Motion Picture MP2002-495
Administrative Information
Mrs. W. L. C. (Ardelia Hardin) Palmer, President Truman’s former teacher, discusses Harry Truman as a county judge, his interest in roads, her own family’s background, and the civil war in the Independence, Missouri area. Sound only.
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Shot List
Reel 1
0:24 | Mrs. Ardelia Palmer discusses how Harry Truman as county judge was successful in getting the finest roads built in any county in the U.S. except in Westchester County, New York. Harry Truman inscribed a book about the roads to her husband, Professor Palmer. He also inscribed a copy to Mrs. Palmer "who tried to teach me to be what I ought." Mrs. Palmer's husband remarked "That boy's going to be President of the United States some day." | |
2:59 | Mrs. Palmer discusses her family's role in the "war between the states." Her father joined the army of northern Virginia and was in may famous battles including Gettysburg. He was wounded three times being finally rescued by the Sisters of Charity of Baltimore. In the Baltimore hospital he refused to take the oath of allegiance to the Union so was in prison in Georgia the rest of the war. After the war he came to Independence, where he met his future wife, Susan Westmoreland. They bought a farm south of Independence where Mrs. Palmer was born. She was not allowed to go to the Univeristy of Missouri because her father said "they dance and play cards down there and you can't go." She attended a small Methodist college and later taught Latin in the Independence High School. | |
7:05 | Mrs. Palmer discusses the Battle of Independence and the Battle of Lone Jack, which was fought five days later. The Union forces had headquarters at the Old Jail. Quantrill assisted the Confederates in taking Chrisman-Sawyer Bank from the Union forces. Mrs. Palmer discusses Quantrill's raid on Lawrence. | |