Hometown:  Born in Miami, Saline County, Missouri in a Federal Army Camp.  
After the war his mother, who had been a slave for the Daniel Boone Family,  moved to Warrensburg.  When he was six month old his eyes were removed because the doctors said he had “brain fever”.

Date of Birth:  1864

Date of Death:  1927

What makes this person famous?  He was a composer and pianist.  
 He played ragtime and classical piano across the United States and for royalty in Europe.  He was paid as much as $17,000 for one performance.   He did benefit concerts to raise money for both black and white churches.

How does your town commemorate this famous Missourian?
      His house on North Fourth Street is being preserved by the city.
In June the community held the Blind Boone Ragtime Celebration.  A community center is named after him.
 

Other interesting facts: He was a musical child prodigy and could play any music after hearing it just once.  He learned to play the piano at the age of nine while attending a school for the blind in St. Louis.  

You can see pictures of him in the following book:
Images of Our Lives Since 1901.  Columbia Daily Tribune.
Columbia, Missouri 2001.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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