Endangered Species is a documentation of happenings, tales, folklore, and nicknames associated with the Island City of Key West, Fl. The island has always been referred to as the Southermost City in the continental United States. The 2 X 4 hunk of coral is also known as Cayo Hueso (in Spanish), Bone Key, Island of Bones and Conchtown, to name a few. "Conchs," the name for native-born Key West Islanders, has several derivatives. The most logical originated in the Bahama Islands. The King of England tried to place a tax on the Bahamian colonists and they resisted, saying, "We'd rather eat conch (a shell fish native to the local waters) than pay the tax." They migrated to the keys, settled in Key West and actually partook of the succulent seafood, which was plentiful. It literally fed these early pioneers for years. This experience was in the middle 1800's, Today, the delicious delicacy is an endangered species and it is illegal to take them from local waters! It is imported today.

            The book contains nearly 3,000 nicknames, many notoriously hung around the necks of the local populace. Many are humorous, some are cruel, and most are fitting. The same is true of the folklore, passed down from generation to generation. It is factual in most instances, but others leave much to the imagination. "Non-conchs" as well as true Conchs are always intrigued by the lore.

            Research for the project was pure pleasure. Hopefully, you the reader will re-live some of these anecdotes and times of yesteryear. Enjoy these stories which I have collected and experienced through my many happy years in my beloved 'CONCH TOWN.'

            I am proud to be a 4th generation 'CONCH' with roots as deep as coconut, banyan, sapodilla or Spanish lime trees.

                                                                                                Enjoy,

                                                                                                DONNIE WILLIAMS