State Historical Society of Iowa

Letter from S.W. Beyer to C.L. Brewer and the University of Missouri about Iowa State's Jack Trice, October 10, 1923

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Courtesy of Iowa State University Library Special Collections and University Archives, Beyer, Samuel W., "Samuel W. Beyer letter to Chester L. Brewer, regarding Trice's death," 10 October 1923

Description

This letter was sent from S.W. Beyer to Director C.L. Brewer and the University of Missouri responding to their "request" that Jack Trice, Iowa State College's first African-American athlete, not play in their upcoming football game. Beyer informs Brewer that Trice would not be attending the game because of his death, which was caused by injuries he received during a game against the University of Minnesota. Enclosed in the letter was a copy of a letter written by Jack Trice the night before the game where he sustained the fatal injuries that led to his death.

Transcript of S.W. Beyer's Letter to University of Missouri's C.L. Brewer

Source Dependent Questions

  • What was S.W. Beyers position? What claim did he make in his letter?
  • Given the context of this letter was in response to the letter Brewer wrote two days earlier. What was S.W. Beyers purpose in writing the letter? Use evidence from the letter to support your answer.
  • Why do you think Beyers would include a copy of the letter written by Jack Trice? What do you think Beyers meant when he stated, "... one would not help feel that Jack must have had premonition of what actually happened?"
  • Based on the correspondence between these two schools, do you feel that Jack Trice playing on the Iowa State College varsity football team was "trailblazing" for college athletics? Why or why not?

Citation Information

Beyer, Samuel W., "Samuel W. Beyer letter to Chester L. Brewer, regarding Trice's death," 10 October 1923. Courtesy of Iowa State University Library Special Collections and University Archives Courtesy of Library of Congress