|
The Life and Times of Harry S. Truman
A play by Susan Goodpaster's
4th grade class (1998-1999 school year), Siegrist Elementary, Platte
County R-III Schools
The Life and Times of Harry S. Truman
OPENING NARRATOR:
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States. He is the only Missourian to make it to the presidency. Except for his years as senator, vice-president, and president, Harry lived all of his life in Missouri. His is the only 20th century president to not attend college. He wanted to go to college but his eyesight and his family’s financial problems kept him from going. This does not mean that he was not intelligent. He was one of the most well-read presidents and always read in his spare time.
Our class has completed a lot of research and have written this original play for your viewing pleasure and to increase your knowledge of this great Missourian.
NARRATOR:
Act I scene I starts in what is now Grandview, Missouri, where Harry’s brother, Vivian, is about to be born. Harry was born in Lamar, Missouri, but the family only lived there a few months. His mother, Martha Truman, is giving birth as his father, John Truman is waiting nearby. Harry is the firstborn child in his family and Vivian will be number two. Later, he gets a sister named Mary Jane.
VIVIAN: Waaaaaaaaaaaaa
MOTHER: John, come help me NOW!
FATHER: Okay, here is some food. Harry go to your room and play!
ACT I SCENE II
NARRATOR:
It is a few years later and Harry is pulling Vivian around in his cart pulled by a pair of goats.
HARRY: Vivian, let's go ride in the wagon.
VIVIAN: Okay, that sounds like fun. Weeeeeeeeeeee, faster, faster!
HARRY: I'll try.
SPLASH!!!
HARRY: Are you okay?
VIVIAN: Yes, this is fun!
MOTHER: What are you two doing?
ACT I SCENE III
NARRATOR:Harry is now in the house getting punished.
FATHER: What were you doing, son?
HARRY: Playing in a mud puddle with Vivian.
VIVIAN: Harry crashed the wagon and I fell in the mud puddle.
FATHER: How did Harry get dirty?
HARRY: I thought it looked fun so I jumped in too!
FATHER: Go take a bath, young men, and clean up!
ACT I SCENE IV
NARRATOR: Scene IV opens when Harry is six and he gets glasses.
HARRY: I can't see the fireworks.
MOTHER: I guess you are going to have to get glasses.
HARRY: I don’t want to, I won’t be able to play sports.
MOTHER: Either get glasses or run into everything.
VIVIAN: Ha, ha, you have to get glasses.
HARRY: Be quiet!
MOTHER: Vivian don’t be mean to your brother.
VIVIAN: Okay, mother, I will not be mean to Harry.
MOTHER: Thank you, Vivian.
ACT I SCENE V
NARRATOR:This scene opens when Harry gets history books for his 10th birthday.
HARRY: Thank you for the history books.
MOTHER & FATHER: You are welcome Harry.
HARRY: Now I can study more.
ACT I SCENE VI
NARRATOR: This scene opens when Harry and Vivian get diphtheria.
FATHER: Harry, you look like you are in a bad condition.
MOTHER: I think you have diphtheria.
HARRY: Is that bad?
MOTHER: You do not need to worry about that.
MOTHER (whispering to Father):What are we going to do about this?
FATHER: Let's bring him to the doctor.
MOTHER: Okay, I hope this will work.
ACT I SCENE VII
NARRATOR: Scene VII opens when has Vivian recovered and Harry still has diphtheria.
MOTHER: Do you need anything?
HARRY: No, mother, I do not need anything.
MOTHER: Do not talk too much, it will hurt your throat.
HARRY: Okay.
FATHER: Are you okay, Harry?
HARRY: My throat still hurts.
MOTHER: I hope you get better soon.
ACT I SCENE VIII
NARRATOR: Harry is much better and he can talk.
HARRY: Can I invite my friends over?
MOTHER: I don’t care.
ACT II SCENE I
NARRATOR: In the opening of scene I, Harry, age 14, is working at Clinton’s Drug Store in downtown Independence, Missouri. He is in charge of sweeping up the floors, stocking the shelves, and making fountain drinks, sodas, and sundaes. As the scene opens, Bess Wallace enters the store. Harry still remembers seeing the curly haired, blue-eyed girl when he was six years old.
MR. CLINTON: Harry, we have a customer up here.
HARRY: Okay, I’m coming.
MR. CLINTON: Hurry up, Harry!
HARRY: How may I help you?
BESS: I would like a piece of candy.
HARRY: What kind of candy would you like?
BESS: Some of that delicious looking taffy, please.
HARRY: That will be $.05, please, miss.
BESS: Thank you very much!
ACT II SCENE II
NARRATOR: In the opening of scene II, Harry is 17 years old and he couldn’t get into West Point because of his poor eyesight. Harry going to college was out of the question because of his father’s financial problems.
HARRY: Mom, I’m going to work at the Kansas City Star to get more money for our family.
MOTHER: Okay, Harry. But please be careful.
HARRY: I will, mother. I like going to Kansas City.
ACT II SCENE III
NARRATOR: Harry is entering the Kansas City Star offices for his interview with the editor.
BOSS: Hello there. What is your name?
HARRY: My name is Harry S. Truman.
BOSS: Do you smoke?
HARRY: No, I don’t.
BOSS: How old are you?
HARRY: I’m 18 years old.
BOSS: You may have the job in the mail room of our great newspaper.
HARRY: Thank you sir, I will do the best job I can.
ACT II SCENE IV
NARRATOR: Harry only worked a short time on the Kansas City Star. His father, John Truman, urged him to take a job with the Santa Fe Railroad.
HARRY: Mother, I have decided to take a job with the Santa Fe Railroad for $30 per month plus board which means I will be living with the train gangs along the tracks.
MOTHER: But I will be so worried about you, dear.
HARRY: Mother, if I do this, I will be able to give you more money to help out on the farm.
MOTHER: Okay, Harry, you are such a good son.
ACT II SCENE V
NARRATOR: In the opening of Scene V, Harry is 18 years old. He is scrubbed clean and wearing a dark suit and white collar and cuffs. He is going for an interview at the National Bank of Commerce.
HARRY: Good morning, I am here to apply for a bank teller’s job. Could you use a good worker?
BANK PRESIDENT: Good morning. Yes, we do need a teller. What is your name?
HARRY: My name is Harry S. Truman and I am 18 years old.
BANK PRESIDENT: Are you good with figures?
HARRY: I have a lot of experience managing our farm in Grandview. I had good success increasing the yield per acre on our corn crops and helping to pay off debts.
BANK PRESIDENT: Do you smoke? Use intoxicating beverages? Are you in debt now?
HARRY: No, I don’t smoke or drink and I don’t owe any money to anyone.
BANK PRESIDENT: What do you do for fun?
HARRY: I enjoy going to the movies and reading. I have read all of the books in the Independence Library.
BANK PRESIDENT: You are hired as a clerk in the bank vault. Your pay will start at $20 per month.
NARRATOR: Harry stayed at the National Bank of Commerce from 1903-1905. Two months after he started work, the news came that Bessie Wallace’s father, David Wallace, had died.
ACT II SCENE VI
NARRATOR: In opening of Scene VI, Harry’s father, John Truman, has lost the corn crop and is forced to move in with Grandma Young to run the Blue Ridge Farm. Uncle Harrison moved back to Kansas City.
HARRY: Bess, my father has broken his leg and can’t keep the farm going.
BESS: Oh no, Harry. I’m so sorry. What are you going to do, Harry?
HARRY: I will have to go back to the farm and try to save it for my family. I will miss you very much, Bessie.
NARRATOR: Harry works very hard on the farm. By reading and studying he learned many new ways to increase crop production and was very successful in his efforts to keep the farm going.
ACT III SCENE I
NARRATOR: Scene I starts when Harry was in the army in WWI in Oklahoma. Harry is the supervisor of the regimental canteen which is like a snack bar and gift shop for the soldiers. He is talking to his army buddy, Eddie Jacobson.
HARRY: Let’s collect two dollars from every soldier and get the things they would like to buy in the canteen.
EDDIE: That’s a good idea. I would have never thought of that.
HARRY: Let’s go to Oklahoma City to get what the men want.
EDDIE: Okay, Harry. I’ll be glad to keep the money records for you. I’m really good at keeping books for a business.
ACT III SCENE II
NARRATOR: Harry is leaving the United States on March thirtieth, 1918 to go to France to fight in WWI. He is sailing on the ship the George Washington.
HARRY: This boat is shaking a lot or it might be because I’m nervous. Are you nervous, Eddie?
EDDIE: Of course I am, Harry. It’s normal to be nervous before you go into battle.
ACT III SCENE III
NARRATOR: This scene starts when Harry got off the ship and was in France. The ship docked at Brest, France, on April 13. A few days later, Truman went to Montigny-sur-Aube, to artillery school to learn how to shoot the famous French 75 (a large cannon), the principle allied artillery piece during World War I. Harry was promoted to captain in April 1918. He was in control of Battery D.
HARRY: I can’t believe I’m a captain but they are the rowdiest bunch of ornery Irishmen I have ever seen. I will do my best to lead them into battle and save all the lives I can.
ACT III SCENE IV
NARRATOR: Harry is in France. The soldiers are dropping gas shells on the Germans. All of a sudden, the Germans started an artillery barrage.
HARRY: Take cover boys.
MEN: Yes, sir.
HARRY: Some of you can get in the ditch. The rest of us are going to go in the forest.
MEN: Yes, sir.
HARRY: Fast!
HARRY: The General will tell us when to attack. I’ll say "now" when it’s time.
ACT III SCENE V
NARRATOR: The war is over and 8 months later Harry is going to be married.
HARRY: I’m so happy I am getting married to Bess, my loved one.
BESS: I’m so glad I am getting married to Harry.
ACT IV SCENE I
NARRATOR: The scene opens up at the Wallace house in 1917. Harry is talking to Bess.
HARRY (down on his knees): Will you marry me?
BESS: Yes, Harry, I will marry you?
HARRY: Where and when should we get married?
BESS: We should get married in Independence on June 28, 1919.
ACT IV SCENE II
NARRATOR: Bess tells her mother.
BESS: I’m going to marry Harry.
MADGE: I can’t believe you want to marry that farm boy. How is he going to support you?
BESS: But he’s nice, you don’t know him very well!
MADGE: Okay. But I don’t like him very much!
ACT IV SCENE III
NARRATOR: It is June 28, 1919 and Harry is getting married. They are gathered on the lawn of the Gates’ Independence home where Bess lived.
HARRY: I, do!
BESS: I, do!
ACT IV SCENE IV
NARRATOR: It is 1924 at the Truman home and Margaret is about to be born.
BESS: Harry, I need a doctor. I think the baby is coming.
HARRY: We should call her Mary Margaret Truman if it’s a girl.
BESS: That is wonderful, but I need a doctor.
HARRY: If it’s a boy, we could name him John.
BESS: I think it’s coming!
HARRY: What did you say honey?
BESS: Are you deaf? The baby is here.
HARRY: That is very nice. John. . .
BESS: Ahh!
ACT IV SCENE V
NARRATOR: Harry is working at a haberdashery in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, with a war buddy named Eddie Jacobson.
HARRY: Eddie, here comes our first customer!
EDDIE: Finally, we’ve been waiting forever!
CUSTOMER: Do you have collars here?
HARRY: Yes, we do!
CUSTOMER: May I have two collars, please?
HARRY: Yes, you may.
EDDIE (while ringing the collars up): That'll be four dollars, please!
CUSTOMER: Wow, the prices have been raised a lot!
EDDIE: We can’t help that, sorry!
HARRY: Have a nice day!
ACT IV SCENE VI
NARRATOR: Eddie and Harry’s store goes bankrupt because of a recession and people didn’t have money to buy the luxury items that Harry and Eddie sold.
EDDIE: Harry, I’ve been adding up our sales, and we better sell this store before we get so deep in debt that we can’t pay it off.
HARRY: You’re right, we’d better, or we’re gonna be broke!
(man walks in the door)
TOM PENDERGAST: Hi, Harry, would you like to run for Eastern judge?
NARRATOR: The offer couldn’t have come at a better time, so Harry gladly excepted!
ACT IV SCENE VII
NARRATOR: Harry and Tom are waiting for the votes to see who got the job of eastern judge.
RADIO GUY: And the job of eastern judge goes to HARRY S. TRUMAN!
BESS: Looks like you won Harry.
MARGARET: Da Da numba un!
BESS: That’s right honey.
(phone rings)
HARRY (picks up phone): Hello?
TOM PENDERGAST: Congratulations Harry! You won!
HARRY: Yeah, we heard about it.
TOM PENDERGAST: How do you feel about it Harry?
HARRY: Fine, I guess.
NARRATOR: Harry finishes his term and decides to run for presiding judge. On the first try he loses but on the second he wins!
ACT IV SCENE VIII
NARRATOR: Harry is sitting in his house trying to sleep when suddenly the radio man says. . . .
RADIO MAN: And the new presiding judge is Harry S. Truman!
BESS: Harry, you won!
HARRY (sleepily): GREAT! Can I go back to sleep now?
BESS: Yes, you need to get all the rest you can before you get sworn into office tonight at 9:00!
ACT V SCENE I
NARRATOR: It is 1934 and Tom Pendergast has told Harry he will back him if he runs for senator from Missouri on the Democratic ticket. It may be his first good paying job. Harry has just arrived at the house at 219 Delaware in Independence to discuss his running for senator with Bess.
HARRY: Bess, I’m home. I am going to run for senator if it is okay with you. You know my friend, Mr. Pendergast?
BESS: Yes. What about him, Harry?
HARRY: He is going to help me become a senator.
BESS: Harry you know how I hate moving. I’m just not comfortable around strangers.
HARRY: Oh, Bess. You can come back to Independence every summer.
MARGARET: Daddy, Daddy. You’re home.
HARRY: If it isn’t my little Margie!
MARGARET: How was your day Daddy?
BESS: Don’t kill your dad Margaret.
HARRY: Oh, she’s all right, Bess.
(Margaret is jumping all over Harry and hugging him)
BESS: Go practice your singing Margaret.
MARGARET: Yes, mama.
BESS: When are the elections?
HARRY: They are in November.
BESS: Oh, I guess I will back you up dear.
HARRY: Oh, thank you.
BESS: You have to promise to come home on Christmas.
ACT V SCENE II
NARRATOR: At the November elections, Margaret and Bess are with Harry helping him to campaign.
ANNOUNCER: And the new senator from Missouri is (drum roll) Harry S. Truman.
WHITE HOUSE AIDE: Mr. Truman, how is your work going with the committee investigating wasteful spending for the army? I know the people of the United States are worried about all the money being ripped-off.
HARRY: We have managed to save the American people more than $18,000,000,000!
AIDE: Wow!
WHITE HOUSE AIDE: That is very good, sir. Did you know that the President wants you for vice-president?
HARRY: Really! Let me call Bess and see what she thinks about that. (ring, ring)
BESS: Hello, Harry how are you?
HARRY: I am doing fine. I have some good news.
BESS: Are you coming home?
HARRY: No, I’m not, I’m sorry but the President wants me to be the vice-president.
BESS: You know he will probably die soon.
HARRY: Yes, then I will be president. Bess, I was just a farm boy. I was never good at any job. This is my chance to be something.
BESS: Oh, Harry, I will back you up in whatever you do.
HARRY: Thank you, Bess! Thank you. You will not be ashamed.
BESS: I hope so, Harry, good-bye.
ACT V SCENE III
NARRATOR: At the elections, Harry is very happy.
BESS: Here come the votes.
MARGARET: Are you ready, Daddy?
ANNOUNCER:And the new vice-president is, Harry S. Truman.
ACT V SCENE IV
NARRATOR: It is now only 82 days later.
RING, RING
HARRY: Hello?
SECRETARY: Hello, the President has died.
HARRY: Okay, I will be there in a minute.
BESS: Who was on the phone?
HARRY: I am the new president, Bess. Get dressed fast.
ACT VI SCENE I
NARRATOR: Harry was sworn in, after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was a very sad moment for everyone because President Roosevelt was very loved by our country.
HARRY: I accept, with humility the honor which the American people have conferred on me. I accept it with resolve to do all I can for the welfare of this nation and for the peace of the world. . .
ACT VI SCENE II
NARRATOR: In scene II, General George Marshall is talking to President Truman about the atomic Bomb.
GEORGE MARSHALL (sounding serious): We have made a new weapon, the atomic bomb. It is a very deadly weapon. Do we have your permission to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
HARRY: I will have to think about it. I will see you tomorrow.
ACT VI SCENE III
NARRATOR: The next day in the oval office, Marshall and Truman are talking.
GEORGE MARSHALL: Have you decided?
HARRY: Yes, I have. I give my approval to drop the bombs because of the Pearl Harbor sneak attack and how badly the American prisoners are being treated by the Japanese when they are captured. We are going to drop the bomb.
GEORGE MARSHALL: Yes, sir.
ACT VI SCENE IV
NARRATOR: The bombs are hitting Japan.
THE BOMBS: BOOM! BOOM!
JAPANESE PEOPLE:We will have to surrender. Nagasaki and Hiroshima are destroyed from those horrible new bombs and the people have no food or shelter. We will send a letter to Truman immediately.
ACT VI SCENE V
NARRATOR: Back at the White House.
HARRY: The Japanese have surrendered.
BESS: Hooray!!
AMERICAN PEOPLE: World War II is finally over. Let’s celebrate by having a parade!
ACT VI SCENE VI
NARRATOR: Margaret and Bess are visiting Harry in his office.
MARGARET: Hi, Dad. What are you working on today?
HARRY: Not much. How is my Margie?
MARGARET: Fine, Daddy.
HARRY: How are you and the family?
BESS: Besides putting up with all of these repairs to the White House, we are doing fine. I can’t believe the piano leg actually fell through the floor. It’s a good thing it’s being remodeled. It was dangerous living there.
ACT VI SCENE VII
NARRATOR: President Truman is talking to his chief of staff, George Marshall, about helping the people of Berlin whom the Russians are trying to starve to death after the war.
HARRY: Let’s take food and supplies to the people from the war. We will have one airplane full of candy for the children of Berlin.
GEORGE MARSHALL: That sound great, Harry. Maybe we can save some of the people and help them hold out against communism.
PEOPLE OF BERLIN: These supplies will last until they let us free.
HARRY: The people in Berlin are free.
ACT VI SCENE VIII
NARRATOR: Harry is going on a campaign to get reelected President called the WhistleStop campaign.
HARRY: I’m going to run for election for president.
BESS: Okay, Harry.
HARRY: We need to get a train for making speeches.
ACT VI SCENE IX
NARRATOR: In scene IX, President Truman is going around the United States in his WhistleStop campaign train, campaigning in the 1948 elections. The train pulls up to the depot in Sacramento, California. Harry is giving a speech to the people gathered there.
HARRY: I appreciate most highly the hearty welcome which you have extended to me tonight. I have been here on several occasions and you always have been cordial and good to me, and I appreciate it. I was here when the United Nations Charter was finally signed and delivered. That is one of my finest accomplishments as president.
CROWD: Yeah! Keep up the good work.
ACT VI SCENE X
NARRATOR: Harry’s train is now pulling into Weston, Missouri and a huge crowd of Platte City democrats are there to cheer for Harry.
HARRY: I truly enjoy coming to small towns and seeing the well-kept farms along the way. As you know, farming has been a big part of my life and I know how important all of the farmers are to the strength of our nation. I will appreciate your vote in November.
CROWD: Yeah! Harry!
HARRY: Now I would like to introduce my vice-president, Alben Barkley!
ALBEN BARKLEY: Thank you very much! I truly love going on trips with the President. If we get elected, we will do our best to improve road conditions, schools, and many other projects.
ACT VI SCENE XI
NARRATOR: This scene opens when Harry S. Truman is announced president over the radio.
RADIO GUY: And the new president is Harry S. Truman!
BESS: Harry, did you hear that you won?
HARRY: That’s nice, now I can go back to sleep.
BESS: That’s what you always say!
ACT VI SCENE XII
NARRATOR: During the presidential years 1948-1952, Harry Truman faced many problems and did his best to make the right decisions.
GEORGE MARSHALL: President Truman, do you think we should send troops to Korea? I’m very worried about the Communists taking over and then we would have another enemy in the world.
HARRY: I really don’t want to risk the lives of any of our soldiers, but I really think we need to stop the communists from taking over.
MARSHALL: Yes, Mr. President, it is a difficult decision, but we need to help people who want to be free, don’t you think?
HARRY: I know, George, it is very difficult to be president. I am happy I will soon be able to go home to Independence and spend more time with my family, Margie and Bess, and the good people of Independence.
PRESIDENTIAL AIDE: Mr. President, would you like me to deliver the message that we will be entering the war in Korea?
HARRY: Regretfully, yes.
ACT VII SCENE I
NARRATOR: Harry has retired, he is going to the Florida Keys to be on his boat.
HARRY: Bess, did you wash my Hawaiian shirt?
BESS: Yes, I did Harry.
HARRY: Bess, we are going on a cruise. Are you coming?
BESS: Harry, I will not go on this one, I’m sorry.
ACT VII SCENE II
NARRATOR: Harry is on one of his daily walks.
HARRY: Hey, reporters, I will keep you all in great shape.
REPORTERS: Harry, wait up! I have to get on my roller skates to get an interview.
BESS: Harry, get in the house for dinner.
REPORTERS: Harry, you can’t go yet, we need your interview.
DOOR BELL: Ding-dong.
HARRY: I’ll get it, Bess.
BESS: Who is it Harry?
HARRY: It is Margaret and the children.
MARGARET: Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.
HARRY: Hi, Margaret.
ACT VII SCENE III
NARRATOR: Today it is Harry’s birthday.
BESS, MARGARET, THE BOYS (CLIFTON, WILLIAM, HARRISON, THOMAS):
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.
HARRY: THANKS!
BESS: We are so happy to have you with us celebrating your 88th birthday, dear. The years since our marriage have just flown by. It is hard to believe we have lived through you being eastern judge, presiding judge, senator, vice-president, and President of the United States! It is so good to be home with you and enjoying our wonderful home and all of our friends here in Independence.
HARRY: I know, Bess. My family has always meant more to me than anything else in life. I enjoyed all of the jobs I’ve had and all of the people I have met, but home is still the best place to be.
MARGARET: This is for you Dad. (crackling of paper)
HARRY: Thank you for the new cane. Is that the last present? Good, because I’m tired.
MARGARET: I think it is time to leave.
BOYS: I get to sit in the front! (boys leave the house)
ACT VII SCENE IV
NARRATOR: It is October and Harry told Bess that he was going for a walk around the neighborhood to visit the neighbors.
BESS: We are having a bad storm, Harry. We need to call the grandchildren back inside the house.
MARGARET: Okay. I will get them for you, Mother.
CHILDREN: Do we have to stop playing, Grandma?
HARRY: Yes you do, children. It is storming and I cannot even go on my daily walk.
MARGARET: Mother, fast, get the children in the house now.
BESS: I made some cookies for the children. Do you want some?
CHILDREN: Yes we do, Grandma. May we have some milk with them, please?
HARRY: Maybe we can go on a picnic tomorrow.
BESS: Yes, maybe we will.
HARRY: I want to go back to bed. All that noise you were making when I was sleeping woke me up and now I’m tired. Please, can I have some peace and quiet, boys? I’m still tired.
BOYS: Okay, Grandpa.
ACT VII SCENE V
NARRATOR: It is December 1972, and Harry is getting old.
BESS: Harry, oh Harry, HARRRRRRY!!!!!!
HARRY: WHAT!!! I was taking a NAP!!
DOOR BELL: Ding-dong.
BESS: Sorry, I'll get it.
MARGARET: Hi, Mom, why is there so much noise? I could hear you from outside!
BESS: Oh, nothing.
MARGARET: Are you surrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre?
BESS: YES!
HARRY: Bess, I'm feeling kind of sick.
BESS: I'll call the doctor.
NARRATOR: Harry died on December 26, 1972. He is buried at the Truman Library. Thank you very much.
| 
