A Bootlegger Career:
Joe Ball decided on a career as a bootlegger, over working in a legitimate family business, after he graduated from the University of Texas. By the late 1920s he was the owner of the Sociable Inn, a saloon located near Elmendorf, Texas.Alligator Pond:
As a source of entertainment to his patrons, Ball built a large alligator pond and would invite customers to watch at feeding time; the usual entree being live cats and dogs.Women Mysteriously Vanish:
After several barmaids, girl friends and two of his wives vanished into thin air, the local authorities began to suspect that Ball was up to no good. However, his intimidating nature kept the suspicious and curious at bay.One Shot to the Head:
On September 24, 1948, a group of Texas Rangers decided to go and question Ball about all the missing women. Instead of talking to them, he opted to shoot himself in the head.The Handy Man Talks:
A handy man for Ball, Clifford Wheeler, soon admitted to helping Ball get rid of the bodies of some the women Ball killed. He led them to the remains of Hazel Brown and Minnie Gotthard. Wheeler told authorities that Ball murdered at least 20 other women, but the alligators had disposed of any evidence to back up his claim.A Neighbor in Fear:
A neighbor, who had fled to California after fearing that Ball would kill him, admitted to seeing Ball dismembering a body near the alligator pit.No Evidence:
No real evidence was ever found that determined that Ball actually fed his victims remains to the alligators.
