Dear Bess: August 5, 1913 (postmarked)
Transcript
Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for August 5, 2022, brought to you by Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service.
We have a fun “Dear Bess” letter for you today, written on this date in 1913. And it’s fun for several reasons. Harry Truman charmingly describes a Chautauqua show that visited the area that week, including some humorous descriptions of the attendees. Truman also talks fishing with Bess Wallace. Did Harry Truman like to fish? Well, yes and no. But we can say that he liked fishing, especially, when Bess accompanied him.
But this letter marks what may be the only time that Harry Truman refers to Bess Wallace’s mother, Madge Gates Wallace, by her first name, “Madge.” He often referred to her a “your mother,” or “Mrs. Wallace.” Of course, like most suitors, Harry Truman was also trying to win over his potential mother in law. It remains somewhat difficult to determine just how the relationship was between Harry Truman and Mrs. Wallace. We may never know for sure. But come 1919, once married, the new Mr. and Mrs. Harry S Truman called Mrs. Wallace’s home their home, and it would always be. As President of the United States, he lived in his mother in law’s home. It wasn’t until after Mrs. Wallace died, and Truman left the White House, that, legally, 219 North Delaware Street was the Truman Home.
Here’s the letter.
Postmarked Aug. 5, 1913
Dear Bess:
I am writing this at six o'clock in the morning. We have had breakfast but Mary, Ethel, and Nellie are still unconscious. I don't suppose they'll show up before nine. We were out at the Chautauqua last night. One of the Grandview boys was good enough to take us up in a car. This is the real Belton show that is going on now. You ought to see the difference in the crowds. They look nice, act nice, and are bigger than those who attended the opposition. You know there is all the difference in the appearance of certain bunches of people. It can be seen by riding on a Central Ave car going west and going east. Going west the men wear green sox and pink neckties fastened to rubber collars while the women chew gum and indulge in loud conversation. When the eastbound bunch gets on the majority of them look civilized anyway. That's just the way the two crowds appeared in Belton. We seemed to blend in nicely with the opposition. I haven't informed the girls yet of my impressions of the two crowds. I guess I'll have to tell them that they fit in very nicely with the gum chewing one. I'll take a good start before I begin.
Mr. Gilliland was very funny. He got off a bushel of old jokes but he did them well and differently. Also he had some new ones. All jokes are old I guess but they are new if you haven't heard them. Most all of our good ones are said to have come down from the Greeks and Romans. I suppose they got them from Egypt and Babylon. In addition to Mr. Gilliland there was a Russian orchestra. They had freak mandolins and guitars, and one of them had a fine bass voice. He got off "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep very well. There was also an impersonator. The show only cost a quarter while the opposition was 50 cents.
I suppose Madge has arrived by this time. I hope she won't care about our going fishing. Maybe you can get Frank to entertain her that day by going to the K.C. Chautauqua! I hope you'll get to go anyway. It looks as if it might rain this morning. I hope it does. That's what we need, also it'll make the fish bite better. They say that liver is the best bait. Perhaps you wouldn't object to baiting your hook with liver. It is necessary to bury it three days. That might cause it to be as objectionable as worms. There's an old man by the name of Moore living at Hickman Mills who is an expert in the fishing line and he says liver is the best bait on earth. I don't know what effect the burying has on it but I suppose it adds to the flavor. English are said to have buried their deer meat to make it good. I'd prefer mine to stay on top of the ground.
We can come home by way of the Missouri River and buy a few fish if we don't catch any in Blue. I think that is the usual mode or procedure anyway. There is a farmers picnic out here today. I suppose I shall go after noon. I would go this morning but I don't think the girls will be up in time. It really isn't much fun to go to a picnic though if you don't arrive before eating time. It used to be my luck when I was working in the bank to get to nearly all the Colgan's picnic suppers after they were over. They'd always save me something to eat but its no fun if you don't have an opportunity to spill the jam on somebody's white dress. Besides a picnic supper doesn't usually improve by lying on the ground. Speaking of pouring the jam on someone's dress. I very deliberately poured lemonade on Nellie's linen dress last night. We stopped in Belton and had something to drink. Ethel was very intent on destroying all the straws so the man couldn't use them again while I, of course wanted to be as saving of expense to him as I could. In the struggle that naturally followed Nellie got in the way of some lemonade. It didn't show though. We all thought she'd have some clean spots on the front of her dress. She always manages to be the innocent bystander when there's trouble around. They are going home this evening I guess. We have had a good time since they've been out.
Well I hope to see you Saturday anyway. I shall look for a letter real soon this week.
Most sincerely,
Harry
A charming letter from 1913 from Mr. Truman to Miss Wallace. A Chautauqua visits the area. He talks fishing...and bait!
https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/august-5-1913-postmark