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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: February 7, 1911

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for February 7, 2022, from Harry S Truman National Historic Site and the National Park Service.

A fun letter for you today, with a lot in it. This is the fourth-oldest known Dear Bess letter, written on this date in 1911. Harry Truman is very much on cloud nine from experiencing a recent visit to 219 North Delaware Street in Independence. Was it on this visit that Truman played the piano for Bess Wallace’s mother, Madge Gates Wallace? Mrs. Wallace’s father, George Porterfield Gates, who built the 219 North Delaware Street we know today, bought the piano that Truman likely played in June of 1883, from the Smith American Organ Company, which had an office in Kansas City. It may be that the Steinway piano in the home today, bought around 1932 by the Trumans, replaced this piano.

In this letter, too, Harry Truman makes mention of his memories of First Presbyterian Church in Independence. It was there that young Harry Truman, age 6, met Miss Bess Wallace, age 5. There was never another girl for Harry Truman. They had a destiny. They just didn’t know it yet.

Here’s the letter.

Grandview, Mo. February 7, 1911

Dear Bessie: You were right. I was about to send you another epistle but thought I had better wait, maybe you would remember that you were indebted to me for one.

I certainly enjoyed myself the evening I was there and you may be assured I shall repeat the offense as often as I can or you will allow me. That cake and coffee couldn't be beat. I am like a girl that once boarded where I did. She said there was nothing better than cake but more cake. I heartily agree with her. It makes no difference about the variety just so it's cake.

I think you and Nellie could probably get some religious excitement on Ethel's part if you would do as a certain woman did Aunt Susan was telling me about.

You know they used to hold outdoor meetings when the weather was good and everyone for miles around attended and stayed sometimes for weeks. Along in the fifties they were holding a meeting not far from here and the preacher had exhorted and ranted and done everything else they usually do when they try to get something started as they call it, but it was no use. He wasn't a quitter though. Finally down one of the aisles one of the good sisters jumped out and began screaming and dancing up and down as they usually do when they get religion. The preacher made a dive for her with his hand extended saying, "Oh! Sister I am so glad to see you come out and say you have religion." Her answer between screams was, "I haven't got it. I haven't got it. There's a lizard on my dress." And she kept on dancing until Aunt Sue and someone else took her outside and one of those little lizards fell off her dress. Try it on Ethel. It will work I think.

I remember Miss Southern very well. Your opinion of her is good. Mary said that the preacher was giving dancers, card players, and theater-goers fits. Well he has done all these things until he is tired of them. Now he has taken to no preaching for a change. I also have strayed from the Presbyterian fold, though I remember my Sunday school days very well. I am by religion like everything else. I think there is more in acting than in talking. I had an uncle who said when one of his neighbors got religion strong on Sunday, he was going to lock his smokehouse on Monday. I think he was right from the little I have observed.

We had a neighbor out here who could pray louder and talk more fervently in meetin' than anyone I ever heard. He'd say in every prayer, "O Lord help this congregation to stop and think where they's a going at." We finally found that he beat his wife and did everything else that's "ornery".

I think religion is something one should have on Wednesday and Thursday as well as on Sunday. Therefore I don't believe these protracted meetings do any real good. They are mostly excitement and when the excitement wears off people are as they always were. I like to play cards and dance as far as I know how and go to shows and do all the things they said I shouldn't, but I don't feel badly about it. I go when I feel like it and the good church members are glad to hear what it's like. You see I'm a member but not a strenuous one. I suppose I am getting to be a bore by this time but I like to get letters so well, especially from you, that I do the best I can to deserve them. I shall be in Independence on the fourteenth to attend the probate court (think of it), and if you are at home I should like very much to come around again.

I am glad your mother likes my efforts on the piano. I am ashamed of it myself. But you know a farmer can't be a pianist much as he'd like to be. Mary is getting to be a pretty good piano player. Ivory tickler, as Shorty Short says. He says his piano has a wheelbarrow movement and a fire escapement. It was an old-fashioned square.

Write when you can to

Yours sincerely, Harry

This is a fascinating letter. Harry Truman, exuberant after a visit to see Miss Bess Wallace, thanks her for welcoming him. He also shares his thoughts on religion, including a humorous story in the style of Mark Twain. He also mentions his piano playing, which was better than he gives himself credit for.

A digital copy of the letter can be seen here:

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/february-7-1911?documentid=NA&pagenumber=6

Dear Bess: February 1916 (likely, undated)

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for February 1, 2022, a service of Harry S Truman National Historic Site and the National Park Service.

We’d like to highlight a fun letter for you today, although we doubt Harry Truman would consider this letter fun. Unfortunately we don’t have a date for this letter, as Truman did not note a date on the letter, and there is no postmark on the envelope. It’s believed that it’s from February, 1916, based on the chain of events in the letter. One of the great characters in the Harry Truman/ Bess Wallace courtship is an automobile. By this time, Truman was driving a car known as a Stafford, a touring car model, built in Kansas City. Truman had bought the car a few years before, and used it for more efficient travels from Grandview to Independence to visit family and Miss Wallace. The car was impressive for its day, but as you’ll hear the car required a lot of maintenance. Unfortunately, Harry Truman sold his car shortly before leaving for France in the Great War. But thankfully we have several photographs showing Harry Truman and Lizzie, including some with Bess Wallace. The car succeeded in its mission and started Harry Truman’s love affair with cars.

Katy Flyer, Okla. [no postmark]

Dear Bess:

I am going to send you a penciled note to let you know how I came to be here.

I suppose that you remember that I started for Monegaw Springs on Sunday. Mamma went along and we almost reached the springs without an accident. We got within a half mile of them and ran over a stump. I spilled Uncle Harry over the front seat and threw Mamma over my own head. Neither of them were hurt, except Uncle Harry renewed his profane vocabulary. I backed Lizzie off the stump and ran her into town with a badly bent axle. Mamma and I started for home at 6:00 a.m. on Monday. Got within seventy-five miles of it and it began to rain. Had the nicest slipping time you ever saw. What with a crooked axle and a bent steering wheel I could hardly stay in the road. Five miles south of Harrisonville Lizzie took a header for the ditch and got there, smashing a left front wheel into kindling. I phoned to Ferson and he sent me his front wheel. The accident happened within a half mile of a R.R. station, Lone Ture by name. Mamma and I sat there from 1:30 til 8:00 p.m. waiting for the wheel. It arrived all right and I couldn't get it on. Then it began to rain in real earnest. I got soaked. A good farmer came and took us up to his house and we stayed all night. Next morning he hitched his team to Lizzie and pulled her out of the ditch. (I had tried to put the wheel on wrong end to, the night before.) He would not have a cent for keeping me nor pulling the car out. We started for Harrisonville and get about five miles north of there when we ran through a puddle and get the mag wet. Had to phone back to Harrisonville and get a man to come and tear it up--cost a five-dollar bill. Another good farmer took us to dinner free. Finally got to Grandview at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday. Mr. Hall called me and said if I wanted to go to Texas and New Mexico free, R.R. fare sleeper and meals, I could. Took Lizzie to town and gave Ferson his wheel, left her at the factory, and I'm on way to Ft. Worth and the Pecos Valley aboard a special Pullman with a nice crowd of farmers. Several of my close neighbors are along. I endeavored to call you last night but your line was busy. I wanted to come over and see you before I left and also borrow your Kodak. Hope you'll excuse this scrawl as I forgot my pen and stationery.

You are the only one getting any letters this trip. Hope to be home by Sunday and get a ride in the new car while Lizzie has only three feet. I'm headed for Ft. Stockton, Texas, clean off the map on the western border.

Most sincerely, Harry

This is a fun letter to read. Hopefully it's fun to hear. It's an undated letter. But if you've ever had bad luck with a car, even one you love, you can sympathize with Harry Truman.

A digital copy of the original can be seen here: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/ca-february-1916-no-date?documentid=NA&pagenumber=1

Dear Margaret: January 28, 1952

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for January 28, 2022, from Harry S Truman National Historic Site and the National Park Service.

But today, instead of a Dear Bess or Dear Harry letter, we have an absolutely wonderful Dear Margaret letter, from this date in 1952. Mary Margaret Truman was born in February, 1924, in 219 North Delaware Street. She was very much the apple of her parents’ eyes. When she was born, she was the fourth generation living inside the house, as Elizabeth Gates, Madge Gates Wallace, Bess Wallace Truman and now Margaret were under one roof. Unfortunately grandmother Gates died a few months later, and Margaret had no memory of her.

For many years in her youth, Margaret shuttled between Washington and Independence while her father served as United States Senator for Missouri. This continued while her father was President of the United States. She had sort of an agreement with her father…she wanted to be a professional singer, he wanted her to finish college. She did, and embarked upon a singing career that took her around the globe, and signed a recording contract with RCA Records. In addition to being a singer, Margaret Truman became a radio and television performer, and was a prolific writer. Her biographies of her parents are essential reading. Margaret Truman died in early 2008, a few days before her 85th birthday. The bond between father and daughter is evident in this letter. Have a listen.

[The White House, Washington, D.C.] January 28, 1952

Dear Margie:-

It was a most happy weekend. It always is when you are with your mamma and daddy.

Your pop has been carefully watching the progress and change in his daughter - just as he watched it from five to fifteen. You've never had any advice from your dad except in your interest. When you were anxious to be a singer at fifteen your dad told you to be sure you had an education first. You took his advice. Now you are faced with a successful career. Be very careful that you remember your background and bringing up. Sometimes I'm almost in sympathy with your tough old Grandma Wallace when she weeps and storms about your "show" appearances. But you do not have to let those people pull you down. You can raise them up! I want you to succeed in whatever you undertake. To do that you must give it all you have, keep your balance and display all the Truman-Wallace mulishness where right and wrong are in the balance. Right must always prevail.

Do not let the glamour of the Rockefellers, the Watsons and the so called "stars" get you. There are decent honorable people among the "Big Rich" just as there are among the very poor. Honor knows no class. It is just as great and as necessary at one of the scale as at the other. No one can say which is the top. Jesus Christ was the son of a carpenter (the foster son) and was one himself. He was looked down upon by the "Socially Great" of his time. So was Martin Luther, John Knox, Wycliff, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln.

Remember always to keep your balance no matter how great you may become in your own time. Great men and women are assayed in future generations.

Your dad may never be reckoned among the "Great" but you can be sure he did his "level best" and gave all he had to his country. There's an epitaph in "boot hill" cemetery in Tombstone, Ariz., which reads "Here lies Jack Williams. He done his damndest." What more can a person do? I hope that will be yours and your dad's epitaphs.

Love. Dad.

A Harry Truman classic, written by the President to his daughter on this date in 1952. Margaret Truman by this time had been a professional singer for several years now, and was selling out concert halls around the globe.

In this letter, Harry Truman, father, gives his daughter some sage advice. The pride that he felt for his daughter is most evident.

A digital copy of this letter can be found here: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-margaret-truman-1927-196

Dear Bess: January 25, 1912

Transcript

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

We have an interesting letter for you today, from January 25, 1912. In this letter, Harry Truman refers to going to his Aunt Ella’s home…she lived at 216 North Delaware Street in Independence, across the street from where Bess Wallace lived. Harry Truman often stayed at 216 North Delaware when visiting Miss Wallace. There is a lot of interesting tidbits in this letter…but note in the middle of the letter a reference to a proposal!

In the first paragraph of the letter, Harry Truman uses the phrase “Dutch Jew.” We share the line exactly as he wrote it. It’s an interesting letter to re-read in context of what Harry S Truman did as President of the United States over 36 years later.

Grandview, Mo. January 25, 1912

Dear Bessie:

This is the third letter I have started to you since Tuesday night. You know I took a fool notion not to go over to Aunt Ella's after all and went back to K.C. I figured that I had rather lose an hour's sleep while I was up already than to get up to do it. That sounds like a Dutch Jew wrote it. I was talking to Abie Viner's pa this morning and that's the reason. Abie and his pa belong to the Scottish Rite. They are in the chandelier business. I never saw so many varieties nor such pretty ones as the old man showed me this morning. His store is at 1110 McGee, right back of the Empress. Abie has been married seven years. Think of it. The Scottish Rite has done its best to make a man of me, but they had such a grade of material to start with that they did a poor job I fear. It is the most impressive ceremony I ever saw or read of. If a man doesn't try to be better after seeing it, he has a screw loose somewhere.

I simply can't get "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls" of my mind. I think it's the prettiest waltz song of the whole bunch. Mary has gone dippy over "Day Dreams" and won't let me have the piano to play it cause she wants to herself. I wrote you the craziest letter after I got to K.C. Tuesday evening you would ever read. I didn't have the nerve to send it next day. Did you know you made a most excellent joke Sunday evening and neither of us laughed? I had asked you if you weren't tired of my hanging around so long at a time. You of course said I was who would get tired and I said I would never get tired. Then you, thinking I suppose that something was coming sure enough, grabbed the weather and said, "Oh heck I wish I had some rubber boots!" And we never laughed. I'm glad, for I meant it. You shouldn't have been afraid of my getting slushy or proposing until I can urge you to come to as good a home as you have already. I don't think any man should expect a girl to go to a less comfortable home than she's used to. I'd just like to be rich for two reasons. First to pay my debts and give Mamma a fine house to live in, and second and greatest, I'd make love to you so hard you'd either have to say yes or knock me on the head. Still, if I thought you cared a little I'd double my efforts to amount to something and maybe would succeed. I wouldn't ask you to marry me if I didn't. Say, now ain't it awful -I have already burned up two perfectly good sheets of stationery to keep from saying that, but this one goes. If you don't like that part skip it, which you can't because you won't know it's there. Well, it's just what I think and I mean every word of it.

Won't it be fine if Miss Dicie has her dinner and her party on the same Saturday? I am just dying to see Mrs. Polly and that baby. (Kid, I almost said, but I believe you said it was a lady.) I am afraid that I won't get to take you to hear DePachmann because he comes on the first Friday in the month. Save me the date as close as you can though, and if I can get away and you care to hear him, we will.

Mamma is raising sand with me to come to dinner, and I believe she said there was caramel custard, or was going to be, this evening so I'll have to stop. I guess you'll be glad anyway for I'll frankly admit that this is a bum excuse for a letter, but I hope you'll send one in return. I'll be highly pleased with any kind on any kind of paper. So just send me a letter.

Sincerely,

Harry

A most interesting letter from early 1912. In the letter, Harry Truman again opens his heart to Miss Bess Wallace, with a touch of self-consciousness about his situation. Was he worthy of Miss Wallace? Could he ever be?

You can see a digital copy of this letter here:

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/january-25-1912

Dear Bess: January 21, 1913

Transcript

Greetings and welcome to the Dear Bess and Dear Harry podcast for January 21, 2022, a service of Harry S Truman National Historic Site and the National Park Service. We have a gem of a letter for you today, postmarked on this date from 1913.

Near the end of the letter, you’ll hear a primary goal of Harry S Truman, that goal being financially well off, at least well off enough to support Bess Wallace in the manner he felt necessary. Harry Truman was very conscious of that. Over the next few years, Truman ventured into all sorts of business affairs to improve his financial situation, with decidedly mixed success. But eventually, he learned that love conquers all.

In this letter, too, we learn that during a recent visit to see Miss Wallace, Truman slept in Miss Wallace’s brother’s room. That means that, at least that night, 219 North Delaware Street was quite crowded…with George and Elizabeth Gates, who owned the home, Madge Wallace, Bess Wallace, George Wallace, Frank Wallace, Fred Wallace, and Harry Truman. He was increasingly part of the family.

Postmarked January 21, 1913

Grandview

Dear Bess, Here goes for your note to get my letter. It was a very good thing you urged me to get a move on when I was leaving. I ran like a record breaker to get the car. It was a useless proceeding though for there was another one right behind it. The one I was on let it go ahead at Spruce and then switched back at McGee. The Met. seems to care not how it runs its cars.

Have you been doing any more target practice? It was the largest kind of an accident that I ever managed to hit the mark. Luck was with me. Has Fred ever convinced your mother that he had nothing to do with the pot?

I have been emptying my desk this morning and my hands are as dirty as a school boy's. Like said schoolboy it is too cold to go wash them. Therefore those finger prints. I am entirely too lazy to start a new sheet. Please excuse them won't you after I have been honest enough to tell the truth? I bet I got fifty pounds of waste paper off this desk. You never saw so many circulars and letters and ads all in one pile. They came near causing the stove to go up the chimney. Of course yours were not among them. I hope to keep them long enough to settle arguments within the future. I wish that future would hurry and arrive.

I have been out and sold a ton of straw since I wrote that. It was a rather cool job loading it. I am very glad to get back to the house. Bess, I wish you had consented to go to hear that Russian pianist. I believe he'll be worth hearing but I guess I'll not go. I'll save the money to go to some other show with or else throw it away on a hat. Four dollars ought to get a pretty good one. I wish I could get an overcoat for that much. It seems to me that it would be an excellent thing if people wore the same styled costumes for the seasons instead of changing. There's China and Holland. They seem to be as well satisfied with their clothes as we are with ours. If we could do that, think how much we'd be ahead for booze and other luxuries. I'm for it especially because I need the money for booze. I shall probably be in town the day you get this. If I am, I'll call up.

My head is empty and I am slated to milk and feed. Papa has gone to Belton to get himself tortured by a dentist. I'm glad it isn't me. I hate dentists as a class and as individuals until I get a swelled up jaw and then they're fine people to have around. Mamma is sitting here in the room. She insists on telling me a lot of things and then asking my opinion. I've gotten in bad two or three times because I said yes where no should have been. She finally decided that I am a very poor stick to talk to. Wasn't a bit backward about telling me so either. I only grinned. She said she hoped I paid more attention to other people when they were discussing things. I told her I'd rather listen to her than anyone and that mollified her to some extent. Of course I made a mental reservation when I said that. Of course you could never guess who that would be, unless maybe you happened to have a mirror handy. Did you ever pay attention to my humble request for another picture of you? Why don't you do like May does George and give me two or three. They'd be as highly appreciated I assure you. Just try me and see. You've no idea how crazy I am about you and you won't have until I get somewhat richer than at present. Do you suppose that time will ever arrive? I guess not as long as lawyers cost like they do.

You probably owe me a letter. Anyway I'm of that opinion. Please send it and say I can come down as usual on Sunday anyway. I sure did enjoy myself last Sunday and I certainly appreciate Frank's sharing his sleeping quarters with me.

Most sincerely, Harry

A charming letter, postmarked this date in 1913.

A digital copy of the original can be seen here: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/january-21-1913-postmark?documentid=NA&pagenumber=1

The originals of these wonderful letters are preserved in perpetuity by the Truman Library and their wonderful staff.

Dear Bess: January 19, 1919

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast, a service of Harry S Truman National Historic Site and the National Park Service. We have a precious letter for you today, written by Captain Harry S Truman on this date in 1919. Captain Truman wrote this in France, after the hostilities in World War I were over. Truman mentions the flu that his fiancée and sister were dealing with, some Army logistics, and more. Of special note you’ll hear Captain Truman tell Bess Wallace that he won’t talk about the War much once he came home to Missouri. That is so common among Veterans, many of whom are reluctant to talk about their war experiences. Perhaps you have someone in your family who feels the same way that Captain Truman did.

Camp La Beholle, near Verdun

January 19, 1919

Dear Bess: I am certainly in a gladsome mood today-got two letters yesterday and one today. They were dated Dec 19-23-28. I am certainly glad to hear that you are up and almost well. You know I am pulling for you to be entirely well as quickly as possible. I don't know when I've been so worried as when I heard that you and Mary both had the flu, and I've never felt so fine as when I heard you were both getting well.

You asked me if you can address a letter to me at this place. No it can't be done because we may move any time to some little old town in the back areas and then the letter would never find me. If it is addressed to 129 FA American E.F. it will always catch up even if it is a little slow sometimes.

You spoke of C.C. Bunschu's having a letter published saying that we'd be home soon. C.C. will I guess because he was detached from the regiment and sent to the S.O.S. a few days after the regiment was pulled out of the lines. I always thought him a very efficient officer but the powers that be especially one second in command never did like C.C. and that principally was the reason he was sent back. The last I heard of him he was at Bordeaux awaiting transportation home.

Please let me beg of you not to say anything about my letter of commendation. I only told it because I thought I was very lucky and that you'd like to know it. You know the most embarrassing thing that can happen to a fellow over here is to have his enthusiastic friends or relatives publish his private correspondence or hold him up as someone who deserves especial credit. There's not one of us who have done anything that any other one of us could not and would not have done if the opportunity had offered. Most real citations-and citations can only be made by generals in general orders-are a terrible embarrassment to the men they affect. There were three of our lieutenants cited and they are having an awful time living it down. Webster's letters of commendation is causing him no end of kidding just because his folks don't know what a citation is and what it means. General Traub made the fact that I happened to have the best chief mechanic in the artillery brigade a subject for a general memorandum and he wrote me a formal letter of commendation on the condition of my materiel. His statement was that it "showed especial efficiency in the commissioned and enlisted personnel of the organization." Well the enlisted personnel did the work and should have the credit. I sent the letter to Boxley, and if you care to see it he will show it to you. However I don't want it published because it can cause me to be court-martialed for stealing it out of the files of the organization, and would cause me no end of embarrassment. My chief mechanic happened to be a whirlwind and I happened to be lucky, and that's all there is to it.

I have never seen Mary Paxton and I guess I'll be very lucky if I do. I would certainly like to see her. You know we can't go anywhere but to old ruined Verdun or out to Douaumont or some other skeleton surrounded place nearby and I don't suppose I shall see her unless she get assigned to the Verdun area.

Fred is mistaken about your having to get information about me from Miss Maggie. I have written her exactly four letters since I've been in France. I had no idea she would consider that they were worth any comment as I simply told her as I have you of some of the sad and funny things I've seen and heard about and told her of one of our night "Marches."

My long letter to you covered my tracks and experiences pretty well but I'm afraid if must have been an awful bore. I don't intend to talk about the war much when I get home if I can help it because the boys back in the S.O.S. can tell better stories than anything that really happened to us who were lucky enough to see any of the real thing and I think it will be better to let them do the talking - besides I've already told you everything that's happened to me from start to finish and you certainly won't want to be bothered with it again. I saw a piece in the "Herald" saying that some Congressman from Mass. had skinned the armchair brigade alive because they had not been fair to Nat'l Guard officers. I'm going to vote for him for President when I get home. Enough said.

I do wish I could see you but I'm about of the opinion that summer will be well on its way when I do. We know nothing of our future movements and I doubt if Newton D. himself does either or cares much long as the draft boys are well taken care of.

Be sure and keep writing. I love you.

Always, Harry

This January, 1919, letter packs a lot. You can tell that Captain Harry S Truman is worried about the health of his fiancee and sister. He talks about the logistics of mail, a particular problem with commendations, and shares that he doesn't think he'll talk much about the War when he comes home to Missouri.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/january-19-1919?documentid=NA&pagenumber=5

Dear Bess: January 13, 1914

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for January 13, 2022, a service of Harry S Truman National Historic Site and the National Park Service.

We have a gem of a letter for you today, postmarked on this date in 1914. Harry S Truman gives Miss Bess Wallace some insight into the business aspects of the Farm, and makes a sort of rare reference to his uncle Harrison Young. Harrison Young, for whom Harry Truman was named, is an interesting person. He was his mother’s brother and a business partner in the Young/ Truman farm. Harrison’s heart was more in Kansas City than on the family farm, and it was for this reason that the Truman family returned to the Farm in 1905, and Harry in 1906. It’s regrettable that there is only one known photograph of Harrison Young…he must have been fascinating to be around. His nephews and niece were very fond of him.

And listen for an insight into what it was like to sleep in Harry Truman’s room in the Farm Home…a reminder that there was no electricity to the structure until well after Truman left the Farm, and no dedicated heat source. We can be grateful for modern conveniences, right?

January 13, 1914 Grandview Dear Bess:

Here it is Monday night again before I get started on your letter. I intended getting it off in time for you to get it Tuesday but I never did get back to the house after I went out this morning. After we got the cows fed, a man came and wanted to buy one for $42.50 and have us deliver her at Grandview. We told him that if we decided to take him up, we'd be there by two o'clock. The cow was caught after a half hour's tussle all over two acres, and we decided to weigh her and see how much we were being skinned. She was attached to the rear of a wagon and dragged on the scales. She weighed 930 and would bring about $54.00 in K.C. Papa decided that $10.00 was too much of a present to make so we turned her loose. I was mad as I could be after all that trouble, and then keep her. She's a horrid beast, always has her nose where she's not wanted. She's like Uncle Harry's four work steers. He said a fellow had two yoke of cattle named for the different churches. One was called Catholic, one Methodist, one Baptist, and one Episcopalian. He had good reasons for calling them that too. He said the Episcopalian wouldn't eat at the proper time and would try to horn the rest away so they couldn't eat. The Catholic wanted all there was to eat and didn't want the rest to have any. The Methodist was always battling and wouldn't pull a pound, and the Baptist wanted to run and jump in every hole of water he saw. This cow is of the Catholic persuasion. It was 2:00 P.M. when the cow episode was finished. I started to the house and had just got myself comfortably seated when a man came after a load of hay. I had to put on fifty-two bales for him and some of them would weigh all of a hundred pounds apiece. There is no reason on earth for me to belong to the Kansas City Athletic Club for exercise. I can probably get my money's worth out of the pool and barbershop on Sundays, and the bar - I was about to forget the bar.

I have made up my mind to quit the Grandview Commercial Club because they sell booze and then, to be consistent, I join the K.C.A.C. because they do! Most people are about that consistent in their actions. I'll not try to drink up all the K.C.A.C. has on draught the first time I go anyway. I'll endeavor to go by easy stages. It sure would be a strain on the breweries if everyone drank as much as I do - at least a strain on their dividends. It makes me tired to hear a lot of holier-than-thou people yell temperance and try to make me vote dry, and then when I'm in the city with them they make fun of me for drinking buttermilk instead of rye. I was in town on the Thursday before Thanksgiving with some of Grandview's strongest drys. On the way home we stopped at a lunch stand to get a sandwich and then every one of them had to have a cold bottle and I got bawled out because I didn't take one. I never did hear a remark that suited me better than "What you do speaks so loud, I cannot hear what you say." If the drys were all really dry, there'd be about half the booze drank and sold that there is. Excuse me. I didn't intend to get on a Women's Christian Temperance Union subject but it just intruded itself.

I met a cold wave last night as I came down the road. It was a breeze right off Lake Winnipeg coming from right under the south star. I didn't appreciate it a little bit. My north window was up and the bed was cooled down to about absolute zero. I was hot when I got in the house but it didn't take me long to cool off. It was an awful task to arise this morning in that ten-degree room. I finally did but I believe some of the enamel is cracked on my teeth.

I hope to get to town this week but I don't know what day. If I get in I'll call you up. See you anyway Sunday, which will be a long time to wait. Anyway if I get a long letter pretty quick it'll help some.

Sincerely, Harry

A remarkable letter from on this date in 1914. Harry Truman describes some business happening on the Farm, ruminates on the propriety of alcohol, and describes how cold his room is in the family Farm Home.

A digital copy of the original can be seen here: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/january-13-1914-postmark

Dear Bess: January 10, 1911

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for January 10, 2022, a service of Harry S Truman National Historic Site and the National Park Service. A very interesting letter for you today, written on this date in 1911. By this time, Harry S Truman had been working on his family’s farm about 4 or five years, and you hear a little self-doubt about his abilities.

We wish we knew more about when Harry Truman and Bess Wallace reunited, likely in 1910. In this letter, you hear Truman share a little more about himself with Miss Wallace…his love of books, particularly Twain, his love of music. In this letter, too, is a reminder that Truman’s mother, Martha Ellen, whose family owned this farm, was an educated woman.

Now some of the “Dear Bess” letters written by Harry Truman contain some unfortunate words, including what are recognized today as racial slurs. You’ll hear one here. They’re not easy to read or hear, but they are what they are. And for many of us, they show how much Harry Truman evolved…by the time he became President of the United States he started setting important precedent for civil rights, even willing to jeopardize his own electoral prospects to do what was right.

Grandview, Mo.

January 10, 1911

My Dear Bessie:

You see I haven't learned to write 1911 yet. It's hard to form the habit suddenly. It is also hard to acquire the habit of early rising of your own free will and accord on these chilly mornings. You see Papa could never sleep after a certain time in the small hours of the morning and he always arose and then called me. Now I have to get up myself and start fires, milk cows and do other odd jobs around while it is yet dark. Vivian takes turn about with me though so I can gradually come to it. I don't think I'll ever make much of a mark as a farmer or anywhere else but sometimes I have to come across. This is one of them.

Ethel was out last Friday and I put her to work immediately. She helped me haul a load of baled straw (she sat on top of the straw), and then we got a load of hay out of the stack. You should see her pitch hay. She said she had always been taught never to take big bites on her fork. I told her she could unlearn that on a haystack. She still has that terrible malady I told you of.

My reading has been no heavier than yours - maybe not so heavy. It has been confined to Everybody's and one or two other fifteen-cent or muckrake magazines and numerous farm publications. You know if one farm paper gets your name, you'll get a dozen before the year is over.

I thank you very much for your invitation and shall certainly take advantage of it as soon as I can. I suppose skating is fine. I haven't the time to go see at present. I have only a few things to do such as feed hogs and cattle, build a mile of fence and a barn, and be at the house as much as possible, which isn't very much. I forgot to say I have been reading Mark Twain. He is my patron saint in literature. I managed to save dimes enough to buy all he has written, so I am somewhat soaked in western slang and Mark Twain idioms. My mother has been trying to persuade me to read Alexander Pope. She got a copy of his poems for her birthday. I haven't been persuaded yet, except a few of his epitaphs, which are almost as good as those we used to read of Bobby Burns.

When it comes to reading though I am by it as I am by music. I would rather read Mark Twain or John Kendrick Bangs than all the Shakespeares and Miltons in Christendom.

I have some cousins in Kansas City who affect intellect. They once persuaded me to go to a season of Grand Opera with them. It happened to include Parsifal and some others which I cannot spell. Well I haven't recovered from that siege of Grand Opera yet. Perhaps if they had given me small doses I might have been trained, because I do love music. I can even appreciate Chopin when he is played on the piano. But when it comes to a lot of would-be actors and actresses running around over the stage and spouting song and hugging and killing each other promiscuously, why I had rather go to the Orpheum. Perhaps if I could understand Dutch and Dago I could appreciate it better for I did hear an opera in English once that sounded real good. They say though it isn't good form to appreciate singing in English. I am sorry.

I suppose you'll be sorry too when you see the conglomeration I call a letter. But I do like to get letters, and if you can stand mine yours will be immensely valued. My father is doing nicely thank you and I hope he'll be up in four or five weeks.

Wishing you all the best of health and sincerely hoping that you will honor me with another epistle soon. I am

Sincerely yours, Harry S. Truman

One of the very earliest surviving letters. Harry Truman describes to Bess Wallace his life on the Farm, more difficult at that time because his father was recuperating from an accident. He also shares with Miss Wallace what he's reading, especially his love of Mark Twain.

A digital copy of the original can be seen here:

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/january-10-1911-misdated

Dear Bess: January 7, 1913

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for January 7, 2022, a service of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service. We have one of the most wonderful of the Dear Bess letters for you today, from this date in 1913. In this letter it’s easy to pick up on frustration that Harry S Truman, farmer, was having with business and life. But you can also hear that trademark Truman optimism, and, as always, the deep love and admiration he has for Miss Wallace in Independence.

January 07, 1913 Grandview

Dear Bess:

I was all kinds of a fool for not accepting your invitation to stay. When I got home the hired man was here. I didn't get cold but it was not the most agreeable walk in the world from Grandview. Besides instead of being thanked for getting home to milk I got nothing but jibes. Papa had the impudence to ask me if your mother kicked me out. Pretended he was anxious for me to stay because he wanted me to go see Judge Mize on business. Any old time I ever let grim duty interfere with my inclination or pleasure it will be a warmer night than the last one was. You know Mark or Bill Nye or some other smart man has said that when business interferes with pleasure, by all means let business go hang. It seems that people who do are as well off. Anyway they're not pursued by bad hoodoos as I told you I am. Some day I shall whirl on that hoodoo and knock it into a cocked hat, then things will begin to come right.

I bought an Adventure last night and entertained myself with bloodcurdling stories on the train so I'd feel nice and comfortable coming down the road. This month's number sure contains some hair raisers. I took your watch chain and hid it in my hat band. I was going to tell my good holdup man to take my dollar and half but leave such chain provided he found it. I wouldn't lose that for a farm. It's my good luck piece now. I'm not one bit superstitious, oh no. But you know there is always a part of the giver along with a present and that's what makes it precious. I'd be most empted to eat that chain rather than let someone get it.

My letters are like the ones Agnes's flame used to send her. They are candidates for the kitchen stove. These sheets are large enough to start a good fire. I think I shall follow your stunt and get some very, very tiny note paper then they go down the register easily anyway. You ought to use some larger paper. You get the best of me in that. One of my sheets is as big as your two. I'll admit that one of yours is worth all mine but you should give as much paper anyway.

You sure punctured my head in your last. Mrs. Southern was most awful nice to say what she did. Even when you know such things are mistakes they make you feel good. I was on the point of buying a new hat and having my picture took and all sorts of things. Really now, won't you get me a picture made for my watch lid? I want it most awful bad. You know I only have two of you and neither of them is half as good looking as the original. Now you ought to give me one anyway. If it'll help any I'll say they couldn't make one that would be, though I'd like you to let them try.

Are you going to let me come over next Sunday? I hope so. It'll be a mighty long week. There are no holidays in this one and not a good show in town that I've heard of. Besides I'm busted anyway. Boxley is going to New Mexico and has politely informed me that two hundred dollars are in order. That guy keeps me busted from month to month. If it keeps up much longer I'm going into the hands of a receiver in Judge Pollock's court. That seems to be a money making proposition. It wouldn't work in my case for I'm not a public service corporation. I have nothing I could raise the price on except hot air, and that's too high already.

You owe me a four-sheet notepaper letter. At least I think you do. Here's hoping I get it. You are going to get this on Tuesday. Ought I to send one so you'll get it on Wednesday too? I'll have to know pretty quick if I do.

Today is another good day to contemplate a walk to Courtney. I dreamed the other night that you and I took a longer one that that. I was afraid to tell it 'cause it's a bad sign. But I hope it comes true. Not the sign.

Most sincerely, Harry

One of the most wonderful of all the letters. It contains some frustration, some optimism, but, most of all, lots of love. This letter could be all the proof one needs that Harry S Truman loved Bess Wallace more than anyone or anything in the world.

A digital copy of the original can be seen here: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/january-7-1913-postmark

Dear Bess: January 3, 1912

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for January 3, 2022, a service of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Today, in this new year, we wish to share with you a letter that Harry S Truman wrote to Bess Wallace on this date in 1912. It’s an interesting one. In it, he makes reference to the lawsuit still pending between his mother and father and her siblings over the will of Truman’s grandmother, Harriet Louisa Young. He makes references to activities with the Masons, which he loved doing, and makes references to perhaps seeing a performer named Mizzi Hajos. Mizzi Hajos was a Hungarian-born actress who was all the rage then. He also makes reference to Blanche Ring, another performer who made the song “In the Good Old Summertime” popular. These two actresses were among the most popular of the day, but did they know that in their audience was, perhaps, a future President of the United States and his First Lady?

Grandview, Mo. January 3, 1912

Dear Bessie:

I am using a stub pen and it goes on a rampage some times. I suppose that 1912 gave it the jimjams anyway it made a beautiful address.

Where were you Tuesday about eleven-thirty? Someone was evidently talking the receiver off your phone. I had to go see our lawyer in the forenoon and I tried to call up to see if you'd go to the Orpheum, but for some reason never did connect up. I guess I'll not be able to come down Thursday, much as I'd like to. I fear you might carry out your threat about the speach [sic] and then I'll have to work today and tomorrow and Friday so I can say I got in half a week anyway. This new route around the sheet is entirely unintentional. I didn't discover until I went to turn it over that I was going backwards. I am too lazy to start again and besides this variety of paper is getting scarce.

I shall have to come to Independence Saturday to swear that I have lived in Jackson County for the last five years and if you will be at home that evening I'd be most awful glad. I went to Belton from K.C. yesterday and helped them install the officers of Belton Lodge. We will do the job at Grandview on Friday. If I hadn't already lost two days this week (and will lose another Saturday) and if it were not for that speach? [sic], I would see the same performance at Independence but I have to stay at home sometimes.

I was Grand Marshall last night at Belton. You can see how it should be done on Thursday. I didn't do it that way. When the show was over I sneaked off to the hotel and stayed all night so I would not have to arise at an unearthly hour. Some one of the good brothers always takes me home with him when I stay in Belton. They are nearly all in business that requires their attention at an early hour. I have not had more than four hours of sleep at one time since last Friday night. Therefore, the hotel.

Did you ever have a house party mostly girls? Well if you have you know whether they sleep or not. You never heard such a racket in your life. It sounded like the ten-cent store on bargain day from Saturday morning until Monday afternoon. Of course I contributed my share of the noise, but my share was mostly in daylight. Five of the girls stayed in one room at night and mine adjoined it on the east. It sounded at times as if a young earthquake had escaped and was endeavoring to enter my room through the solid wall. The girls said that one set wanted all the covers and the others wouldn't stand for it. We had a fine time, though, but as Macbeth would say, house parties murder sleep. I wish people wouldn't all try to have their parties on the same day. You know Miss Dicie and Miss Maggie hit the same date and on Monday evening Mrs. Frank Blair at Belton had a dinner party and Miss Whiteman at Grandview also favored me with an invitation for a party that day. I already had her invitation when you called up. She doesn't know it though I am happy to say. If people at Grandview find out I pass them up to go to Independence they'll think I'm stuck up. I'm not though because I'd pass up the whole state when I get a chance to come down there. Especially between now and February because after that I'll have to stay at home every day but Sunday. Maybe you'll be glad of that but I won't.

How would you enjoy Mizzi Hajos on Saturday P.M.? That is provided I am able to land some decent seats. Would you mind balcony no. 1 provided downstairs is all gone? I believe you said you were going to see Blanche Ring on Saturday afternoon. What is the reason I couldn't meet you somewhere after the show and go to dinner in K.C. and then to the show. Provided of course you could stand the Tea Cup Inn, for I'm too near busted for the Baltimore. Besides, they serve a tabled whatever it is dinner there and I wouldn't have to bother my hear about what to order. I shall call you up tomorrow and tell you I can't come down tomorrow evening and then we can discuss this arrangement. I hope you can go. Now you owe me a letter and a half. Be sure and answer the half.

Sincerely, Harry

A very interesting letter. Truman mentions meeting his lawyer, likely referring to a lawsuit his family was part of. He also makes reference to some Masonic activities, and talks about going to the theater with Miss Wallace. Note how Truman admits his lack of funds near the end.

A copy of the original is here, courtesy the awesome Truman Library: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/january-3-1912?documentid=NA&pagenumber=4

Dear Bess: December 31, 1910

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess, Dear Harry podcast for December 31, 2021, a service of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

We have a treat for you today…the oldest known surviving “Dear Bess” letter, dated December 31, 1910. Family tradition holds that one day, likely in 1910, Harry S Truman was staying with his cousins at 216 North Delaware, when the Noland family engineered a reunion of sorts with Bess Wallace, who lived at 219 North Delaware Street. It’s not clear how often Harry Truman and Bess Wallace had seen each other since they graduated high school together in 1901. But at some point, the Nolands asked Harry to return a dessert plate that belonged to Bess’ family across the street. Margaret Truman said that her father crossed Delaware Street “at the speed of light” to ring the bell at 219 North Delaware.

We’re not sure if this is indeed the first “Dear Bess,” but regardless, by December 31, 1910, the courtship was on. Harry Truman had loved Bess Wallace for twenty years by this point. The farmer from Grandview was out to win the heart of Bess Wallace.

Grandview, Mo.

December 31, 1910

My Dear Bessie: I am very glad you liked the book. I liked it so well myself I nearly kept it. I saw it advertised in Life and remembered that you were fond of Scott when we went to school.

Nothing would please me better than to come to see you during the holidays or any other time for the matter of that, but Papa broke his leg the other day and I am the chief nurse, next to my mother, besides being farm boss now. So you see I'll be somewhat closely confined for some time to come. I hope you'll let the invitation be a standing one though and I shall avail myself of it at the very first opportunity.

I guess Ethel and Nellie have been busy with their exams is the reason you haven't seen them. I got a letter from Ethel the other day saying she was suffering so from cramming, both mental and physical, and from "epizootic" (whatever that is) that she and Nellie would be unable to come out this week. You know they always spend a few days at Christmas out here. It was just as well, as I would have had to cancel their date anyway after Papa's accident. We haven't quite got over the excitement yet. A horse pulled a big beam over on him in the barn. We were so glad he wasn't killed we didn't know what to do.

If you see fit to let me hear from you sometimes, I shall certainly appreciate it. Farm life as an everyday affair is not generally exciting. Wishing you and all of you the very happiest New Year, I am

Very Sincerely,

Harry S. Truman

The oldest surviving "Dear Bess" letter from December 31, 1910!

Harry S Truman, farmer, living in Grandview Missouri, had been reunited with the great love of his life, Bess Wallace. And now he was on a quest to capture her heart.

You can see a digital copy of the original here:

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/december-31-1910

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