Post by PaulaJedi on Apr 14, 2022 5:56:15 GMT -5
Juan Gomez was a well known pirate who worked with pirate José Gaspar, who is the main influence for Tampa, Florida's Gasparilla festival every year.
People originally thought Juan Gomez retired in Panther Key, Florida, but another story has emerged. Another Juan Gomez lived in Myakka City, Florida.
According to the Bradenton Times:
"Rumor had it that Gomez only settled down in Myakka after becoming a wanted man in Charlotte Harbor; he escaped death during a fight and fled up the Myakka River until he found a place he could lay low and go unnoticed. The family man often fueled those rumors by discussing buried treasure, Gaspar’s treasure and how he believed it to be cursed."
So, there are rumors of 2 Juan Gomez pirates, but it's possible he simply fled Panther Key.
"While most books and documents place his death on July 12, 1900 and his grave site at his homestead at Panther Key, others say he died in 1910 and was buried in Knight Cemetery just three miles north of Myakka." They do not have a grave stone, but a gravestone for his son John does exist there. "
There is also a rumor that he has hidden treasure in Tampa.
Source: thebradentontimes.com/sunday-favorites-the-mystery-of-juan-gomez-p20964-133.htm
