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#redirect '''Billy Bowlegs''' (not to be confused with the Seminole chief [[Wikipedia:Billy Bowlegs|Holata Micco]]) is the name of a pirate who scourged ships along the Gulf Coast, according to local tradition. The [[Billy Bowlegs Festival]] in [[Fort Walton Beach]], inspired by [[Mardi Gras]] celebrations and the [[Fiesta of Five Flags]] in Pensacola, is reportedly named for him. However, there is some confusion over the exact identity of the historical figure — if he ever existed at all. When the [[Billy Bowlegs Festival]] was begun in [[1953]] by the [[Fort Walton Beach Jaycees]], its namesake was said to be [[William Rogers]], a pirate who reportedly scuttled his treasure-laden ship, the ''Mysterio'', in [[Choctawhatchee Bay]] to avoid capture. However, when a local family whose ancestors were named Rogers protested the association, which had resulted in [[Cemetery vandalism|vandalism of graves]] by treasure-seekers, the festival's organizers declared [[William Augustus Bowles]] as the eponymous pirate.<ref>Bob Sikes. ''He-Coon: The Bob Sikes Story'', page 395.</ref> ==References=={{refbegin}}*[http://www.beachbrowser.com/Archives/Local-News/June-99/Billy-Bowlegs.htm Rumor & Fact about Billy Bowlegs]*[http://www.piratesinfo.com/mysql/phorum/read.php?1,13582,13791 PiratesInfo.com messageboard post]{{refend}}{{reflist}} [[Category:Pirates & privateers]]
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