Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-11-04
Alabama PoIs Boast Some Men of Southern Football History
DONAfUE PICKS ALL=AUBURN TEAM FOR ALL TIME

plethora of candidates. Starting
in with the tackles, we have
'Blondy" Glen, the OWNS, Pierce.
Dan Martin, Mitcham, STREET, the
Patersons dim and Wild, Jones,
Esslinger, Bonner, Cation, Hughes,
Culver Harvey and others.
From all accounts. 'Blondy" Glen
stood pre-eminent in the early days
A giant in size, he was a terror to
opponents He played in 1S93-94-
95-S7 and was undoubtedly one of
Auburn's greatest tackles.
The OWNS, too, were great play
ers and a sample of the spirit that
animated them came under the per-
sonal observation of the writer. In
1905 Houston Gwin sent nephew
down to Auburn with a note of
introduction to the writer. Out
side of a cordial invitation to come
out and try for the team, he was
not noticed particularly. On the
field that evening one of the candi-
dates was observed kicking the ball
very far, using a good stiff legged
swing from the hip. He looked
promising and in the practice at
blocking and breaking through he
was put, at one of the ends. When
the two lines were crouched wait
ing for the signal to charge, the
writer noticed that this players leg
stuck out straight behind. On be-
ing told to bend his knee, he glanced
up and then looking at the Offend
ing limb with grimace of disgust
said: Coach, that d--n thing won't
bend" 1t was wooden leg.
To play opposite Glen 1 would
pick Frank Jones from a host of
good players. including such great
players as Harvey and Esslinger.
Weighing close to 200, Jones used
his hands in such a way that it was
impossible to block him and he had
the ability to sense opponents for
nations so as to know just where to
hit them and effectively spill them.
Great Was Mitcham.
For the guard positions the man
who towers above all is Mitcham.
He did what very few even great
players can do-that is, shine eff
fectively against opponents when
playing with a weak team. The
team he starred on certainly does
not look like much, even in a pic
ture book. The men appeared to
try to make up what they lacked in
ability by f1erceness of mien. 1t
looks like an all-hair team. With a
team such as this Mitch" turned
what was apparently an over
whelming defeat into a glorious
victory by practically his own un-
aided efforts in the Georgia game
of 1898. None of the backs being
able to advance the ball, he left
his guard position and, going into
the back1eld. carried the ball up
and down the field until three
touchdowns were scored and the
game won, 1917.
The other guard position lies be-
tween Bonner and Daddy" Locke
Locke was the steadier Of the two
b1j ne was hampered by the fact
that he was called on to play in
several positions. He played guard.
tackle end and in the backfeld. so
that he was prevented from reach
ing his highest development in any
one position. Bonners guard play
at times was good enough for any
team. He was tall. rangy and ac-
tive, and had four years expe-
rience. Other guards close up are
Dan Martin, who made up in foot
ball knowledge what he lacked in
weight; "Scut" Allen, Goat Da-
Wis and Moon.
Cation Gets Center.
This leaves only the center posi-
ton. OF the old timers the name
of Culver is often mentioned as
being a great center, but never hay
ing seen Culver and knowing Ca
toms work at center. ] will give the
place to him. An accurate passer
and impossible to fool, he got op-
ponents whether they tried 20 come
through the line or around the end-
He was fast and deadly tackle
Other good centers We're Beaver
and Batson.
AS substitutes on this team. /
would use Park, Locke, Lacey and
Walker Reynolds. who would do the
Kicking. These players could fill in
any possible vacancy on the team
and do it so we'll that the difference
between their work and the reeu-
lars would hardly be noticeable or
nourse no one that is now nlaAine