The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1945-04-19
Harry Truman:
From Farm to
White House

From a Missouri farm to the White
House-Harry S. Truman came to
the last stop on that long road when
he took the oath as President of the
United States, late on the afternoon
of April 18th.
The man upon whose shoulders
rests frightening responsibilities was
born 81 years ago, May 8. 1884, on a
farm near Lamar, Mo-. the son OF
John A. and Martha E. Truman.
When Harry was four years old, his
folks moved back to Jackson county
and settled on a 900 acre place, a
few miles outside of Kansas City.
Mo. The Truman clan had been in
Jackson county since 1912.
Harry's mother, who is still alive
at 80, came from an adjoining farm.
Her people. the Youngs. had also
lived in Jackson county a long time.
She was born in 1852.
The new President attended public
schools in Jackson county. gradu-
ating from Independence. Mo. high
school in 1901. All through his school
days he helped to till the huge acre
age. which was planted mostly in
corn.
Poor evesiGht 'he always years
g~lasses) kept him out of West Point
after he had passed the rigorous
scholastic examinations. He went
to Kansas City and worked at what
ever jobs he could. drug store clerk,
newspaper mail room bundler. and
bank clerk. Finally he returned to
the family farm, where he remained
for several years.
During his stay in Kansas City
he had enlisted in the National
Guard. He advanced through the
grades of noncommissioned
rank. When the United States
entered the war in 1917 he went
to field artillery school. and be-
came a lieutenant. After serving
in France in the Argonne and St.
Mihiel campaigns, he a adj
vanced to a c%aptaincy. When he
returned to this country he held
a majors commission. Later, in
the army reserve he became a
colonel.
Soon after returning from war
in 1919, he married Bess Wal
lace, a school teacher in hide
pendence. One child. Mary Mar
garet. was born to them. Decid-
ing to enter business, he pooled
his savings with a friend and
opened a haberdashery shop in
Kansas City. The sharp recession
of 1920-21 brought failure and
loss to Truman.
Casting about for some other ca
reer. Truman decided to try for
some small political office. He ran
for county judge and was elected.
While in office Truman realized
that a knowledge of law was essen
tial to any further advancement.
Consequently he entered the Kansas
City School of Law at the age of 80,
and studied nights for three years.
He was admitted to the bar soon
after graduation.
From 1922 to 1884, with the excep-
ton of one term, 1926, he held
county offices. In the 1926 elections
he became presiding judge, a step
higher. He was rapidly growing in
political stature.
In 1884 he was jumped over nu-
merous other aspirants. and entered
as regular party candidate for the
United States senate, somewhat to
his surprise. He had been intending
to run for county collector. Although
comparatively unknown. the party
label carried him to success.
Wisely recognizing the limitations
that inexperience placed upon him.
Senator Truman remained rather in
conspicuous and silent until he could
learn his duties and study the issues
that came up for consideration.
It was not until his second
term that he began to take a Wig
orous part in law-making and
other business of the senate. He
leaped into public notice in Feb
ruary, 1941, when he was ap-
: pointed chairman Of the special
committee to investigate the war
program. This group Of senators
o. became known in headline lam
guage as the Truman commit
tee"
During the next few months
Truman and his colleagues
toured the country, investigating
war contracts. Through the COM
mittee'S recommendations a saw
ing of $500, 0OO. 900 was effected.
President Roosevelt, who had been
watching the Missouri senator. be-
:gan to consider whether Harry Tru-
mans abilities might not better
serve the country in some executive
capacity. No opening developed Of
sufficient importance. however, and
Truman continued with his legisla-
tive duties and his committee work.
He had been slowly forging &C.
,quaintances throughout the senate.
Though not spectacular, his person
:ality. integrity and energy won him
respect and admiration. He also had
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