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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

A Special Episode---President Truman's 1951 Christmas Message from the Truman Home

Transcript

December 24, 1951

[Broadcast nationally from Independence, Mo., at 5 p.m.]

CHRISTMAS is the great home festival. It is the day in all the year which turns our thoughts toward home.

And so I am spending Christmas in my old home in Independence with my family and friends. As the Christmas tree is lighted on the White House grounds in Washington, I am glad to send this greeting to all of my countrymen.

Tonight we think of the birth of a Little Child in the City of David nineteen and a half centuries ago. In that humble birth God gave his message of love to the world. At this Christmas time the world is distracted by doubt and despair, torn by anger, envy and ill will. But our lesson should still be that same message of love, symbolized by the birth of the Redeemer of the World in a manger "because there was no room for them in the inn."

Our hearts are saddened on this Christmas Eve by the suffering and the sacrifice of our brave men and women in Korea. We miss our boys and girls who are out there. They are protecting us, and all free men, from aggression. They are trying to prevent another world war. We honor them for the great job they are doing. We pray to the Prince of Peace for their success and safety.

As we think about Korea, we should also think of another Christmas, 10 years ago, in 1941. That was just after Pearl Harbor, and the whole world was at war. Then almost every country, almost every home, was overshadowed by fear and sorrow.

The world is still in danger tonight, but a great change has come about. A new spirit has been born, and has grown up in the world, although perhaps we do not fully realize it. The struggle we are making today has a new and hopeful meaning.

Ten years ago total war was no longer a threat but a tragic reality. In those grim days, our Nation was straining all its efforts in a war of survival. It was not peace--not the prevention of war--but the stark reality of total war itself that filled our minds and overwhelmed our hearts and souls at Christmas, 1941.

Tonight we have a different goal, and a higher hope. Despite difficulties, the free nations of the world have drawn together solidly for a great purpose: not solely to defend themselves; not merely to win a bloody war if it should come; but for the purpose of creating a real peace--a peace that shah be a positive reality and not an empty hope; a just and lasting peace.

When we look toward the battlefields of Korea, we see a conflict like no other in history. There the forces of the United Nations are fighting--not for territory, not for plunder, not to rule the lives of captive people. In Korea the free nations are proving, by deeds, that man is free and must remain free, that aggression must end, that nations must obey the law.

We still have a long struggle ahead of us before we can reach our goal of peace. In the words of the Bible, the day is not yet here when the bow shall be broken, and the lance cut off, and the chariot burned. But we have faith that that day will come.

We will be strong so long as we keep that faith--the faith that can move mountains, the faith which, as St. Paul says, is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Let us ask God to bless our efforts and redeem our faults. Let us resolve to follow his commandments--to carry the gospel to the poor; heal the brokenhearted; preach deliverance to the captive; give freedom to the slave. Let us try to do all things in that spirit of brotherly love that was revealed to mankind at Bethlehem on the first Christmas day.

The victory we seek is the victory of peace. That victory is promised to us. It was promised to us long ago, in the words of the angel choir that sang over Bethlehem: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." To all my countrymen: Merry Christmas.

President Harry S Truman delivered this message to the American people from his family's home in Independence, Missouri. The address was in connection with the lighting of the National Community Christmas Tree.

This is dedicated to all members of our Armed Forces and their families. We thank you for your service and sacrifices.

Dear Bess: December 19, 1918

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess,, Dear Harry podcast for December 19, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service in Independence and Grandview, Missouri.

Today’s Dear Bess letter was written on this date in 1918 by Captain Harry S Truman, just over a month after the end of hostilities in World War I. Like the rest of the American soldiers, Captain Truman was waiting…anxiously waiting…orders to ship home. For Truman, home was Jackson County, Missouri, where his mother, brother, and sister lived, where his family’s farm was, and where his fiancée, Miss Bess Wallace, lived.

Note that in the second paragraph of the letter, Truman tells Miss Wallace he signed up for full separation from the Army. He did, and he did separate shortly after coming home. But then, in a reversal, Truman did rejoin the reserves. There were a few reasons for that, one of them long term…he continued with the reserves until early 1953, after President Harry Truman left the White House.

So, yes, President Harry S Truman was (then) Colonel Harry S Truman’s own commander in chief!

We dedicate this installment today to all in our Armed Forces, and their families, experiencing a separation at the holidays. Technology may make it more bearable in 2023, but that doesn’t make it easy. Here’s the letter.

Dec 19 1918

Still near Verdun

Camp La Baholle

Dear Bess:

This day is a banner day sure enough. Your letters of Nov 24 & 26 came and I am entirely cured of a case of grippe I was endeavoring to have. Those are two grand letters and I am so happy to get them. You are right about my not getting all your letters but I am certainly thankful for what I do get. Your mother is very flattering when she says I write a good letter. I write in order to get letters and if mine happen to appear interesting because they come from France I'm that much more pleased. I appreciate the compliment anyway. Some time back I wrote you a great long winded account of all my doings since leaving Coetquidon. Mr. Lee says he wants to get some of the facts to go into his history of 129th but I don't think they would hardly be worth putting in do you? My hair is not any whiter than it's always been except for a few grey hairs around the edge and they are not visible unless you look closely. I think I told the Nolands in one of my letters to them that my experience in moving up front that first night of the drive when it took me 12 hours to go a kilometer and a half was enough to give me a set of grey hairs. I don't think I have anymore than I've had for the last two years, but my hair is thicker so the helmet must have done it good. I sincerely wish I could have gone to Platte with you and also to the show. There's a good time coming though and I hope not so far away.

We have rumors of going to Hunland and rumors of going to Brest and rumors of staying where we are 'till peace is signed. I told you I'd signed up for "full & immediate" separation from the army. We call ourselves the F & Is and we kid the life out of those who signed up to stay in. But will all probably come home together. Major Gates, Maj. Miles, Sermon, Marks, McGee, the Colonel & myself are all F & Is. Salisbury, Allen, Patterson, Dancy signed up to stay in. The rest signed up for the reserve. I can't see what on earth any man with initiative and a mind of his own want to be in the army in peace times for. You've always got some old fossil above you whose slightest whim is law and who generally hasn't a grain of horse sense. For my part I want to be where I can cuss 'em all I please when I please and you can bet there are some in this man's army who are going to get cussed and more if they fool around me when I get out. I'd give my right arm to be on the military affairs committee of the House. It's not an impossibility is it? You've no idea how the attitude changed when there was no more chance of promotion. It's right laughable sometimes. I got a lot of new horses today which don't look much like going home. I'd about as soon be in Coblenz or Cologne as in this mud hole. If I can find it I am going to send you a copy of a poem called "Sunny France" it's a peach.

You've no idea how I appreciated the Christmas card from all the family. I wish I could send them each one but I can't. Remember me to all of them especially your mother and wish them each a Merry Christmas for me. And keep on writing.

Yours always Harry.

Harry S Truman

Capt Bty D 129 FA

American E F

A sweet letter from Captain Harry S Truman written just days after the end of hostilities of World War I. Truman is ready to come home.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/51459466?objectPage=5

Dear Bess: December 1, 2023 (postmark)

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for December 1, 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 letter postmarked on this date in 1917, written by First Lieutenant Harry S Truman in Lawton, Oklahoma, writing to his fiancée, Miss Bess Wallace, who was back home in Independence, Missouri.

You can tell that Lieutenant Truman was thrilled to get the fudge Miss Wallace sent but would rather have seen the sender! When Truman refers to “Lizzie,” he is referring to his car, a Kansas City-built Stafford touring car he had bought a few years earlier. He certainly got his monies’ worth out of that car. He sold it shortly before he shipped out to France, and we wonder whatever happened to it.

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

Postmarked December 1, 1917, Lawton, Oklahoma.

Dear Bess:

Your box of good fudge was handed into my tent Thanksgiving morning by Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Kelly. It was sure fine and I am most awful glad to get it. I was very much disappointed because I didn't see the sender, because I thought perhaps you might surprise me by coming down. I expected to see you really and it was some disappointment when I didn't. The candy was fine. Mr. Lee got a box of cookies and some candy, too. We could have had a feast all our own if we'd wanted to.

Kelly is the happiest man in camp I guess except Rice Pendleton and C. Bundschu. I asked Mr. Bundschu when he was going back to heaven today and he said he wasn't going he was going to stay here as the thought this was nearer heaven than Independence. Some people have queer judgment in some things. I'd sure like to have a chance to go to Independence and Grandview. I don't think mamma got my letter asking her to come down because I had one from Mary telling me they couldn't come and she never said anything about my letter.

Lizzie has a cog wheel or something cross ways in her interior workings and refuses to budge. So I can't haul Mrs. Dunn around much as I would like to. Anyway her son has a car so she will get all they riding that is necessary. Mize and Flynn and one or two others took Capt. Sermon's car out Thanksgiving day and pinched for speeding on the horseshoe. The horseshoe is a fine rock road running around the camp. Only military cars can ride on it and they can't go over 15 miles an hour.

Sass Dickinson is back. He didn't get a commission at Ft. Sheridan. I can't understand it either because I know a couple of bums who did get commissions and who don't know enough to come in when it rains.

I went to church last Sunday with Lee down to the 128th Artillery and it was Episcopal. I intended telling about it sooner but Lee insisted that I only went because I wanted to write you about it and so I didn't do it. F Bty has been out to the trenches again today and I went along. The canteen is going to be invoiced, inspected and audited tomorrow. Some job.

I have been trying to think if I've failed to answer any questions I should have or have not told you all I know but I think I've done both except that I took Roger Sermon's wife horseback riding last Sunday. He wasn't along either. Hines and his wife and Capt Pete and his were though so I guess it was perfectly proper. I had an invitation a dance last night at our hospital but I didn't go because all the partners were married women and their husbands were all present. Anyhow Lee and I have so much to do that we can't be bothered with a dance. I told Mary S. B. that you wouldn't let me dance until the war is over and I shouldn't be surprised if you hear it so I'd better tell you now. I am looking for a long fat letter tomorrow and next day and I do hope it won't be in vain. If you only know how well I like to get them. Wish I could see you Sunday.

Yours always,

Harry

In this letter, First Lieutenant Harry Truman writes from World War I training camp, wishing he could see his fiancee, and is missing home.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/46750954

Dear Bess: circa November, 1913

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for November 15, 2023, a service of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Today we would like to share with you a gem of a Dear Bess letter, but here’s the thing. Harry S Truman, living on his family’s farm in Grandview, Missouri, didn’t date it, and the postmark on the envelope isn’t legible. But based on clues, we believe that it’s from November, 1913.

And it’s full of wonderful stuff.

When we talk about Harry Truman and his years on the Farm, we remind our visitors that while on the Farm Truman became well involved in the community. He begins this letter by sharing with Bess Wallace some tidbits about the Masons and its sister group, the Order of the Eastern Star. Truman was heavily involved…indeed the Masons were central to Truman’s life by this time.

But the remainder of the letter is pure love poetry. It’s a pleasure to read to you!

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

Circa November, 1913

Dear Bess:-

I've been at the installation of an Eastern Star chapter. The woman who did the job is Julia V. Freyman of Kansas City. She's a Past Most Worthy Grand Matron of Missouri and the nicest old lady. (Say the old in a low voice).

She had on a lace dress and two of the biggest diamond earrings with the most beautiful diamond ring. I never saw one like it. If old Dr. Freyman gave it to her for an engagement he surely had an eye for beauty. It's evidently a joy forever to Julia for she wears it continually - along with several others. Besides all this array of re-gular adornment on her left breast she wore the jewel of a P.M.W.G.M. (There are so many letters I forgot one myself). It is a five-pointed star of solid gold suspended from a bar with a Masonic pin set with diamonds attached by a tiny chain. All this array is what you see at first, but when you get acquainted with her you forget that she has a loose screw for gew-gaws and like her immensely. Not a single woman there had a mean thing to say of her. They all said, "Just isn't Mrs. Freyman lovely!" That speaks for itself. What I started to say is that Sheffield Lodge has informed our aggregation that they are going to come out on Friday to show us how to put on a Third Degree. On Wednesday evening the W. M. has asked me to conduct a Lodge of Instruction, on Thursday evening as president of the Commercial Club I had to call a town meeting to get ready for the Township Fair, and on Saturday I have to call a meeting of the Woodmen to get them to donate their half to the farmers for their exhibition Tuesday. Ain't that an awful array for one pigheaded farmer to have in a November week? Especially when he'd rather be some twenty miles away on every single night. I'm hoping for a flood or snow or some other disaster to take place for I'm dying to come to Independence. I know your last letter word for word and then I read it some forty times a day. Oh please send me another like it. I wear it in my left breast pocket. I'm going to put it in a safety vault to keep from wearing it out. You really didn't know I had so much softness and sentimentality in me, did you? I'm full of it. But I'd die if I had to talk it. I can tell you on paper how much I love you and what one grand woman I think you, but to tell it to you I can't. I'm always afraid I'd do it so clumsily you'd laugh. Then I'd die really. When a person's airing his most sacred thoughts he's very easily distressed. No one ever knew I ever had any but you. You are the one girl I'd ever want to tell them to. I could die happy doing something for you. (Just imagine a guy with spectacles and a girl mouth doing the Sir Lancelot.) Since I can't rescue you from any monster or carry you from a burning building or save you from a sinking ship, simply because I'd be afraid of the monsters, couldn't carry you, and can't swim, I'll have to go to work and make money enough to pay my debts and then get you to take me for what I am: just a common everyday man whose instincts are to be ornery, who's anxious to be right. You'll not have any trouble getting along with me for I'm awful good- natured, and I'm sure we'd live happy ever after sure enough. I'm writing this at 1 A.M. just because I can't help it and if you get tired of it, as Agnes' beau said, put it in the kitchen stove.

This is all the stationary I have upstairs and Papa's sleeping where I keep the other and I can't get to it. If you don't like mushy letters, just tell me so. I never had any desire to write them before or to preach my own good points so strongly. Do you suppose your mother'll care for me well enough to have me in her family? I'm freezing and must quit because my paper's run out.

Most sincerely

Harry

One of the greatest of all the Dear Bess letters. We just wish we could better date when Harry Truman penned this letter to Miss Bess Wallace.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/157639039

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

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