Stack O Lee, (a.k.a. Stagger Lee, Stackolee, Stackalee)
Back to the Blues DictionaryStagger Lee, sometimes known as Stack-O-Lee, killed Billy Lyons in Saint Louis, Missouri on Christmas Eve, 1895 for taking his hat. His real name was Lee Sheldon, (or possibly Shelton). This murder became the stuff of legends. As in African-American tradition, the story was passed orally over and over as years progressed. Stagger Lee became an icon for toughness and meanness. Certain stories and songs have Stagger killing the bartender and others in the bar, Lyons always included. Some have him, after his execution for the murder, being such a bad man that he took over hell from the devil himself. The Stack-O-Lee tale is one of the most recreated songs in history. According to songfacts.com, it's been re-recorded over 170 times! Mississippi John Hurt recorded versions of Stagger Lee a number of times. Lloyd Price had a hit Stagger Lee song in 1959, and the Grateful Dead recorded a version in 1978. Ma Rainey made arguably the very first recorded version of ol' Stag called "Stack O Lee Blues" (Thanks, Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey by Bill Wyman!)
An old St. Louis newspaper excerpt certain lends validity to the story, (except taking Hell from Satan). The December 28, 1895 edition of the St. Louis Daily Globe-Democrat, is reproduced below.
Shot in Curtis's Place
William Lyons, 25, colored, a levee hand, living at 1410 Morgan Street, was shot in the abdomen yesterday evening at 10 o'clock
in the saloon of Bill Curtis, at Eleventh and Morgan Streets. by Lee Sheldon, also colored. Both parties, it seems, had been
drinking and were feeling in exuberant spirits. Lyons and Sheldon were friends and were talking together. The discussion
drifted to politics and an argument was started, the conclusion of which was that Lyons snatched Sheldon's hat from his
head. The latter indignantly demanded its return. Lyons refused, and Sheldon drew his revolver and shot Lyons in the abdomen.
Lyons was taken to the Dispensary, where his wounds were pronounced serious. He was removed to the city hospital. At the time
of the shooting, the saloon was crowded with negroes. Sheldon is a carriage driver and lives at North Twelfth Street. When his
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 locked up at the Chestnut Street Station. Sheldon is also known as "Stag" Lee.
Notable Songs on Stag-O-Lee
Billy Lyons & Stack-O-Lee
Furry Lewis
Stagolee
Mississippi John Hurt
