Joe Ball

Joe Ball was a strong man, and a crack shot.

After his return from WWI, he started a bootlegging operation, and then opened
a bar when Prohibition ended. A number of barmaids seemed to disappear from
his 'alligator' bar, and fueled the fire of his legend.

Joe Balls bar in Elmendorf

Joe's Bar in Elmendorf, Texas. As an attraction, he added an alligator pit,
and it was said that he fed small live animals to the 'gators

Minnie Gotthardt, known as Big Minnie

Minnie Gotthardt, or "Big Minnie" was a partner in Joe's bar for a while.
She lost her arm in a car accident, and then disappeared.
Police were led to the area where she had been dismembered
and buried by Clifton Wheeler, Ball's handyman.

Hazel "Schatzie Brown", victim

Hazel Brown, also known as 'Schatzie' was a barmaid at Joe Ball's bar.
Her body was disposed of by Ball and Wheeler three miles from town,
 and Wheeler led investigators to the site.

Bexar County deputy sheriff John Gray

After Joe Ball's death, investigators found evidence linking him to Big Minnie's murder,
including a post hole digger and a saw, used to dismember and bury her