WEDNESDAY’S LIST ... of beans ’n greens ’n other things: * * * ALMUS J. THORNTON . . .

You read about Almus in our Sunday paper, made the front page in his passing away. He deserved it, the years he spent being a good and quiet person and all those years he watched the money here at The Star.

Almus and I were buddies. He often traveled with me to Auburn football games, but he also had me in his office a few times to explain my expense account.

But there was a different Almus than the quiet accountant.

One story.

Auburn is at Georgia Tech and I ask Almus if he’d like to go.

“Sure would. We’ll go in my car and you can have the mileage.” Saturday morning, we walk out to the parking lot and crawl in his 1955 Thunderbird, a lovely classic, cream in color.

Almus reaches under the seat, pulls out and dons a “Flat” cap, hits the switch, puts it in gear and . . . we are away.

In a time of no Interstate, we’re at Grant Field in Atlanta in like 1:35 . . . on old U. S. 78.

We passed on straights, we passed on curves, we passed on hills, we passed on double lines . . . and I held on and prayed. Almus never broke a sweat. A. J. Foyt would have made him number one on his racing team.

Fact is, after that, I called him “A. J.” every now and then. ‘Course I called him “Mr. Thornton” when he was studying my expense account.

God Speed (did I say THAT?), dear friend.

*** QUOTABLE: “Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.” – Old Farmer *** I LOVE you people. You make my “job” easy, no research is needed. I ask and you do it for me.

Such is the case of Jimmy Moore, who played at Anniston High and then Alabama back in the 1920s.

One note from Jan.2, 1931:

“The University of Alabama’s victory over the Washington Cougars in the Rose Bowl classic yesterday, 24-0, is due in great part to the passing skills of Jimmy Moore, former standout athlete at Anniston High School and one of the city’s first Eagle-ranked Boy Scouts.”

In that game, Moore threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to John Suther, then threw a 46-yard pass to the Washington one to set up a second touchdown, and was a “decoy” on a third touchdown, this by Monk Campbell.

That 1930 team was Southern Conference and National Champions.

Moore, just 24 years old, died July 9, 1931, and is buried at Edgemont Cemetery. His tomb carries a large “A” and the legend:

“Although He Sleeps His Memory Doth Live.”

An estimated 5,000 people attended his funeral either at Parker Memorial or at Edgemont. Cause of death was cerebrospinal meningitis.

The Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame would do itself credit to consider James Earnest “Jimmy” Moore for membership.

And I thank all of you who responded.

*** BIRTHDAYS: June 17 – Aiden Lloyd; June 29 – Mark Cotton; July 1 – Harlon Minshew, Ruth McCarty and Annie Ruth Hase; July 2 – Lee Jaye; July 3 – Ken Tankersley; July 5 – Gene Mitchell; July 7 – Destiney Gaddy.

*** I’M TOLD it’s illegal to serve a butter substitute to inmates in Wisconsin’s prisons.

Since Wisconsin is “The Dairy State,” my guess is the state wants to keep the cows “in business,” so to speak.

*** HAVE A safe July 4, keep in mind it’s our Independence Day . . . and pause a moment to say “Thank You” for those who paid for what we have . . .

----- George Smith may be reached at 256-239-5682 or email: gsmith731@gmail.com.