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Young Bess Wallace, Young Harry Truman, handwriting background.

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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: April 27, 1911

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess and Dear Harry podcast for April 27, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

In just a few days, our park will mark its 40th birthday, or, the 40th anniversary of the signing of our enabling legislation. We are honored to be doing what we do, and we thank you for allowing us to do it.

This Dear Bess letter was written on this date in 1911. Harry S Truman, farmer, was laid up with a broken leg. That was always a risk of working a farm. It was difficult for Harry Truman to recuperate from his injury, which happened not long after he reunited with Bess Wallace in 1910. But these letters helped, as did his books. Harry Truman being unable to work caused some additional work to others, and no doubt that affected him, too. You can get a sense of the depression he feels in this letter, and that’s rare, for Harry Truman rarely felt anything other than depressed.

We’ve shared this letter before, but wanted to do it again because it’s just wonderful. We hope you agree.

Here’s the letter.

April 27, 1911

Dear Bessie,

My pleasure is not to be expressed in words for the nice long letter you sent me so soon. Of course, now I have nothing else to do but write and read, and I certainly appreciate the fact that you wrote so promptly because you I know are busy. I'm not and can write immediately.

I don't expect an immediate reply but I appreciate it very much when it comes.

Your mentioning Miss Hunt makes me think of someone who hasn't entered my head for a long time. But all of the boys thought Miss Hunt was fine. The girls of course didn't think so well of her. Why, I never could explain. You remember when she told us that our class had given her three gray hairs and how she cried when they roasted her in that "banquet?" I really felt sorry for her then. Miss Phelps says Miss Hunt knew absolutely nothing about pedagogy whatever that is. I don't care we had lots of fun with her.

I am glad you had such good luck with your incubator. It does damp the strongest enthusiasm to sit up till 5PM doesn't it? You'll have to time it differently this time. Make them begin at that time and then you can watch all day. If they began at night next time I'd let them go to Guinea. Mamma's hundred don't give her much trouble. She feeds them two or three times a day and the hens do the rest. You see they can run all over forty acres and more if they want to. I shall be worse spoiled than an only child when I get well. Papa buys me candy and fruit as if I were a two-year-old, and Mamma spends half her time making me comfortable and making my favorite pies. You really don't know how much you're thought of until you get knocked out. I shall try and keep my head though.

I am very thankful that I'll have two feet when I'm well as usual. I do certainly feel sorry for Edward Paxton. I would rather be the poorest laborer in Christendom and be physically whole than be John D. and have some of me gone, wouldn't you?

Such things as broken legs are only chasteners anyway. I shall know exactly how to sympath (I've lost my dictionary and forgot how to spell the last syllable, ain't it awful) with my friends when they have like accidents. I didn't before.

I am sitting up today in a Morris chair and I tell you it is restful to get out of bed once in seven days. I had been thinking all along how nice it would be if I could only sleep for seven days straight. I have the opportunity now and can scarcely get in six hours at a time. That is always the way, we are never exactly satisfied with what we can get.

I shall continue to look for the book. I have been improving my mind with Harold MacGrath the last day or two, his Splendid Hazard. It's fine.

I got a note from Ethel saying she would write me in a day or two. I guess they are very busy now and haven't much time for correspondence. I hope you will take this for what it is worth and consider it worth an answer as I most certainly do appreciate your letters. I'll try and do better next time but my pet won't let me sit up long at a time, much as I want to.

Write when you can soon to

Yours sincerely, Harry

What can a farmer with a broken leg do? Well, for one, write to the girl of his dreams. And that's exactly what Harry Truman did on April 27, 1911. Writing and reading helped Truman much during his recuperation.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/157638914?objectPanel=transcription

Dear Bess: April 18, 1914

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for April 18, 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 April 18, 1914. We encourage you to click on the link and look at the digital original, specifically for the letterhead…J.A. Truman & Son, Farmers, Kansas City Home Phone Hickman 6. We really don’t have that many papers that survive with that letterhead. As you’ll hear, Mr. Truman must have just received it, and was obviously proud of it. Some fun tidbits in this letter. Instead of describing them, how about we just share the letter with you.

As always, we thank you for listening. This is our 40th year of being a National Park unit. We are eternally grateful to our visitors and all who make everything possible.

Dear Bess:

I am going to send you that letter I promised. It is not the delayed one but an entirely new brand. Also it is on a new brand of stationery. I kinda like the looks of this, so I thought I'd use it. Our disappeared man was on deck this morning madder than a Mexican pirate. Claimed he'd been down with his daughter all these days. He seemed to think it an impossibility for us to make connection with Belton. Papa let him go to work. The man we hired is a good one too, so I guess we'll have two for a month. Then the best one gets to stay. I am hoping they'll manage to get along all right.

I caught that car all right and got down in town at five minutes to one. That was a record trip. I had to go to E.B.T.'s this morning and part with the price of a pair of white silk gloves. I sure made a nice picture buying gloves elbow length. I must be a great little feminine shopper by this time. It is rather embarrassing sometimes to have a fresh clerk ask me if my wife is a large or small woman. I always say it's for my mother but I'm never believed.

Bess, I'm going to beg you for a phottgraft again. I wish you'd have yer pitur took in that hat, even if it is only a stamp. This is the couple of dozenth time I've asked for one, but I'm still hoping to get it just the same. I've been wanting you to have one taken in that hat if it's only one and that one for me. Please do. I'm going to get cheated out of a letter this week but the picture will do for a substitute. That's almost the same request I made in the other letter and that's all I didn't tell you last night. I know I'll get there Sunday evening and Monday evening now with two men.

Sincerely, Harry

Some fascinating tidbits in this Dear Bess letter, written on some spiffy new stationary!

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/157639063?objectPanel=transcription

Dear Bess: April 13: 1918 (circa)

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for April 13, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service. This year marks the 40th anniversary of our park unit, and we thank everyone for making what we do possible, particularly the American people. Thank you.

The letter for today is interesting in that we’re not quite sure when it was exactly written, but our best guess is that it was written on April 13, 1918. First Lieutenant Harry Truman writes to his fiancée, Miss Bess Wallace, that he is about to land, meaning that he and his military colleagues were landing in Europe to be part of the fighting in World War I. Truman and his men and colleagues were likely feeling the same emotions that all soldiers and sailors still do today when mobilizing. That sadness in leaving home, and leaving loved ones behind…the fear of the unknown, the fear of being hurt or killed. The curiosity of seeing a new land. Some boredom. Loneliness, even when there are lots of others around And more.

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

Aboard U.S.S. George Washington Apr. 1918

Dear Bess: We are about to arrive and I am going to write you what purports to be a letter. There are so many things we can't write about that there is practically nothing left but the weather and the scenery to talk of. The weather has been fine all the way across, ideal submarine weather so they say, but I prefer it to the rough kind. We had one day that made me and several others pretty much disgusted with life on the sea. I can't see what a man wants to be a sailor for. Except for the one day, I've enjoyed all the meals I could get. Some of the officers have been sick all the way and, I am sure from my one day's experience, have spent a very unpleasant time. Everyone has a remedy and none of them work but Christian Science and sometimes it fails in a rough sea. We have had a very pleasant time except for the monotony of it. There are six lieutenants in our cabin, all congenial spirits. We play cards awhile then go on deck and hunt for submarines awhile and sleep the rest of the time except when we're on guard.

There is no scenery to write about, nothing but blue water everywhere when the sun shines, lead colored when it doesn't, and copper colored at sunrise and sunset. The sunsets on the sea aren't half as good to see as those on our prairies at home. You see just as far as the rim, which they tell me is twenty miles away. The funny part of it is we never catch up with that rim. If we could only get over it I'm sure we could go twice as fast because it would be downhill. One fellow remarked to me the other night that according to his map of the Atlantic Ocean we'd have a hard pull of it from here to France because it would be uphill all the way. Some of the things the crew pull off are a caution to hear. Most of the best ones are unprintable but are not so bad as humorous when you hear them. I am enclosing you a copy or two of the Hatchet—our daily paper—which will tell you lots that goes on on board every day. I didn't get any of your last letters at Camp Merritt. The telegram about the picture was the last thing I got. I am hoping they were forwarded on this boat and that I'll get them when I land.

Shall write again tomorrow.

Yours always, Harry S. Truman

Lieutenant Harry S Truman and his colleagues arrive in Europe to serve and fight in World War I. The most crucial months in Harry Truman's life to this point are about to begin.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/47346663

Dear Bess: April 8, 1912

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for April 8, 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 letter was written by Harry S Truman, Farmer, on April 8, 1912. It’s really a remarkable letter, with a lot in it. Harry Truman’s brother, John Vivian, makes a brief appearance, as the latest to have suffered a medical misfortune. In 1910, Truman’s father broke his leg, in 1911, Harry Truman broke his. And here, in 1912, John Vivian, who had his own farm by this time, injured his shoulder. It also appears as if the Independence High School alumni association wanted Harry Truman to offer some type of presentation as a distinguished alumnus. But the letter oozes romance, particularly the second paragraph.

As always, thanks for listening. Here’s the letter. Grandview, Mo. April 8, 1912

Dear Bess:

Here goes for another start on your letter. Maybe I'll get it finished this time. My dear brother had to go and get his shoulder dislocated when I started the other one, and I was shaken up so on hearing it I couldn't write. That sounds rather feminine, doesn't it? Mamma says I was intended for a girl anyway. It makes me pretty mad to be told so but I guess it's partly so. When it comes to pulling teeth I always yell and I have an inordinate desire to look nice in a photo. You see I have some ladylike traits anyway. If ever you accuse me of having any, though, you may be sure I'll prevaricate and say I haven't. I told your mother I was going to get her a lily for Easter but couldn't carry it. Of course I couldn't possibly have paid a messenger to deliver it, could I? It was my intention to get it when we came home from the Rev. Cyrus Townsend Brady's, but as we didn't go of course no lily appeared. I hope she'll give me credit for good intentions. There goes another piece of Hellenic pavement to my credit. (I'm not referring to Greece, either.)

Will you please persuade George to persuade the alumni committee of the senior class to forget that they ever had any intention of giving me nervous prostration? If I get to come to their meeting and they should ask me to speak, I'd die of elevatoritis because I'd go right through the floor. It was my hope that I'd get to come and enjoy myself but I sure wouldn't if that calamity were hanging over me. I wouldn't mind making a botch on my own account but I'd so hate to humiliate my friends. Besides, the meeting is on Friday night and unless something happens to annul a Masonic meeting I'll have to stay home. If I get to go, will you honor muh with yuh company? If I don't show up by 8:00 p.m. you'll know I couldn't kill the Masonic goat and that I'm not coming. If you want to go with any of the other good-looking fellows, you'd better, then you'll have a sure escort. Then if I come, I can suffer from the little green god as well as from luck ague. There are more I's, me's, my's in this than I have succeeded in putting into a letter for a long time. You know I am of a rather retiring disposition and it hurts me to blow my own trumpet so much. I wouldn't only you know that I'm horribly anxious for you to suffer from an excessively good opinion of me! If you should happen to do that and at some date in the distant future I should get to acting up, can't you hand me one by just telling me what I've said on paper? (Provided you don't consign these to range, as Agnes's flame said.) I really don't care a hoot what you do with my letters so long as you write me-that's what I'm laboring for, a letter from you. You may read them to anyone you choose, put 'em under the parlor carpet, or start fires with 'em-just as long as you send me an answer, which by the way won't be used for any of the above- mentioned purposes.

Well, let's change the subject what do you say? Not that I'd ever get tired of it. I shelled corn by hand all day today. That is as long as I could hold my eyes open. I was sitting on the floor in the sitting room shelling seed corn as hard as I could, when pretty soon Papa came in and yelled, "Harry, dinner's ready! Why don't you come on, you going to sleep all day?" I'd been asleep for an hour and didn't know it. You see, I got up at 4:30 a.m. and turned in at 1:30 a.m., which is a rather long stretch between naps. A freight train got in front of the passenger last night and I got off in our pasture and only had to walk about half as far as usual. The moon was just getting up as the train came round the bend and it looked exactly as if our barn was on fire. I was scared stiff. When I got to the jumping off place I decided it was a neighbor's house and only came to the moon conclusion when I got to the house. Some poor fellow was stalled in an auto about two hundred yards from the gate but got started about the time I got to the house. Wouldn't it be pleasant to be laid out about twenty miles from home about 1:00 a.m.? You ought to know for you tried it once. I hope you'll take the risk again sometime soon. Send me a letter immejate [sic].

Most sincerely, Harry

A fascinating letter from on this date in 1912. Harry Truman uses his pen to contemplate his brother's injury, encouraging Miss Wallace to think well of him, and much more.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/april-8-1912

Dear Bess: March 28, 1944 (postmarked)

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for March 28, 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 letter was postmarked on this date in 1944, and was written by Senator Harry S Truman while on some official Senate business in Seattle, Washington. It’s an absolute gem of a letter. The first paragraph is about as sweet as anything Truman ever wrote to Bess Wallace Truman, and that is saying something.

By this time, Senator Truman had really made a name for himself with a committee investigating defense spending during the war…a committee that the press dubbed the Truman Committee. Truman never called it that. But the committee and its work saved taxpayers a lot of money, made Truman a household name, and propelled him into nomination for a higher office just a few weeks after this letter was written.

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

Olympic Hotel Seattle, Washington March 28, 1944 [Postmark]

Dear Bess:

Well it was sure grand to talk to you yesterday. I'm so far away I don't feel so well about it. Miss you and my baby and your mother. Specially miss that evening ceremony of taking the medicine with you. Hope someday you and I can just sit around and enjoy a perpetual honeymoon without worrying about bread and butter and public opinion. Guess I'm just a damned, sentimental old fool. I've always had you on a pedestal and despite the fact that you try to climb down sometimes, and I don't blame you for trying, I'm not going to let you. From Sunday school days, to grade school days, to First World War days, to the Senate, to World War II days you are just the same to me--the nicest, prettiest girl in the world. Most of my associates think there's something wrong with me because I believe in that oath I took in a certain little Episcopal Church in Independence, Missouri, about twenty-five years ago. But I don't care what they think.

We are holding some of the most touchy and ticklish hearings since we started. Wallgren and Magnuson talked too much out here. The papa of Roosevelt's son-in-law is worse than the Washington Herald and the Chicago Tribune combined. They have a rival paper which goes on the other side no matter whether it's right or wrong. Mon took Jackson and me to Everett to see his wife on Sunday. We had dinner on the way back. The hearing here is to be concluded today. Then to San Francisco. I refused to go to Los Angeles by plane today to address the Jackson Day dinner down there because I can't mix my politics with my religion. Religion being "win the war quickly."

Hugh Fulton and Kilgore are waiting for me so I'll have to run. Will do better next time. Wish I'd had a letter here.

My best to your mother. Kiss my pretty girl and lots of love to you.

Harry

Has Margie forgotten how to write too?

A gem of a letter, written by Senator Harry S Truman to Mrs. Truman...a letter written from Seattle, Washington.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/154961610

Dear Bess: March 24, 1914

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for March 24, 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 choice was written on March 24, 1914, 109 years ago. It’s one of the most important Dear Bess letters, and here’s why. Truman makes mention of an opportunity of acquiring an automobile, specifically, a Kansas City-made Stafford. This car changed Harry Truman’s life like nothing before. It helped him as he explored social life in Grandview and elsewhere. It helped him as he eventually explored other business and small political opportunities. It helped him in his training in preparing to serve in World War I. But, most importantly, it helped him in his most important campaign…that to win the heart and hand of Miss Bess Wallace. Mamma Truman believed in this too, and evidently helped make the car a reality. The Stafford gave Truman a sense of independence and identity like he hadn’t had before, and became an important part of him.

The ongoing lawsuit that Truman mentions, that stemmed from his maternal Grandmother’s 1909 death and will, was eventually settled, but left the Trumans in a stretched way financially, with debt that snowballed.

Grandview Mar. 24, 1914

Dear Bess:

Your note came Sunday morning. I was very glad to get it. It helped to get the day by to some extent as it should have gone. Mamma said thank you for your sympathy and kind expressions. She is getting along fine. The doctor said he'd never had a case like hers to do so well.

I am still staying with her and will have to for a few days yet. Vivian was here yesterday, and I made a flying trip to K.C. to see Uncle Harry and Boxley about our infernal suit. There is a prospect of settlement now. It will stretch our finances until they crack, but I guess we'll get over it eventually.

I made an effort to call you up but didn't even succeed in getting Independence. I didn't get another chance because I had to go with Mr. Ferson to buy a carload of hay and when I got to the train there were only about four minutes to spare.

Ferson wants to sell me a Stafford car for $650. It's an old one but will outlast and outlook some of the new ones they are selling now. I told him that unless I could filch the amount from the Young estate while the settlement was being made there was no prospect of my owning a car. It sure is a bargain though. Uncle Harrison thinks we'll have to sell some of the farm, but I hope not. It will bring probably $200 an acre now but in four or five years it may be worth three times that. I hope I never have anything more to do with an estate like this one. It is a hoodoo from start to finish. If there are any other pieces of bad luck loose, I suppose they'll come our way before long. There's no use bothering about what may happen though. I've got my hands full looking after the results of what's already taken place. The gamblers say that fate can't always hand out one brand of luck and I'm hoping strongly for a change in our brand. A bigger crop than ever was raised is what would convince me we were in good again. I got that oat sowed as I told you before, the hired man is just now finishing up with the harrow. We thought we were going to lose him Sunday. I gave him $15 Saturday night and he said he was going to pay some bills he owed. I guess he must have hit a crap game first because he didn't get home until Sunday morning. He came up here about noon looking rather dilapidated and said his wife had given him a round with the poker. Said he guessed he'd have to leave as it looked as if he wasn't going to be able to stay home. I guess they must have patched things up because he hasn't said anything more about leaving. He's a great big man, and his wife won't weigh over a hundred pounds. I'm going to work your mother's system and pay on Monday after this. I wouldn't have this fellow leave for anything. He's the best man we ever had. Mamma is of the opinion that he needed braining, but there is always a bond of sympathy between women when a man has been shooting craps and every good man has his failings. I mean good hired men. Luke, for instance!

Vivian is going back to Cass County this morning. He rode up horseback on Thursday night and is going to drive back. I think it is safe for him to leave, Mamma is doing so well.

I am hoping to see you before the week is out. As soon as she can have company there'll be someone here all the time, but we don't allow her to walk any yet to amount to anything.

Please send me a long letter as it has been some years since a week ago Sunday.

Sincerely, Harry

Harry Truman talks about his mother's recovery from her recent recovery from a hernia surgery, and talks about buying a car. This car, a Kansas City-made Stafford, changed his life like nothing else before ever did. https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/march-24-1914-postmark

Dear Bess: March 20, 1918 (postmarked)

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for March 20, 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 20, 1918. Harry Truman and his men of the 129th Field Artillery were being mobilized for their deployment for France to fight in the Great War. It was what they had been training for for all these months. No doubt they were all excited, yet nervous, scared, and worried about those loved ones they were leaving behind.

As for Harry Truman, this included Bess Wallace, who he met in 1890 at Sunday School. He was six, she was five. But it wasn’t for another twenty years that they started courting. Once Truman had re-enlisted in the Army, and it was certain that he was going o France, they talked of marriage, and Miss Wallace wanted to marry immediately, but Mister Truman declined, saying that it wasn’t fair to her, in case he came back crippled or maimed, or if he didn’t come back at all. When Truman wore his uniform he carried in his breast pocket a special picture of Miss Wallace…a picture that still sits on his desk at the Truman Library today.

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

Dear Bess:

We are moving out at last. Sat up all night last night waiting for the train. It pulled in at 1:30 A.M. this Wednesday morning. We have a fine Pullman observation car with all 129th officers except five or six. They are 130th. We are going north and hoping to hit Kansas City. They say we'll go around the outer edge if we do. Your package was just in time and sure was fine. I never tasted such good candy in my life and the cakes were just as fine. This train is so rough I can hardly write but I am afraid if I wait I won't get to mail it. We are sure glad to leave Ft. Sill but we may see the time when it will look good to us. They turned down Lt. Lee at the last minute. I was so mad I could have cussed all the doctors in Christendom off the map if I could have done it. They sent him before a physical efficiency board and he beat them there and got his baggage loaded into the car after spending all day chasing back and forth to division headquarters. Then they made him stay behind and sent a substitute. He was the most thoroughly disappointed person you ever saw. I hated it almost as badly as he did. We don't know where we are going but it looks like we might come through Kansas City now as we are going north on the Rock Island. I'd give anything in the world to see you and Mamma and Mary before I go across but I doubt very much if that is possible except by good luck. I shall keep you informed by wire where I am until I leave this country. All cables will come to Boxley through the chief cable censor so you will be informed immediately on my safe arrival across. You can write me Detachment 35th Division, 129th F.A., Camp Merritt, New Jersey, and I'll probably get it. The train is slowing and I'd better quit, will write some more tomorrow and wire you today.

Yours always, Harry

This brief letter to Miss Wallace was written by Mr. Truman as he and his men of the 129th Field Artillery were en route eastward, being mobilized, bound for France to fight in World War I.

Maybe you know that feeling, and remember what it felt like, that feeling of nervousness, anxiety, and more.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/march-20-1918-postmark

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

Dear Bess: March 13, 1913 (postmarked)

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for March 13, 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 brief Dear Bess letter was postmarked on March 13, 1913, exactly 110 years ago. Of biggest note in this letter is Harry Truman’s reference to a lawsuit.

Technically, Harry Truman, his parents, and siblings were living and working on land that belonged to Truman’s maternal grandparents, Solomon and Harriet Louisa Gregg Young. Solomon Young died in 1892. His widow, Harry Truman’s grandmother, owned the land, then, with her brother, Harrison Young, the future president’s namesake. When the Truman family moved back to the farm near Grandview, in 1905 and 1906, they, technically, formed an interesting business arrangement with Grandmother and Harrison Young. Farms were, and are, after all, businesses. Harriet Young died in 1909. In her will, she left the land to the Trumans, including her daughter, Martha Ellen Young Truman.

Martha Ellen’s siblings almost immediately filed suit, and the feeling seems to be that the Trumans manipulated Grandmother Young into doing what she did in the will. Well, this litigation took a long time to resolve. Ultimately, the court sided with the Trumans. But financial settlements continued into the early 1920s, even after Harry Truman left the farm and moved to Independence as a married man. The litigation drained the Truman family’s financial resources, and, according to Truman, crippled the profitability of the Farm. Eventually “Mamma” Truman had to add mortgage after mortgage on the property, and her debt snowballed. In 1940, Mamma and Mary Jane Truman lost the Farm, the Farm Home, and had to move elsewhere. Unfortunately, most of the papers from this litigation seems to have been lost. It’s not clear what kind of relationship Harry Truman and his brother and sister had with those Young relatives after this litigation was resolved.

Thankfully, via these Dear Bess letters we know of this lawsuit, and know some of the details. As always, thanks for listening.

Grandview Mar. 12, 1913

Dear Bess: Your most highly appreciated letter arrived this morning. I certainly was glad to get it. My head is still swollen over the remark you made about my photo.

There was a man here to buy the cows Tuesday. I had to come home at one o'clock or you may be sure I'd have tried 64 before the Orpheum. He bought the cows so it was a good thing we came home. I am riding around in all this rain getting testimony in our lawsuit. You know it comes up Monday. I certainly wish I was like Gaul divisa in tres partes because I'm needed at home, in K.C., and in Belton this afternoon. I just called up Blair telling him I couldn't come up and he jumped about a foot high. The lawyer won't let me go, and Papa wants me to help drive the cows to Belton. So there you are.

I got the Orpheum tickets today. They are in the fourth row but on the side. I guess if we understand French we'll hear it all anyway. Diner is waiting on me and if I don't run and eat a bite I'll surely starve this P.M.

Thanks awfully for that Friday letter.

Sincerely,

Harry

In this brief Dear Bess letter from March, 1913, Harry Truman again makes reference to an unfortunate lawsuit that was tearing his family apart, stemming from the will of his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Harriet Louisa Young.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/march-13-1913-postmark?documentid=NA&pagenumber=2

Dear Bess: March 10, 1914

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for March 10, 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 brief letter was written on this date in 1914. It’s unfortunate that it’s one of the brief ones, as it’s clear that Truman had much more to share with Miss Wallace.

By the time Harry Truman wrote this letter to Miss Wallace, he had been involved with the Masons for several years now. What did the Masons mean to Harry Truman? Well, if he were here to explain it to us, he might say that the Masons were a way to meet and learn about people, do good for others, share a spiritual fellowship, and a way to learn a special type of leadership. Harry Truman rose as far in the Masons as possible, the 33rd Degree. Truman was very proud to be a Mason, and the Masons were proud to claim Harry Truman as one of their own. They still do.

In this letter, too, Truman’s father, John Anderson Truman, makes an appearance as does Harry Truman’s brother, John Vivian. By 1914, John Vivian Truman had married the lovely Louella, started a family and farm of his own. John Vivian and Louella Truman had a lovely family, part of a larger family that continuously supported each other when it counted.

Here’s the letter.

[March 10, 1914]

Dear Bess:

I am not going to let Tuesday get by this time without getting you a letter written. It's been quite a while since I had one from you. The week's never complete without a least one; the more the better. You would never guess where I am writing this. Frank Blair sent me word to come to Belton today to meet Mr. McLachlan the Grand Lecturer of the Masons. I am in the Masonic Hall writing while the rest have gone to dinner. It only took me minute to grab something to eat. I am hoping they won't come back for a good while so I can get this letter off on the proper train. Well I lost another of my good bachelor friends last week. He sneaked off and got married without so much as saying boo. Delbert Weston, it was. His father didn't even know what he'd done until he came home and brought another Mrs. Weston. I saw the old man yesterday and he said he didn't know whether to soak the kid one or hug him. He decided on the latter course. I have an idea that it was the better one. I haven't seen her yet but I'll bet she's not over five feet high. The mean part of the job was that I was out and spent Saturday and Sunday with him immediately preceding the performance and he didn't tell me about it. Anyhow I won't have to dig up a present.

Papa has gone down to the bottom of Cass Co. with Vivian this morning. I've an idea they really reach bottom in some places. You see therefore I am in charge at home for two days at least. I thought up some seventeen jobs for the hired man this morning and pulled out. It will be necessary for me to go home tonight and see if he did them. Bess there's a confounded Mason up here now and he insists upon talking to me so I can hardly write. I suppose I shall have to stop but I hope to see you Thursday and make up the lack of what I have to write by some E. H. Sothern tickets. I am hoping papa will be home that day. Please save Thursday until the last minute anyway and be sure to send me a letter. Not that this crazy note deserves one but I hope you'll think so.

Most sincerely,

Harry

If only this letter from March 10, 1914, were longer!

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/march-10-1914-postmark

Dear Bess: March 2, 1948

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for March 2, 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.

Today’s letter was written 75 years ago today, March 2, 1948. 1948 was one of the most pivotal years in Harry Truman’s life. He was planning to run for a term as President in his own right, but was, according to the polls, unpopular across the country and even in his political party. But rarely will you ever sense any pessimism in anything Truman ever wrote that year. He sensed all along that he would win.

Some fun references to film star Boris Karloff. Forever known as Frankenstein’s monster, Mr. Karloff, like most actors, was eager to show that he had depth beyond that. But the best part of this letter, simply, is the radiant way that Truman writes about his relaxing time at Key West, Florida. Today, where Truman stayed in Key West is another terrific Truman related site that you can visit.

Thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Key West Mar. 2, 1948

Dear Bess:

Surely was glad to get your 28th letter and one from Margie in yesterdays pouch.

Glad you & Margie & Drucie had a chance to see Boris Karloff. The play, I'd judge, is depessing [sic]. Wish I could hear the skit.

Had a press conference and it turned out well - believe it or not. The setting for it was beautiful and the press boys showed their appreciation. Only one smart aleck present John O'Donnell and he got no answer to his question. One asking what I thought Farley thought and intended to do. I told him that Farley himself would be his best source of information.

Went to the beach and had a good swim had lunch at 12:30 and went fishing. We drew sides, Adm. Leahy in charge of one side and I'm charge of the other. I had Clifford, Dr. Graham, Col Landry, & Bill Hassett and the Adm had Vaughan, Capt Denison, John Steelman Eben Ayers & Stanley Woodward. We made up a pot, putting $500 apiece, $1000 to go for the longest fish $1000 for the heaviest fish and the balance to be distributed among the people on the side that caught the most fish by night.

On our side Dr. Graham caught two, a barracuda & a grouper, Clifford a nice grouper & Bill Hassett a 25 pound amberjack. Total weight 421/2 pounds.

Capt. Denison caught beautiful mackerel weight 291/2 pounds and about 3 ft long. So he won both prizes of $1000 but our side divided up the pot. I made a dollar getting six back for my five.

We go again tomorrow. I hope the wind won't blow so much. It rained nearly all night last night but is clear & sunny now. Will have to quit the pouch is leaving.

Lot of love

Harry.

Tell Margie I'll answer after some deliberation.

1948. Perhaps the most consequential year of Harry S Truman's political life. This letter, written while on vacation at Key West, Florida, radiates the optimism that became Truman's trademark that year.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-truman-1921-1959/march-2-1948

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