Thomas Crittenden (D)

Overview

At a Glance

• Improved state finances by collecting millions of dollars loaned to the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad
• Advanced public education
• Brought down the James Gang without the use of state funds
• Established state Board of Health
• Created state Bureau of Mines and Mine Inspections

Personal History

Thomas Crittenden was born in Shelbyville, Kentucky, into a prominent political family. He graduated from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, at the age of 23 and soon began studying law at his uncle's firm. By the following year, he had obtained his license to practice law, marking the beginning of his legal career.

On November 13, 1856, Crittenden married Caroline Jackson, and the couple moved to Lexington, Missouri, the following summer. There, he established a law practice that served the community during a tumultuous period in American history. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Crittenden, a staunch Union supporter, played a crucial role in organizing the Seventh Cavalry of the Missouri State Militia. His dedication and leadership during the conflict earned him the rank of colonel. Towards the end of the war, he was appointed attorney general of Missouri by Governor Willard Preble Hall, following the death of Aikeman Welch.

After the Civil War, Crittenden moved his family and law practice to Warrensburg, Missouri, where he continued to build his professional reputation. In 1886, he left public office and settled in Kansas City, where he opened a new law firm that catered to a growing urban clientele. His legal expertise and experience led to significant opportunities, and in 1893, he was appointed U.S. Consul General to Mexico by President Grover Cleveland. Crittenden served in this diplomatic role for four years, fostering important international relations.

Upon returning to Kansas City after his tenure in Mexico, Crittenden continued to practice law until his passing. He was buried in Forest Hills Cemetery in Kansas City.

Political History

In 1872, voters in Missouri's Seventh Congressional District elected Thomas Crittenden to the United States Congress. However, his path to re-election was not smooth; two years later, he lost the Democratic nomination for his congressional seat when delegates chose Colonel John Finis Philips instead. Undeterred, Crittenden made a successful comeback in 1876, regaining his seat in Congress. After completing his term, he returned to Missouri, where he aimed for the gubernatorial election in 1880. After securing the Democratic nomination, he won the general election by a significant margin of more than 54,000 votes.

As governor, Crittenden outlined three primary goals for the state. First, he aimed to improve Missouri's financial standing. Second, he sought to enhance the state's school funds, ensuring access to higher education for all boys and girls, regardless of social class. Third, he committed to suppressing outlawry, a challenge that had escalated in the wake of the Civil War. To improve the state's finances, Crittenden focused on collecting loans owed by the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. His efforts led to a lengthy legal battle, but ultimately, the railroad repaid the millions it owed to the state. Crittenden also prioritized education.

The third goal, the suppression of outlawry, proved to be the most challenging. After the Civil War, gangs roamed the state, instilling fear in the populace and engaging in bank and train robberies. The James Gang, in particular, gained notoriety and eluded previous governors' attempts to capture them. Crittenden devised a bold and controversial strategy to tackle this issue. Although restricted by law to offering only a $300 bounty from state funds, he successfully persuaded railroad and express company executives to contribute an additional $50,000 reward for the capture of the James Gang. He issued a proclamation offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of each gang member, excluding the notorious James brothers. For the capture and conviction of Frank or Jesse James, he increased the bounty to a total of $10,000.

Crittenden's strategy bore fruit when Robert Ford, a member of the James Gang, shot and killed Jesse James on April 3, 1882. Frank James surrendered in the governor's office the following autumn. While many praised Crittenden for bringing an end to the reign of the James Gang, others expressed concerns about the means by which this victory was achieved.

Historical Significance

Frank James's surrender in 1882 marked a significant turning point for the people of Missouri, effectively ending a tumultuous period characterized by fear and lawlessness. Although Thomas Crittenden's strategy to capture the James Gang proved successful, it faced criticism for placing a bounty on Jesse James's head, who was, despite his criminal activities, still considered a private citizen. Crittenden's tenure also overlapped with a thriving mining industry in Missouri, which was a vital economic force for the state. To ensure the safety of mine workers, he oversaw the establishment of the Missouri State Bureau of Mines and Mines Inspections. This initiative laid the groundwork for ongoing labor protections, a responsibility that is currently managed by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.