There's More to This Boone Story

     Through my 65 years of writing and speaking about the Boone community and its citizens you would think I have, sometime, mentioned EVERYONE of note......those who have excelled on the state and even national scene, as well as locally.
     For instance, I recall doing a special series of stories on successful Boone High School graduates, those who earned special status by securing high government positions, were highly thought of as educators, excellent musicians and/or athletes or simply provided great service as community leaders.
     Examples would, of course, include Mamie, Governor Erbe, Curtis and Ray Wilbur, who held cabinet positions in the U.S. government under Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover, M'el Dowd, who became a Broadway and movie star, Hap Horan, who played in the NFL, and Dr. Ed Updegraff, who was the nation's number one amateur golfer in his prime.
     However, I've now discovered there are other Boone-connected people who made their mark and have not been mentioned by me or, perhaps, anyone else, but are deserving of similar respect.
     One of the most interesting stories I found involved Howard Savage, who was born in Boone in 1884. A businessman, he not only served as the National Commander of the American Legion in 1926-27, he was also given credit for helping introduce the forward pass to the game of American football.
     It seems that Savage and Bradbury Robinson were teammates on the 1904 University of Wisconsin football team when Robinson threw the first legal forward pass ever in college football AND he gave credit to Savage for "inspiring him" to do so.
     Robinson was quoted as saying that he was being developed as a kicker and Savage would catch his punts. In his memoir he wrote, "I noticed he (Savage) could throw my punts back almost as far as I could kick them. Here was a trick I must learn. I got Savage to show how he did that."
     Robinson learned well and his forward passes revolutionized the game of football.
     Here are some other folks with Boone connections that you may not be aware of:
     Charles Sparks practiced law in Boone, was Boone County prosecuting attorney from 1899-1902 and served four years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He died in 1937.
     Adoniram Holmes was Iowa's first U.S. House of Representative member from Iowa's 10th congressional district, which included Boone County. He died in 1902.
     Jackson Orr was a lawyer and Civil War officer who was initially involved in mercantile pursuits in Boone (Montana) but then became a member of the Iowa House in 1868 and was a two-term U.S. Representative from western Iowa. He died in 1926.
     Merrill Burlingame was born in Boone. He was a history professor at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT and specialized in Montana history. He died in 1994.
     Donald Hustad, who lived in Boone for a time, was a recognized leader in evangelical church
music for six decades. He died in 2013.
     Mike Verchio was born in Boone in 1944 and is a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives.
     Patrick Snyder was born in Boone in 1956, graduated from the University of Iowa, served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and worked for Sean Duffy, who is currently a member of the U.S. House from Wisconsin.
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     Here's another reunion alert.......the class of 1961 is planning their celebration for April 6-7.
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     The Kornerman noted that three Booneites were involved in the recent Iowa High School Boys Basketball Tournament. Rich Collison, BHS-80, was one of the floor officials, Gary Long, BHS-73, was a coordinator of the stats (statistical) crew and Everett Johnson was one of the scorekeepers.
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     One day to go.
     The suspense has been building and, again, Bernie Lewiston was fretting with wonderment.
     But Ross Hanson, BHS-74, nailed it........he wrote, "is it a happy birthday for you, Mo? I love hearing all the news. Take care." He and his wife, Gerlie, have two addresses, Phoenix and Davao City in the Philippines.
     Yes sir, Sunday, March 18, this old guy hits..........either 38 or 83.........I know those are the two numbers involved.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Richard (Dick) Ray, 79, Marshalltown/Rhodes. Formerly of Boone. BHS-57. Worked at Swift's in Marshalltown and, with his wife, Sharon, operated the End Zone bar in Rhodes. His wife and four children survive.........William (Bill) Hull, 81, Des Moines. Formerly of Boone. Worked for Rolfes and Goeppinger Farms. Was a bus driver for the Urbandale school system. Retired in 2015. Boone area survivor is a daughter, Vicky Lonergan, of Boone. A son and two other daughters also survive.........Gary Siedelmann, 64, Ames. Boone area survivor is a sister, Jan Stiles, of Stratford.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments/SUPPORT.......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.