02/13/1885 AD born

Elizabeth Virginia Wallace is born to Margaret Elizabeth Gates (August 4, 1862 – December 5, 1952, daughter of George Porterfield Gates, co-founder of the Waggoner Gates Milling Company) and David Willock Wallace (June 15, 1860 – June 17, 1903, a local politician, son of a former Independence mayor).

She was known as Bessie during her childhood. She was the eldest of four; three brothers: * Frank Gates Wallace (March 4, 1887 – August 12, 1960), * George Porterfield Wallace (May 1, 1892 – May 24, 1963) * David Frederick Wallace (January 7, 1900 – September 30, 1957)

Bess had a reputation as a tomboy as a child.

As a young woman, Bess enjoyed expressing herself through her fashion and hats; a friend was quoted "Bess always had more stylish hats than the rest of us did, or she wore them with more style."

Harry Truman had met Bess soon after his family moved to Independence, and the two attended school together until graduation.

After graduating from Independence High School (now known as William Chrisman High School) she studied at Miss Barstow's Finishing School for Girls in Kansas City, Missouri. Bess played on the women's basketball team when she was not studying literature or the French language.

In 1903, her father rose very early one morning, climbed into the family bathtub, and died by suicide by shooting himself in the head. According to biographer David McCullough, the cause for his suicide is unknown, with speculation ranging from depression to mounting debts.

Independence, MO

Lattitude: 39.0797° N
Longitude: 94.4066° W
Region: North America

Modern Day United States

Events in 1885 MORE