In the rich history of Kansas City, one figure stands out as a larger-than-life character who left a permanent mark on the city and its politics: Tom Pendergast.

His story is one of immense power, control, and controversy, shaping Kansas City and Jackson County from 1925 to 1939.

Early Life and Rise to Power

*Circa 1900 portrait of Tom Pendergast. Courtesy Harry S. Truman Library and Museum*

Thomas Joseph Pendergast, known as "TJ," was born on July 22, 1872, in St. Joseph, Missouri, into a large Irish family. He moved to Kansas City in the 1890s and worked in his brother Jim's saloon in the West Bottoms, an immigrant section of town.

It was here that Tom learned the intricacies of politics and the strategic importance of controlling voters. After Jim's death in 1911, Tom assumed control of the local Democratic Party and began building his political machine.

The Pendergast Machine

Under Pendergast's astute leadership, the Jackson County Democratic Club became a formidable force in Kansas City politics. Pendergast found it more effective to wield his influence as an unelected official, using his vast network of Irish family members and friends to manipulate elections, often through questionable means such as voter fraud.

His control extended beyond the ballot box as he distributed government contracts and patronage jobs, ensuring loyalty and consolidating his power within the city.

Pendergast's diverse portfolio included stakes in utility companies, real estate, and even local newspapers. His political clout helped him secure numerous city project bids for construction and development contracts. Notable projects included the Municipal Auditorium, City Hall, and the paving of Brush Creek.

By owning multiple concrete companies, Pendergast ensured that city projects would almost guarantee business for his firms, further enriching his coffers and reinforcing his control.

Corruption and Organized Crime

*Tom and James Pendergast. Courtesy: Tom’s Town Distilling*

Pendergast's reign was marked by a mix of corruption, organized crime ties, and ambitious public projects. He turned a blind eye to vices like gambling and alcohol, which flourished in Kansas City during the Prohibition era. Pendergast's machine had close ties to the Italian and Irish mobs, facilitating the operation of speakeasies, illegal gambling dens, and brothels throughout the city.

Pendergast’s influence over the police force meant that law enforcement officers were often complicit in these illegal activities, accepting regular bribes to ignore the bustling vice industry. Kansas City became known as a "wide-open town" where almost anything was permissible. It was for this reason that the editor of the Omaha World-Herald remarked, “If you want to see some sin, forget about Paris. Go to Kansas City.”

*1940: T.J. Pendergast Wholesale Liquor. Modern-day: Lazia. Courtesy: Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO*

The city's reputation for vice only grew during this era, fueling the prosperity and power of the Pendergast Machine. Residents and visitors alike enjoyed a lifestyle of relative freedom from the restrictions imposed by Prohibition, thanks to Pendergast’s control over the local police and political landscape.

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While historians believe that Pendergast had direct associations with mafia figures, concrete evidence remains scarce. However, there is no doubt that his machine as a whole benefited from the activities of organized crime. The machine’s control over the city’s police force and city council allowed it to operate with relative impunity, and its public works projects provided jobs and economic relief to many Kansas City residents during the tough economic times.

Relationship with Harry S. Truman

*Truman and Pendergast. Courtesy Harry S. Truman Library and Museum*

One of the most well-known associations in Pendergast's life was his relationship with a young Harry S. Truman. Pendergast supported Truman's political career, helping him ascend to the U.S. Senate and eventually the presidency. Their relationship was complicated: in public, they often positioned themselves as adversaries, but behind closed doors, they deeply respected and admired each other’s power and influence.

Truman's political career took off thanks to Pendergast's backing. In 1922, Pendergast suggested that Truman run for a judgeship in Jackson County. Truman won the position, largely due to the support of the Pendergast machine.

In 1934, Pendergast backed Truman for the U.S. Senate, a move that proved pivotal in Truman's career. Despite being labeled "the senator from Pendergast" by critics, Truman's integrity and hard work in Washington, D.C. gradually earned him respect and helped him distance himself from the tainted reputation of his benefactor.

When Pendergast was convicted of income tax evasion in 1939, Truman publicly distanced himself but privately maintained his loyalty. After Pendergast's release from prison, Truman was reportedly the only elected official who attended his funeral, stating simply, "He was always my friend and I have always been his."

The Downfall and Complicated Legacy of Tom Pendergast

*Mugshots of Tom Pendergast. Courtesy National Archives.*

Pendergast's empire began to crumble due to a falling out with Missouri Governor Lloyd C. Stark and increased scrutiny from federal authorities. In 1939, he was convicted of income tax evasion and served 15 months at the federal prison in Leavenworth. The Pendergast Machine disintegrated, and its once formidable grip on Kansas City faded away.

However, the impact of Pendergast's rule cannot be overlooked. His machine had launched the political career of future President Harry S. Truman, earning Truman the nickname "the Senator from Pendergast." Pendergast's downfall also paved the way for a wave of reform in Kansas City's governance, as citizens sought to break free from the clutches of corruption.

Tom Pendergast's life was a mosaic of power, corruption, and public service. His political machine, intertwined with the mafia and fueled by the era of Prohibition, left an undeniable imprint on Kansas City.

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