Joseph Douglas Ball

Serial Killer

Joseph Douglas Ball: The Butcher of Elmendorf

Overview

Joseph Douglas "Joe" Ball was a Texas tavern owner and murderer whose name became attached to one of the most disturbing crime legends of the 1930s. Born on January 7, 1896, in San Antonio, Texas, Ball later became known as the "Butcher of Elmendorf," the "Alligator Man," and the "Bluebeard of South Texas." Although later stories attributed numerous murders to him, the surviving historical evidence most firmly connects Ball to the deaths of two women: Minnie Gotthardt and Hazel "Schatzie" Brown. Investigators suspected that additional missing women may also have been victims, but those cases were never conclusively proved. Ball's notoriety was greatly amplified by the unusual attraction behind his tavern near Elmendorf, Texas: a concrete enclosure containing several live alligators. Contemporary accounts and later interviews established that Ball kept approximately five alligators and entertained customers by feeding animals to them. After women associated with his tavern began disappearing, rumors spread that Ball had disposed of human remains by feeding them to the reptiles. That allegation became inseparable from his legend, although investigators never established through physical evidence that either of his two known victims was fed to the alligators.

Early Life and the Sociable Inn

Ball grew up in the San Antonio area and served in the United States military during World War I, including service overseas in Europe. After returning to Texas, he became involved in the illegal liquor trade during Prohibition. When Prohibition ended, Ball already possessed experience in the liquor business and opened a roadside establishment near Elmendorf known as the Sociable Inn. The tavern developed a reputation for drinking, gambling, attractive young waitresses, and unusual entertainment. Behind the establishment Ball constructed a concrete pond or enclosure where he kept alligators. Customers reportedly gathered to watch the animals being fed. Stories from people familiar with the tavern described Ball feeding the alligators meat and, on some occasions, live animals. The spectacle helped make the Sociable Inn locally famous. Ball was also known for becoming romantically involved with women who worked for him. Some employees remained only briefly, and during the late 1930s several women associated with Ball disappeared. At first the disappearances could be explained individually. Ball frequently told concerned relatives or investigators that a missing employee had simply quit, moved away, or found another job. Eventually, however, the number of unexplained disappearances attracted the attention of law enforcement. ...

Confirmed Victims: (2)

Minnie Gotthardt Age: (28), Date of Death: 1937-06

Joe Ball - Wikipedia