"A VERY MUCH OVERRATED BURG"
Camp Merritt, New Jersey (JFK+50) One hundred years ago, March 26, 1918, future POTUS Harry S Truman wrote a letter to his future wife, Bess Wallace, in which he described New York City in a mostly negative light.
Truman, writing the letter in camp after his return from the Big Apple, told Bess...
"We went to the rottenest vaudeville show I ever saw or hope to see. It couldn't even play at the Globe and get by in Kansas City."*
Mr. Truman continued...
"New York is a very much overrated burg. It merely keeps its reputation by its press agents continually harping on the wonder of it. There isn't a town west of the Mississippi...that can't show you a better time."
Not to be totally negative, HST enjoyed the view from the Woolworth Building. He described it as "a grand sight."
JFK+50 NOTE
Truman saw the vaudeville show at the Winter Garden Theatre located on Broadway. The theatre had opened on March 10, 1911.
*Vaudeville was a type of entertainment popular in the early 20th century. It featured a mix of specialty acts such as burlesque comedy & song & dance.
SOURCE
"Letter from Harry S Truman to Bess Wallace, March 26, 1918". Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum, www.trumanlibrary.org/
Camp Merritt, New Jersey (JFK+50) One hundred years ago, March 26, 1918, future POTUS Harry S Truman wrote a letter to his future wife, Bess Wallace, in which he described New York City in a mostly negative light.
Truman, writing the letter in camp after his return from the Big Apple, told Bess...
"We went to the rottenest vaudeville show I ever saw or hope to see. It couldn't even play at the Globe and get by in Kansas City."*
Mr. Truman continued...
"New York is a very much overrated burg. It merely keeps its reputation by its press agents continually harping on the wonder of it. There isn't a town west of the Mississippi...that can't show you a better time."
Not to be totally negative, HST enjoyed the view from the Woolworth Building. He described it as "a grand sight."
JFK+50 NOTE
Truman saw the vaudeville show at the Winter Garden Theatre located on Broadway. The theatre had opened on March 10, 1911.
*Vaudeville was a type of entertainment popular in the early 20th century. It featured a mix of specialty acts such as burlesque comedy & song & dance.
SOURCE
"Letter from Harry S Truman to Bess Wallace, March 26, 1918". Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum, www.trumanlibrary.org/
Harry Houdini & Jennie,
the Vanishing Elephant
Hippodrome, NYC
January 7 1918
White Studios
Library of Congress Image
