MAN STARTS DRIVE TO PUT MULE ON FLIP SIDE OF QUARTER

Charles Woodford is only slightly worried that he's putting the cart before the mule on his latest project to promote Missouri's official animal.

In six years, a new commemorative quarter will be minted for Missouri. George Washington will still be on the "heads" side, but Woodford would like to see the mule on the "tails" side.

"Maybe it's a little early to start," Woodford said. "But then again. I think it's not too soon to start laying groundwork."

Each state will choose a representative design for one face of 50 new 25-cent pieces. The state coins will be minted in order of each state's admission to the union. Missouri is 24. That means it is in line for a coin around 2003. The first coins are set to be minted in 1999.

In 1995, the Missouri legislature approved the mule as Missouri's official animal, thanks in large part to Woodford and the Cape Girardeau American Legion.

The local veterans rallied support for the mule and fended off critics who couldn't tell a mule from a donkey.

Mules are a hybrid of a mare and a jackass. Mules are smarter than horses and can do a third more work on a third less rations Woodford said.

Mules became associated with Missouri for a variety of reasons, one being Missouri mule breeders' reputation for top quality animals.

Mules worked the mines, logged the forests, worked in construction, built roads and railroads, and drained the swamps in Southeast Missouri.

War veterans showed an interest because the mule, too, is a veteran, packing equipment and supplies through rough terrain during wartime.

Mules have a fan club of sorts. Mule magazines discuss the virtues of the animals. Statewide and national organizations of mule skinners share information about their favorite animals.

"The mule is the quintessential representation of Missouri," Woodford said. "Sure we have the bluebird and the dogwood and a fossil, but none of those things say Missouri the way the mule does."

So Woodford is powering up his mule lobby of experts and enthusiasts from across the state, to help ensure that Missourians will someday be saying "heads or mules?"