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                            Exhibit 5
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                     LEWIS, RICE & FINGERSH

                  A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

                       ATTORNEYS AT LAW


                 500 N. BROADWAY, SUITE 2000
               ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63102-2147

                       TEL (314) 444-7600

                          May 18, 1995



Boatmen's Bancshares, Inc.
One Boatmen's Plaza
800 Market Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63101

     RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8 OF 37,489 SHARES OF
          COMMON STOCK FOR THE WESTSIDE BANCSHARES, INCORPORATED
          INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN

Gentlemen:

     In connection with the registration of 37,489 shares of
common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), of
Boatmen's Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") for issuance pursuant
to the Westside Bancshares, Incorporated Incentive Stock Option
Plan (the "Plan"), you have requested that we furnish you with
our opinion as to the legality of such issuance of the Shares.

     As counsel to the Company, we have participated in the
preparation of its Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement")
with respect to the Shares.  We have examined and are familiar
with the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws as
amended, records of corporate proceedings, the Plan and such
other documents and records as we have considered appropriate.

     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Shares have been duly and validly authorized and will, when
issued pursuant to the Plan, be legally issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.

     We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                              Very truly yours,

                              LEWIS, RICE & FINGERSH, L.C.

                              /s/ Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.





ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI * KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI * CLAYTON, MISSOURI *
WASHINGTON, MISSOURI * BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS * HAYS, KANSAS * LEAWOOD, KANSAS