When President Truman Came To The Area, 1948 & 1952

 

President Truman, in Williamsport Pa

President Harry S. Truman made a whistle stop in Bloomsburg,  Northumberland and Williamsport on October 22 1952. It was his second stop through the area, in four years time.

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IN BLOOMSBURG
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According to the Danville Morning News, "A rather unresponsive crowd estimated at 3,000 by Bloomsburg Chief of Police William Edgar gathered at the DL&W railroad station in Bloomsburg for the five minute stop at 11:17am."

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IN NORTHUMBERLAND
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Students of all borough schools in Northumberland were on hand to see the President, who was scheduled to pull into the Northumberland Railroad station at 12:10 pm on the Presidents Campaign Special.

There was a relatively small crowd at the Northumberland stop, with an estimated 3,000 in attendance. But they were a loud one, heckling the President throughout his speech.

"Obviously irked by the jibes, Mr. Truman waved his finger like a father scolding a disobedient child - and the told the young people: "Use a little common sense, use a little judgement, not only of history but of the conditions as they effect you and your future."

A barrage of boos broke into every sentence of his five minute whistle-stop.

When a group of youngsters chanted "Where's Margaret?", the President said he didn't think he'd introduce his daughter until the booing stopped.  

Immediately, the hecklers went quiet, and Margaret stepped out to cheers and applause.

The train was scheduled to stop  for just 20 minutes, before leaving at 12:35pm.

Originally the stop was planned for Sunbury, but at the last minute the location was changed to Northumberland. 

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IN WILLIAMSPORT
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At Williamsport, a crowd of 5,000 gathered to see the President.  As the 15 car special came to a stop, they roared "We Want Harry, We Want Harry" 

In an obvious reference to his experience in Northumberland, the president said: 'I appreciate this reception more than I can tell you."

The Train next made an unplanned five minute stop at Lock Haven.  A predominantly Republican area, Truman chose not to leave the privacy of his car.

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