He had a job....and County Commissioner was a big job. He was responsible for 700 employees and $7,000,000 a year. He was known as a builder and he built great roads, improving the highway system. It used to be said, "Stay out of Missouri and stay out of the mud."
He worked with Irish and Italian Catholics and Black community leaders slowly moving away from small town predjudices. He was earning respect, it seems, from everyone......except Mrs. Wallace, who did not care for politics. But Harry didn't complain.
Truman's life was finally taking direction. On Feb. 17, 1924, his only child, Mary Margaret was born.
He was nearly 40 years old with a daughter he adored, a wife he loved, and dozens of friends. He joined the Masons, the Elks, and the American Legion, just to name a few.....and he played poker every Monday night.
But Harry was troubled. He found it more and more difficult to deal with the man who was responsible for getting him his job.
Harry had nothing to do with the mobsters, but he turned his back while Pendergast skimmed millions in public money. Torn between loyalty to Pendergast and his own self repect,
he began suffering from headaches, dizziness, and insomnia.
Pendergast wanted Truman to rig county contracts. Harry insisted on fair bidding. He said his honor was at stake.
Pendergast said his honor wasn't worth a pinch of snuff.
Harry took a hotel room in downtown Kansas City, and began writing down all his troubled thoughts. He wrote..."Am I just a crook compromised to get the job done?"
He figured this was the price he had to pay to be in politics just as living with his mother-in-law was the price he paid to be married to Bess.
To be continued.....