Actually, we never did go to Kansas City – just sang the song!! Phil and I did spend time in Independence, Missouri. We toured Harry S. and Bess (Wallace) Truman’s home. It remains today as it was when they lived there after his Presidency. It felt like a 1950’s home to me with the same feeling of my farm home growing up in Northern Minnesota. Harry had painted the kitchen woodwork sea foam green, put wallpaper on not only the walls, but on the entire kitchen ceiling! (I liked that look.) He put new linoleum on the kitchen floor and when it ran short by the kitchen door, he simply nailed it down where it stopped a couple of inches short!  Bess Wallace was born and grew up in this house. Her life was one of affluence. Harry was raised on a farm; his family was very poor.  Harry’s cousin lived across the street from the Wallace home. Harry visited his cousin and when he saw Bess, he knew she was the one he was going to make his wife. Eventually, he did.

Harry never had a middle name, only he initial “S.” It was to honor both of his grandfathers – Anderson Shipp Truman and Solomon Young. Growing up, he read all of the books in the Independence City Library. (I believe the tour guide said it was more than 1,000.) He loved music and played the piano. He and Bess had one daughter who had 4 sons.

In 1945, he was elected Vice President when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was President. After 82 days, President Roosevelt died of cerebral hemorrhage. Truman asked Mrs. Roosevelt if there was anything he could do for her and she replied…”Is there anything we can do for you? You are the one in trouble now!” Truman served a second term as President from 1949 – 1953 when it was decided a President could only run for two terms.

While President, Truman is credited with the North Atlantic Treaty, the National Security Council, the Recognition of the State of Israel and many more accomplishments. He was also beset with challenges internationally (Korean War) and nationally (Steel Strike).

Truman is known for his quotes….one is”The buck stops here” and the most famous quote of his that we all have known and maybe even have  said is, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

After leaving Washington, Harry and Bess returned to live in the Wallace home in Independence. Every morning Harry walked for an hour and a half. There are signs depicting him walking on the route he took each morning. Harry died in 1972 at the age of 88 from complications of pneumonia. Bess died in 1982 and lived to age 97.

Truman is rated one of the top US Presidents along with Washington, Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt .  We really enjoyed the tour and all of the information we received. Put it on your list of historical sites to see!

From Kansas we go to New Mexico and Arizona.

Be well and have fun. Life is short.