"MOST ANYTHING THAT WILL RUN ON 4 WHEELS, BUT I'M SCARED TO DEATH OF FORDS"

BESS TELLS HARRY TO HOLD ON TO HIS MONEY FOR A CAR

Independence, Missouri (JFK+50) On March 16, 1919, Bess Wallace wrote a letter to Captain Harry S Truman who was stationed in Le Mans, France and awaiting orders to sail back to the United States.

Bess wrote...

"You may invite the entire 35th Division to our wedding if you want to.  I guess we might as well have the church full while we are at it."

She then commented on some of the things Harry wrote in a recent letter...

"What an experience the review must have been.  Were you at all overcome at greeting the Prince of Wales?*  He doesn't mean any more to me than the orniest doughboy."

Bess added...

"It was splendid that you got to shake hands with Pershing**."

She also reminded Harry that he needed to "hold on to the money" for the car that they would "surely need."  Bess wrote...

"Most anything that will run on 4 wheels...(but) I'm scared to death of Fords."

*The Prince of Wales in 1919 became King Edward VIII in January 1936.  He resigned in December 1936 & became the Duke of Windsor.

**General John J. Pershing was commander of the American Expeditionary Force in WWI.

SOURCE

"Letter from Bess Wallace to Harry S Truman, March 16, 1919", Bess W. Truman Papers, Harry S Truman Library and Museum, www.trumanlibrary.org/

Truman Wedding

219 N Delaware

Independence, MO

June 28, 1919

Truman Library Photo

I HAVE PUT 1800 SHELLS OVER ON THE GERMANS IN 5 HOURS

TRUMAN RECEIVES LETTER OF COMMENDATION

Western Front, France  (JFK+50) On November 1, 1918, Harry Truman* penned a letter to Bess Wallace informing her that he had received a letter of Commendation from the commanding general of the 35th Division.  He qualified the letter by writing that it was his chief mechanic who deserved the credit.

Truman wrote...

"I have just finished putting 1800 shells over on the Germans over the last five hours.  They don't seem to have had energy enough to come back yet.  I don't think they will.

I am sure that most Americans will be glad when (the war is) over and they can get back to God's country again."

*Harry S Truman rose to the rank of Captain of artillery and was to be the only POTUS who saw action in WWI.  HST said that he "rather felt we owed France something for Lafayette."  Capt. Truman was 33 years old & married Bess Wallace in Independence, MO on June 28, 1918.  

SOURCES

"Harry Truman in World War I", History on the Net, www.historyonthenet.com/

"World War I Letter from Harry to Bess", Truman Presidential Library and Museum, www.trumanlibrary.org/

Truman-Wallace Wedding

Independence, MO

June 28, 1918

Truman Library Photo

NO GERMAN SHELL IS MADE THAT CAN HIT ME

TRUMAN FIRES 500 ROUNDS AT THE GERMANS

Western Front (JFK+50) On September 1, 1918, future POTUS Harry S. Truman wrote future First Lady Bess Wallace (Truman) after having been put in charge of "Battery D"*.  Truman wrote...

"Have fired five hundred rounds at the Germans at my command, been shelled, didn't run away...and never lost a man."

He described the previous week as "the most strenuous" of his life but he wrote that he was in "good condition physically, mentally and morally."

Truman concluded...

"Please don't worry...because no German shell is made that can hit me."

*Corporal Harry Truman was assigned to Battery D, 129th Field Artillery.

SOURCE

"World War I Letter from Harry to Bess", Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, www.trumanlibrary.org/

Truman In Uniform (1918)

France

NARA Photo

I RECKON I OUGHT TO GET TO HEAVEN SOMEHOW

HARRY TRUMAN THANKS BESS FOR CHURCH FLAG STAR

Somewhere in France (still far from the Front) (JFK+50) On July 31, 1918, future POTUS Harry S Truman wrote a letter to future FLOTUS Bess Wallace.  The letter, written on YMCA stationery, was headed with the words "With The Colors."

Captain Truman wrote...

"I am going to buy you an iron cross or German helmet...you can tell 'em I captured it."

Harry also wrote about the success of his Irish (D) Battery in "out-firing the others" on the practice range.

The Captain also thanked Bess for putting a star on the church flag in his honor.  He wrote...

"I believe in all churches.  I had a Presbyterian bringing up, a Baptist education and Episcopal leanings, so I reckon I ought to get into heaven somehow."*

*The letter was signed "Harry S Truman, Captain 129, FA, American E.F."

SOURCE

"Letter from Harry S Truman to Bess Wallace, July 31, 1918," Truman Papers, Harry S Truman Presidential Library, www.trumanlibrary.org/

First Page

HST Truman to BW

July 31 1918

HST Presidential Library

NOT MY KIND OF TOWN, NEW YORK IS...

"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/

Harry Houdini & Jennie,

the Vanishing Elephant

Hippodrome, NYC

January 7 1918

White Studios 

Library of Congress Image