Amazingly, Maryville plays a role in the history of Walter Cronkite’s dogs!
Specifically, the dogs are terriers belonging to CBS Newscaster Walter Cronkite’s father, Walter Leland Cronkite, Sr., who was a dentist in St. Joseph, where the newscaster was born in November 1916.
The history gets a little complicated since divorces and other marriages are involved, and I will get into that with more detail in a separate article, but this article focuses on the dogs.
The top photo, from a colorized dentist’s entry on Findagrave, depicts a 13-year-old future newscaster in 1930 in Galveston, Texas, with a wire fox terrier on his lap. He is with his mother, Helen Lena Fritsche Cronkite, and her parents, Edward Charles “Ed” Fritsche and Mathilda Renz Fritsche. Helen and Walter Sr. married in November 1915 in Leavenworth, where Walter Sr. was the official dentist for the Leavenworth Penitentiary. Walter and Helen divorced in 1930. She never remarried and subsequently moved to Washington, DC to be closer to Walter.
The bottom 1975 photo depicts Marguerite Augusta Cummins (Costello) Cronkite , who married Walter Sr. in 1944 (when Walter Jr. was 28) after Marguerite’s first husband Byron Edward Costello died. Marguerite had two children with Byron Hattie Mae Costello Wiseman and Jane Marguerite Teresa Costello. Jane was an elementary education instructor at Northwest in Maryville, and Marguerite moved there after Walter Sr. died in 1973. She brought with her the pet schnauzer (probably a miniature schnauzer) named Skipper. Dr. Cronkite chose the dog as a family pet because it was playing tug-of-war with Marguerite while the rest of the litter slept.
Marguerite had substantial Maryville connections. She was head of her class at St. Patrick’s High School in 1917 (class size 7). She was born in Darlington, Missouri, southwest of Albany in Gentry County. Her father was Judge Thomas Andrew Cummins of the Missouri Fourth Judicial Circuit Court, which is the state trial court of general jurisdiction for Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth counties in northwest Missouri. The court handles civil, criminal, probate, and small-claims cases, operating from individual county seats across the circuit. Her obituary noted she was related to various Cummins in the area, including the owners of the Cummins Furniture Store.
She died in 1979. Jane died in 2004.
Walter Cronkite Jr. died in 2009. He was a dedicated dog lover who was widely remembered for crying “openly and without shame” when his beloved yellow Lab passed away.
Commentators had joked that since Cronkite was the “most trusted man in America,” he should be humanized by co-anchoring with “Trusty,” the dog. Below is an AI cartoon showing this.
Part of the inspiration for this was on March 15, 1954, “The Morning Show,” anchored by Walter Cronkite with Charles Collingwood as newsman, debuted on CBS. To compete with J. Fred Muggs, The Morning Show featured the puppets of Bil and Cora Baird, including a lion named Charlemagne and a “disk doggie” named Humphrey. Charlemagne would offer commentary about news events, and then would dance with Humphrey when records were played
Difference Between Wire Fox Terrier and Miniature Schnauzer
While both the Wire Fox Terrier and Miniature Schnauzer are small, wiry-coated breeds known for their beards, they differ significantly in origin, purpose, and temperament. The Terrier is a high-energy British hunting dog, while the Schnauzer is a German farm dog that tends to be more adaptable and people-focused.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Origin & Purpose
- Wire Fox Terrier: Developed in England to flush foxes out of their underground lairs . They are quintessential, independent hunting terriers with a very high prey drive . [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Miniature Schnauzer: Originated in Germany as all-around farm dogs bred to catch rats and act as watchdogs. They belong to the Pinscher and Schnauzer family rather than traditional British terriers . [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Appearance
- Head & Face: Both have recognizable beards, but Miniature Schnauzers are also famous for their pronounced bushy eyebrows . Wire Fox Terriers have narrow, flat skulls that taper toward the nose . [1, 2]
- Colors: The Wire Fox Terrier has a predominantly white body with black or tan markings. Miniature Schnauzers typically come in solid black, black and silver, or salt-and-pepper . [1, 2, 3]
- Size: Both are similar in size, standing between 12 to 15 inches tall and weighing roughly 15 to 20 pounds. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Temperament & Personality
- Wire Fox Terrier: Known to be constantly alert, “on their toes,” and somewhat mischievous. They are bold, independent spirits that can be willful and require confident training. [1, 2, 3]
- Miniature Schnauzer: Generally more eager to please, obedient, and outwardly friendly. While spunky and vocal, they often adapt more easily to different family structures and environments. [1, 2]
Grooming Needs
Both breeds feature hard, wiry double coats that require specialized grooming. To maintain their weather-resistant texture and distinct colors, they are typically hand-stripped rather than clipped with electric shears. Hand-stripping pulls the dead topcoat by hand so new, harsh hair can grow in. Both will shed very little if properly groomed.
Both Wire Fox Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers are classified as terriers within the American Kennel Club Terrier Group.[1, 2]
However, their backgrounds and lineages are very different:
- Wire Fox Terrier: They are quintessential British terriers, originally bred to hunt, track, and flush out foxes from underground dens. They feature a dense, wiry coat and are highly energetic, independent, and notoriously plucky. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Miniature Schnauzer: Unlike most terriers, they have no British ancestry. Bred in Germany as all-around farm dogs and ratters, they were developed by mixing the Standard Schnauzer with the Affenpinscher and the Poodle . They feature a wiry coat, a distinctive bushy beard, and are known for being highly intelligent and overtly friendly . [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Because of their wiry coats and similar energy levels, Miniature Schnauzers and Wire Fox Terriers share many physical traits, but their personalities and ancestral roots remain quite distinct.
Disk Doggie and Baird Puppets Used on Walter Cronkite’s 1954 CBS Morning Show
“Disk Doggie,” also known as Humphrey the Hound Dog, is a clever marionette character created in the 1950s by legendary puppeteer Bil Baird. Named for his ability to fetch phonograph records, the dog operated as a robotic stand-in for human disk jockeys during early television variety and music shows . [1, 2]
Overview of Humphrey the “Disk Doggie”
- Origin: Conceived in the mid-1950s, Humphrey served as a popular prop/puppet character that “took over” the turntable on occasion . [1]
- Function: The character capitalized on the emerging TV market, performing as a dog that magically changed records or introduced tracks, cleverly blending puppetry with music broadcasting. [1]
- The Creator: Built by Bil Baird (alongside his wife, Cora Baird), the marionette reflects the clever, whimsical, and highly mechanical puppet designs they were known for before creating the iconic puppetry sequences in The Sound of Music . [1, 2, 3]
The Baird Puppetry Legacy
If you are fascinated by Humphrey the Disk Doggie and the Bairds’ mechanical puppets, their wider collection is preserved for the public. You can view the famous creations at the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum in Mason City, Iowa, which houses the permanent Bil Baird: World of Puppets gallery .
Jokes About Urban Legend that Walter Cronkite Should Co-Anchor CBS News
- “Tonight’s top story: extra treats in the newsroom. Walter Cronkite and Trusty agree — that’s the real peace process.”
- “In a move to humanize the news, Walter Cronkite will co-anchor with Trusty. Ratings expected to spike during the weather segment: ‘Left paw, right paw… drizzle.’”
- “Walter Cronkite and Trusty will co-anchor. Trusty will handle breaking news; Walter will translate it into comfortable sentences.”
- “CBS says the new co-anchor is a dog to bring warmth to the broadcast. Walter Cronkite reportedly insists on a teleprompter and a squeaky toy.”
- “When asked about credibility, Trusty simply wagged. Walter replied, ‘There you have it — unbiased reporting.’”
- “Trusty will cover human interest — mostly the interest in belly rubs. Walter will remind viewers this is still serious journalism.”
- “They tested Trusty’s delivery of hard news. He paused, stared into the camera, and everyone forgave the budget cuts.”
- “Walter Cronkite and Trusty co-anchoring: two voices of authority. One speaks softly, the other brings snacks.”
- “CBS announced Trusty will do the sign-off: ‘And that’s the way it was’ — followed by a solid nap.”
- “Critics worried about mixing perky canine energy with gravitas. CBS reassured them: Trusty is only allowed to wag during commercial breaks.”“
- Live from the newsroom: Walter Cronkite and Trusty — one reads the teleprompter, the other reads the room.”
- “Trusty’s first assignment: chase down leads. Walter’s: calmly narrates the chase.”
- “CBS says Trusty will add authenticity. Walter says he just hopes Trusty can stop burying the ratings.”
- “Weather report with Trusty: ‘Chance of treats, 80%. Sniffing likely.’”
- “Trusty’s idea of ‘hard-hitting journalism’ is politely stealing the correspondent’s sandwich.”
- “They rehearsed sign-off lines. Walter: ‘And that’s the way it was.’ Trusty: ‘And that’s the way it was… with a tail wag.’”
- “Trusty’s on-camera presence boosted morale — mostly that of the catering staff.”
- “When asked about impartiality, Trusty tilted his head. Walter noted: ‘A perfect balance of skepticism and curiosity.’”
- “Trusty will co-anchor politics — he’s already sniffed out half the caucus.”
- “Trusty insisted on a theme song: a jaunty bark followed by dignified organ music.”
- “Viewers loved the chemistry. Trusty handled the chewables, Walter handled the chewiness of policy.”
- “Trusty’s bio reads: ‘Loves long walks, press releases, and the occasional scoop.’”
- “In a debate segment, Trusty simply fetched the moderator’s gavel. Instant resolution.”
- “Trusty’s live mic moment? A tactical bark during a contested vote — instantly viral.”
- “CBS introduced a ‘paw of approval’ rating from Trusty — advertisers wanted in immediately.”
- “Trusty refused to wear a tie, prompting an editorial on freedom of fur.”
- “Trusty’s investigative piece: ‘Where do socks go?’ Audience demand immediate follow-up.”
- “Trusty brought new meaning to ‘human interest’ stories: lots of sniffing, some slobber, full empathy.”
- “Cronkite and Trusty’s chemistry was undeniable — one steadied the tone, the other steadied the cameraman.”
- “Trusty’s closing line: ‘And that’s the way it was… unless there are treats, in which case it’s slightly different.’”