THREE Years Since The Death Of Major Topps, And Big-Talking Blogger Don Allen Still Hasn't Delivered The Answers He Promised...

 Creative stock photo, blog post by John Hoff

Well, it's becoming kind of a holiday tradition here at Johnny Northside: Every year, around this time, I mention that big-talking blogger Don Allen PROMISED everybody that he'd get to the bottom of the circumstances surrounding the death of Major Topps. Topps was beaten in the basement of a church. Some weeks later, he died, supposedly of causes unrelated to the beating. There was a great deal of whispering about Major Topps which can be adequately described with a single nickname:

MINOR BOTTOMS. 

Let me quote, once again as per the holiday tradition, what Don Allen told everybody in a blog posting dated November 2, 2010...

Two Years Since The Death Of Major Topps, And Big Talking Blogger Don Allen Still Hasn't Delivered The Answers He Promised...

Creative stock photo, BABY JESUS WANTS TO GET TO THE 
BOTTOM OF THIS, blog post by John Hoff 

Two years ago to this very day, I wrote about the death of Major Topps on my blog and suggested now public discussion could begin about this man including widespread rumors about him in the community which had crystallized in a nickname for the man, a not-quite-tongue-in-cheek play on words with his name.

MINOR BOTTOMS.

Shortly before the death of Major Topps, there was an incredibly odd assault which took place in a church. I did what I could to dig up information about that, click here and also here. I wanted the full story to be told and I didn't care who told it, this blog or some other media. So I was happy to publish something about how Paul Walsh of the Star Tribune said, "If people will go on the record about Major Topps, I will talk to them..."

One particularly annoying aspect of this story is blogger Don Allen's role. In his typical grandiose way, Allen announced (click here) he would be getting answers about Major Topps death and "issues" surrounding the death. Allen mentioned he would get help from the "National Research Institute" in this quest for answers.

(Putting my hand to my face to hide a smile)

What is this National Research Institute? What is its relationship to the so-called International Business News Network, which is...

Star Tribune Reporter: "If people will go on the record about Major Topps, I will talk to them..."

Stock photo and blog post by John Hoff

A few moments ago I spoke to Paul Walsh of the Star Tribune about his article regarding Major Topps, click here, who died of kidney failure in close proximity to a vicious beating which took place at New Bethel Baptist Church. (Another account of the incident says there was no beating, Topps was merely slapped) An online version of the article in the Star Tribune has been revised at least three times, however...


...Walsh stated this is normal for online stories. The online story matches the print version which will appear, and so these online stories get revised over and over due to--among other things--space considerations in the print version. Walsh said there was nothing out of the ordinary about these sorts of revisions and, in fact, offered to email me a copy of the original article.

When I told Walsh about concerns in the community over Major Topps and widespread, persistent rumors that Topps' interest in young boys wasn't entirely healthy, Walsh simply said this:

"If people will go on the record about Major Topps, I will talk to them."

Walsh's email at the Star Tribune is pwalsh@startribune.com

Major Topps Is Dead--More Information Comes Loose About The Assault At New Bethel Baptist Church!

Stock photo and blog post by John Hoff

As part of my recent effort to dig up information and promote necessary public discussion about Major Topps--whose recent death was announced in a richly-detailed and highly-nuanced article in the Star Tribune, click here--today while en route back to Minneapolis after a long absence, I spoke to a high-ranking police official who will remain anonymous.

According to my source...

The person who assaulted Major Topps at New Bethel Baptist Church was the husband of Topps' ex-wife. The reason for the assault and the very vicious nature of the assault remains unknown.

My source also stated he/she had heard of widespread rumors about Topp having an unhealthy interest in young boys, but had never heard of the nickname some in the community attached to Topps:

"Minor Bottoms."

A rather interesting and detailed discussion is taking place about Major Topps in other parts of the blogosphere, and this discussion can be easily turned up by Googling "Major Topps" or, for that matter, "GO LAY BY YOUR DISH DON."

Be sure to put quote marks around "GO LAY BY YOUR DISH DON" before hitting the search button.

If you just write GO LAY BY YOUR DISH DON but don't put it in quotes, it will not work.