The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-27
WHICH WILL WIN?
Continued from Page one.)

when it comes to getting work out of
their men and instflling some fighting
blood and spirit into the minds and
constitutions ofathe pupils.
Owens Good Record
And in speaking of Coaches it might
be we'll to- mention little bit about
Benny Owen, the plucky little coach
don the Sooners in midseason all
though Handicapped by a serious acct
dent which resulted in the loss Of his
arm on the eve of a big game with
Kansas university, and deprived the
team of his services for ten days pre-
vious to this game
Owen first attained prominence in
football circles in 1899. That season
found him the quarterback on the I'M
defeated Kansas university team He
is small man and at that time
weighed but $50 pounds and was but
little over five feet and half in
height. But he was player and as the
general of the team which was coached
by Fielding H. Yost, now famous as
one Of the best coaches in the game,
Owen was conceded a place as the
best quarterback in the west. The
next season found him coaching the
while twice defeated is generally ac-
knowledged as the strongest team
which ever represented WaShburn.
This team twice defeated Kansas unf-
again by score Of 80 to O.. They also
bluffed Nebraska out of a game the
latter being troubled with a falling
mercury in the lower extremities and
lineup of the team that season, most
of the players still being known in To-
peka; Lawrence Banks, Hitchcock
and Bob Stewart, ends; Captain Err
George FATTY" Clark and Myron
White, guards; John Dadisman, CEN
ter; Jimmy Stewart and Bonnie Owen
quarterbacks; Wade Moore and Ray
Roberts, halves, and Fanny" Mehl,
fullback
The next year found Bonnie coach
ing the Swedes at Lindsborg at that
time an element unknown in football
They soon picked up in the knowledge
of the game and the Scandinavians in
1902 the next season trimmed Wash
burn by a score of ~ to 0, the highest
score ever rolled up on Washburn.
Owens stayed in Lindsborg four years
and only quit when the trustees of the
school eliminated football from the
curriculum. From there he went to
Oklahoma and since that time tho
Sooners have had teams which had to
be reckoned with when 1t came to the
final tests of football supremacy.
"Bennie" as he is Familiarity known
to many admirers in Topeka, is very
popular here. He is always recognized
as a thorough sportsman, taking his
being game even though in defeat. Al
though most everybody in Topeka
wants to see Washburn win nearly ev-
erybody wants to see Owens team
come mighty close to winning"
Owen met with severe accident this
season. While out hunting one after
noon he was accidentally shot in the
right upper arm. Complications set in
and it was necessary to amputate his
arm. While this was great handicap.
still the old saying about 1t being hard
to keep a good man down asserted
itself in Owens and he Is again at the
helm and still one Of the best coaches
in the west. This is his eighth year as
a coach and when a man can stay IN
the coaching business for eight years
there is something to him.
The Oklahoma boys will arrive In To-
peka this evening and will be quartered
at the Hotel Throop.
Teams Even in Weight.
Everything is in readiness for the big
game. The field is in fine condition and
the weather promises to be or the gilt
edged variety. The officials have all
been agreed upon and will be here for
the game. They are: DR.. Shfras OF
Kansas City, formerly of Ottawa uni
versity referee; P. B. Samson. physical
director of the State Normal. umpire;
H A Rarrett of AtchiSOn, last season q