Harry R. Truman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry R. Truman
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Truman near his lodge in 1980, a few months before his death
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| Born | October 30, 1896 Ivydale, West Virginia, U.S.
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| Died | May 18, 1980 (aged 83) |
| Occupation | Prospector, caretaker of the Mount St. Helens Lodge |
| Spouse(s) | Helen Irene Hughes (divorced) Marjorie Bennett (divorced) Edna O. Henrickson (deceased) |
| Children | 1 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
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United States Army Air Service |
| Years of service | 1917–1919 |
| Unit | 100th Aero Squadron |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Harry R. Truman (born October 30, 1896 – died May 18, 1980) was an American businessman and prospector. He lived near Mount St. Helens, an active volcano in Washington. He owned and cared for the Mount St. Helens Lodge at Spirit Lake, right at the base of the mountain.
Truman became well-known as a folk hero in the months before the volcano's 1980 eruption. He refused to leave his home, even though evacuation orders were given. He died when a fast-moving cloud of hot gas and ash, called a pyroclastic flow, covered his lodge. The site was buried under 150 feet (46 m) of volcanic rock and ash.
After Truman's death, his family and friends often spoke about how much he loved the mountain. In 1981, actor Art Carney played Truman in the film St. Helens. His niece wrote a book about him. He was also remembered in songs by artists like Headgear and Billy Jonas.
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Harry R. Truman's Early Life
Truman was born in Ivydale, West Virginia, in October 1896. His parents worked as foresters. He wasn't sure of his exact birth date, but he knew it was in October 1896. He also said he only had the initial "R" for his middle name.
His family later moved west to Washington state. They were looking for affordable land and good jobs in the timber industry. They settled on 160 acres (65 ha) of farmland in eastern Lewis County, Washington.
Truman's Career and Life at Spirit Lake
Harry Truman went to high school in Mossyrock, Washington. In August 1917, he joined the U.S. Army as a private. He was part of the 100th Aero Squadron and trained to fix airplanes. He served in France during World War I.
While traveling to Europe, his troopship, the Tuscania, was sunk by a German submarine. Truman was honorably discharged from the Army in June 1919. After the war, he tried to find valuable minerals, hoping to get rich, but he wasn't successful.
Later, Truman returned to Chehalis, Washington. He ran a car service station there called Harry's Sudden Service. He also married and had one daughter.
After a few years, Truman grew tired of city life. He leased 50 acres (20 ha) of land from the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. This land overlooked Spirit Lake, near Mount St. Helens, a volcano in the Cascade Range. He built a gas station and a small grocery store. Eventually, he opened the Mount St. Helens Lodge near Spirit Lake, which he ran for 52 years.
Truman married Edna, whom he called Edie. They ran the Mount St. Helens Lodge together. Edna passed away from a heart attack in 1978. After her death, Truman closed his lodge. He only rented out a few boats and cabins during the summer months.
Truman was known for his strong opinions. He owned a pink 1957 Cadillac. He enjoyed talking about politics. He once refused to let Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas stay at his lodge. However, when he learned who Douglas was, he changed his mind and convinced him to stay.
Harry R. Truman Becomes a Celebrity
Truman became famous in the two months before the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. He gave many interviews to reporters. He believed the danger from the volcano was being exaggerated. "I don't have any idea whether it will blow," he said, "but I don't believe it to the point that I'm going to pack up."
Truman showed little worry about the volcano. He said, "If the mountain goes, I'm going with it." He felt safe because his lodge was a mile away from the mountain, with Spirit Lake in between. Law enforcement officials were upset by his refusal to leave. Media members kept entering the dangerous area to interview him, putting themselves at risk. Still, Truman stood firm. "You couldn't pull me out with a mule team," he declared.
Truman told reporters that earthquakes from the volcano had knocked him out of bed. So, he moved his mattress to the basement. He even joked that he wore spurs to bed to deal with the shaking. He didn't take scientists' warnings seriously. He believed the mountain had "shot its wad" and wouldn't harm his place.
Because of his defiant comments, Truman became a kind of folk hero. Children wrote many songs and poems about him. A group of children from Salem, Oregon, sent him banners that said "Harry – We Love You." This touched him so much that he took a helicopter trip to visit them. He also received many fan letters, including marriage proposals.
He caused a media sensation, appearing in major newspapers like The New York Times. He also got attention from National Geographic and The Today Show. Many magazines, including Time and Life, wrote about him. Historian Richard W. Slatta said Truman's "fiery attitude" and "fierce independence" made him a media favorite.
Harry R. Truman's Death
As the volcano became more likely to erupt, state officials tried to evacuate everyone. On May 17, they made one last attempt to convince Truman to leave, but he refused. The volcano erupted the next morning, on May 18, 1980. Its entire northern side collapsed.
Truman and his 16 cats were alone at his lodge. They are believed to have died in the eruption. A massive landslide, the largest ever recorded, and a fast-moving pyroclastic flow covered the Spirit Lake area. Truman's lodge was buried under 150 feet (46 m) of volcanic debris. His remains were never found.
Some friends hoped Truman might have survived. He had claimed to have stocked an abandoned mine shaft with supplies in case of an eruption. However, there was little warning before the pyroclastic flow reached his lodge. Even if he had made it to the shaft, the landslide would likely have trapped or suffocated him.
In September 1980, his belongings were sold at an auction. Many admirers bought them as keepsakes.
Harry R. Truman's Legacy
Truman became a folk hero because he refused to evacuate. The Columbian newspaper wrote that his "hell-no-I-won't-go attitude" made him a "made-for-prime-time folk hero." His friends and family said he was a very strong-willed person. His friend John Garrity said, "The mountain and the lake were his life. If he'd left and then saw what the mountain did to his lake, it would have killed him anyway."
Truman's niece, Shirley, said he used to call the mountain and lake "my mountain and my lake." She believed he wouldn't have survived seeing them changed. His cousin, Richard Ice, said Truman's time as a celebrity was "the peak of his life."
Truman was the subject of books like Truman of St. Helens: The Man and His Mountain by his niece Shirley Rosen. His favorite actor, Art Carney, played him in the 1981 film St. Helens. Souvenirs like Harry Truman hats, pictures, and postcards were sold near Mount St. Helens. A restaurant in Anchorage, Alaska, was even named after him.
By 1981, more than 100 songs had been written in Truman's honor. There was also an album called The Musical Legend Of Harry Truman — A Very Special Collection Of Mount St. Helens’ Volcano Songs. The Irish band Headgear released a song about him in 2007. Musicians Ron Allen and Steve Asplund wrote a country rock song called "Harry Truman, Your Spirit Still Lives On." Billy Jonas included Truman's story in his 1993 song "Old St. Helen."
Truman Trail and Harry's Ridge in the Mount St. Helens area are named after him. The Harry R. Truman Memorial Park in Castle Rock, Washington, was also named in his honor. It was later renamed Castle Rock Lions Club Volunteer Park.
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See also
In Spanish: Harry R. Truman para niños
