Thomas Joseph Pendergast, (born in St. Joseph on July 22, 1872 – January 26, 1945) was an American political boss who controlled Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri from 1925-1939. Though only briefly holding elected office as an alderman himself, T.J. Pendergast in his capacity as Chairman of the Jackson County Democratic Party, was able to use his large network of family and friends to help elect politicians and hand out government contracts and patronage jobs. He became wealthy in the process, although gambling, especially horse racing, later lead to a large accumulation of personal debts.
In the 1890’s young Tom Pendergast worked in his older brothers James, Kansas City West Bottoms tavern. James Pendergast, was on the Kansas City city council. He taught Tom the political ways and systems and the strategic advantages of controlling blocs of voters. After his brother retired in 1910 and died the next year, Tom was named his successor. He served on the city council until 1916 then left to focus on consolidating the fractions of the Jackson County Democratic Party. After a new city charter was passed in 1925, Pendergast easily gained control of the government.
He was unquestionably corrupt and there were regular shootouts and beatings on election days. Pendergast tried to portray a “common touch” and made attention grabbing displays of helping pay medical bills, provide jobs, and hosted famous Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the poor. Often due to fraud and intimidation, Kansas City voter turnout was close to 100 % in the Pendergast days.
Despite Prohibition, Pendergast’s machine and a bribed police force allowed alcohol and gambling. Elections were fixed to keep political friends in power. In return Pendergast’s companies like ready mixed concrete were awarded government contracts. Under a 40 million bond program the city constructed many civil buildings during the depression.
In 1939 Pendergast was arraigned for failing to pay taxes on a bribe received to pay off gambling debts. After serving 15 months in Leavenworth, he lived out his life in Kansas City until his death in 1945.
Durning his military service in WW l, Harry Truman became close friends with Jim Pendergast, Toms nephew. It was Tom Pendergast that suggested Truman run for a judgeship in eastern Jackson County. It was Jim who persuaded Tom to support Truman (whom he considered something of a lightweight) for the democratic nomination for a U.S. Senate seat. Although Tom supported Pendergast , they did not appear to have a close personal relationship. The two men only met on a few occasions and were only photographed together once, at the Democratic Party convention.
