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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 Daughter (Margaret): January 13, 1932

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for January 13, 2023, brought to you by the staff of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service. Thank you for joining us in our 40th anniversary year.

Instead of a Dear Bess or Dear Harry letter, we have something a little different…a Dear Daughter letter. This letter was written by Harry S Truman to his almost 8 year old daughter, Mary Margaret, on this date in 1932.

When Mary Margaret Truman was born in February, 1924, there were four generations living in 219 North Delaware Street. Mrs. Elizabeth Gates was still alive, Mrs. Madge Gates Wallace called it home, as did Mrs. Bess Wallace Truman…and Margaret Truman. This fascinating genealogical circumstance only lasted a few months, as Mrs. Gates died later in 1924.

But this short letter is charming in that Harry Truman made reference to his wedding and honeymoon, which, it seems, he rarely did. Bess Wallace and Harry Truman were married June 28, 1919, shortly after Truman returned home from France in the Great War. On their honeymoon, the newlyweds visited Port Huron, Michigan, where they stayed at the Harrington Hotel, the building Mr. Truman refers to in the first paragraph. Margaret Truman later wrote that, "For the rest of his life, whenever Harry Truman wanted to regain the radiance of those first days with Bess, he simply wrote ‘Port Huron.’ For him, it was a code word for happiness."

At the time, Harry Truman was Presiding Judge of Jackson County, Missouri. It’s a confusing title…he wasn’t a judge in the conventional sense, but, rather, a county executive, much like a county commissioner. A few years later, Truman was elected United States Senator for Missouri, then Vice President, then the highest office in the land, President of the United States. But that was in the future. Thanks for listening. Here’s the letter. These letters, too, are preserved forever at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

[Hotel Statler, Detroit, Mich.] January 13, 1932

Dear Daughter:-

I am sending you a picture of the hotel where mother and dad first stayed on their wedding trip. You ask mother if she can recognize it.

I have been out to see the road show. It is a great big aridome [sic] just full of trucks, tractors, rock crushers and pictures of roads all over the country. Today I am going to see the place where they keep little girls and boys who don't mind their mothers and who don't like to go to school. We are going to build a place like it in Kansas City. Tomorrow I am going over to Canada and, I hope (to) get you and mother a souvenier [sic].

Tell mother to be a good girl just as you are and you keep on being one. Tell grandmother and Uncle Fred and Miss Hanson hello and kiss your mother for me.

Your loving Dad.

A sort of rare "Dear Daughter" letter from this date in 1932, a letter in which Harry S Truman, Presiding Judge of Jackson County, Missouri, writes to his dear daughter. Truman makes a rare reference to his honeymoon.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-margaret-truman-1927-1964/january-13-1932

Dear Bess: January 10, 1911

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for January 10, 2023, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

We’ve shared this letter before, but we hope you don’t mind if we share it again. It’s a Dear Bess, written by Harry S Truman on this date in 1911. It is the second oldest-known Dear Bess letter, with the oldest surviving letter having been written December 31, 1910. Are these, indeed, the first Dear Bess letters? We may never know if any others have been lost. But no doubt via his pen and pencil, Harry Truman is trying to prove himself worthy to Miss Bess Wallace. By this time, in 1911, Truman had known Miss Wallace for about 21 years, having met at a Sunday school class back in 1890. He fell in love with her when he was six, she 5. Truman never fell out of love with that blue eyed girl with the beautiful curly hair.

Fifty years ago this month, officially, the late Margaret Truman Daniel published a biography of her father. Simply titled Harry S. Truman, it’s more than an affectionate biography of a father by a daughter. Much more. In hindsight, reading the book and manuscript materials, it was clear that Margaret Daniel was using tools like these letters to understand her parents a little better. In the case of these Dear Bess letters, it was over a decade later that they were released to the public. And we are so grateful that they are!

Thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

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

We've featured this letter before, but we hope you won't mind. Harry Truman, in one of his first known letters to Miss Bess Wallace, talks about some of the work he's been doing on the Farm, and discusses his reading habits, even saving for a complete set of Mark Twain!

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

Dear Bess: January 3, 1919

Transcript

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

Today’s letter from Captain Harry S Truman to Miss Bess Wallace was written on this date in 1919. Captain Truman and his men are still in France, following the surrender of Germany and the end of World War I. No doubt Truman was anxious to get home, especially to be with his fiancée, Miss Wallace. Notice that Truman shares that there is a chance that farmers will be separated so that they can come home and prepare their crops for the season. In January, 1919, did Harry Truman envision returning to the family farm as before? Or did he have other plans once he took Miss Wallace’s hand in marriage?

Thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Camp La Baholle, near Verdun January 3, 1919

Dear Bess:

I intended writing you yesterday as I agreed to do, but things happened so quickly and the day went so fast I couldn't do it. Had a basketball game in Verdun in the forenoon, in which I got defeated or my team did, rather, by a bunch of noncombatant engineers. In the evening we pulled off a boxing bout in which my Sergeant Meisburger lost the decision over a gorilla named Hamby, and I lost 1,000 francs. Of course being the loser I should say it was a rotten decision. I won't say it, but the other fellow had to be carried from the ring and my man walked out-so you can judge for yourself what I think of the decision. Also he's been going to the doctor every day since and my man was for duty the next morning. As I told you before, I think more of that sergeant than if he were a boy of mine and I'd rather have been beaten by anyone on earth than one of Salisbury's outfit. But as the French say, "It is the war," and somebody had to lose. I've paid fifteen dollars to see a fight that wasn't worth half as much as that one was though. It was a fight from start to finish and was really a show.

Oh! Loads of joy, my Christmas box came this evening. I started this letter yesterday and had to leave before I got it finished. This pen is a humdinger-writes better than any I ever owned, and those handkerchiefs are certainly the most beautiful I ever ordered. They are certainly grand and I shall use them when I go on state affairs, such as a dinner with the colonel or a trip to Paris, if ever I get another. I'll also save one of 'em to wear to my wedding-which shall it be? I can't decide which is the best looking.

You've no idea what a lot of comfort getting that box was. It was exactly like a small piece of God's country arriving in this forsaken place. Even if it was late, it made no difference because all the days are nearly alike and we can make any one of them Christmas. I just had a horrible rumor imparted to me today--that we go to Germany. There were so many F&I's (full and immediate separation) in the Brigade that all of us have to stick so they say. The Colonel has turned us in as a regiment of farmers from Western Missouri hoping that they'll send us home in time to put in our spring crops. I hope it works. Can't you notice an improvement in my penmanship since I started in with this new pen? I wouldn't take $40.00 for it. Going back to that fight Battery D lost about 8000 francs on it and we had a Y.M.C.A. show here last evening and one of the girls pulled a joke about D Bty's Hack Drivers all being broken but the Ladies of Good Old K.C. were sending a bushel of francs to help us out. They did too send me 3112 francs. A bunch of the sisters of D Bty sold a quilt for $570.00. It was a sorely needed donation too. I tell you after paying 1281 francs for a hog and dispensing all those francs on that fight. Am I immoral to induce my battery to bet on a prize fight? The Chaplain says not. Says if he'd been here he'd have bet on my sergeant.

I am enclosing you some pictures taken on my leave and one especially interesting one of a shell bursting in Verdun. I have seen several burst there but I didn't see this particular one. It is a very good picture.

I hope I can write you a better letter next time. But remember I certainly appreciate all the things in the box and especially the pen and handkerchiefs. Keep writing.

Yours always, Harry

Captain Harry S Truman, Battery D, 129th Field Artillery, wrote this letter to his fiancee, Miss Bess Wallace, on this date in 1919. He wrote about a boxing match he lost a few bucks on, and writes about a Christmas box he received from Miss Wallace. And he refers to his impending marriage to the young lady he fell in love with 29 years earlier.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/january-3-1919

Dear Bess: December 29, 1914 (postmarked)

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for December 29, 2022, brought to you by the staff of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Today’s letter was postmarked on this date in 1914. Lots of wonderfulness in this letter, and lots of family mentioned. Harry Truman’s Uncle Harrison Young is mentioned, his cousins, Ethel and Nellie Noland, are mentioned.

Truman also mentions his car. He had recently bought a used model made by the Stafford company, made in Kansas City. No doubt an extravagant purchase, there is also no doubt that Truman got his money’s worth out of the car. He used it for business, for some of his business ventures off the farm, for his social pursuits, and used it to drive to Independence to see Miss Wallace at 219 North Delaware Street. He didn’t part with it until the time he shipped off to France in the Great War. If only we had the car today!

Thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Grandview Dec. 29, 1914

Dear Bess:

Here goes for your Wednesday letter since it looks very much as if I shall stay at home for the most of this week. Tonight the O.E.S. and Masons are going to have a blowout. I am one of the assistant performers as usual at such Grandview doings.

I auctioned off a box supper the other evening for the Grandview school and actually got as much as 3.00 for a box. There were 29 and they brought $23.00. Very good considering that I am not a born auctioneer nor an educated one either.

I understand that Ethel and Nellie and also the Duvalls are coming on the KCS this afternoon. I see right now that my hands are going to be full for one day anyway if not longer.

Several K.C. women of the O.E.S. are coming to the burg this evening and I have a notion they are expecting drayage back in a certain Stafford. I suppose if the wind doesn't blow too much I'll have to accommodate them. If I have a puncture though I shall most certainly make them pump the tire up.

I got home Sunday without a puncture and also took Uncle Harry to town yesterday and got back without a disaster. He began urging me to go to town as early as seven o'clock. I got him in by noon. As soon as he alighted he had to quench his thirst with fire water. About Friday or Saturday I'll have to rescue him again.

I went to the Orpheum after depositing him at 13th. The show was fine except for the fact that one of the chaps got killed a short time before the show began. I was at the wreck immediately after it took place. My seat was in the front row so I had a very good view of the show. The orchestra played a filler for Mr. Dickinson's part. It was very fine. Contained selections from every Grand Opera on the boards.

I met Miss Helen Bryant and a collection of Woodsons, three I think, at the corner of 12th & Main. I suppose you'll have heard of it though before you get this. They'd also been to the Orpheum. It's absolutely necessary to tell where you've been when you're met on 12th west of Main because the chances are two to one in favor of burlesque. You'll have to give it to 12th though when it comes to picture shows. 10th St., Royal and all have to step aside. There's one little old 5 cent show between Grand and Walnut on the south side of the street that has the best shows there are. I've never seen a Pathe weekly or a World travel picture there yet. They have only one fault. On Mondays they will run a continued-next-week but they are so thrilling that they can be tolerated. The one yesterday had a fight on the highest building in San Francisco in which one of the combatants was pitched head first to the sidewalk. It also had a chase through the Fairgrounds. You get all this for the whole sum of five cents too. I got home at six thirty. The road was nearly impassable. It took me thirty minutes to come from Dodson. Usually I do it in seventeen sometimes twelve.

Everybody here is as crazy over my Christmas present as I am. It is a very good thing for me that they are initialed. They are the finest I ever saw. I've always wanted some like them but have been disappointed every Christmas until this one.

I was over at Nolands the other evening naming over what I got and I couldn't remember what Nellie gave me to save my life. It was silk hose. Ethel gave me a beautiful scarf but I have to buy some clothes to wear it with. If the Nolands take a notion to go home New Years Day I shall start the year right by going home with them, but I'll not stop at their house, provided you will not be away that day. You owe me a letter anyway really two but one long one will be very acceptable.

Most sincerely, Harry

As 1914 comes to a close, Harry Truman wrote this fascinating letter to Miss Bess Wallace. In this letter his Uncle Harrison makes and appearance, as do his cousins Ethel and Nellie Noland. Truman also describes some of the cultural scene in Kansas City as it was at that moment.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/december-29-1914

Dear Bess: December 27, 1946

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for December 27, 2022, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

We here at Truman wish all a very safe, peaceful and happy holiday season. Please know that as 2023 approaches that we in the National Park Service are grateful to you for supporting this and all national park units.

Today’s Dear Bess letter was written on this date in 1946. It’s not really long, but there’s a lot in it. Harry Truman often used interesting terms for the White House, often calling it a jail or something similar…especially when he was alone. Truman also mentions his walk…in his middle age, and as long as Truman could physically do it, he was an avid, vigorous walker. He believed that a vigorous walk exercised the body, mind and soul. Perhaps as we approach 2023, we can all add some vigorous walks as a New Year resolution? You can come to Independence and do it in Truman’s footsteps!

Here’s the letter.

[The White House] December 27, 1946

Dear Bess:

Well here I am back in jail again going over the same routine and remembering I have just ten days in which to prepare three messages of historic value so far as the welfare of the country's concerned.

But I can only try to get ready - if I don't there'll be hell to pay and that won't be anything new. I'm used to it. Just came in from a most vigorous walk. It is 28 above and briskness was necessary to keep warm. The weather man says rain bit it is as clear as can be now. We had a nice flight back except for the bump over W.Va. Maybe old John Brown was shaking his apple tree.

Mayes wanted to know how all of you were getting on this morning. Byrnes says he's the most polite of our help. I told Mayes and he said that he was a constituent of Mr. Byrnes' and he must be most polite to him.

Well I've got no one around here to raise hell with me when both you and Margie are away and it's kind of lonesome.

Lots of love Harry.

A short, but fascinating Dear Bess letter written by the President of the United States to the First Lady of the United States, shortly after Christmas, 1946.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-truman-1921-1959/december-27-1946

Dear Bess: December 9, 1913

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for December 9, 2022, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, which is a unit of the National Park Service.

Today’s letter was written on this date in 1913, and is, in our opinion, one of the most wonderful examples of a Dear Bess letter. Harry S Truman, farmer, describes life on the family farm, writes about livestock trading, which was his father’s professional specialty, and talks a little family gossip.

As relatively few documents from the Solomon Young/ Truman family farm survive, letters like these are essential. We can only imagine, then, how these letters led to discussions between Mister Truman and Miss Wallace, whether in person or on the telephone. The farmhouse the Trumans were living in did not have electricity, but it did have a telephone, with a party line. Remember those? As always, thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Grandview Dec. 9, 1913

Dear Bess:

Here it is Tuesday morning again and I am just starting your letter. Yesterday was the most strenuous day I've put in for a year. We shipped some cattle and sold some and also sold some hogs. The whole works had to be delivered in Grandview by noon and it was a rush to get there. Of course the hogs had to cause all the trouble they were able to. You know, it's a hard and fast rule that a hog's head is always turned opposite the way he is to go. There were twenty-nine to be loaded. I tried to get them in the barn and did get fifteen in. Usually when I have the barn door open and don't want them in every one of them will be right there. We loaded the fifteen and then tried to get the others in. I put some corn in the barn, and they all went in when one extra smart one grabbed an ear and ran out between my legs before I could shut the door. I went down without a struggle and the hogs all ran out. I finally got them in a little pen and when Papa came back we loaded them without any more trouble.

He'd gone to town with the fifteen while I was having all the trouble. After all our hurry the local didn't come along until 8 P.M. Papa stayed and loaded the cattle and I had to come home and be chore boy. Also I had to be the same this morning. He got up and went to town. He started off about a quarter of six and called me as he went out of the door. I didn't get up until 6:30 and wouldn't have then only it happened to occur to me that the Southern might be late and he'd be back. I got out just in time for he came into the yard gate as I went into the cow lot. I pretended I didn't see him and I wished afterwards I hadn't. Mary told me when I got to the house that he'd ordered the liveryman to take him down in the auto and that if I'd come to the house when he called me I could have gone to town and papa would have stayed home. He'd made up his mind not to go and had walked all the way down here again so I would be ready when the car came. It came before I got to the house, worse luck. He'll be sure to tell me that if I'd got up when I was called I might have gone to town. Really I don't much care because I'd have had to spend the whole day at the stock yards and it's a job I don't care much for. Anyway I wanted him to go in and stay all day today so I can go Friday without creating a disturbance. I really don't want to miss choir practice you know or the [illegible] if choir practice should fail.

Do you know that the Nolands told me the same thing about Mary P. that she told you about them. I guess they were all pretty ignorant from what each said the other knew. Ethel said she told Mary that we were two of the closest mouthed people she ever saw and Mary agreed with her. Far as I'm concerned they can guess on. It won't hurt 'em any. Besides it'll make 'em a good topic of conversation when they do find out.

I came away in such a hurry I didn't get the book you were going to let me have. I'll put it in my pocket as soon as I arrive next time and then I won't have it. Mr. Houchens got off of my car. I met him at Delaware and Maple. He said that he hadn't heard from Manley since he left. They sure are a funny bunch. He said he never wrote and neither did Manley and the only way they heard from each other was through someone else occasionally. He said he was coming out to see me some time soon. I told Mary and you ought to have seen how pleased she was. She likes Fielding just like Ethel does. I've got to bring this to a close in order to get it off this morning. You owe me a letter anyway and I hope to see you Friday evening.

Most sincerely, Harry

In this quintessential "Dear Bess" letter, Harry Truman, farmer and partner in the business firm known as J.A. Truman & Son, Farmers, wonderfully describes some livestock trading he and his father were doing. That was his father's specialty, and it's always wonderful to hear about John Anderson Truman.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/december-9-1913?documentid=NA&pagenumber=4

Dear Bess: December 5, 1937

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for December 5, 2022, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

The letter we’d like to share with you today was written by Senator Harry S Truman on this date in 1937, and isn’t a very long one, but it’s a very sentimental one, for Senator Truman, still in his first term representing the State of Missouri, is feeling very wistful about his father.

John Anderson Truman had died twenty-three years before, in November, 1914, in the family farm home in Grandview, Missouri. A few months earlier, John Truman had an operation for a hernia, and a cancer was discovered. In the final days of his life, John Truman expressed regrets to his friends that he had not been more of a success in life, and felt regret in that he felt in that he had been a failure. About ten years after this letter was written, someone relayed this to Harry Truman, who, by 1945, had a different job. An angry Harry Truman replied, “How could my father have been a failure? His son is President of the United States!”

But, fundamentally, whether Senator or President, Harry Truman simply loved and admired his father, as did his brother John Vivian Truman and sister Mary Jane Truman. They were simply a very close family. Thank you for listening. Here’s the letter.

[Carroll Arms Hotel, Washington, D.C.] Sunday, December 5, 1937

Dear Bess:

Your special, enclosing one from Margaret, arrived on time. I was out driving around and didn't get it until noon. I am glad the play went off all right. I was sure it would. Wish I could have seen it. Today is my father's birthday. He'd be eighty-six if he'd lived. I always wished he'd lived to see me elected to this place. There'd have been no holding him. I'll go and see the furniture men just as soon as I can. But I don't want to make any purchases until you see whether you like them or not. I've always wanted to take part in the furnishing of a house. But my ideas have always run to such extravagant tastes that I'm afraid you wouldn't approve. I'd like to have rugs and carpets from Bokhara and Samarkand, pictures by Frans Hals, Holbein, and Whistler, with maybe a Chandler pastel and a Howard Chandler Christy or two with Hepplewhite dining room, mahogany beds (big enough for two), etc. ad lib. Well it can't be done - so we'll have to do what we can and I want you satisfied. What do you want for Christmas? - a feather bed or a potato peeler? Maybe you'd like a washing machine or just a plain tub and washboard.

Margaret told me you had taken her list away from her and it made her head ache to create another. What does she want?

Love to you both,

Harry

In this December, 1937, letter, Senator Harry S Truman writes to his wife how he wishes his father, the late John Anderson Truman, were alive to see him serve in the Senate. It's his father's birthday.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-truman-1921-1959/december-5-1937

Dear Bess: November 25, 1913 (postmarked)

Transcript

This is the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for November 25, 2022, brought to you by the staff of Harry S Truman National Historic Site. We hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving yesterday.

The Dear Bess letter we’d like to share with you was postmarked on this date in 1913. By the time Truman wrote this letter, he had been involved with the Masons for a few years, and it was an organization that meant a lot to him. The Masons not only gave him a place to belong and socialize, it was another place for some spiritual guidance and political networking. Eventually, Harry Truman became a 33rd Degree Mason, about as high as a man can go. His sister Mary Jane did the same with the Order of the Eastern Star, eventually becoming its Grand Worthy Matron in Missouri. Early in this letter, Truman tells Miss Wallace that he was reading something called “Kidnapping Colleen.” What was this? Was this a book in serialized form? A series of stories? We can’t seem to find much on it. But it at least shows that Truman was interested in sharing what he was reading with Miss Wallace. They did that the rest of their lives.

Thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Dear Bess:

It's Tuesday morning again and I am just starting your letter. Yesterday morning Papa went out on the road and I started to read the November installment of "Kidnapping Colleen." I went to sleep over it and Mamma didn't wake me up until 3:30 p.m. Isn't she a nice mammy to let me spend a whole day asleep when I ought to have been in the cornfield? About five o'clock a bunch of Masons called up and wanted me to go to K. C. to Lodge. They wanted me along so they could get in. I happened to be acquainted with the big gun of the Lodge they wanted to visit. I tried to call you up but for some reason or other couldn't make connection. That was about seven o'clock. The next time I got to a phone it was 10:10 and I thought I'd better not try so late. I have broken the record for late hours in the last two weeks. The average has been 1:00 a.m. since a week ago Friday, and yesterday is the first extra sleep I've had too. My head feels like it is empty this morning; that is, it has a ringing sound and the Scotchman said that meant emptiness. I heard a most excellent address on Freemasonry last night by Dr. Smith, pastor of the Central Congregational Church. He's a real orator and an extemporaneous one. He told a pretty good story about a young lady who went into a bookstore to get a present for an old man's fiftieth wedding anniversary. She asked the clerk for something appropriate and he turned to the bookshelf without any hesitation whatever and gave her Greeley's Fifty Years of Strife. He was telling that story to show that a man should be familiar with his subject. There were about four hundred present. You never saw such a rush when refreshments were served. It was a like a football rush. The Eastern Star served in the banquet room. It has a dancing floor. There were several disasters to coffee cups and striped clothes. We had to eat standing up there was such a crush. Evidently some were not used to such slick floors. They give dances there about twice a month. I suppose they have a good time. It's one of the best floors in K. C.

I met Val Brightwell Sunday night and rode home with him in his auto. We almost had a year's growth scared out of us at Dodson. There were three men standing at the end of the Blue Ridge right where several holdups have taken place. They didn't stop us but they might as well have for all the difference in our feelings it would have made. Val said he was sure glad that I was along and I was the same as regards him.

I suppose you saw Independence in motion last night. I wish I could have been along. I couldn't ditch my crowd or I would have been. There were ten of them in two machines and they kept me in tow pretty close.

I suppose you'll go to Platte City next Sunday. I hope you have a good time. I guess I'll hold a Masonic Lodge of Instruction that afternoon or go to the Orpheum, one. I'll certainly have to do something. I was wondering if they had a Home phone over there. If you didn't mind, I might call up and tell you where I go or what I do to get through the evening. Do you suppose you'll get to stay the whole week? It sure will be nice if you can but I hope you're back by a week from Sunday anyway. Two in succession would be a calamity. The box supper out here Saturday night will be some diversion. Mary said that Aileen Duvall and Nadine Blair will be here. Maybe I can make them believe I'm staying home on their account. I'll have to put some strong bluff anyway. You must write me a long letter this week to help fill the gap. There is a good-for-nothing coming for a load of hay and we've got to quit.

Most sincerely,

Harry

In this letter from 1913, Harry S Truman writes to Miss Bess Wallace about some of his experiences with the Masons, among other things. The Masons and Harry Truman had a mutually-wonderful relationship. Truman rose as high as a man could do in the Masons, eventually reaching the 33rd degree. Perhaps you have someone in your family in the Masons or a similar organization?

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/november-25-1913

Dear Bess: November 21, 1917 (postmarked)

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for November 21, 2022, a service of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Lieutenant Harry S Truman postmarked this letter to his sweetheart, Miss Bess Wallace, on this date in 1917. Lieutenant Truman and the men under his command were still training for what they knew was their eventual deployment to Europe to fight in the Great War. Truman was a man of responsibility. He writes that he is in possession of the payroll, $5000. That’s over $116,000 today. Truman makes mention of a picture…could it be the famous one that Miss Wallace had made up of herself that Truman carried in his shirt pocket during the War? That picture remains on the desk of President Harry Truman’s “working office” at the Truman Library today where, incidentally, you can see these letters for yourself!

On this Thanksgiving week, please be assured that we at Truman are thankful for you for your support of this and all National Parks and for your support of all Truman-related sites. They belong to you, we just take care of them for you!

Here’s the letter.

November 21, 1917 (postmark)

Dear Bess:

I am delinquent this time. This is Wednesday morning and I haven't written since Sunday but I have been going lickety split. I think I named over the various jobs I have to perform in my last and I am trying to make them all hit. So far I don't think there's more than one cylinder missing on each job. I am getting to be a hard boiled cooky if things don't go to suit me someone gets an awful currying. The mess Sgt. of our outfit has succeeded in getting the kitchen everlastingly balled up and Pete elected me to untangle it. Pete is making the best Battery in the Regiment. He stands ace high with the powers that be and also with his men. Tom McGee is also making a fine Captain. We go out to dig trenches again in a few days. I understand that we get to fire our battery from these positions. Hope so anyway.

Today is payday and I have $5000.00 in change on my mind. It is in the Adjutant's safe but two men and pick that up and carry it away. Col. Klemm sent for me last night and told me he would steal it himself if he got a chance. The Govt pays in $20 and $10 bills and every soldier in the regiment comes to the canteen to buy 5 cents worth of candy to get change.

Those pictures are not finished but as soon as they are I'll send one to you. They had to be made in Oklahoma City. I am of the opinion that we will get to stay here at Christmas. I have put in for leave to go home but I doubt if I get it. Everyone is plum crazy to go home and I have an idea that the higher ups will get off if anyone does. I am looking every day for that picture so hurry it up. I am so crazy to see the original I don't know what to do. Can't you come down somehow? Lizzie is running again. Write as often as you can for I sure like to get your letters.

Yours always, Harry.

Postmarked on this date in 1917, Lieutenant Harry S Truman writes to Bess Wallace about training, payroll, and pictures.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/november-21-1917

Dear Bess: November 1, 1918

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for November 1, 2022, brought to you by the staff of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Today’s letter was written on this date in 1918 by Captain Harry S Truman, writing from somewhere in France, to his fiancée, Miss Bess Wallace, back home in Independence, Missouri.

The end of the war was coming, and Truman sensed it. He remarks on how many Americans were collecting souvenirs to take home. Captain Truman was among them. In the park’s museum collection today are some remarkable examples. Truman was proud of the effort he and his men were putting forth, but also looking forward to getting home…especially to walk down the aisle with Miss Wallace.

Thanks for listening. Here’s the letter.

Somewhere in France November 1, 1918

Dear Bess:

I have just finished putting 1,800 shells over on the Germans in the last five hours. They don't seem to have had enough energy to come back yet. I don't think they will. One of their aviators fell right behind my Battery yesterday and sprained his ankle, busted up the machine, and got completely picked by the French and Americans in the neighborhood. They even tried to take their (there were two in the machine) coats. One of our officers, I am ashamed to say, took the boots off of the one with the sprained ankle and kept them. The French, and Americans too for that matter, are souvenir crazy. If a guard had not been placed over the machine, I don't doubt that it would have been carried away bit by bit. What I started to say was that the German lieutenant yelled "La guerre fini" as soon as he stepped from the machine. He then remarked that the war would be over in ten days. I don't know what he knew about it or what anyone else knows but I am sure that most Americans will be glad when it's over and they can get back to God's country again. It is a great thing to swell your chest out and fight for a principle but it gets almighty tiresome sometimes. I heard a Frenchman remark that Germany was fighting for territory, England for the sea, France for patriotism, and Americans for souvenirs. Yesterday made me think he was about right.

I got a letter of Commendation, capital C, from the commanding general of the 35th Division. The ordnance repair department made a report to him that I had the best-conditioned guns after the drive that he had seen in France. The general wrote me a letter about it. My chief mechanic is to blame, not me. He knows more about guns than the French themselves. As usual in such cases, the C.O. gets the credit. I think I shall put an endorsement on the letter stating the ability of my chief mechanic and stick it in the files anyway. I am going to keep the original letter for my own personal and private use. It will be nice to have someday if some low-browed north-end politician tries to remark that I wasn't in the war when I'm running for eastern judge or something. I'll have the "papers" and can shut him up. If ever I get home from this war whole (I shall), I am going to be perfectly happy to follow a mule down a corn row the balance of my days that is, always providing such an arrangement is also a pleasure to you. I think the green pastures of Grand Old Missouri are the best looking of any that I have seen in this world yet and I've seen several brands. The outlook I have now is a rather dreary one. There are Frenchmen buried in my front yard and Huns in the back yard and both litter up the landscape as far as you can see. Every time a Boche shell hits in a field over west of here it digs up a piece of someone. It is well I'm not troubled by spooks.

I walked out to the observation post the other day (yesterday) to pick an adjusting point and I found two little flowers alongside the trench blooming right in the rock. I am enclosing them. The sob sisters would say that they came from the battle-scarred field of Verdun. They were in sight and short range of Heinie and were not far from the two most famous forts of his line of defense. You can keep them or throw them away but I thought they'd be something. One's a poppy, the other is a pink or something of the kind. A real sob sister could write a volume about the struggle of these pretty little flowers under the frowning brows of Douaumont the impregnable.

Please keep writing, for I look for letters eagerly even if I don't write them as often as I should. I love you

Always, Harry

Just days away from the end of World War I, Harry Truman shares his thoughts on the possibility of the war ending, souvenir hunting, and his ideas for after the War.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/november-1-1918

Dear Bess: October 20, 1917

Transcript

Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for October 20, 2022, brought to you by the staff of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.

Our letter today was written on this day in 1917, written by Lieutenant Harry S Truman, writing from training camp in Oklahoma. Truman and his men were still in training for their eventual service in World War I. We are so grateful that Bess Wallace Truman saved these letters, as they are marvelous documents not only for the Truman story, they also provide an insight into what it was like in World War I training camps like these. Along the same line, we are grateful that Truman was such a fantastic letter writer, and loved to include minutia that make these such wonderful documents.

Thanks for listening…here’s the letter.

[October 20, 1917]

Dear Bess:

This is another bum day. No letter. I have been drilling all day today. Except to count the money this morning, I haven't been in the canteen. The weather has been as fine as it was unpleasant yesterday. If your letter had come it would have been an ideal day. We had gun practice this morning and I fired a problem (theoretically) and was very highly complimented by Major Gates and Captain Allen. Went riding this afternoon and taught some rookies how to sit on a horse and then went to officers riding school and learned a few things myself. Got on a horse that trots like a Ford and had myself jolted into a good appetite for supper. Had a grand supper too – cherry pie and everything. Then school for an hour and a half and nothing to do till 5:45 A.M. tomorrow when I get up and take reveille and repeat the whole performance. Tomorrow is inspection too and we have to have a shave on our faces washed for the Colonel to look at. Shoes are supposed to be shined but I doubt if mine will be. They look as if they had cost 98 cents instead of $10.00. I think I'll wear my boots and spurs they are as good looking as ever. My Dutchman or rather our Dutchman for he works for Captain Allen, Lt. Lee and me, keeps them all polished up. He went riding this afternoon and I asked him if he learned to ride in the horse marines and he said he did. He served 5 years in the German Navy. He's plum nuts over Captain Allen as he calls Pete. Says he'll join the Navy if Pete is transferred from our Battery. Pete's the best Captain in the Regiment. This Dutchman washes our clothes shines our shoes and saves us money generally. I haven't paid a laundry bill since we've been here. The laundries raised their prices 40% for our benefit. Patriotism by practice is their theory. So is it Lawton's. Houses that formerly rented for $11.00 a month are now $27.00 etc. ad lib. $1.00 shirts are $3.00 and everything in proportion. We don't buy from them or patronize them at all. I buy everything for our bunch at wholesale. I had a letter from Myra and one from mamma today. Myra sent me a picture of an American soldier and a French girl and admitted that she didn't think it would work in my case but she'd send it anyway and I could give it to someone else. I'd like to see your widow club. I bet they have a hilarious time. I'll venture to say almost as good time as Capt. Salisbury's Y. M. C. A. meetings after school in the evening.

Had a letter from Morgan & Co. today and also one from Mrs. Hughes. Morgan & Co. seem to be coming along fine. I think they are going make us rich. Wouldn't it be fine to sell our shares for $1,000.00 a piece? I'd be willing almost to pay the income tax to do that wouldn't you? I hope you've found Kuntz. Some lowdown infantrymen or good for nothing regular artillery man stole our dog Casey. He wore about $11.00 worth of harness and was a brindle bull as ugly as any picture of one you ever saw. The ninth section (our roughnecks) are going to clean up on someone if they can find who took him. If I don't get a letter tomorrow you're going to get about a 100 word telegram collect and first class day rate. So you'd better write. I am going to take some more pictures tomorrow and will send you some when they are done. Please send a letter and some more cake for Sunday.

Your Harry.

This letter, from October 20, 1917, was written by Lieutenant Harry S Truman to Miss Bess Wallace. It includes some marvelous details about life in World War I training camp in Oklahoma. Do you have someone in your ancestry who served in the Great War? Perhaps their letters included some of the same things as Lt. Truman's.

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/october-20-1917-postmark?documentid=NA&pagenumber=1

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