Geech Brown

 In search of Geech

Today I traveled over to Olustee, through the thick smoke

along the back way via Gum Swamp, past Ocean Pond, turning off US90 to Possom Trot lane. I was in search of the old shanty where Geech Brown once lived in the 1980's. In the late 80's, I was sent as a freelance photographer for the Tallahassee Democrat to take a photograph of Mr Brown. A pulpwood and railroad laborer, his claim to fame was his being the oldest person still working in Florida, then in his late 80's. I found him lounging on his porch and at first he would not allow me to photograph him, saying he never got anything out of it, all these people coming around. I finally said, would $5 do? With that he became a willing subject, even cracking a wry smile for me. I will journey over again when it warms up and more people are out and about and inquire where the old home stood and where he is buried, I assume.