HARRY TRUMAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
In Independence, we toured the Harry S.Truman Library which was really nice. I am too young to remember him (boy, I don't get to say that often!) but it was interesting to learn about that era. He had to make some very difficult decisions ! Here are a few pictures...
This was on his desk in the Oval Office....
The paper he held up after he WON the election !
Harry and Bess Truman Graves
PONY EXPRESS MUSEUM
The Pony Express originated in St. Joseph, Missouri. The first delivery left from St. Joseph heading to Sacramento, California with an ETA of 3 days. This is pretty amazing considering what mail delivery developed into over time. Here are pictures from the Pony Express Museum....
PATEE HOUSE HOTEL
This is a historical landmark in St. Joseph because it served as the headquarters for the Pony Express in its start-up. It was also frequented by Jesse James and is located near Jesse James home. We had a great time touring it...they have a little contest where you find something that doesn't belong in 20 different displays...such as in the Post Office display they had all kinds of 1800's postage artifacts and among them was a Forever Stamp. When you have your guesses filled out, you check them at the desk and if you have 16 or more correct you earn a stock certificate. We all got stock today ! Here is the Patee House Hotel...
We learned today that Walter Cronkite's father was the local dentist of St. Joseph and displayed the picture above in his office.
.Actress Jane Wyman was also from St. Joseph. Who knew?
JESSE JAMES
Jesse James and his brother Frank have a huge presence in this neck of the woods. There are museums one right after the other on the James Gang. We didn't get to go to them but we did see Jesse James house, the one he was shot in as he adjusted a picture hanging on the wall in his living room. This house has been since moved from its original location on a hill but this is the original home. Here is a bit of Jessee James...
