The morning of May 18, 1980, started off like any other for Harry Truman, the 83-year-old owner of the Mount St. Helens Lodge. Truman had lived near the mountain for over 50 years, and he refused to leave his home despite increasing signs of volcanic activity in the weeks leading up to the eruption.
As he sat in his cabin enjoying his morning coffee, Truman noticed that the mountain was emitting an unusual amount of steam and ash. He shrugged it off, confident that the mountain was simply blowing off some steam, and went about his day as usual.
