Hughes Oliphant to William H. Miller

OLIPHANT STEEL & IRON CO. TRENTON, N. J. OFFICE, 132 E. STATE ST. HUGHES OLIPHANT, PRES'T. RICHARD C. OLIPHANT, VICE PRES'T. ROBT. N. OLIPHANT, SEC'Y. SIDNEY M. OLIPHANT, TREAS.

Trenton N.J. Jan'y 15th 1901

Rev. Wm H. Miller Bryn-Mawr Pa.

My dear Wallie,

Your favor of the 7th inst, relative to proposed History of Athletics at Princeton, was duly received, and I have been looking up some data for you. The Mrs Thomson prize contest, confined to the senior class, was held June 18th; Caldwell, Kelly, Parker, Cook, Reynolds and Dobbins, taking part in it; the prizes going to the first three in the order named, with the first two for general excellence, and the third, Parker, for heavy weight performances. I find on file here at the State House, under date of June 20th 1870, very full and detailed accounts of the Thomson event, in the "Newark Advertiser" - "Newark Daily Journal" - "Trenton State Gazette" and "Trenton True American". You could refer the committee to these files, or I can have copies made for you. There was also a general exhibition, without prizes, on the day before Commencement. The prizes were practically suggested and arranged

by Sam Irwin and myself, and I recall the history of the whole affair very clearly in all its details.

The printed reports would probably best serve the purposes of the committee, but if they want an article prepared by one of the participants, I would suggest your consulting Joe Kelly. He is the proper one to write such an account as you may outline, and I have no doubt would gladly undertake it.

Let me know, if I can be of any further service in the matter, and believe me

Yours faithfully Hughes Oliphant

P.S. The Gymnasium was opened for use at the beginning of the College Term in January 1870, and the Thomson event was the first public athletic contest for prizes at Princeton. H.O.

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