BALDWIN — The Baker University professor who wrote the popular musical “The Ballad of Black Jack” based on a Bleeding Kansas battle near Baldwin City has died. Don Mueller died June 24 at the age of 87. Mueller composed the musical for the Maple Leaf Festival in 1970 as part of Baldwin City’s centennial celebration. “The Ballad of Black Jack” tells the story of the skirmish between an outnumbered force led by abolitionist John Brown and a slave-state militia unit led by Henry Pate in Palmyra Township just east of what is now Baldwin City. The Baldwin City Signal reports the musical was supposed to be performed only during the 1970 festival, but was so popular it became a staple of many Maple Leaf Festivals. Rather than a funeral, there will be a party celebrating Mueller’s life 4-6 July 21 at The Lodge in Baldwin City.
Updated 7/1/13 @ 10:15 pm
