From John ODonnell Rosales’ History of Mobile Alabama Blog

…takes us to the tomb at Church Street Cemetery of Miguel Eslava…Miguel was Royal Treasurer for the King of Spain in Mobile and collected all the taxes.

The tradition has it that anyone who needs good luck in business or any other money making activity needs to “pay him his taxes.” To this day the Eslava Tomb can usually be found covered in pennies and other coins (including Mardi Gras Doubloons) for good luck. So if you are having financial problem’s of any kind stop by the Eslava Tomb and “pay” Miguel Eslava his “taxes”.

The legend also says that anyone caught stealing any of the pennies left at the tomb will be cursed in business and in any money making activity and eventually face financial ruin until the pennies or other coins are returned.