232 MISSOURI HISTORICAL REVIEW
BLIND BOONE AND JOHN LANGE, JR.
BY NORTH TODD GENTRY
John W. Boone, known as "Blind Boone," was a musical
wonder, although he never saw a piano or a piece of music.
He was born in Warrensburg, Missouri, in 1864, and at the
age of two years lost his sight as a result of illness. He
was brought to Columbia in 1880 at the age of sixteen. That
year "Blind Tom," a noted Negro pianist, gave a concert
in Garth hall, later known as the Haden opera house. His
manager invited persons in the audience to come to the stage
and play for Tom to imitate. "Blind John," as Boone was
then called, came forward and surprised every one by playing a difficult number. This was the first public appearance
of Columbia's later famous Negro pianist. Then John gave
a concert in the county courtroom of the old courthouse,
amazing his Columbia friends with his musical ability. He
then took the name of "Blind Boone," and made a reputation
as a pianist and composer.
John Lange, Jr., also a Negro, was a son of John Lange,
Sr., who came from New Orleans. He was the son of a
Negro woman, but his father was a Frenchman. John Lange,
Jr., was a teamster and did hauling for H. H. Banks, a clerk
in S. B. Kirtley's book and music store in Columbia. The
blind Negro boy came to the Kirtley store and was given
permission to play on a piano. Mr. Banks suggested to
Lange that he act as manager and go with Boone to various
cities and towns and give concerts. The two started out,
not knowing where they were going. At first they were not
successful financially, for Lange afterwards said that many
times he and Boone slept all night on the floor of a station
house, and had only one meal a day.
A man in north Missouri near the Iowa line, who heard
Boone play, became interested and furnished the money to
pay for pictures of Boone and Lange. He also employed
a man to go two weeks in advance and advertise Boone's
concerts. Immediately large crowds greeted them in every
place. Boone and Lange traveled over most of the United
