From the Courier-Post archives - July 5, 2003
A statue of Sam Clemens the riverboat pilot is in place on Hannibal’s riverfront, courtesy of the Fred Schwartz family of East Hannibal, Ill. The nearly six-foot tall bronze likeness faces toward the river, just as Clemens did when piloting steamboats prior to the start of the Civil War.
A crowd of supporters was on hand Friday afternoon to see the statue unveiled. Commissioned and paid for by the Schwartz family, the statue is unique in that it represents Clemens’ early years, soon after he left his boyhood home of Hannibal for what would ultimately be world-wide travels.
American Legion members posted colors; the NEMO Shrine Club presented the Pledge of Allegiance; the Hannibal High School orchestra provided accompaniment for Aja Powell, who sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America, the Beautiful”; Hannibal Mayor Roy Hark served as emcee; and Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce Director Larry Craig sang “Ol’ Man River.” Two adult children of Fred and Agnes Schwartz, the Rev. Mary Armstrong-Reiner and the Rev. Tim Schwartz, who make their homes in Atlanta, Ga., and Thailand, respectively, led the invocation.
Judge Robert Clayton II donned a costume and spoke on behalf of the famed American author, Mark Twain. Typical of the Fourth of July in Hannibal, temperatures swelled toward the 100-degree mark, but that didn’t spoil the enthusiasm for the unveiling.
Quoting Twain, Clayton said “When in doubt, tell the truth.” And in doing so, Clayton said the gift of the statue to the city of Hannibal by the Schwartz family is one of the purest and fragrant gifts that could be given to the community. “And speaking of fragrant,” Clayton added, “what about that hog farm? ...”
Fred Schwartz is a fourth-generation East Hannibal, Ill., farmer, and his sons, Ted and Tom, are following in this tradition as the fifth generation to operate what is now a hog operation. While they are not official citizens of Hannibal, Fred Schwartz was raised and educated in Hannibal. During their invocation, the Revs. Armstrong-Reiner and Schwartz joined together to paraphrase a Twain quote: “There is a greater world beyond these shores.” But then they added that they’re both very proud to call the Hannibal/Quincy area home.
During the ceremony, Mayor Hark presented a proclamation to Fred Schwartz, who he described as “an adopted son of Hannibal.”
Harold Crane, representing the Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “Fred and I have been friends a long time. He has a very charitable heart.”
After the unveiling, spectators admired the new statue.
Kristy Trevathan, a Hannibal real estate agent and a member of the Parks and Recreation Board, said the statue “Looks wonderful. It is more than I expected ... it’s a real asset to our community.”
John Webber of Springfield, Ill., a journalist who formerly worked for both Hannibal and Quincy newspapers, said, “It really fills a void and that’s what Fred wanted to do. It adds a lot to the riverfront. There will be a million photographs taken in front of this.”
Ed Husar, who was covering the event for the Quincy Herald-Whig, said, “It’s fitting that a tribute is being shown to Mark Twain. His writings about the Mississippi serve as an inspiration for millions around the world.”
Stevens Plowman, president of Farmers & Merchants Bank in Hannibal, said, “It looks great. Perfect. Fred’s been a hell of a great supporter for Hannibal.”
Richard Schwartz, who was mayor of Hannibal when Glascock’s Landing grew from concept to reality following the Flood of 1993, was also on hand for the dedication ceremony. “I love it,” he said about the statue. “It is fitting. We have a Mark Twain statue in Riverview Park, but this is a great addition to this park.”
Rep. Rachel Bringer said “It’s a wonderful tribute to Mark Twain. It’s perfect for America’s Hometown.”
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Hannibal council members Jeff Hatton, Kevin Knickerbocker, Jason Janes and Kyle Wilson; George Walley, executive director of the Northeast Missouri Development Authority; Marion County Collector Lee Viorel; Jim Burns, city engineer; and City Manager Gary Shimun.
During the ceremony, Quincy Mayor Chuck Scholz received the Key to the City for the support he showed to Hannibal during the Flood of 1993. “The river doesn’t separate us,” Scholz said, “it brings us together.”
