When the last vote was counted on April 23, 1929, Dallas had a new mayor cut from a vastly different political cloth.

J. Worthington “Waddy” Tate broke the mold for Big D’s elected leaders. A former druggist and retired railroad worker, he was not rolling in money nor did he belong to the upper crust. A colorful champion of the “common people,” his idea of how Texas’ second largest city ought to be run gave the rich and powerful ample reason for alarm.

During hi...