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Story
June 7, 1962
Geauga Record
Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio
What is this article about?
Biographical tribute to Native American athlete Jim Thorpe, highlighting his unparalleled 20th-century sports achievements, loss of 1912 Olympic medals, later poverty, and death at 64, framed with a Will Rogers anecdote on ancestry.
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PROFILES OF FAITH
THE RED MAN'S history is an integral part of the history of our nation.
After all, they got here first.
Will Rogers, the famous humorist, was once with some high-falutin' lah-de-dah folks who were braggin' about their ancestry. A lady with eye glasses on a stick looked at Will and asked:
"Mistah Rogers, did yoah ancestors come ovah heah on the Mayflowah?"
"Nope," Rogers replied, "but they met the boat" -- and they did for Will was part Indian.
This little story is just so much window-dressing to introduce a fellow Oklahoman of Will Rogers -- the fabulous Indian, Jim Thorpe.
If you are an enthusiast of the "wonder men of athletics" then the amazing Jim Thorpe is well at the top of your list. Sport historians have unanimously voted him the greatest football player and greatest all-around athlete of the 20th century.
And yet, during his last years, Jim was all but forgotten. Living in deepest poverty, sick and neglected, he at one time had to dig ditches to keep body and soul together.
The Carlisle Indian, was far more sinned against than sinning when he was deprived of his hard-earned medals and honors won in the 1912 Olympiad in Stockholm.
Charges were made that he had violated his amateur standing by playing semi-professional ball. Several efforts were made to return Thorpe's medals to him but to no avail.
There is not room here to recite his exploits on gridiron, diamond and cinder track-- except to say they were terrific
When he was only 64, Jim Thorpe was found dead on the floor of his one-room trailer.
His great heart had given out.
There is a Gospel song called "When I've Done My Best." The words go like this: "When I've done the best I can, If my friends don't understand, Then my Lord will carry me home."
That I believe is apropos as a tribute to a great athlete, Jim Thorpe.
Keep smiling and have a real good day. -- Ron Blewett.
THE RED MAN'S history is an integral part of the history of our nation.
After all, they got here first.
Will Rogers, the famous humorist, was once with some high-falutin' lah-de-dah folks who were braggin' about their ancestry. A lady with eye glasses on a stick looked at Will and asked:
"Mistah Rogers, did yoah ancestors come ovah heah on the Mayflowah?"
"Nope," Rogers replied, "but they met the boat" -- and they did for Will was part Indian.
This little story is just so much window-dressing to introduce a fellow Oklahoman of Will Rogers -- the fabulous Indian, Jim Thorpe.
If you are an enthusiast of the "wonder men of athletics" then the amazing Jim Thorpe is well at the top of your list. Sport historians have unanimously voted him the greatest football player and greatest all-around athlete of the 20th century.
And yet, during his last years, Jim was all but forgotten. Living in deepest poverty, sick and neglected, he at one time had to dig ditches to keep body and soul together.
The Carlisle Indian, was far more sinned against than sinning when he was deprived of his hard-earned medals and honors won in the 1912 Olympiad in Stockholm.
Charges were made that he had violated his amateur standing by playing semi-professional ball. Several efforts were made to return Thorpe's medals to him but to no avail.
There is not room here to recite his exploits on gridiron, diamond and cinder track-- except to say they were terrific
When he was only 64, Jim Thorpe was found dead on the floor of his one-room trailer.
His great heart had given out.
There is a Gospel song called "When I've Done My Best." The words go like this: "When I've done the best I can, If my friends don't understand, Then my Lord will carry me home."
That I believe is apropos as a tribute to a great athlete, Jim Thorpe.
Keep smiling and have a real good day. -- Ron Blewett.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Personal Triumph
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Misfortune
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Jim Thorpe
Native American Athlete
Olympic Medals
Football Greatness
Poverty Death
What entities or persons were involved?
Will Rogers
Jim Thorpe
Where did it happen?
Oklahoma
Story Details
Key Persons
Will Rogers
Jim Thorpe
Location
Oklahoma
Event Date
20th Century
Story Details
Jim Thorpe, a Native American athlete from Oklahoma, was voted the greatest football player and all-around athlete of the 20th century. He won medals at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics but lost them due to amateur status violation from semi-pro baseball. Later impoverished, he died at 64 in a trailer.