Texas Governor Dan Moody Broke the Back of the KKK

Moody, the youngest person ever elected Texas governor, made history as the first prosecutor to successfully convict KKK members in 1924.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Dan Moody, a native of Taylor, Texas, made history as the first prosecutor in the U.S. to successfully convict Ku Klux Klan members in 1924 while serving as district attorney for Travis and Williamson counties. This accomplishment helped turn the tide against the KKK's political power in Texas. Moody went on to become the youngest person ever elected Texas governor, serving two terms from 1927 to 1931. After retiring from elected office, Moody continued to serve in high-profile legal roles, including assisting the U.S. Attorney General at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Why it matters

Moody's prosecution of the KKK in the 1920s was a pivotal moment in the fight against the hate group's resurgence in Texas. As a young, ambitious prosecutor, Moody took on the politically powerful KKK and succeeded in convicting several members, which historians say "broke the back" of the organization's influence in the state. Moody's actions helped set the stage for his own rise to become the youngest Texas governor ever elected.

The details

In 1924, at the age of 29, Moody became the first prosecutor in the U.S. to successfully convict KKK members, sending four Klansmen to prison. This notable accomplishment came during Moody's time as district attorney for Travis and Williamson counties. Historians say Moody's prosecutions helped turn the tide against the KKK's political resurgence in Texas between 1923 and 1924. Moody went on to win a campaign for Texas attorney general, and then became the youngest person ever elected Texas governor, serving two terms from 1927 to 1931.

  • In 1924, Moody successfully prosecuted and convicted four KKK members while serving as district attorney.
  • Moody was elected Texas attorney general in 1925 at the age of 32.
  • Moody was elected Texas governor in 1927 at the age of 34, making him the youngest person ever to hold that office.

The players

Dan Moody

A native of Taylor, Texas who made history as the first prosecutor in the U.S. to successfully convict Ku Klux Klan members in 1924. Moody went on to become the youngest person ever elected Texas governor, serving two terms from 1927 to 1931.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

The former U.S. President who requested Moody's assistance in taking on tax evasion cases in Louisiana after Moody retired from elected office.

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What they’re saying

“Dan Moody's passion for justice led him to be the first to successfully prosecute a case against the notorious Klu Klux Klan when he was District Attorney for Travis and Williamson counties.”

— Moody Museum (Moody Museum)

What’s next

Moody's legacy continues to be celebrated at the Moody Museum in his hometown of Taylor, Texas, which is housed in the late 19th century home that first brought the Moody name to the town.

The takeaway

Dan Moody's courageous prosecution of the KKK as a young district attorney helped weaken the hate group's political power in Texas, paving the way for his own historic rise to become the state's youngest ever governor. Moody's story demonstrates how one person's commitment to justice can have a lasting impact.