𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗧𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘

 Montoya's early morning story, likely contributed by Zeke Silva, about the "trespassers" in the former Casa Anyer Building, triggered my memory of folks I've encountered in Brownsville's downtown.

First of all, a word about the Casa Anyer run by a smartly-dressed lady from "across."  It was initially two adjacent, side-by-side shops, the 10th Street side a traditional ropa usada, but next door was a pricier, higher-end outlet featuring name brand clothing and even antiques.

After several years at 10th and East Washington, the patrona closed that business, moving a couple blocks south on East Washington, setting up another outlet with a similar format.

Anyway, below are some of Brownsville's current and former downtown characters:

Jesus Maroquin and Roberta Waters lived with their dog Milo for many years under the sagging awning of the former Casa del Nylon.  After Roberta and Milo's passing, Mr. Maroquin was joined by another lady and pet.

Jesus, Roberta and their possessions

Milo

Mr. Rodriguez, downtown recycler

Mr. Rodriguez, a relentless downtown recycler, working in a downtown alley

 Oregon Serial Killer Jeffrey Cutlip

Jeffrey Cutlip beguiled and charmed downtown Brownsville for a couple years, typically sporting an Aerosmith look, complete with handkerchief and a guitar strapped on his back that he couldn't play.

Cutlip was well received at Ben Neece's Crescent Moon and somehow charmed his way onto a promotional photo advertising George Ramirez' Latin Jazz Festival.

Cutlip enjoyed our city's mild climate, allowing him to sleep under the stars each night. (Cutlip is pictured above at a Brownsville Cheezmeh Valentine's Day event waiting for his date.)

"The police don't hassle you here," he told me.

When Cutlip casually told me he'd escaped from an Oregon prison where he'd been incarcerated for killing a woman, I made repeated calls to the Brownsville Police Department, reporting Cutlip's location.

After several calls, a BPD dispatcher suggested I refrain from calling as a detective had vouched for Cutlip, saying he was an "alright" guy.

Finally, it was Cutlip himself who called BPD, confessing to two murders and was arrested by two Portland, Oregon detectives for failing to register as a sex offender and taken back to prison in Oregon.

The lady pictured above was living behind a store on East Elizabeth Street with three other "huffers."  She was very proud of a drawing she called "The Eye," but embarrassed that her "belly button" showed in the photo.

"Carl," claiming to be "from Dallas," pictured above, is still panhandling around town, typically dressed like an Old Testament character.  When I asked him about the significance of the spoon always hanging around his neck, he said "it's just for decoration."