Correspondence with University of Oklahoma
Follow the conversation that H.J.L. Stark and Ben G. Owen, University of Oklahoma general manager of athletics, had through letters and telegrams as they determine and negotiate for their football game on November 24, 1910, at University of Texas's Clark Field.
January 11, 1910
Letter from H.J.L. Stark to football manager of the University of Oklahoma inquiring about a football game on or about November 12th and what guarantee would Oklahoma need to have the game in Austin. Stark also mentions since there was interest last season for a game at Thanksgiving Texas may be able to give them that date.
January 13, 1910
Letter from Ben G. Owen to H.J.L. Stark stating that Oklahoma would very much like to play Texas on Thanksgiving with a guarantee would be to take out all expenses and divide the remainder 50/50. Owen also states that if Texas can't give Oklahoma the Thanksgiving game would Texas like to play in Norman, OK on November 4th.
January 22, 1910
Letter from Ben G. Owen to H.J.L. Stark asking Stark to reply to his letter of January 13th for Oklahoma is holding back their schedule waiting on Texas's reply.
January 26, 1910
Letter from H.J.L. Stark to Ben G. Owens stating he is anxious to close the Thanksgiving game with Oklahoma and a letter is to follow.
January 29, 1910
Letter from H.J.L. Stark to Ben G. Owen states that he spoke with the Athletic Council authorized him to close the deal for a Thanksgiving game but not on a 50/50 basis. Stark does offer Oklahoma a $1200 guarantee with the provision that Oklahoma doesn't play another game on this trip. Stark mentions just in case they are not able to come to an arrangement for the Thanksgiving game they would be happy to play Oklahoma in Norman, OK on November 4th.
January 30, 1910
Letter from Ben G. Owen to H.J.L. Stark states he has not received the letter he stated he would be sending in his letter of January 26th.
February 2, 1910
The first page of a two-page letter from Ben G. Owen to H.J.L. Stark stating that Stark's proposition for their Thanksgiving game does not meet his approval. Owens gives his explanation of why doesn't think Texas's proposition is the best option and how playing Oklahoma could be useful to Texas. Owen ends the letter his proposition of a 50/50 basis and hopes Stark can convince the Athletic Council this is the only right way to go.
February 22, 1910
Letter from H.J.L. Stark to Ben G. Owen states he submitted Owen's proposition in his letter of February 2nd to the Athletic Council for consideration and the Athletic Council offer for Oklahoma. The Athletic Council's offer is to give Oklahoma 50 percent of the amount after deducting expenses (officials, advertising, policing).
February 27, 1910
Letter from H.J.L. Stark to Ben G. Owen asking what guarantee Oklahoma can make for a football game in Norman, OK on November 7th or 9th.
February 27, 1910
Letter from Ben G. Owen to H.J.L. Stark states Oklahoma very much wants to make the game with Texas an annual Thanksgiving Day event and will play Texas at Austin under the terms Stark offered in his letter of February 22nd if Texas will make it a two-year contract and play Oklahoma in Oklahoma City next Thanksgiving Day.
March 14, 1910
Letter from H.J.L. Stark to Ben G. Owen inquiring about playing in Norman, OK on November 9th.
March 15, 1910
Letter from Ben G. Owen to H.J.L. Stark stating Oklahoma kept November 5th available for Texas just in case they could not agree upon Thanksgiving day game.
March 25, 1910
Letter from E. C. H. Bantel(?) to Ben G. Owen stating that he is unable to say if there is a chance of a football game between Texas and Oklahoma on Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving game would depend on whether Texas can come to an agreement on rules with Agricultural and Mechanical College (Texas A&M). If Texas does not play A&M on Thanksgiving day, Texas would prefer to play Oklahoma.
March 28, 1910
The first page of a two-page letter from H.J.L. Stark to Ben G. Owen inquiring about what guarantee Oklahoma would make for a game on November 7th. Stark mentions Texas has a game on October 29th and November 14th.
March 29, 1910
Letter from Ben G. Owen to H.J.L. Stark states Oklahoma can offer a $500 guarantee but can't play in November due to other games scheduled. Owen offers a game day on October 21st.
April 10, 1910
Letter from H.J.L. Stark to Ben G. Owen states will send contracts soon and have not closed Thanksgiving yet.
April 19, 1910
Letter from H.J.L. Stark to Ben G. Owen inquiring if Oklahoma can play Texas in Austin November 24th instead of the 5th.
April 21, 1910
Letter from H.J.L. Stark to Ben G. Owen inquiring about accepting proposition for Thanksgiving game at Texas.
April 27, 1910
Letter from Ben G. Owen to H.J.L. Stark states Mr. Armstrong told him Texas would play us on Thanksgiving day at Austin. Owen says Oklahoma will play Texas on a 50% basis or for $1500 whichever Texas desires.
ca. May 1910
Letter from H.J.L. Stark to Ben G. Owen enclosing contracts for their game as agreed upon by Messers, Reed, and Armstrong. Stark mentions that Texas is happy to carry on their athletic relations next year with Oklahoma.
June 5, 1910
Letter from H.J.L. Stark to Ben G. Owen encloses the contracts for Thanksgiving day football game and explains the delay in getting them to Owen's.
June 5, 1910
The contract for the football game on November 24, 1910, between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma, enclosed with H.J.L. Stark's letter.
June 8, 1910
Letter from Ben G. Owen to H.J.L. Stark states the contracts are all ok.