Elmer Oliphant - Quotes

Quotes

“If the Indiana moon was shining, he’d hurdle or hand vault a few fences. Farmers coming into town told about the running-leaping figure in white that scared their horses and cows.” This is about his high school years and refers to what he would do when he had finished his 15 hour day of coal mining in the summer time. “Ollie always has liked to talk at length about his exploits. But he’s aware of it and sometimes kids himself. “McEwan and Cowboy Meacham and myself,” he says, “all taught Sunday school to the kids on the Post. One Sunday morning a little girl was asked by her daddy after she got home: What did you learn today, honey? “Daddy,’ she said, “I learned all about Jesus Christ and Elmer Q. Oliphant.” It is from Gridiron Grenadiers (1948) by Tom Cohane

“You can’t ‘divide’ a boy –the mental, moral, and physical should go hand in hand, athletics, church, books.” (quote of Oliphant) As a plebe Oliphant was superintendent of Sunday School at West Point. He became the first to include the children of the colored soldier in the classes, in addition to opening the way for the children of all enlisted men. “I am happy to say this type of selection is still going on.” Elmer writes. In recent years Oliphant has been converted to Catholicism and at 66 years of age he works just as hard for the church as he did years ago as a Sunday School Superintendent.” This is from the Lafayette Journal & Courier (newspaper) June 18, 1958 Graham Crackers (column) by Gordon Graham