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  4. Screen Gems Collection (outtakes from the television series "Decision: The Conflicts of Harry S. Truman")

Motion Picture MP2002-253

Screen Gems Collection (outtakes from the television series "Decision: The Conflicts of Harry S. Truman")

Administrative Information

Footage
360 feet
Running Time
10 minutes 48 seconds
Film Gauge
35mm
Sound
sound
Color
Black & White
Produced by
Screen Gems in association with Ben Gradus
Restrictions
Unrestricted
Description

Harry S. Truman is asked about the first buildings and the first settlers in Independence , Missouri . Mr. Truman talks about his grandparents and family. Sound only.

Date(s)
ca.
1961 - 1963

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This item does not circulate but reproductions may be purchased.

To request a copy of this item, please contact truman.reference@nara.gov​​​​​​​

Please note that this video belongs to a different video collection than the items available to be borrowed by teachers, from our Education Department.

Moving Image Type
Screen Gems

Shot List

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Reel 1

0:00   Unidentified voice says: "61F4324 Talent Associates, Truman Story, from roll 10, take 3, wild with slight overlap."
    Merle Miller interviews Harry S. Truman.
    Mr. Truman is asked about the first buildings in Independence. The old courthouse was the first building, the present courthouse being the fourth building on that site.
2:19   Mr. Truman discusses the settlers arriving in Independence with household goods, and livestock to make a settlement. Land was $1.25 an acre and most settler had 160 acres. Both his grandfathers had more. Solomon Young also owned land where Sacramento, California is now located. Mr. Truman says the saying is true that settlers who were timid never started, and the weak died along the way.
5:56   When asked about Kansas City being a place where a man wasn’t asked about his family background, Mr. Truman says that was true of Kansas City, but not Independence. There were just as many "high hats" in Independence as there were in Denver. Mr. Truman stresses that honesty was highly regarded in this part of the country. "Unless a man stood by what he said, he was not well thought of and never got anywhere at all...."
6:50   Mr. Truman states he knew three of his grandparents. His grandmother Truman died before he was born. He elaborates on them.
7:25   Mr. Truman says both of his grandfathers knew how to get things done. They would back up what they wanted with physical strength, but didn’t have to do that much because what they wanted was right. When asked about Kit Carson and Daniel Boone, he says he didn’t know if they came through Independence.
8:48   When asked if there were Indians in Independence that he remembers, he said he never knew any, they had been moved. Mr. Truman discusses Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.
9:55   When asked about the Mormons in Independence, Mr. Truman elaborates on their history, including when they were driven from Independnece in 1832.