(The) King and Me (Gene Wee): 1936: W.H. Brimm, oilman, The Forum & basketball

Interesting letter. Handwritten letters seem short when typed out but this is a typical three pager on stationery from The Bales in Plainville, Kansas. Google searching W.H. Brimm bought up an obituary that identified him as a successful independent oilman. The original letter is included below; Mr. Brimm's handwriting was tough to read.

The Holly Cafe was managed by Sam Joe Mar, years before my Dad (Chin Wee) took over.

I wonder if Joan, the basketball player was part of the women's Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball scene. AAU basketball was big around the country before the invention of the NBA and the WNBA.

The 1935 final women's AAU competition in Wichita drew big crowd and thirty-two teams, mostly from the Midwest. In 1934, the Wichita Thurstons (a local clothing department store) played Lambuth College (Jackson, Tenn.) in an exhibition game experimenting with the rules for full court offense.

The tournament in Wichita in 1936, the new rule was added to allow a roving guard which changed the old style game of offensive players and defensive players required to stay on their half of the court (except for the center who could go all over the court). Unlike the men's game, there wasn't much movement. With the rover rule, introduced in Wichita in 1936 with the one guard permitted to cross the center line, the game added full-court transition and the potential for fast-break offense.

The Forum in downtown Wichita and a block away from The Holly Cafe was most likely the venue for the games. As Ken reminds me, the Forum is where he and I sang in a multi-church choir for a community Easter service for a number of years. It was there I saw circuses and at least one AAU men's basketball game.

Well, with a little deeper digging, this letter led to a little more of Wichita history.

If you want to see the old game of women's basketball, check out Granny Basketball. Dee and I saw the tournament here in Lawrence, KS. in 2019.

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Here's the letter:

W. H. Brimm
1859 So. Moston
Tulsa, Okla. U.S.A. 2-9-36

Mr Mah King – Canton China

Dear King – [handwriting was tough to read, see original]

Was in Wichita yesterday had some meals in your place – also had a meal in the Holly [Cafe] & that is where I got your address from your cousin. I didn’t get to see you before you left for home, but intended to. But as you know, been quite busy with my well at Albert Kan. as well as the one here at Plainville & will start one at Albert & two here, just as soon as the weather warms up a little. We had a real storm here the past two days. The folks are fine & hope you are having a nice time with your mother & all your people.

Joan sprained her ankle playing basketball & it was so bad we had to put her on a pair of crutches. Will be pleased to hear from you King. Things seem to be going all OK in your place of business. No doubt the boys sent you the Wichita paper so you can keep up with all what is going on here in Kan. We might elect our present Governor to replace our present Pres. at Washington - let us hope so at least. This is just a note with best wishes.

                                                                                                        Yours truly
                                                                                                        W.H. Brimms
                                                                                                        1859 So. Moston
                                                                                                        Tulsa Okla