19th Century Encounters

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   While on a cruise from Cuba up to southwest Florida, the Miss Vixen was caught up in a storm, struck by lightning and caught fire. After abandoning the ship, the survivors of the sinking vessel reported seeing pink, blue and green bird fish appearing around them. This was followed by an area of completely calm seas and skies but only in the small circle of their immediate location during the horrible storm. These creatures stayed for hours, letting out a low, calming calls until a passing vessel arrived. Some survivors reportedly had pink feathers when rescued.

During their initial boat excursion exploring the coast of Naples for potential development, General John S. Williams and Walter Haldeman were visited by strange but beautiful pink, blue and green bird fish that looked to be a cross between a Flamingo and Mahimahi. The creatures landed on the deck of their boat and took a cigar from the General’s prized collection then flew off leaving only a pink feather behind. When the duo mentioned this to the locals, they were told of the legend of the MahiMingo and the good luck that they were now destined to have but to keep their encounter a secret to ensure their good fortune. This confirmed that they had found the paradise that they were looking searching for and cemented their decision to develop the town. 

After being loaded full phosphate rock mined from the banks of the Peace River just above Punta Gorda for shipment to Havana Cuba from Port Boca Grande, the captain raised a shot glass of tequila as a toast for safe trip. A strange pink, blue and green flying bird fish suddenly swooped in and snatched it with its beak from the captain’s hand. The creature landed on the mast, tossed the shot back, let out a loud laughing call and flew off with a perfect pink feather falling to the deck. The startled captain picked up the feather, chuckled, put it behind his ear and set sail before making the trip to Havana in record time. 

  While hauling in their last catch of red snapper off the coast of Howell Hook, crew members reported a number of pink, blue and green creatures circling their boat both in the air and the water.  The creatures flew close with one slicing open the last of their net spilling the fish back into the water. One of the largest creatures landed on the cabin roof, let a loud long laugh, picked up a pint of beer and flew off reportedly leaving a pink feather on the deck. 

  Union soldier Captain John Foley Horr shared a tale that while exploring his newly purchased island and looking for the best locations to start his pineapple plantation, he waded out into a marsh and got stuck in the swamp mud. During his unsuccessful struggles to free himself, he said he recalled hearing a low laughing call coming from somewhere behind him. He couldn’t quite turn around but could see a pink, blue and green bird fish creature watching in amazement. The creature flew off then came back with rope that Captain Foley had at his camp, tied it around a tree and then flew over and dropped it within reach for John to grab and pull himself back to firm ground. The Mahimingo never reappeared but when John went to untie the rope, he found a perfect pink feather that was left behind.