l would be negligent if I did not take time to comment on several notable historical events that occurred on November 2. So, not wishing to be guilty of such a grievous offense, may I call your attention to the following?
On this date in 1884 that Harry S. Truman was born in the little town of Lamar, Missouri. It was more than a month later that his parents, John Anderson and Martha Ellen Truman were able to agree on a name. The county clerk, having grown tired of waiting, chose to register the new infant without any name. A first name was not difficult to decide on. “Harry” was to honor his maternal uncle, Harrison Young. But what was to be little Harry’s middle name?
The dilemma facing John and Ellen was which grandfather to honor, his paternal grandfather, Anderson Shipp[e] Truman, or his maternal grandfather, Solomon Young? Choosing one over the other would only complicate things Harry as well as his parents.
The solution was simple. Harry’s middle name would be simply “S” for both grandfathers. Thus it is technically incorrect to refer to the 33rd President of the United States as Harry S. Truman, since the “S” is not an abbreviation, but in fact his middle name. However, since Harry S Truman always signed his name Harry S. Truman, so does everyone else.
It is the birthday of Daniel Boone, one of America’s great folk heroes, and a legend in his own time. Boone fought for the British in the French and Indian War, as did George Washington, and against them in the American Revolution, as did Washington. Daniel Boone was a consistent failure in every business venture he undertook, but a brilliant success and legend as a frontiersman.
Boone married Rebecca Bryan in 1856. They had ten children. One grandson became the first white man born in Kentucky. Daniel Boone died on September 26, 1820, just a few weeks shy of his 86th birthday. He was laid to rest next to Rebecca who died March 18, 1813. Their graves remained unmarked until the mid-1830s. “All you need to be happy,” said Boone, “is a good gun, a good horse, and a good wife.”
And finally, it is the anniversary of the first and only flight of the “Spruce Goose,” the largest plane ever built. Made of birch, not spruce, the monster plane has a baggage compartment large enough to hold two railroad boxcars. It was the brainchild of Henry Kaiser and Howard Hughes. Hughes piloted the plane on November 2, 1947, as it soared seventy feet above the earth for a distance of one mile in less than one minute. Those who wish to see this aviation wonder will find it on display in McMinnville, Oregon.
To view a newsreel of the Spruce Goose’s only flight, click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGNyAd2uffg
Until next time be good, do good, and always live under the mercy.
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