STAGGA LEE AND BILLY
by
Stephen A. Webber

Stagga Lee (Also known as Stagolee, Stackerlee, Stack O'Lee, Stack-a-Lee & by several other spelling variants.)



According to a story appearing in the St. Louis, Missouri Globe-Democrat in 1895: William Lyons, 25, was shot in the abdomen yesterday evening at 10 o'clock in the saloon of Bill Curtis, at Eleventh and Morgan Streets, by Stagger Lee real name Lee Sheldon. Lyons and Sheldon were friends and were talking together.

Both parties had been drinking and were feeling in exuberant spirits. The discussion drifted to politics, and an argument started. Lyons snatched Sheldon's hat from his head. The latter indignantly demanded its return. Lyons refused, and Sheldon withdrew his revolver and shot Lyons in the abdomen. When the victim fell to the floor Sheldon took his hat from the hand of the wounded man and coolly walked away. He was subsequently arrested and convicted of murder and was locked up at the Chestnut Street Station.

12 x 48, Acrylic and Gesso on Wood - Signed. Date: 2007

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©Stephen A. Webber

STAGGER LEE and BILLY 3292
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