Henry Lee Jost (1873-1950) Papers (KC270)

Henry Jost was born in New York City to Simeon and Lena (Bahr) Jost. Little is known about his early life. Jost's father, ill and widowed, brought young Henry, age 6, to be cared for at the Five Points House of Industry, a mission house. A few years later, Jost traveled to Nodaway County, Missouri, with 25 other "foundlings." He lived with Judge Dale. Jost worked on a farm in Maryville, Missouri, as a teenager. At age 22, Jost went to Hopkins, Missouri, to study law. He was admitted to the Kansas City School of Law as a senior, and graduated in 1898. Later that year, he was admitted to the Missouri Bar. Jost's first partnership was with Frank Hagerman. In 1908, he became assistant city counselor, and later assistant prosecuting attorney. Jost married Minnie Alice Hanks, of Oak Grove, Missouri, on August 9,1911. They had two children: Henry Lee Jr., and Mary.

From 1912 to 1916, Jost served two terms as the Democratic mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. He was affectionately nicknamed "Our Little Henry" by political allies. During Jost's first term, the 16th Amendment to the Constitution (imposing an income tax on the American people) became law, and the Metropolitan Railway Franchise debate began in earnest. During Jost's second term, Kansas City, Missouri, became the 10th Reserve Bank District, citizens voted for a $4,250,000 bond issue for public works, and Union Station was opened (Jost was the keynote speaker at its dedication). Jost, as mayor, became known for establishing an efficient city government. He also instituted a policy of holding town hall meetings at which he answered questions from citizens.

During Jost's two terms as mayor, he supported Joseph Shannon and the Rabbit faction. However, in later years, he associated with Thomas Pendergast and the Goat faction. In 1916, Jost ran unsuccessfully for a third term as mayor, losing to Republican George Herbert Edwards. Jost returned to private law practice until 1923, when he was elected the Democratic Congressman from the 5th District. In Congress, Jost attempted to build support for a national military park in Westport to commemorate the Battle of Westport. He was unsuccessful. Disillusioned with Washington politics, Jost declined to run for reelection in 1925. He returned to Kansas City, where he became a partner in the Sebree law firm.

The papers contains material, such as statements and addresses made as mayor, correspondence, financial statements, and legal cases. However, the main part of the collection are scrapbooks which have been microfilmed. They trace the media coverage of Jost's career as mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, as well as many civic and political events. Most, but not all of the newspaper clippings are from Kansas City area newspapers. Topics of special interest: The Metropolitan Railway Franchise debate and vote; interurban depot location; licensing of bars and saloons in Kansas City, Missouri; the need to test milk for purity and clean up the dairies; and political warfare between the Rabbits and the Goats. ca. 1898-1958

4 cubic feet; 13 volumes (MICROFORM)

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updated: Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Kansas City
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