The mule received 20 percent of the vote in a field of 26 state symbols. That was a crowded field to be sure and the flowering dogwood, Missouri state tree, coming in second with 13 percent of the vote. All the others had less than 13 percent of the vote.

It's true that many of the fairgoers are farmers and we'd expect them to favor the mule. Then again, many younger people know little or nothing about the mule.

Franklin County once was recognized as a major mule breeding area. Mule breeders in Berger and Labadie supplied mules to the military during World Wars I and II. A decorated World War II officer from Washington, the late Charlie Saucier, was with a mountain artillery mule unit that fought in Italy.

The mule hasn't completely faded from the agriculture scene in Franklin County, and in Missouri, but there are fewer of them today. The mule was known for its stubbornness, but the animals played an important role for the military, in addition to being important work tools for farmers.

Missourians can be stubborn people so the mule is an appropriate symbol. We're glad it has not been forgotten!