As an aside I ran across a quirky little book the other day — “Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure: The True Story of a Great American Road Trip” — about Truman and Bess driving from Independence to the East Coast and back shortly after he left office.
No interstates. No Secret Service. No aides. And not a whole lot of money.
From an article by the author:
–Harry and Bess Truman were frugal travelers. They ate a lot of fruit plates at roadside diners. In Decatur, Ill., they stayed at the Parkview, a motel on Route 36 where rooms cost about five bucks a night. (That motel is now a prison for work-release inmates.)–
Great light read, about a time and place that today is hard to imagine existed.
I tell ya Harry, Sometimes I wonder why I keep running for Secretary of State. I can’t hardly make ends meet on the measly $30,000 a year salary it pays.
–I read that when Harry visited Chicago he would stroll down Wabash, maybe with an aide, and go into Miller’s Pub for lunch.–
The late Jimmy Gallos would tell the story of cleaning up at the old Miller’s early on a Sunday morning when he opened a knock on the back door to find ex-pres. Truman.
Truman was staying at the Palmer House, was out for his morning walk, and wanted to buy a couple of pops of Jack Daniels (this is like seven in the morning).
Since it was Sunday morning, Gallos couldn’t sell it to him, so he gave him a couple of shots. Truman drank and explained the history of the Jack Daniels distilling process.
Wordslinger, I was there, a kid in the back of the room during Truman’s press conference.
He was a firecracker. When a statehouse reporter, seated, asked a question, Harry said “When you ask a former President a question stand up! If you don’t, you won’t get an answer.” The reporter stood and repeated the question.
- Old and In the Way - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 5:33 pm:
I have been traveling and just happened to check “the Fax”. My father was a life long friend of Paul’s and I was actually with him when this photo was taken. What memories!
Knowing him as my family did I would guess that Paul was probably speaking in one of his food metaphors. My favorite? “I smell the meat a cookin’.”
Thanks for bringing back some very fond memories! When I get back to Illinois it will be time to get out the old photos!
- Old and In the Way - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 5:36 pm:
That is Otto in the background. BTW do you know who Otto’s wife’s father was? Anton Cermak. She was there as well.
- Old and In the Way - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 6:09 pm:
This photo really stirred some memories. In thinking about it I recall that just the Friday before this event the US Senate, after one it’s longest continuous debates passed the Civil Rights Act. Truman was standing in for LBJ who I think was campaigning out west. 1964 was a presidential election year and I think LBJ was out west. He wasn’t that popular among most Illinois pols and Harry was the perfect stand in. BTW he and Paul went way back.
- Old and In the Way - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 6:27 pm:
Rich Saal’s father was surely there too. Although I don’t recall specifically, but being a Dem fund raiser and stalwart from Tazwell County he probably sold a lot of the tickets! The memories….
“The Democratic Party’s got no room for loafers, Paul.”
“Yeah, but we got room for their boxes, Harry.”
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 9:56 pm:
I am surprised at some of the references here toward Truman. Growing up in the area where he is from I have heard a great many things about him. The haberdashery he was part owner of failed during the recession in the early 1920’s. His mother Martha was a Confederate supporter during the Civil War partially because her farm was burned by Jayhawks.
My caption…. I said the buck stops here..I said nothing about passing you any.
- Old and In the Way - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 11:03 pm:
Harry and Paul’s connections predate this photo by at least 30 years. People forget Paul was Speaker of the Illinois House twice and before that a long serving rep. Their respective political territories literally bordered on one another at that time. Lots of stories there. Truman was yet to be a US Senator.
I’ve read “Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure” too and it is a fascinating read… hard to believe that an ex-president and First Lady could actually attempt to drive cross-country like regular folk, with no Secret Service or cross-country entourage.
“His mother Martha was a Confederate supporter during the Civil War partially because her farm was burned by Jayhawks.”
She was about 10 or 11 years old when that happened, and lived to be 94 years old, long enough to see her son become president. When she was first invited to the White House, she reportedly told her son she’d rather sleep on the floor than in the Lincoln Bedroom — because, for the reasons cited above, she totally despised Lincoln.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 1:58 pm:
“Did you buy those shoes here, in Springfield? I hope you didn’t throw out the box, I save show boxes, sort of a hobby of mine, actually…”
- Stones - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 1:59 pm:
“Great pair of shoes you have there Mr. Powell! Did you keep the box?”
- foster brooks - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:01 pm:
The only thing worse than a defeated politician is a broke one
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:05 pm:
“Illinois bucks … stop in my shoe boxes…”
- Old Shepherd - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:05 pm:
This picture is so cool for so many reasons…
- John A Logan - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:10 pm:
Masonic Handshake.
- train111 - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:13 pm:
Powell to HST
Too bad you were in the haberdashery business. Sales in shoes are so much more lucrative.
- MrJM (@MisterJayEm) - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:15 pm:
“Shoebox Greetings”
And for the youngsters who are asking themselves, “WTH?!?”: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-24/news/ct-per-flash-paul-powell-0224-20130224_1_shoe-box-clothes-closet-hotel-room
– MrJM
- walker - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:18 pm:
HST looks great. Must have really enjoyed retirement and being away from Washington.
- The End Is Near - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:23 pm:
The Box Stops Here.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:27 pm:
“Money, it’s gotta be the shoes!”
As an aside I ran across a quirky little book the other day — “Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure: The True Story of a Great American Road Trip” — about Truman and Bess driving from Independence to the East Coast and back shortly after he left office.
No interstates. No Secret Service. No aides. And not a whole lot of money.
From an article by the author:
–Harry and Bess Truman were frugal travelers. They ate a lot of fruit plates at roadside diners. In Decatur, Ill., they stayed at the Parkview, a motel on Route 36 where rooms cost about five bucks a night. (That motel is now a prison for work-release inmates.)–
Great light read, about a time and place that today is hard to imagine existed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/opinion/05algeo.html
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:29 pm:
Sadly they brought the meaning of the upside down backward secret handshake to the grave!
- Mister Whipple - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:30 pm:
Is that Otto Kerner in the background?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:32 pm:
MW, sure looks like Kerner.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:33 pm:
The Haberdasher meets the Cash Stasher.
- Norseman - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:39 pm:
President Truman laughs and says, “He’s trying to slip me a $20.”
- x ace - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:44 pm:
Ironically , it is Kerner , the cleanest of the three, who ends up convicted.
- Joe M - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
I tell ya Harry, Sometimes I wonder why I keep running for Secretary of State. I can’t hardly make ends meet on the measly $30,000 a year salary it pays.
- D.P.Gumby - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
“Graft just ain’t what it used to be”–Blago
- The Prince - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
Mr. President: I have a sign on my desk too. It says “If you can read this you better be thinking of a pretty good lie.”
- A guy... - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:55 pm:
There’s a good reason I stay in the closet and it’s tens of thousands of miles away from what you might think.
- Keyser Soze - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:56 pm:
Where are they cooking the meat?
- Rory - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:56 pm:
I read that when Harry visited Chicago he would stroll down Wabash, maybe with an aide, and go into Miller’s Pub for lunch.
- bottom rung. - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 2:57 pm:
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them.”
- PoolGuy - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 3:01 pm:
we both love creamed corn mmm….
- Republicrat - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 3:11 pm:
As is always the case here, some very funny comments. To the caption….
Separated at birth?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 3:13 pm:
–I read that when Harry visited Chicago he would stroll down Wabash, maybe with an aide, and go into Miller’s Pub for lunch.–
The late Jimmy Gallos would tell the story of cleaning up at the old Miller’s early on a Sunday morning when he opened a knock on the back door to find ex-pres. Truman.
Truman was staying at the Palmer House, was out for his morning walk, and wanted to buy a couple of pops of Jack Daniels (this is like seven in the morning).
Since it was Sunday morning, Gallos couldn’t sell it to him, so he gave him a couple of shots. Truman drank and explained the history of the Jack Daniels distilling process.
Then, he thanked him and continued his walk.
- Deep South - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 3:30 pm:
When Harry met Paul. “What’s that woman over there having. I want some, too.”
- Publius - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 3:36 pm:
Wordslinger, I was there, a kid in the back of the room during Truman’s press conference.
He was a firecracker. When a statehouse reporter, seated, asked a question, Harry said “When you ask a former President a question stand up! If you don’t, you won’t get an answer.” The reporter stood and repeated the question.
The book you referred to is agreat read.
- Amalia - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 4:15 pm:
I’ve got this shoebox, and it’s bleeping’ golden.
- Emanuel Can't - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 4:25 pm:
“…and then the little girl asked if I was Boss Pendergast.”
- Tatler - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 4:26 pm:
I think I got one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdQ9jh5GvQ8
- Old and In the Way - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 5:33 pm:
I have been traveling and just happened to check “the Fax”. My father was a life long friend of Paul’s and I was actually with him when this photo was taken. What memories!
Knowing him as my family did I would guess that Paul was probably speaking in one of his food metaphors. My favorite? “I smell the meat a cookin’.”
Thanks for bringing back some very fond memories! When I get back to Illinois it will be time to get out the old photos!
- Old and In the Way - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 5:36 pm:
That is Otto in the background. BTW do you know who Otto’s wife’s father was? Anton Cermak. She was there as well.
- Old and In the Way - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 6:09 pm:
This photo really stirred some memories. In thinking about it I recall that just the Friday before this event the US Senate, after one it’s longest continuous debates passed the Civil Rights Act. Truman was standing in for LBJ who I think was campaigning out west. 1964 was a presidential election year and I think LBJ was out west. He wasn’t that popular among most Illinois pols and Harry was the perfect stand in. BTW he and Paul went way back.
- Old and In the Way - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 6:27 pm:
Rich Saal’s father was surely there too. Although I don’t recall specifically, but being a Dem fund raiser and stalwart from Tazwell County he probably sold a lot of the tickets! The memories….
- Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 6:51 pm:
“The Democratic Party’s got no room for loafers, Paul.”
“Yeah, but we got room for their boxes, Harry.”
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 9:56 pm:
I am surprised at some of the references here toward Truman. Growing up in the area where he is from I have heard a great many things about him. The haberdashery he was part owner of failed during the recession in the early 1920’s. His mother Martha was a Confederate supporter during the Civil War partially because her farm was burned by Jayhawks.
My caption…. I said the buck stops here..I said nothing about passing you any.
- Old and In the Way - Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 11:03 pm:
Harry and Paul’s connections predate this photo by at least 30 years. People forget Paul was Speaker of the Illinois House twice and before that a long serving rep. Their respective political territories literally bordered on one another at that time. Lots of stories there. Truman was yet to be a US Senator.
- wordslinger - Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 7:08 am:
–Their respective political territories literally bordered on one another at that time. Lots of stories there. Truman was yet to be a US Senator.–
Truman was elected to the Senate in 1934. Prior to that, he was an elected administrator of Jackson County (Kansas City).
- Secret Square - Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 8:58 am:
I’ve read “Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure” too and it is a fascinating read… hard to believe that an ex-president and First Lady could actually attempt to drive cross-country like regular folk, with no Secret Service or cross-country entourage.
“His mother Martha was a Confederate supporter during the Civil War partially because her farm was burned by Jayhawks.”
She was about 10 or 11 years old when that happened, and lived to be 94 years old, long enough to see her son become president. When she was first invited to the White House, she reportedly told her son she’d rather sleep on the floor than in the Lincoln Bedroom — because, for the reasons cited above, she totally despised Lincoln.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:09 am:
Thanks to all, what a great post and comments.
- wordslinger -, the stories…the stories. Ala ways appreciate the knowledge drop.
- Upon Further Review - Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:12 am:
@Wordslinger:
You might like the new biography of Coolidge too. Not at all a pretender or an egotist. Lived modestly before and after the Presidency.
- Nonplussed - Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:12 am:
Truman: As the young-ins are saying “I wanna hold your hand”