New Franklin native Lee Edgar Settles is credited as the composer of the Missouri Waltz, adopted by the state as the official state song in 1949. In New Franklin and neighboring towns, Settles was known to have played the waltz long before it was published. He was playing the tune in a Moberly hotel when John Epple asked him to play it for him. Shortly thereafter Setlles saw the sheet music for “The Missouri Waltz”, played it and recognized it as his own music. When confronted, Epple said he had published it because he didn’t think Settles would. He offered Settles royalties, which were refused.
The Missouri Waltz
