Jim Thorpe’s son seeks return of remains

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A son of Jim Thorpe is suing the Pennsylvania town that bears his father’s name over the remains of the Native American often called the 20th century’s greatest athlete.

Jack Thorpe of Shawnee, Okla., filed the lawsuit Thursday under a federal law designed to return Native American artifacts to their tribal homelands.

Jim Thorpe is a native Oklahoman who was a member of the Sac and Fox tribe. He won the decathlon and pentathlon in the 1912 Olympics and played professional football and baseball.

The Pocono Mountains town of Mauch Chunk, Pa., made an odd 1950s deal with his third wife to bring his remains there. It then renamed itself Jim Thorpe and built a monument to the athlete.

Jack Thorpe wants the remains returned to Oklahoma.