HARRY TRUMAN HEADS FAMOUS MISSOURIANS ON PROPOSED FLOODWALL MURAL

The 33rd president of the United States will share billing with two of Missouri's most notorious outlaws on a blocklong Missouri Wall of Fame mural proposed by the River Heritage Mural Association.

Harry S. Truman, the man with no middle name, and a native Missourian who became president in 1945, heads a list of more than 40 people named to appear on the river wall mural.

"No distinction was made based on race, creed or ethnic background," said J. Tim Blattner, president of the mural association. "The main intent of the Wall of Fame is to recognize people who were, or are, judged to be famous."

Frank and Jesse James, born in Kearney, became members of the notorious "James Gang," which supposedly "robbed from the rich and gave to the poor."

The Wall of Fame, being designed by Margaret Randol Dement, a native of Cape Girardeau, will feature the likeness of some 45 famous Missourians and will cover the entire inside of the river wall space between Independence and Merriwether streets.

The proposed mural is the seventh and largest undertaking by the mural association, which has a goal of creating 10 murals in 10 years in Cape Girardeau.

The seven-color mural is intended to be of historical interest and add to the aesthetic quality of history downtown, Blattner said. In addition to the mural, new shrubs and landscaping are planned to enhance the site.

Among other names mentioned for the mural are Mark Twain, author of "Tom Sawyer" and "Huck Finn," and other books; noted Missouri artist Thomas Hart Benton; Walter Cronkite, who served as anchorman for "CBS Evening News" for a number of years; author Laura Ingalls Wilder; playwright Tennessee Williams; and pinup girl Betty Grable.

Also on the list are James Cash Penney, born in Hamilton and founder of J.C. Penney Co. Inc.; actress Jean Harlow, born in Kansas City; Susan Blow, founder of the first successful public kindergarten, born in St. Louis.

Cape Girardeau's contribution to the mural will include national radio and television talk show host, Rush Limbaugh.

Also there will be a center panel of the Missouri flag, which was designed in 1908 by Mrs. Marie Oliver in Cape Girardeau. Other local celebrities include physicist and pioneer woman astronaut, Linda Godwin, and world renowned musician Jess Stacy, both born in Cape Girardeau.

Missing from the list is one of the most well-known figures of all, Walt Disney.

Disney, although not born in Missouri, was raised in the state and got his first start as a cartoonist at Kansas City. He went on to become one of the world's top cartoonists and founder of Disneyland. However, one of the four prerequisites to appear on the wall is to obtain permission, which was refused by the Disney Co.

The basic criteria used by a 10-member selection committee was that the person be born in Missouri, or achieved national or international recognition in Missouri, and that permission be obtained.

The selection committee worked for more than year in compiling the list of people to be included.

The 500-foot-long, 14-foot-high mural, at an estimated cost of $35,000, is the most expensive mural proposed by the mural association.

"Cost of the mural will be about $35,000," Blattner said. "We would like to have the funding in place as soon as possible."

The mural association is requesting funding and support from a number of organizations and individuals.

"We're offering a `Buy-a-Panel' program to help raise funds," Blattner said. "The mural design covers 25 separate panels." Individuals or groups willing to participate may designate which famous person or group of famous Missourians they want to honor on the wall.

Contributors will be recognized by a permanent plaque placed at the mural site. Additional information is available by calling Narvol Randol Jr., finance chairman, at (314)-334-2002.

Previous murals completed by the mural association in its 10-year program include the Parker Mural (1986), on a building near the Water Street-Themis intersection; Washington School Mural (1987); Riverfest Mural (1989) facing Spanish Street in the block between Broadway and Themis; Floodwall mural, a 320-foot-long mural on the river side of the river wall between Themis and Broadway; Bi-Centennial Mural, near the corner of Broadway and Fountain; and the Heritage of Music Mural at Broadway and Frederick.

WALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS

Proposed nominations for "Missouri Wall of Fame," mural for downtown Cape Girardeau.

Harry Truman, born at Lamar, U.S. president, 1945-1953.

Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), born at Florida, author.

George Washington Carver, born at Diamond, research scientist.

John Pershing, born near LaClede, general.

Frank and Jesse James, born in Kearney, outlaws.

Rush Limbaugh, born in Cape Girardeau, radio and TV talk show host and author.

Thomas Hart Benton, born at Neosho, artist.

Scott Joplin, born at Sedalia, pianist and composer.

Walter Cronkite, born in St. Joseph, journalist and anchorman for "CBS Evening News."

Joseph Pulitzer, born in Hungary, lived in Missouri, journalist and businessman.

Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Canary), born in Princeton, pony express rider and scout.

Laura Ingalls Wilder, born at Mansfield, author.

T. S. Eliot, born in St. Louis, poet, playwright, Nobel Prize winner.

Tennessee Williams, born in Mississippi, lived in St. Louis, playwright.

August Busch, born in St. Louis, businessman, owner of St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.

Betty Grable, born in St. Louis, pin-up girl and actress.

Omar Bradley, born at Clark, military.

Dale Carnegie, born at Maryville, lecturer and author.

Vincent Price, born in St. Louis, actor.

George Caleb Bingham, born in Virginia, lived in Missouri, artist.

Dred Scott, born in Virginia, lived in St. Louis.

J. C. Penney, born in Hamilton, founder of J.C. Penney Co. Inc.

Stan Musial, born in Pennsylvania, played baseball for Cardinals 1941-1963.

Eugene Field, born in St. Louis, author, poet.

Don Faurot, Missouri football coach.

Jack Buck, born in Massachusetts, St. Louis Cardinal announcer.

Yogi Berra, born in St. Louis, Hall of Fame baseball player.

Linda Godwin, born in Cape Girardeau, physicist, pioneer woman astronaut.

Langston Hughes, born in Joplin, author, songwriter.

Joe Garagiola, born in St. Louis, sports broadcaster, baseball player.

Burt Bacharach, born in Kansas City, composer and conductor.

Porter Wagoner of West Plains, country music entertainer.

Marlin Perkins, born in Carthage, host of "Wild Kingdom" television program.

Redd Foxx, born in St. Louis, actor, comedian.

Ginger Rogers, born in Independence, actress.

Lou Brock, born in Arkansas, baseball player at St. Louis.

George Brett, born in West Virginia, baseball player for K.C. Royals.

Jean Harlow, born in Kansas City, actress.

Susan Blow, born in St. Louis, opened first public kindergarten.

Kate Chopin, born in St. Louis, author.

John Huston, born in Nevada, Mo., movie director.

Jess Stacy, born in Cape Girardeau, musician.

Rose O'Neal, artist and creator of Kewpie doll.

Josephine Baker, singer.