Real Florida Cracker spins a wild yarn

By PATRICIA STEELE, DAILY SUN

Saturday, March 29, 2008 4:58 PM EDT

THE VILLAGES — Butch Harrison has a way with words.

Harrison, known as the Florida Cracker Storyteller, spins tales about the Florida of his youth and carries his listeners away to another time and place.

He looks the part of a Florida Cracker because he has lived it.

Harrison grew up in South Florida, with the Everglades, the Florida Keys and the ocean serving as his playground. And he grew up understanding and appreciating Florida’s natural beauty.

The stories he shares are taken from life, his life, his friends and the places he has been and the things he has done.

For more than 20 years he served as a guide, taking clients fishing, hunting, even bird-watching in the Everglades.

Harrison’s stories include lessons in Florida history and tales of growing up and working in a wild Florida far removed from today’s malls and interstate highways.

Harrison shared his life Thursday evening through photographs and stories at The Villages Public Library. He shared what it means to be a Florida Cracker.

“There’s a lot of critters nearing extinction in Florida,” Harrison said. “But the one most in danger is the Florida Cracker.”

Crackers had to be a strong lot to survive in Florida when it was first settled, Harrison said. Nobody had any money, the land was wild and the settlers had to carve out a spot for themselves. They had to live off the land.

There was plenty of wild game, and these early settlers found plenty of wild cows, horses and hogs descended from those left behind by the Spaniards.

“Most people think of Texas and herds of cows, but all the cows in the United States came from Florida,” Harrison said. “By the time the settlers arrived, thousands of wild cattle were theirs for the taking if the men and women were strong enough to take them.”

Harrison demonstrated how settlers used a whip to round up and herd the wild cows.

“Settlers become known as Florida Crackers from the sounds the whip would make as they herded their animals,” he said.

Harrison brought a several articles to show as he explained life in early Florida. One was a big crocker sack, the other a five-gallon metal can and a jacket that was a gift from Seminole Chief James Billie.

As Harrison shared his thoughts and memories Thursday night, he would keep pulling something new from this crocker sack.

For the uninitiated, a crocker sack is a large, burlap bag.

In Harrison’s crocker sack was a deer skin; a buckskin, which is a processed deer skin without the hair; and skins from a raccoon, skunk, otter, fox and red wolf.

All of these animals were used for their hides by early settlers. They could be sold or exchanged for sugar, coffee or clothing items on boats that traveled the rivers.

Harrison held up his metal bucket and asked if anyone knew what it was used for.

“It’s a poor man’s suitcase,” Harrison said. “It’s watertight and hold quite a bit.”

In his “suitcase” was a special headlight designed for frog gigging.

For years, families who lived in the Glades could make more money frog gigging than any other way.

In addition to his knowledge of early American settlers, Harrison is well versed in Seminole history. During his travels he met and became a friend of Seminole Chief James Billie.

For years, Harrison made his living in the Everglades, living with, appreciating and sharing Florida’s natural beauty.

“I’ve always been a storyteller,” Harrison said. “You run a guide business, you had to do something to keep your clients entertained if nothing was happening.”

Now Harrison, with his photographs and collection of memories, makes this wilder, more remote Florida real to children and adults alike.

Villages resident Denise Rudy came away from the program at The Villages Public Library with a better understanding of the history of her new home.

“I so thoroughly enjoyed the program,” Rudy said. “I’m new to Florida, and I enjoyed learning Florida history. He’s the real thing. Hearing his story is like reading a novel about a different place and time.”

Rudy was one of approximately 80 people who attended the standing-room-only program.

“My husband encouraged me to come,” she said. “I wasn’t sure I would enjoy the program, but I’m so glad I came. He was so informative and entertaining.”

Harrison shares his stories throughout the state at pioneer days, storytelling festivals, schools, libraries and special events.

“There are so many people who have no idea about Florida’s history,” Harrison said. “Especially the young children. I enjoy sharing my stories with them.”

To find out more about this real Florida Cracker, visit his Web site at butchharrison.com.

Patricia Steele is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 7992, or patricia.steele@thevillagesmedia.com.