John William Blind Boone

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John W. “Blind” Boone, born to a runaway slave during the Civil War, lost his sight at the young age of six months. Even so, in later years, he could play anything on the piano having heard it only once, and was one of the early pioneers in the field of ragtime music.

Rachel Boone had escaped from slavery and was working at the Federal Camp of the 7th Militia, Company I at Miami, Missouri when she gave birth to her son, naming him John William Boone. Rachel used to say that her son was a descendant of Daniel Boone.  Soon after his birth, Rachel brought her baby to Warrensburg, Missouri where she found employment working in homes of the more prominent citizens of the day. At only 6 months of age, John, or “Willie” as he came to be known, had to have surgery to save him from the ravages of what they termed “Brain fever”. In order to save his life, the doctors were forced to remove his eyes and sew the lids shut. He was saved and went on to live a most amazing life.

Boone’s career as a piano player began to come alive when a black man named John Lange found Boone when he was fifteen. He cared for Boone and tried to educate him as best he could in exchange for half of all his earnings. 

    Boone may have been one of the first black musicians to play before white people in a serious music hall. He had to face much racial discrimination over the years. He often would play two concerts in one evening- one for blacks, and one for a white audience. When audiences became restless after numerous concertos, Boone would stop and say: “We’re going to put the cookies on the lower shelf now,” and burst into a ragtime beat. 
     Eventually, a man named Cromwell hired Boone to travel and play in the streets again. Boone agreed because he was low on money and had no choice. Cromwell was cruel, but Boone was saved by his stepfather when Cromwell lost Boone by betting him in a poker game. Lange and Boone found each other once more.
    In 1888, Boone married his manager’s sister. He had many happy times throughout his career. He was responsible for the Negro Baptist Church that went up next door to his newer house in Columbia, even though he wasn’t a baptist. He became well known for being able to reproduce any musical number he heard. He was a very generous man. He saw his blindness as a blessing, not a burden. He never wished to have any of his music written down. Boone believed greatly in education, perseverance, and hard work. At the time of his retirement from the music business, the Kansas City Star newspaper said his annual income was $17,000.
    Boone’s 47 year career in music ended four months before he died. “Blind” boone died on October 4, 1927 in the home of his brother, Samuel Hendrix. His death was caused by a stroke of apoplexy. He was buried in Columbia, Missouri. His grave lies there still today, peaceful and respected for his gift to the musical community.

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