TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, Grand Lodge of Missouri, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons letterhead, April 2, 1941. Letter to the Illmo, Missouri, lodge secretary, who wrote to Truman regarding a man’s application. In full: 'Replying to yours of the Twenty Fourth, if the man who is a railway trainman is in any way interested in selling intoxicating liquor by the drink you cannot accept his application. The by-laws are specific on this subject.' Several intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, some scattered wrinkles, and a bit of trivial foxing to top left corner, otherwise fine condition.
Accompanied by a carbon of the secretary’s letter sent to Truman, which reads, in part: 'We have in this little city a citizen who desires to petition our Lodge for the degrees, his is employed as a Trainman on the Cotton Belt Ry, and has been since 1937 however in the meantime he operates a Cafe in which is sold five per cent beer and operated as Peck’s Cafe…Several of us members do not consider that he is in any way connected with the sale or handling of the above mentioned product. He is honest and law abiding and while we would like very much to see him become a member of the fraternity, my purpose in writing… you is to get a ruling on whether or not we should accept his petition for the degrees in the order.'
Truman became a Mason 1909, ultimately being elected Grand Master of Missouri in 1940. Considered to be the most active Mason of any president since George Washington, Truman took his vows seriously, as made evident in this firm reply that anyone who 'is in any way interested in selling intoxicating liquor by the drink' cannot have an application considered, as the Freemasonry 'by-laws are specific on this subject.' Great Mason content!
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