Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe was my idol, growing up. I read everything about him that I could find.If you want information about the life and career of Jim Thorpe, try Wikipedia. They have a pretty good article.
Still, there IS a something I would like to emphasize:
His family did not have enough money to bury him in Oklahoma at first. They wanted a place that would build a park and stadium in his honor. They managed to raise $2,500. Senator Walker, Representatives Levergood and Stevens, and Governor Murray of Oklahoma promised a park and would name Jim Thorpe Stadium in his honor. 48 hours after promising, the Governor vetoed the very bill.
Mrs. Thorpe (his third wife) negotiated with the town of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. Mauch Chunk consolidated with Mauch Chunk East and adopted the nameJim Thorpe, PA. Jim has a red Granite memorial which reads "SIR, YOU ARE THE GREATEST ATHLETE IN THE WORLD" KING GUSTAV STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN 1912 OLYMPICS 1888 JIM THORPE 1953.
Oct. 12, 1973, The Olympic committee restored Jim's amateur standing. He got his medals back, sixty years later, and twenty years after he died.
Nov 25, 1989- Shawnee Attorney Irvin Owen pettition to have Jim Thorpe's body moved to Oklahoma. There currently is a small memorial located in Yale, OK. They claim that the PA memorial isn't recieving enough tourist traffic and would be better celebrated in OK. Irwin Owen once represented the Thorpe Estate in 1970's. Owen wants to build a memorial with $7,000 that is still owed to the estate.
Jim Thorpe's daughters Grace & Gail Thorpe claim the estate was dissolved years ago, Owen no longer has any right to represent Jim Thorpe, has not consulted with the family at all, and that there shouldn't BE anymore money. The daughters also say that there is no need to disturb their fathers' grave.Click on thumbnail for full image to load in new window.
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