WHEN HARRY MET BESS: An American Love Story
They met at Sunday school. Bess was five years old and Harry one year older. She was the prettiest and sweetest little girl he’d ever seen. Years later, Harry wrote that Bess had golden curls and the most beautiful blue eyes. A relative noted that she was the only girl for Harry. They attended the same school from fifth grade through high school. If he succeeded in carrying Bess’ books he felt he’d had a big day.
Bess’ true name was Elizabeth Virginia Wallace. She was born on February 13, 1885 in Independence, Missouri. Harry’s family moved there about 1890. According to a friend, Bess was the first girl he ever knew who could whistle through her teeth and bat a ball as far as any boy. But Bess wasn’t all rough and tumble. Her favorite color was blue and she loved roses. However, she could beat Harry at mumbly-peg and played a wonderful game of tennis.
Her family lived in a spacious, Victorian house called the Gates Mansion. In contrast Harry was the son of a farmer. Even though his great-grandmother was a cousin to the tenth president of the United Sates Harry was far below Bess’ social standing.
Harry did come from good sturdy pioneer stock though. In about 1841 his Kentucky grandparents headed west to Missouri where they settled in Jackson County. Harry’s grandfather carried freight over the Santa Fe Trail. Eventually Harry’s family settled in Lamar, Missouri where Harry was born in a bedroom just off the parlor on May 8, 1884.
That Harry had inherited considerable courage and persistence was evident in his thirty-year wooing of Bess. This trait would prove out in many other matters in the years to come.
Harry had a hard time during he childhood. At age six he was considerably farsighted and had to have glasses. He began school at the age of 8 and did well until the second grade when he and his brother contracted diphtheria. Because of the diphtheria Harry lost the use of his arms and legs to paralysis. After about six months he began to recover but had to do his schooling at home for a while. However, the situation allowed him to catch up and to skip the third grade entirely. But other mishaps arose. Sometime after his bout with diphtheria he nearly lost a toe when the cellar door was slammed on his foot.
In spite of all the turmoil, Harry was a persistent beau as his and Bess’ young years passed. While courting her he often commuted twenty miles on a Saturday night, before he had a car, just to see his golden-haired lady. Later he continued his persistent courtship from Kansas City.
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