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From the Gowanda PennySaver News "Reflections" series compiled by Mary Pankow. issue date - March 17, 2002

c. 1948

Gowanda's Centennial - Standing n the middle of this photo, taken at the American Legion Grounds during Gowanda's Centennial celebration in 1948, is Jim Thorpe (1888-1953). Thorpe, a famous U.S. athlete and all-American Athlete at Carlisle Indian School, led his team to upset wins in 1911-12 over Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. During the 1912 season, he won the Olympic Pentathlon and Decathlon. Unfortunately, he was forced to surrender his awards because the committee claimed he had played semi-prefessoinal baseball. In later years, Thorpe played professional baseball and football. After many years, the Olympic committee presented the medals to his family. Pictured, from left, are: Isaac Johnny John, Wilton John, George Newton, Jessie Cornplanter, Thorpe, Jake Jimerson, Elmer Thompson, and George (Ginger) Stevens. (Photo courtesy of Historian Jean Hillis.)