[Oatka]

Thanks for the info. Because of the Perndergast association, he had been painted as just a Missouri hack that made good, but I never investigated further.

[MarkL]

IIRC, he (Truman) was the only pol who actually attended Pendergast's funeral. Against a lot of political opposition from his supporters. Another of his qualities was loyalty.

And he was very much his own man, even more so when he became President. Against a lot of opposition, he integrated the military (which I believe had been segregated by Wilson) and supported the creation of the State of Israel, against the opposition of George Marshall.

As you said, I do believe that he grew into the office as a great President, but all the "raw materials" were there before he ever got into politics. If you ever get a chance, a terrific biography was a made for TV movie, starring Gary Sinese.

When I was little, I remember Truman mowing his own yard in Independence.

Mark

[painter]

My grandfather voted for Dewy in 48 because of Truman's connection to Pendergast.