TEXAS NEIGHBORS | SPRING 2015 Jimmy Bruce is the heartbeat of Abbott By Julie Tomascik and Mike Barnett Pass through Abbott, Texas most any morning and you’ll note nothing out of place. Typical small town Texas. Main drag, a few stores. No traffic. Few distractions. Until you approach the post office on the corner of Borden and East Walnut Street. Sitting on a bench, right under the American flag and a viv -id blue sky, is a kindly older gentleman, quiet in demeanor, with a sparkle in his eyes. His name is Jimmy Bruce. He sits there most every day, weather per -mitting. Some say he’s the beating heart of this community, where tradi-WWW.TEXASFARMBUREAU.ORG tion is a lifeblood, a helping hand is always extended and neighbors gather to share the latest news. News like marriage. Growing families. Even the latest gossip. “Everybody knows everything about their neighbor, whether it’s true or not,” he said. And Jimmy’s celebrated the joys of this tiny community. He’s shared the sorrows. Triumphs. Failures. It’s all part of small town life. And, as time inevitably slows his step, it’s been tough on Abbott, too. Even at its peak, this Central Texas town was never very big. Now, it’s shrunk to a few hun -