Does anyone know if Harry S Truman used to go to Maryville Missouri?

Question

I have found a chair for sale that they say Harry Truman used to sit in when he went into the Warren Jones Drugstore in Maryville Missouri. The original owner of the drugstore was H.D Jensen-Druggist Apothecary-9th street Maryville MO. THANK YOU!!

Answer 1

It's possible, but how would you document such a thing? Unless you have his authenticated signature on the chair it would have no value.

It's 100 miles from Independence to Maryville. There isn't much political history in Maryville from the early 20th century. There's no way to prove their story nor would I imagine there's any resale value to the chair. If you like the piece of furniture on its own merits, buy it. If you wouldn't like it without the Harry Truman story, then leave it. There isn't anything to be gained by believing their story. So base your decision on the beauty of the chair...or lack thereof.

Answer 2

Wikipedia said Harry Truman studied for two years toward a law degree at the Kansas City Law School (now the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law) in the early 1920s.  It is only 93.1 miles (1 hr. 26 min) from Kansas City to Maryville, so it could be possible for him to travel up there in his college days--especially if this Mr. Jensen operated a soda fountain (for those too young to remember these--go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soda_shop)/... cream parlor in his drug store.  Believe it or not, my hometown still has one in operation today (http://www.jaydrug.com/fountain.html--fo... some pictures). Established in 1888, Jay Drug is a cornerstone of downtown Shenandoah. A favorite gathering place for shoppers, Jay's also features an old-time soda fountain. As it was in the 1890-1900's, the fountain is still located in the front of the store. In 1992 ,the National Association of  Soda Jerks met at Jay Drug. (Yeah, I'm bragging a little here--I've bought a LOT of ice cream sodas at this fountain).

    My point is, just like college kids today have their favorite clubs to hang out in when not in class, back in the 1920's, the soda parlor was the norm. If one in Maryville was the closest to KC, then I would say it was possible. He might also have had relatives who lived in the area, too.