The Crazy and Unusual Friday Post - The Death of Trapper Nelson

Vince "Trapper" Nelson was known as "The Tarzan of the Loxahatchee". He was born in 1909 and settled on the Loxahatchee river in Jupiter, FL in the 1920's after running away from home, and spending time in a Mexican jail for alleged "gun running".
Of course, he was known for trapping animals, and eventually opened up a zoo, in order to make money. After the zoo was shut down in 1960 by the state health inspectors, he became a hermit until his death in 1968.

He was found dead on his property with a gunshot wound to the stomach. It was ruled a suicide, although other theories have surfaced. In order for him to have committed suicide, he would have had to position the shotgun in the sand and be flexible enough to be able to pull the trigger. There was also the little fact that the sand around his corpse was free of footprints of any kind, including his own.

He had enemies...1. Other trapper's in the area felt threatened by his presence, viewing him as an outsider, since he was from New Jersey. 2. The State wanted to develop his land into golf courses and condominiums. 3. He testified against his step-brother for murdering his partner and sent him to prison for 20-years (the step-brother swore revenge). He had since been released by the time Trapper Nelson died.

After his death, his property became part of Johnathon Dickenson State Park and is open today for visitors, but the story doesn't end there...

The rangers have often told stories of his ghost walking the grounds. Apparently, he had a thing for young pretty women and he still will make his presence known when they are near.