Because of this, his hometown of Warrensburg decided to make sure that Boone received an education and paid for him to attend the Missouri School for the Blind where he played the piano for first time.

After growing bored with his experience there (they tried to teach him to make brooms), Boone's habitual rule breaking (sneaking off at night to listen to piano music at the local barrooms) got him expelled.

He was actually kidnapped for a time by a gambler and sometime showman, Mark Cromwell, until his step-father, Harrison Hendricks caught up with them in Mexico, Missouri.

Only meager financial success was attained until Boone was boarded for two months at the home of George Sampson in Iowa.

Upon his return to Iowa, Lange found his young protege had acquired much new skill, and with the addition of a vocalist, began billing as the Blind Boone Concert Company.

They began to acquire fame and fortune, returning to Columbia in 1887 with a large sum of money to deposit in their bank account.

Upon announcing his retirement from touring in 1924, Boone was described by a Kansas City newspaper as having, "combined talent with hard work to make life worth living."

Due to financial difficulties brought on by a less than adequate manager, Boone continued to play concerts until the spring of 1927.

[8] The 9 ft., oak grand piano is curated by the historical society and is on display to the public during the museum's open hours.