Dear Bess: June 2, 1913
Transcript
Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for June 2, 2022, 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, written on this date in 1913. It has us smiling, not because it’s a humorous letter…but, rather, because of how relevant it is to us today!
This year, the park started offering regular tours of the Truman Farm Home for the first time in almost a decade. But we also discovered that in the kitchen and dining room of the Farm Home, there has been rapid deterioration of the paint and surface. Normally it would be a simple fix, but there is lead paint involved, so extra caution has to be taken for the safety of all. So, tours presently don’t go into the kitchen and dining room. That’s the way it goes with historic homes…like our own homes, there’s always something that needs fixed. So we’re working on fixing the lead paint problems…just like how in 1913, the Trumans were fixing something. Fear not, we still offer tours of the Farm Home on Fridays and Saturdays…you can see a schedule on our website. Just click on the calendar of events. By the way, you’ll hear a reference to Bess Wallace’s brother, George Wallace, and his future wife, May.
Here's the letter, postmarked June 2, 1913.
Dear Bess:
I have been rejoicing this morning because I found the plasterer gone. He wants to do some painting now. I am going to try and find someone else before he gets back. Dreamland behaved very nicely last night. There were only about a dozen couples to get on. The dancers sure looked fine from the car.
George just now called and said he had a piece of machinery for you as per direction from me. I am sorry I couldn't deliver it but there's no use keeping you from using it just to get to deliver it myself. George said the handle is a little bit larger than Miss May's but that he'd fix it. I hope it will be all right. I am no expert on such matters but I think George is and he said it is just right.
My thought factory absolutely refuses to grind this morning and if I remember correctly I promised you a good letter the last time I wrote. You sure are going to get disappointed but please let George's package have some weight in this case. It was all I could do last night to keep from telling you that perhaps you'd not have to go to Platte to win a prize tennis bat.
I hope you can have a fine game and that it won't rain until Wednesday. I suppose you are getting ready to entertain the Texans this evening. Be sure and search them for hardware before you start any arguments. Texans are generally quick on the trigger and have been ever since Sam Houston and even unto Captain Bill MacDonald.
I'm going to get even with you for not sending me but one sheet. Papa's going to the office and if I quit now you'll get this Tuesday. Here's hoping I get two for one. I'm hoping to see you Sunday if not before.
Sincerely,
Harry
Some things never change! On this date in 1913, Harry Truman, writing from their family farm home, alludes to some repair work being done in that home. Today, in 2022, we are doing the same thing! We are repairing some paint and surfaces, including lead paint abatement. That's how it is with old homes! (Even new ones, right?)
A digital copy is here: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/june-2-1913-postmark?documentid=NA&pagenumber=4