Just as his grandfather did more than 40 years ago, artist Anthony Benton Gude attracted a big crowd Friday night at Neosho City Hall. A standing-room-only, overflowing crowd came to see the newly-installed, as yet unnamed, mural, and meet the man who created all the excitement.

As people moved about the room to see the mural from every angle, the air was filled with oohs and aahs along with much pointing and questioning.

Undoubtedly, the biggest smile in the room belonged to David Hendrix, manager of the Neosho National Fish Hatchery. Hendrix solidly anchors the left side of the mural where he is shown as he looked when he first entered the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a young man. He is the only citizen of the community specifically chosen as a model for the mural.

With the exception of Camp Crowder, the Gude mural picks up the history of Neosho where the Centennial Mural ended in 1939. The new work carries the town forward to May 12, 1962, when Gude’s grandfather and Neosho native Thomas Hart Benton was feted with an unforgettable homecoming. This era represents the time of industrial growth and unashamed civic pride. Using the images of working men and women, the mural highlights the fish hatchery, Pet Milk, Rocketdyne, the 1952 All-America City designation and the Benton Homecoming.

Those who came to the dedication on Friday came prepared to spend the evening. In what was billed as a “come and go” event, most people did “come” but they didn’t want to “go,” and the crowd continued to grow until the very last minute. Elbow-to-elbow they stood, taking in both the mural and the speakers, especially eager to hear from the artist who answered several questions posed by those in attendance.

Among the crowd were elected city, county, and state officials; businessmen and women; retired citizens; and even an Indian chief: Glenna Wallace, chief of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. Especially notable was the attendance of prominent local artists such as Billie Stewart, Doug Hall and several competitors in the recent mural competitions. Equally notable was the presence of art instructors from local public schools, eager to learn more about the mural and its creator; information they will now share with their students.

While the mural is unnamed, it might well be called “Neosho Pride” because it so well demonstrates how this community feels about its heritage; its All-America City designation; and its citizens—famous and not-so-famous—who go about their daily lives making Neosho an outstanding place to call home.

We congratulate the motivating forces behind this mural, Steve Roark of the Newton County Tourism Council, the benefactors who funded the project, the committee that guided and advised the artist, and the City of Neosho for providing a home for what we are sure will be a great attraction for years to come.

DAILY NEWS