chance to share some of the stories associated with Harry Truman, Bess W. Truman and their times. We will share letters written between Harry Truman, Bess Wallace Truman, Margaret Truman, and others. We will link to digital versions of the letters in case you'd like to see them. You may need to refresh the page for the latest episode.

Episodes

Dear Bess: November 11, 1913

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for November 11, 2023, brought to you by the staff of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

We’d like to share with you a Dear Bess letter from this date in 1913, the continuation of a series of letters from this week in 1913 we’ve been sharing with you. Once again Harry Truman, farmer, makes reference to their engagement and a reference to his humorous fantasy of being governor of Montana and Miss Wallace being Mrs. Governor. Truman even suggests he could be Chief Executive of the United States. Imagine that! Harry Truman is both earnest and self deprecating at the same time, and it’s most charming.

Truman makes reference to his Aunt Susan. He is referring to Susan Young Bartleson, his mother’s sister. After Truman’s grandmother, Mrs. Harriet Louisa Gregg Young, died in 1909, there was a dispute about the will, because Grandmother Young left almost everything including the family farm to Harry Truman’s parents and to Harry Truman himself. It led to some pretty nasty litigation, and, as Truman hinted, Mrs. Bartleson was set to testify about the time of this letter. Eventually there was a settlement, but divisions in the family remained. This lawsuit did much to hurt the Truman family finances. As always, thanks for listening. Here’s the letter, postmarked November 11, 1913.

Dear Bess:-

I missed the car all right. Also the Southern. I didn't care much because it wasn't necessary for me to get up until 8:30 to catch the Frisco. Papa was in a horrible stew. He was sure I'd been knocked on the head or fallen in the creek. When I told him I'd missed the car he had another fit. It's awful when a person gets to be such a prevaricator that people won't believe the truth when its told to them.

I have been cleaning seed to show at Grandview tomorrow. We have about 50 bu of clover seed to sell I cleaned a peck so beautifully that it's simply a perfect sample. If anybody buys seed from us on the strength of that peck, he'll be sorely disappointed when he gets his seed. I wouldn't spend so much time cleaning it for sale. It would be just as good only there'd be some dirt and trash left in it. We have a peck of wheat, the same amount of oats, and timothy seed to show along with the clover. They are all extra fine because I spent some three hours cleaning them. I suppose there'll be a big crowd at the show. I expect to have a very busy day. You'd think I was running for office if you'd see me chasing around shaking hands with people and displaying a classic cat grin. I will simply be acting as one of the township committee to show people around.

I suppose you had a fine game of tennis today. The weather has been ideal if it'll only keep up. Mary has gone riding on Ben. We are going to lend a couple of horses to girls in Grandview and then have a riding contest. If you'd have come to our fair you might have won the five dollars for the best lady rider. You could have ridden Ben. I am hoping to be one of the judges in that contest so I can tie the ribbon on a plug and then laugh at Daddy because his fine hoss got beaten. He'd never get over it and Uncle Harrison would simply go straight up. I fear I'd have to leave home if I did the trick. I saw an overcoat downtown this morning just like I want but I won't get it. Why? Because it was $75. I can use three at that price and still have money left.

You were most awful nice about the other girl but don't suppose there'll ever be one. If a fellow can pick his idol at ten and still be loyal to it at thirty, there's not much danger of his finding another. One or two of one or two of my aunties and my aunties and good matron good matron friendship have sought to arrange things for me several times but could never understand why they never had any luck. Maybe they will before long. How does it feel being engaged to a clodhopper who has ambitions to be Governor of Mont. and Chief Executive of U.S. He'll do well if he gets to be a retired farmer. That was sure a good dream though, and I have them in the daytime, even night, along the same line. It looks like an uphill business sometimes though. But I intend to keep peggin' away and I suppose I'll arrive at something. You'll never be sorry if you take me for better or for worse because I'll always try to make it better.

I am hoping to see you Wednesday evening. I suppose Mamma and I will have to be present at Aunt Susan's grilling. If she'll only stick to the truth I won't mind, but if she does like the rest I sure will hate to be present. One hates to see a white-haired old lady, one he likes and respects, tearing up the truth just for a few dollars. It has a tendency to make a pessimist out of a person. I like money as well as anyone but I think I'd do without it if I had to cast aspersions on my mother's character to get it. I suppose you are tired of hearing me harp on our old suit but it means so much to us if we lose that I can't help it. You owe me a letter anyway and I hope it'll come early. You'd better send it if you don't want me to have another spasm in the middle of the week like I did last time.

Most sincerely

Harry

A remarkable letter from November 11, 1913...in the middle of the letter, the farmer from western Missouri proposes that perhaps someday he could be Chief Executive of the United States. He may have been joking...but as fate would have it, that was his fate, 32 years later, he was Chief Executive of the United States, and Bess Wallace Truman was his First Lady.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/157639037

Dear Bess: November 3, 1913

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for November 3, 2023, brought to you by the staff of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Today, we’d like to share with you one of the greatest of all the Dear Bess letters, written on this date in 1913. It is a sequel to the one we shared earlier this week.

In this letter, Harry S Truman, harmer, begins by making reference to a letter that his great love, Miss Bess Wallace, wrote him. How much we wish we had that letter. But as we have shared many times in this podcast series, in the mid 1950s, Bess Wallace Truman destroyed her letters to Harry Truman pre-1919.

But in the midst of this letter Truman is pretty brave in telling Miss Wallace that they should get engaged. Perhaps the most fascinating line in the letter is “Bess, why am I an enigma?”

We wish we had Miss Wallace’s answer to that, if in fact she responded to that.

As always, thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Dear Bess-

Your letter has made a confirmed optimist out of me sure enough. I know now that everything is good and grand and this footstool is a fine place to be. I have been all up in the air, clear above earth ever since it came. I guess you thought I didn't have much sense Sunday but I just couldn't say anything only just sit and look. It doesn't seem real that you should care for me. I have always hoped you would but someway feared very much you wouldn't. You know I've always thought that the best man in the world is hardly good enough for any woman. But when it comes to the best girl in all the universe caring for an ordinary gink like me--well you'll have to let me get used to it. Do you want to be a farmer? or shall I do some other business. When mamma wins her suit and we get all the buyers and things out of the way I will then have a chance for myself. We intend to raise a 400 acre wheat crop which if it hits will put us out of the woods. If we lose, which I don't think about, it will mean starting all over for me. You may be sure I'm not going to wait til I'm Montana's chief executive to ask you to be Mrs. Gov. but I sure want to have some decent place to ask you to. I'm hoping it won't be long. I wish It was tomorrow. Let's get engaged any- way to see how it feels. No one need know it but you and me until we get ready to tell it anyway. If you see a man you think more of in the meantime engagements are easy enough broken. I've al- ways said I'd have you or no one and that's what I mean to do. (This darned pen has it in for me.) Luella and the kids are here today. They are sure a fine pair. I haven't told Luella my Sedalia and Regalia story yet. I have the most awful job a- head of me you ever heard of. It is necessary for me to pay a visit to six country schools and and make a speech at each one about the Washington [illegible] Fair. It is going to be at Grandview and I am on the committee to get exhibits. The schools have to be notified because the school that has the best exhibit of school work gets $10.00. Also the Com'l Clerk of which I am also the re- presentative is offering a prize for the school with the biggest attendance. Don't you feel sorry for me? you know I've got a timid disposition anyway and school kids especially country ones haven't very much sympathy for a person. It has to be did though. Washington T[illegible] is trying to beat prairie which contains Lee's Summit. I hope we can. Mr. Shewbury is the man who is having the fair for the benefit of the farmers. I am going to borrow a car and see if I can't win $10.00. Mr. Makin is pasturing the finest Hereford cow I ever saw, here. There is $10.00 offered for the best cow. If I enter her and win there'll be $10.00 toward a show or diamond ring. Twenty five premiums like that might get a real pretty one. I'm going to get you one as soon as the change is forthcoming. Bess why am I an enigma? I try to be just what I am and tell the truth about as much as the average person. If there's any - thing you don't understand I'll try and explain or remedy it. I feel very much stuck up at being called one especially by you for I always labored under the impression that it took smart people to be one. This letter seems to me to be more erratic and incoherent than the last but you shouldn't blame me very much be- cause I'm all puffed up and hi- larious and happy and any thing else that happens to a fellow when he finds his lady love thinks more of him than the rest of the beasts. Send me a letter quick. If I can raise business reasons enough to please papa I hope to see you before Sunday.

Most sincerely Harry

One of the great Dear Bess letters.

Harry S Truman, farmer, bravely makes another proposal to Miss Bess Wallace.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/7542734

Dear Bess: October 30, 1913

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for October 30, 2023 , brought to you by the staff of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service. We are entrusted by the American people to care for the home of Harry and Bess Wallace Truman in Independence, Missouri, and the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, Missouri…and we are eternally grateful to the American people for their trust.

Today we would like to share with you a letter that Harry S Truman, farmer, wrote to Miss Bess Wallace, the love of his life, postmarked on this date in 1913. Some fun scribbles in this letter, the least of which is Truman briefly fantasizing that he might be governor of Montana someday (and Miss Wallace Mrs. Governor!)

But notice, especially, the romance. He had a way with a pen or pencil, didn’t he?

As always, thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Postmark October 30, 1913

Dear Bess:-

I am going to send you a late letter anyway, hoping I'll get one before the week's out. My Blug meeting was a very tame affair. The boozers were not out and I was persuaded to defer any action in regard to selling the hot stuff until after Nov. 11 when Grandview is going to have a [underlined: Township Fair]. As Pres of the Coral Club I instructed a committee to buy some advertising matter and also to raise some money to buy it with. It seems that money has to be in everything.

I am almost persuaded some times that it's bigger than most things. Exbartenders are well represented in the House of Lords (Brewers they call themselves) as well as in New Yorks most exclusive set. All on account of their ill gotten gains. Theres no use being a sourdough though. As Bertha M. Clay would say it's better to be poor but honest even if it does hurt like -- blazes sometimes. In the last month nearly every person I've dealt with in business has taken some cash and left me holding the sack. It's a good thing I wasn't appointed on the committee to raise money because I'd be tempted to embezzle some of the funds.

We are due to have a card party at our house tomorrow night. Some of the Grandview folks are coming down to [underlined: learn] to play 500, with me to tell 'em how. Won't that be a joyous job. I am going to have a good time at it anyway though. They are all rather hilarious and you know I'm not very backward myself when it comes to making noise. If I could only make money as easily as I can stir up a racket, I'd have begged, persuaded, or cajoled you into thinking Harry was the nicest boy in seventeen states. But never mind, my ship's going to come in yet and if it doesn't have you aboard it'll only be a charred hulk and not worth the candle. You know, I told you once before that I thought you the superlative of excellence in everything and I think it harder all the time. I've been crazy about you ever since I can remember. I hope it's a mutual admiration society because then I can work harder and not get half so tired. You know when the motive's strong enough a man can do most anything if he's got the stuff in him. Perhaps I haven't got it but there is nothing like trying to find out. Who knows, I may be His Excellency the Gov of Montana someday (hee haw). How would you like to be Mrs. Gov? I dreamed that I owned a [underlined: German] silver mine in Wyoming last night! Wasn't that a grand dream on a piece of Bride's cake? I guess the spangles and white fronts gave me the silver suggestion, but where under heaven could I get the German part? From my granddad on my mother's side I guess. He was a Dutchman.

Papa has gone to sleep in his chair. He's waiting very patiently for me to finish my letter so he can go to bed. He occupies the couch down here by the stove. I don't feel a bit like going to bed now I've got the habit of staying up I guess. But my oh me, how I hate to arise at 5 A.M. It has to be done though when Papa's around home. If he goes to bed at half-past four he gets up at five and so do I. Mamma is a sleepyhead like me. She never wants to get up but she can stay up till the small hours at night.

I guess this letter is a mixture and doesn't amount to much. I hope you'll answer it though. My letters get one day later every week. You'll get this one Friday unless I mail it on the K.C.S. at 6:30 tomorrow. I lost one by doing that and I'm not going to do it again. Hope to see you Sunday evening and get a letter Sunday morning. Most sincerely

Harry

Papa's going to K.C. tomorrow if I can trust him maybe you'll get this Thursday.

Some fun in this letter, and some beautiful romance.

Harry S Truman, Governor of Montana? Could it be?

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/157639036

Dear Bess: October 24, 1917

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for October 24, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Today’s letter was written by First Lieutenant Harry S Truman on this date in 1917. Lieutenant Truman and his colleagues were still training for their eventual service in the Great War still raging in Europe. We encourage you to click on the link in this podcast, and take a look at the digital copy of the original letter, as held by the awesome Truman Library. On the envelope, postmarked October 24, you’ll see a stamp, saying “BACK THE BOYS IN THE TRENCHES BUY A LIBERTY LOAN BOND INQUIRE AT ANY BANK OR POST OFFICE.” Did your family buy any such bonds back in the day? We wonder if Miss Wallace, her mother, her grandparents, who owned 219 North Delaware Street, or her brothers did.

As always, thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Postmarked October 24, 1917

Dear Bess:

I failed to write yesterday because I had a severe case of indigestion to put it politely. In my younger days, I'd have called it something else. Father Tiernan came to my rescue with a big drink of whiskey. The last one he had and also the last one on the reservation. We also had another dust storm yesterday, worse than any previous one. They seem to be progressive in their actions, getting worse all the time.

Today was an ideal day not only as to weather conditions but I got your special mailed last Saturday. Specials don't arrive as well as just plain letters. They send the mail out in a bag and then hold the specials to be signed for.

I am very glad you are getting recruits for the 129th Assn as it seems to have gone very close to the heart of that sister of mine to make it a success. I caught another thief in the canteen this evening. He only stole a dollar but I am going to have to stick him for an example of what happens to a canteen thief.

We had a cold wave today and yesterday. I had to stay at the picket line until 2 o'clock this morning. Mr. Lee was on from 10 to 12 and I from 12 to 2 and Lt. Kelley was supposed to go on from 2 to 4 but the wind quit blowing and I persuaded Capt Pete not to send him out. It is a lot warmer tonight and is a very beautiful night. I hope we get our tents boxed up tomorrow.

It looks as though I am going to get to come home all right the seventh. I am counting on it anyway. Mr. Lee has gone to bed and the light is flickering so I'll have to go too.

Hope to get a letter tomorrow.

Most sincerely,

Harry

While in training in Oklahoma, First Lieutenant Harry S Truman wrote this brief letter to Miss Bess Wallace back home in Independence, Missouri. He talks about the weather, illness, and, as always, makes sure he relays his love for her.

A digital version of the original letter can be seen here: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/46740297?objectPage=5

Dear Bess: October 16: 1911

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for October 16, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Today, we’d like to share with you a Dear Bess letter that was written on this date in 1911 by Harry S Truman, farmer, to Miss Bess Wallace, who was living in her grandparents’ house in Independence, Missouri. They were still in their first year of courtship.

There is some rather startling language in this letter that we share with you unedited, as Truman shares with Miss Wallace his views on immigrants as he believes such in 1911. What neither Mr. Truman nor Miss Wallace could imagine was that over four decades later, Harry S Truman, as President of the United States, would be a transformative president when it came to immigration in the post World War II era. But, in 1911, he is writing from the perspective of being a farmer in Jackson County, Missouri, and William Howard Taft was President of the United States.

As always, thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Grandview, Mo.

Oct 16, 1911

Dear Bessie:-

You see I am writing that note with very exact promptitude. How do you like that for stilted English?

I have forgotten whether I told you I enjoyed the dinner yesterday, but I most certainly did. It was so good that I did not want any lunch until I arrived home at 1:15 p.m. I don't ever remember of having enjoyed myself more than I did yesterday and Saturday. I hope you'll let me repeat the offense at no very distant date.

I am getting ready for South Dakota today. I rather think I'd better hunt up my overcoat this morning. I saw my Colgan cousin yesterday after I left Independence and he is going with me. We'll have enough to play a good game of cards anyway tomorrow night on the train.

I bet there'll be more bohunks and "Rooshans" up there than white men. I think it is a disgrace to the country for those fellows to be in it. If they had only stopped immigration about twenty or thirty years ago, the good Americans could all have had plenty of land and we'd have been an agricultural country forever. You know as long as a country is one of that kind, people are more independent and make better citizens.

When it is made up of factories and large cities it soon becomes depressed and makes classes among people. Every farmer thinks he's as good as the President or perhaps a little bit better. When a man works for a boss, he is soon impressed with how small he is and how great the boss is until he actually believes it is so and that money makes the world go round. It does I guess in very large cities. Say this letter is as dry as a Baptist preacher's sermon. Just skip it and write me one-that is what I am after. We have a preacher out here now who never did see a grammar: He talks South Missouri in the pulpit. It makes a great impression on his hearers, I tell you. Please consider coming out on the last Sunday in this month if the weather permits and let me know if you can. Mamma said it would be all right, the more the merrier. But any Sunday that suits you will be all right with us. Only let me know in time so I can plow and harry the tennis court.

Now you owe me a letter.

Most sincerely,

Harry

In this October, 1911, letter, Harry S Truman, farmer, writes some less-than-complimentary things about immigrants. But he had no way of knowing that a few decades later he would be a transformative president when it came to immigration reform in a post World War II era.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/157638938

Dear Bess: October 13, 1939

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for October 13, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Today, we’d like to share with you a Dear Bess letter that was written on this date in 1939 by Senator Harry S Truman to his wife, Bess Wallace Truman. Senator Truman was in Washington DC, and his wife was back home in Independence, Missouri, with her mother and family. It’s not a long letter, but has some interesting tidbits. In the first paragraph Truman refers to his eyes…at the age of six, Harry Truman was diagnosed with an eye condition commonly known as flat eyeballs that required corrective lenses for the rest of his life. But it had a net positive for him, as he became a voracious reader and, as you can hear, could sympathize with what was ailing Mrs. Truman’s brother Fred, then 39 years old.

Truman then refers to anti-aircraft artillery, and how he doesn’t think that it’s not enough against a plane attack in force. Those are haunting words considering what would happen just under 26 months later on December 7, 1941.

As always, thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Washington D.C.

Oct. 13, 1939

Dear Bess:-

Your letter came at ten this morning and I am most happy it did. I'll thank the Columbia Pictures man as soon as I can. I'm certainly sorry about Fred's eye. No one appreciates eyes as I do. Mine have been a handicap for fifty years.

Glad that Arnie was in a good frame of mind. They ought not to hold the situation against us because I've really saved Oscar four different times. Stuart McDonald is leaving and I suppose my pull will be gone with him. He's getting a $75000.00 a year job with the Maryland Causualty [sic] Co., so it is rumored. I'd be tempted to quit myself under such circumstances.

I went over to Aberdeen yesterday after all. It was a grand demonstration. I came to the conclusion that anti-air artillery is not enough against a plane attack in force. We must also have plenty of planes for defense as well. That's a real admission from an artilleryman, and that was not the intention of the demonstration either.

Brought Dewey Short back with me and he told me an earful about the Republican estimate of Stark. It is far from high. He also told me that my position had improved exceedingly in the last three months. I'm sure he wouldn't be telling me what I wanted to hear.

I'll go look at that car. I'm satisfied with it if you are. The color is good too. Why don't you get some new curtains if you want them? Hope you and Chris had a nice ride. Wish I were rich enough to fly home every weekend - we're working this Saturday however.

Love to you both

Harry

A brief, but fascinating, letter from Senator Harry S Truman to Bess Wallace Truman from October, 1939.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/147870508

Dear Bess: September 28, 1939

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for September 28, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Today, we would like to share with you a “Dear Bess” letter written by Senator Harry S Truman on this date in 1939. We like that it’s written on official United States Senate letterhead, yet mentions events that stretch back to Truman’s days back on the days on his family’s farm in Grandview, his days immediately after his discharge from the Army in 1919 and his wedding in 1919.

No doubt Mrs. Truman knew all of the names involved and all of the stories and the backstories, even if we may not understand all of the context all these years later. But in 1940, Senator Truman was looking forward to what was promising to be a difficult reelection battle, at least in the Democratic primary season fight.

As always, we thank you for listening. Here is the letter.

September 28 1939

Dear Bess:-

Well the St. Louis situation was really a pain in the neck. A fellow by the name of Foster, to whom I'd given the 3rd degree on my return from the war and Tom Reynolds from Kansas City, who was present and helped me to start this organization at Grandview in June 1911 and a former Circuit Judge in St. Louis were the organizers of my opposition. Foster is a civil service employee in the Ry. Mail Service and I could make him most uncomfortable - but I won't. I confered [sic] the degree on him in my lodge with my uniform on in 1919 - before June 28. You'll remember that date.

But the boys at Grandview made it so uncomfortable for him he moved his membership to Tom Reynolds lodge in Kansas City. Everyone at Grandview who was entitled to vote was there for me - including Vivian and he'd never been to a Grandview Lodge meeting but once before. He came very nearly whipping Foster. Nat Jackson, George Marquis and Renick Jones did yeoman service. I'll never forget it. Nat was the angriest man I ever saw after the vote was counted. I had to calm him down by saying what you did - well we won. If it hadn't been for the country boys out state they'd have accomplished their object.

Fred Wood, past Imperial Potentate of the Shrine, a black Republican and a friend of Reynolds came up from Springfield to offset him and did. There were 852 votes cast. I got 436. It took 427 to elect. I had nine to spare - but the Grandmaster was elected by 845 votes. If my friends hadn't put forth such an effort for me I'd have told 'em to go to hell with the office - and I almost did anyway. I'm glad now I didn't. 135 St. Louisans left after the count - they were there to beat me. Henry Chiles was about as happy as anyone after the count was over. He told me that he didn't know what he'd have done if I'd been beaten because it was in his administration. John Snyder and Harry Vaughan were much more nervous than I was.

Now for some good news. Snyder said Ruby Hulen, who is Bill Hirth's attorney was in to see him about some R.F.C. business and told him that he'd never seen such a change in sentiment on me out state. He expressed the opinion to Snyder that neither Stark nor Milligan could beat me. That's some admission from him. Dickman and the ward leaders from St. Louis had a meeting and decided not to make any commitments until after Jan 1. Snyder said that this refered [sic] particularly to the Governor's race. Then someone asked about me particularly and everyone there was for me but they let the rule apply. Dickman told the crowd that the present Gov. would embarrass them if he could but he knew I wouldn't. Dickman refused to ride to the Legion Convention on the same train with the Gov. So the political situation is on the mend. I think my victory in the G. Lodge is symbolic because 75% of that organization is Republican.

Lowell Dyer, one of Harry Jobes' Lieutenants in the war came in today and I'm taking him to dinner tonight. Vic met me at the airport and was most glad to see me. He's always scared the plane will fall.

We'll work out the car situation as soon as we can. Keep on looking. Have your brakes fixed. It looks as if the Crown will buy us each a car. It looks awful good. Kiss Margie.

Love to you

Harry.

A fascinating letter from Senator Truman to his wife, back at their apartment in Washington, DC. Harry Truman is seeking an important position with the Grand Lodge with the Masons in the State of Missouri. To Truman, being a Mason was about service to others, and he was a 33rd Degree Mason. He seems genuinely bewildered at the politics involved in this. He served as Grand Master 1940-1941.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/147870085

Dear Bess: September 15, 1911

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess, Dear Harry podcast for September 15, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Today’s Dear Bess letter was written on this date in 1911, and while not very long, gives an interesting insight into life on the Truman Farm then. By then, Harry Truman’s maternal grandmother, Mrs. Harriet Louisa Gregg Young, had been dead for a couple of years, so the property was now being operated now by the Trumans. You’ll hear Harry Truman writing to his sweetheart, Miss Bess Wallace how his father, John Anderson Truman, had an accident. When a farmer has such an accident, it can have quite an impact on the output on the Farm, as any of you dear listeners who may work on farms may know! Truman himself knew. Earlier in the year he himself had worn a cast.

Truman also makes a reference to “His Majesty.” Any idea who he is referring to? Well, in case you’re wondering, he uses the reference a lot. He uses the reference when referring to the devil, and specifically to jobs he hates, and in circumstances he feels are against him.

As always, thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Grandview, Mo.

Sept 15, 1911

Dear Bessie:-

You owe me a letter and I am going to write you a note and tell you so. Do you know what has been hurting me all week? I actually came away and forgot that Columbian you gave me. I thought of it as soon as I got on the car and kicked myself from there home. I suppose I shouldn't tell you I forgot but should cook up some long-winded excuse for not taking it. But forget I did and I am sorry. Save it for me and I'll get it if you'll let me have it.

Do you know I believe His Majesty himself has a special grudge against us. A horse fell on Papa Tuesday and broke one of the small bones in his left foot. He'll be laid up for a month the M.D. says. I suppose as soon as he gets around again I'll take another turn. I am going to have the blacksmith make me some cast iron shoes and sox. They will name us the Insurance Grabbers Association sure now. Don't ever take out any accident insurance. Things begin to happen at once when you do. We'd worried along all our lives without any and a certain gentleman with a large vocabulary and a bent for using it roped us last December. We've been having accidents in job lots since. I really don't know but what those policies had something to do with the dry year.

I got a copy of that red Life last Saturday night and am sending it to you "under another cover", as the ad men say of a particularly heinous offense in circulars. I was in K.C. today buying small pieces of a grain drill. If you buy a whole one, it cost $75; but if you buy it by the piece, it costs $275. A binder whole costs $150, in small bits $600. They always intend to sell as many repairs as they can, too. I tried to get into connection with you over the Bell but couldn't and didn't have time to try over the Home. You owe me two letters.

Sincerely,

Harry

Harry Truman's father suffers a broken bone in his foot, and Truman blames "His Majesty." Who is that?

Life on the Truman family farm!

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/157638933

Dear Bess: September 11, 1948

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess, Dear Harry podcast for September 11, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

We at Truman join the rest of America today in pausing to remember all of those who died on September 11, 2001…22 years ago, in the terrorist attack on New York, Washington, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We hold their memories, and their families, in our hearts today.

Today’s Dear Bess letter was written on this date in 1948. President Harry S Truman was in the midst of a tough reelection fight against Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York. Few were giving President Truman a chance of winning the election. In fact, about the time this letter was written, many of the major polling organizations in the country suspended their operations, thinking that Governor Dewey’s victory was certain.

Truman had some special weapons in his reelection arsenal…his family. The electorate, as always, loved seeing the family of the President of the United States, and Truman’s was no exception. Margaret Truman, 24 at the time, was gregarious like her father, to an extent. But Mrs. Truman? Not so much. But she was a good sport, and did what she could to help her husband. One of Harry Truman’s nicknames for his daughter was “Miss Skinny,” thus why you hear that reference in this letter. At the end of the letter you will hear that Truman optimism at work.

Thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

U.S.S. Williamsburg, AGC-369 Sept. 11, 1948 Dear Bess:

I accompanied Margie to the train yesterday at noon. We arrived at the station just about two minutes ahead of leaving time for the train. They drove us into the east entrance but we walked from the fence to the train. Margie thought that was showing discrimination.

We made it to the car and she plastered my left cheek with lipstick as she went aboard and very carefully wiped it off with her glove! Had a wire from her about 5 P.M. signed "Skinny." I'd been stewing around about not hearing from her and Capt. Dennison started to call Mrs. Stewart and they told him at the White House that this telegram signed "Skinny" was there. He very timidly asked me if that by any chance could be Margie. Went back to the White House and saw a lot of customers and finally arrived aboard here at 1:30 when I was due at 12:30. It rained and rained but I won a bet that the sun would shine all day today and it has and is. I'm out on the "back porch" of [inserted: my] deck in a swimming suit taking more burning. We've had a very satisfactory conference on the western speeches.

Farm speech at Des Moines on Sept. 18, conservation at Denver on the 20th, reclamation at Salt Lake City on the 21th -- in the great Mormon Tabernacle, believe it or not -- only Presidents of U.S. and high Mormons can do that. Then San Francisco, L.A., San Diego, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Ky. West Va and Washington D.C. Seems like a nice little trip - what.

Charlie Ross is flying up to D.C. to attend the wedding of his neice Virginia's daughter. I'm sending letter up on the plane that brings him back. We are anchored at the mouth of the Potomac at Blakiston Island where Lord Baltimore landed in 1734.

There is a monument on it which says that's so. I went and looked at it--that's how I can tell you. This is a most restful day --and how I needed it. Six speeches on Monday was rather strenuous. I told the press boys on Thursday that Labor Day was only a sample of what they'd get on the western trip.

We had pictures on Wednesday and Thursday night. Had Irv, Annette, and Mrs. Davis Wednesday & Jane, Drucie and Irv and Annette on Thursday.

My finance meeting Thursday was a grand success. Margie "stole the show." We're off to win I think.

Lots of love

Harry.

A President writes to his First Lady in the midst of a difficult reelection campaign...but that President is quite optimistic. (Even if the pollsters and media aren't)

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/155500946

Dear Bess: September 5 1911

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for September 5, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Today’s Dear Bess letter was written on this date in 1911, and is rather a heartbreaking one. A few weeks earlier, Harry S Truman, farmer, had written to Miss Bess Wallace quite excitedly, stating that he was going to build her a tennis court somewhere on the family farm near Grandview. He asked her for directions on how to build one, and he even bought himself the proper outfit to wear to play tennis. He sent her a map on the best way to get to the farm, and worked on making the tennis court perfect for her. Yet despite the heartbreak, Mr. Truman gives us one of our most favorite lines about cake…we hope you like it, too!

But she didn’t come. And you can sense the heartbreak and disappointment in this letter. Evidently she said it was raining in Independence, although Truman said it didn’t down south at the farm.

Yet despite the heartbreak, Mr. Truman gives us one of our most favorite lines about cake…we hope you like it, too!

As always, thanks for listening…here’s the letter.

Grandview, Mo.

Sept 5, 1911

Dear Bessie:- It was quite a disappointment when you couldn't come yesterday. I really worked all day Sunday getting that court ready for you. We also had a supply of watermelons on hand. But you can make it some Saturday and Mamma says you must come to dinner next time. The weather was fine out here. It merely sprinkled in the forenoon and after dinner it was cool and nice as could be. The autos were thick. I guess Independence must be better than we anyway. They seem to land more moisture anyway.

It seems as though it is impossible for me to ever get to an Independence fair. I have never been to one. I had made up my mind to be present sure this time. Mamma made up her mind she'd have a couple of rooms papered about two weeks ago - so she had 'em emptied and all torn up, and the paper hangers came last Saturday. I went after them every day in between and so, of course, missed the fair. I had made up my mind to go Saturday and let the hangers go hang and they came. Maybe if I had done that before we'd have had them sooner.

My insurance company settled for the broken pin the other day and now I shall have to go to work in earnest. We begin sowing wheat next week and it is a job. I guess we'll sow about 160 acres.

Say, be sure and save me a piece of those cakes. There is nothing better than cake but more cake and the same is true of pie. So be sure and save me a piece. The devil's food you know would be doing its full duty if I ate it. Don't you think?

I told you before you owed me four pages and you sent them, but you didn't seem to know what I meant. I had sent you four, therefore you owed me the same, see? You do this time too. Although I'll not object to eight or nine.

I am trying to rake up some business in town the end of the week, and if I do, I'll phone you. Write when you can to

Sincerely, Harry

In part a heartbreaking letter. A few days before, Harry Truman was excited about building his sweetheart a tennis court on his family's farm...an attempt to win her over, a way to get her to come to the farm more often.

She didn't come.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/157638932

Dear Margaret: August 23, 1945

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess, Dear Harry podcast for August 23, 2023, from Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

We wanted to do something a little different today. Normally we share with you a Dear Bess or a Dear Harry letter with you …but today we wanted to share with you a Dear Margaret letter, Margaret being Margaret Truman, the only child of Harry and Bess Wallace Truman.

Mary Margaret Truman was born inside 219 North Delaware Street on February 14, 1924. At the time, she was born into a crowded house…her great grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Emery Gates was still alive, as was her grandmother, Mrs. Madge Gates Wallace. Her Uncle Fred Wallace lived in the house as well as her parents. She had her uncle George and May Wallace and Uncle Frank and Aunt Natalie Wallace living right behind…so she was born into a wonderfully supportive family.

This letter was written on this date in 1945, still within the first six months of her father’s presidency, and just a few days after the use of the first atomic bombs. For context…in the year Mary Margaret was born, in 1924, Harry Truman was an out of work county elected official, having lost re-election as County Judge. Twenty-one years later, he was now the most powerful person in the world, and had recently made the most important decision any human ever had to make.

When Margaret received this letter, she was 21 years old. Her life changed when her father became president. She lost a lot of independence, having had to have Secret Service presence 24 hours a day, seven days a week. She adored her parents and family, and worried about the stresses the job had on them. But she also knew that she was an important part of history.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t much of a letter writer as her father was. But we thought we’d share this letter with you today.

Here it is.

The White House

Washington

Aug. 23, 1945

Dear Baby:-

Mamma says you're busted - not physically but financially - so here's a little of the circulating medium to tide you over. She said to send you twenty bucks so I'm sending twenty for her & 20 for me. As mama says "Now you behave yourself." You'd better come home some of those days or send me a picture or something - I've forgotten how you look.

I expect to see your hair grey if it's much longer until I see you. Mr. De Gaulle was here last night. He's a real high pockets 6 ft 6 in tall and a pin head really. Looks to me like he wears a 6 5/8 hat but I may be mistaken.

I pinned 28 medals of Honor on 28 soldiers this morning.

Your ma has gone to Shangrila to see what it's like. We may go up there Friday.

Tell your grandmas hello for me and also your sundry Uncles, Aunts and Cousins.

Lots of love

Dad XXX OOO

A little change of pace today, a charming Dear Margaret (Truman) letter, written on this date in 1945. A few days earlier, her father had made the most momentous decision ever made by a human being, that being the use of the atomic bombs on Japan. But Truman makes no mention of that in this letter to his daughter.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/159159712

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