Remembering Life in Florence, Alabama

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Remembering Life In Florence, Alabama

by Bob Miller a/k/a B. W. Miller

Located on the Tennessee River in northwest Alabama, Florence is a reasonably quiet and quaint city with a pretty steady population of 37,000. I don't know if Samuel L. Clemens would have liked Florence or not, but I suspect he would have felt at home there since Florence and Hannibal, Missouri have about the same feel. Florence was surveyed for the Cypress Land Company in 1818 by Italian surveyor Ferdinand Sannoner, who named it after Florence, the capital of Tuscany. Florence, Alabama was incorporated in 1826.

Having lived in four countries, nine states and sixteen cities, I can't honestly say I have a favorite place, but I'll always have an attachment with Florence, Alabama. It's not an attachment or fondness for Florence, it's a people attachment. The strange thing is that I was never any of these people's best friend. I was like a fulltime alternate. If someone couldn't make it, I got to take their place. I liked that arrangement since it was never boring.

One of the people I enjoyed being around was George Allen. George was the golf pro at Sky Park. I always pulled for George to win even when I wasn't his golfing partner, which was almost never. George had been a Marine in WWII and most of his left side was useless because of bullet wounds. I ended up with the job of tying a handkerchief around George's left wrist--that is, what was left of it--to the belt loops on his pants so his left arm wouldn't flop and get in the way of his swing. I still remember George's smile. It just lit up the sky.

Then there was William Gough. We just called him "Sweet William"; not sure why, Bill was a lot of fun and I'm certain he was the smartest one of the group. You just never wanted to underestimate him.

The next fellow is right out of Hollywood. No one, and I mean no one, brought our little band of brothers more laughs than did A. M. Brewer. Excuse me, Dr. Brewer. He wasn't a doctor, airline pilot or famous painter, but don't try to telling any of the ladies he met along the way that he was just a floor sweeper at the Ford Die Cast Plant. A. M. wasn't a big powerful man, but if you were looking for a guy who'd gladly mix it up with you, you didn't have to look past A. M. I've loaned A. M. money knowing I'd never get it back, but I didn't care. I owed him ten times what he borrowed for the hundreds of times he made me laugh until it hurt. He had a quick mind and could twist his face into just about any shape he wanted. I'll never forget A. M. and deeply treasure every second we spent together. A. M. Brewer is one of those once in a lifetime guys. I certainly hope he can find the joy that he gave the rest of us.

While most of the fellows I associated with would run like our pants were on fire to a fight, Herman Litteral (we called him soft shoe) would walk a mile to avoid one. In my opinion, Herman was a good example of the American way. He invested his money and worked long hours and asked only to be given the chance to do so. His payoff was a nice home, a beautiful wife, a family who loved him, and the respect of rebels like me.

Each of the following men deserves more than a casual mention, but it'll have to do. There was Bobby Frost, a never give up guy--Harold Graham, smart, strong and accommodating--Bill Howell, a big guy with a forgiving heart and a good golf swing--Shorty Ore, the only Republican in the bunch--Elvin Haddock, he made a wrong turn and never got back on track--Tommy Author, like Elvin pushed too hard and the law pushed back.

Should you ever end up in Florence, Alabama, you might stay a few days and go fishing. I'll guarantee you the big and small mouth bass in the area will make those days worth while.

Biography: Bestselling author, Bob Miller a/k/a B. W. Miller was born in Florence, Alabama. Miller served as a pilot in Vietnam in 1968-69 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. Challenged Richard Shelby for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1992. Produced the television show, The Late Show (BLAB 2001). Worked as the golf pro on Holland America's ms Westerdam. Bob Miller is America's most controversial writer and has authored seven books.