Mural dedication to honor larger-than-life characters

During the height of the Mississippi River's steamboat days, the section of river in front of Cape Girardeau was under the stewardship of steamboat captain William "Buck" Leyhe.

One of the more familiar sites in Cape Girardeau starting in 1901 would be that of Capt. Leyhe, barking orders through a megaphone to the men unloading freight from the deck of his steamer.

Dr. Frank Nickell, director of the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University, said Leyhe was really a larger-than-life character in Cape Girardeau, one that added color to the town.

"He was just a very large character both physically and psychologically for the community," said Nickell. "He reflected what a riverboat captain should be -- he was large, gruff, tough, independent and in control."

Those traits are the reason Leyhe is depicted in the 18th panel of the floodwall mural, "The Three 'Cape Girardeaus,'" which is sponsored by the Southeast Missourian. The mural honors the steamboat tradition of Cape Girardeau, and Leyhe was the captain of all three boats named "Cape Girardeau" that operated under his Eagle Packet Line.

When the dedication of the mural project takes place Thursday at noon on Water Street, Leyhe will be represented not only by his image on Panel 18 but by his living descendants, as well.

Leyhe's grandsons Frank and William Leyhe (who is also called "Buck") will be in attendance at the dedication. Frank Leyhe said after his wife found out about the mural project on the Internet, he had to be a part of the ceremony.

"It was quite exciting to see what you were doing there and we can't wait to see it," said Leyhe.

Talk of the riverboat days still runs through the family, said Leyhe.

"For years and years, it's always been a major item -- the steamboats on the Mississippi," said Leyhe. "We all have pictures from those days."

Shuttling goods, people

Capt. Leyhe's father, also named William, and uncle Henry established the Eagle Packet Company in 1862 in St. Louis to shuttle goods and people down the river.

The company continued to ship goods and people until 1947, after the sinking of its flagship The Golden Eagle. Capt. Leyhe died in 1956.

Tim Blattner with the River Heritage Mural Association said the Leyhes will be recognized at the ceremony.

Other events on tap include speeches by those involved with the project, including lead artist Thomas Melvin, Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and director of the Missouri Division of Tourism John Robinson.

Melvin will also be on hand to sign full-color, 80-plus page mural books, complete with pictures and descriptions of the murals, that will be available for purchase at the dedication.

Another special guest and acquaintance of Melvin, Aki Busch, will be at Thursday's celebration and will swim across the Mississippi River on Friday.

For more information on the dedication, call Old Town Cape at 334-8085.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

Want to go?

What: Floodwall mural dedication

When: Thursday, noon

Where: Themis Street and Water Street

Info: 334-8085