ALEXANDER G. SLAGLE SAGA, MEMPHIS, TENN.

Slagle leaves DC and goes south to where his family seems to have originated.

1867, June 6: Memphis, Tn.: Notice: "Registry of Deeds and Mortgages. A.G. Slagle
to Ames Beattie, mortgage on personal property to secure $101." [Daily
Memphis Avalanche, p.3]
1868, June 7: Tn.: Memphis: Court: "Municipal Court: ... the following cases will be
heard on trial: 7-34 The State vs. A. G. Slagle" [Daily Memphis
Avalanche, p. not listed]
1868, Sept. 19: Tn.: Court: "Municipal Court:...Another petition for mandamus was
filed on yesterday styled A. G. Slagle, attorney in fact for A. Gilwicks, vs.
S. B. Beaumont, setting up the fact that the petitioner had taken out license
as a lottery ticket dealer, paying one hundred dollars internal revenue to Collector Saunders, and that as B. Beaumont [cicsed?] the house of petitioner, No. 30 Monroe street, giving the business the obnoxious and offensive name of Keno, and praying for a mandamus nisi [?]. The following fiat, indorsed on the petition by Judge Waldran, is a modification of the fiat for mandamus, indorsed on previous petitions: 'To The clerk of Municipal Court of Memphis--to the prayer of the within petition on the petioner [sic]giving bond and security for costs in the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars. Said mandamus will apply only to the vending of lottery tickets under and by virtue of petitioner's said license from the U.S. Govt., and in no case will it apply, or be continued, or consider to apply to the game of Keno, but will act and apply only to the vending of lottery tickets. Geo. W. Waldran, Judge." Sept. 18, 1868"[Memphis Daily Appeal, p.5] [NOTE: A mandamus is an extraordinary remedy and is issued usually only to command the performance of a ministerial act. It cannot be used to substitute the court's judgment for the defendant's in the performance of a discretionary act.]
1868, Oct. 9: Memphis: News: "Chancery Court...An injunction was issued on
yesterday in the case of A. G. Slagle v s. S. B. Beaumont, restraining
Beaumont from interfering with in any manner the said Slagle in
the prosecution of his business at No. 30 Monroe street, as keeper of a keno* hall, or from arresting any of his guests, or any one connected with the establishment. The fiat was granted by Judge Hunter of the Criminal Court." [Memphis Daily Appeal, p.4][*Keno is a lottery number guessing game]
1869, July: Harry Forrest Slagle is born in Tennessee to "Pop Slagle" and Elizabeth
Slagle. His brother is Robert Lee Slagle, born . They live in Memphis
at the race track. Their mother died in Tenn in 1878 of yellow fever.
They move to DC. They live together with Elizabeth in 1880 in DC. Might
this be Sarah E. = Elizabeth? Wallis Slagle? He is one of the half brothers
Addison contacts in 1921 in DC.
1869, Aug.: Arkansas: Little Rock: IRS: Paid $66.67 tax on lottery tickets & income
$20 on gross receipts unid. business [as Alex. G. Slagle]
1870, Oct. 4: Tenn.: Haywood: marriage to Josephine Rennalds by "A.G. Slagle"
Ca. 1871: Robert Lee Slagle "Lee" is born in Memphis to Elizabeth and unknown
father. Listed as bro. or half bro. to Harry Forrest born 1869, which see.
1872: Tenn.: Memphis: CD: saloon, cor. 2nd & Jefferson; h = 126 Beal. No one else
Listed
1872, Apr. 27: Memphis: News: Slagle was on a trial jury. A Mr. Bennett Jones was
shot dead by a jealous husband, Dr. William Dameron. [Public Ledger,
Memphis, p.4]
1875, Apr. 21: Memphis: Court: "Criminal Court. The following cases are set for trial
today... #305, A.G. Slagle" [Memphis Daily Appeal, p.5]
[1871: DC CD: His former wife, Sarah E. W. Slagle, h = 626 H nw]
[1877: DC CD: His former wife, Sarah Slagle, listed herself as "widow Alexander" h =
616 H nw, yet he is still alive. Perhaps presumed dead as gone for over a
certain number of years and no divorce?]
1877: Slagle's 2nd wife [must be Josephine Rennalds] leaves him
1878: Slagle's 2nd wife died of yellow fever; her two sons Harry and Robert move to
DC.
1880: Tenn.: Memphis: CD: Alexander G. Slagle, nog, 312 Main; h = 359 Main
[no other Slagles listed]
1880: Census: Tenn.: Memphis: "A. G. Slagle, age "29", from D.C.; painter. Lives
with wife Louisa age [21?] from Va. at 351 Main St.
[NOTE: Wrong person or did he lie about his age?]
1881: Tenn.: Memphis: CD: nog, 293 Main; h = 359 Main
1885, Aug. 2: Marriage: Marries Dessa T. Wall, Marion, Ark. [Ark. marriage index]
[NOTE: Arkansas is just across the Mississippi River from Memphis]
1887, July 26: DC: News: "Transfers of Real Estate. Deeds in fee have been filed as
follows: ...$680, A. G. Slagle et al to Rebecca M. Windholz, parts
10 and 11 sq. 425" [Star, p.4]

[Dessa T. Wall Slagle; no photog., no date]
NOTE: For more bio. on Dessie, see separate file
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE IN MEMPHIS, Tenn.:
1888: Tenn.: Memphis: CD: Alexander G. Slagle, painter, h = 3 Hernando; also at that
address are Elizabeth W., widow George C. Slagle; Harry Slagle, a clerk;
Lee Slagle, a clerk, and Lizzie Slagle.
[NOTE: Not found in BD under photog., artist, grocer, saloon, lawyer]

1888, May 10: BIGAMY etc. trial, Memphis Daily Avalanche, p.5

1888, June 1: Court: "Criminal Court. Alexander Slagle, assault on his wife, fined $10"
[Memphis Appeal, p. 8]
Ca. 1888 - 1891: Dessa divorces Slagle and goes back and lives with Mr. Arch Cooper,
her 1st husband. Her 2nd husband was A.L. Smith of Fayetteville whom
she married (again?) and lived with him 6-7 months after she divorced
Slagle, then divorces Smith or Cooper and remarries Slagle) CONFUSING! [see 1895 June 26 testimony]
1891: Dessa remarries Slagle in Brownsville, Tenn. after divorcing him [see 1895 June
26 testimony in murder witness case and divorce case Nov. 3, 1898]
1892, Jan.: Son Addison [Douglas] Slagle born to Dessie and Alexander Slagle
[Census 1900]
1895, June 26: News: Alex. & Dessie witnessed murder in front of their
store. Street car conductor George Tait shot by Dominck Zanone
[Commercial Appeal, p. 5]. Lots of testimony with insights into
Alexander and Dessa Slagle in the ensuing trial. Partial
transcription/summary follows:
1895, June 26: Court: Mrs. Slagle testifies in Tait murder trial. "The next
witness was Mrs. Slagle, who was one of the eye-witnesses of the tragedy.
The testimony of Mrs. Slagle was damaging to the defense and was not materially affected by cross-examination, although the force of her evidence was somewhat broken by the facts adduced as to her career in the matrimonial market." ... "Mrs. Slagle Testifies. Mrs. Slagle is a very pretty woman, seemingly about 30 years of age. She lives at the race track, on Trezevant ave. Her place of residence is directly in front of the race track. It is on the East End line. She has lived there since last September. She is the wife of Grocer A. G. Slagle. She knows both the defendant and his father. Their place of business is close to her husband's." ... She gives testimony in re the shooting. Gen. Peters started in on the cross examination. She's been married four times before she was 21, or 24. She will be 27 on Aug. 13. Then she says she was about 24 when she had been married four times. Has only one now. Asked if she was divorced from the others, she said yes. They were Mr. Cooper of Dyersburg, Tenn.; Mr. A. L. Smith of Fayetteville. That being only two she explained she was divorced from Slagle, lives with Cooper again and remarries him, then remarried Smith 6-8 months and divorces him, then Slagle again. [I think that's right - confusing series of events!] She had been involved in a shooting when one of her husbands [Slagle] shot at a young man because of her. Asked about Slagle's wives--she said he had two--divorced one and the other one died. She said the crippled woman was not his wife.
1895, June 27: Court: Tait murder trial continues. Alexander Slagle testifies.
He was in the back of the store in the bar room. Said he is 62 years old,
was a gambler but quit to become a grocer but sells whiskey (or at least drinks). Gambled about 25 years. He takes morphine about two grains at a time. Says he's been married 3 times. He married Dessa in Ark. when she was married thinking it was ok. She got mad and was then Arch Cooper's wife. Got a divorce from Cooper. Then testifies about what he saw of the shooting.
1895, July 2: Court: Tait murder trial continues. "...Gen. Peters ...offered two
indictments against Alexander Slagle for assault and battery upon the
person of Dessie Cooper, committed in 1888, upon which he was found
guilty and fined, and another against Slagle for bigamy, marrying Dessie
Cooper. He was acquitted of that charge. ...read from the records of 1881
an indictment against Martin Kinsley for bringing a female into the state
for purposes of prostitution. The case never came to trial however as
Kinsley died in the meantime. Mrs. Slagle was then 12 years old."
1895, July 5: Court: Tait murder trial continues. More testimony but nothing
personal about the Slagles.
1895, Aug. 1: News: A.G. Slagle says his wife Dessie attempted to kill him with a
butcher knife. [See Sept. 26, 1895 news]
1895, Sometime between July 5 and Sept. 26 Dessa files for divorce from Slagle. See
Sept. 26, 1895.
1895, Sept. 26: News: "Slagle is after his wife. He comes back at Mrs. Dessie T. in
great shape. He charges her with having tried to kill him with a butcher
knife...
"From the developments of the past few months it does not seem
that there is any chance for Mrs. A. G. Slagle to remain in oblivion. First,
there was her connection with the Dominic Zanone case as the principal State's witness. Then she filed a divorce petition against her husband, containing many sensational charges. Yesterday her husband filed a cross petition, which was just as sensational as the one which the fair Mrs. Dessie T. made the medium of telling her woes to the public. [can these be found?]
From the cross petition of Mr. Slagle it would seem that Mrs.
Slagle has a temper of her own, which she is wont to give vent to whenever the humor seizes her. He makes some ugly charges against the woman whom he married once in Arkansas while she was the wife of another man, and again after she had secured a divorce.
Mr. Slagle charges his wife with having attempted his life with a
large butcher knife on August 1, 1895. He alleges that she was only disarmed after a desperate struggle, and that even after her weapon was taken away from her she persisted in her attack upon him, tearing his clothes off his person in her anger. He says that for months past she has refused to accord him that deference which is his due as a husband. He asserts that she has repeatedly threatened his life, saying she would poison him. She further charges that after she secured the injunction restraining him from interfering with her in the possession of the home she is now occupying, she raided his store, taking therefrom several boxes of cigars and other goods.
In conclusion, Mr. Slagle prays a divorce, with the custody of the
one child which was the fruit of his marriage with the woman, alleging that she is not a fit person to have its custody. He further prayed an injunction restraining her from invading his store or from in any way interfering with him. This injunction was granted." [Commercial
Appeal, p.3]
1896, March 12: Court: Zanone murder trial continues. Lots of questions
again about how many times Mrs. Slagle was married, etc. Ditto re-
examination of A.G. Slagle. Going over old territory.
[Commercial Appeal, p.3]
1896, May 22: News: Criminal court. A. G. Slagle scheduled for May 25.
[Commercial Appeal, p.3]
1896, June 7: Court: Cases against A. Zanone [father of murdered man; has place next
door to Slagle which is next to the race track run by Slagle's son] and A.
G. Slagle. Violating the Four Mile Law. [no alcohol w/in four miles of
race track]. Testimony from several people who bought drinks at
Zanone's and Slagle's. The judge was understanding and found them not
guilty. Well they were guilty but he didn't think it was egregious.
[Commercial Appeal, p.8]
1896, Nov. 3: News: Slagle's old grocery store is still center of strife. It's now owned
by D. N. Ressler. Charles Hetley has a store near the race track near the
old Slagle stand. The two are financially linked w/ default. According to
the newspaper, "This is a story of a debt, an attachment (civil), two rival
grocers, an attachment (amatory) a preacher, an irate father, a peace
warrant and several other things." [Commercial Appeal, p.3]
1898, Nov. 3: Court: Slagle vs. Slagle divorce/alimony. More details about what each
did to the other. She wants counsel fees and alimony of $30/month. He
was cited to appear in court, but didn't do so. Second time he was summoned, the last time for contempt. No trial he explained he didn't have a cent and could not pay alimony. Her lawyers wanted to send him to jail, but the judge decided if he didn't have any money he couldn't be made to pay and dismissed the contempt proceedings. Divorce case set for Nov. 14. "Dessie Slagle was, prior to her marriage, Dessie T. Wall. She and Slagle were married in Brownsville in 1891. The fight in the divorce suit is for the possession of the child, a boy, Addison, aged 7 years. [Commercial Appeal, p. 3]
1898, Nov. 5: Court: Schedule for Nov. 12: R. Slagle vs. Slagle and Slagle vs. Slagle.
1898, Nov. 14 Did not locate divorce trial info.
1899: Tenn.: Memphis: CD: Alexander G. Slagle, nog; h = Trezevant ave n e cor
Malcolm ave.
AND 2nd entry: Mrs. Dessie Slagle, milliner, rooms 113 Beal
1900: Census: Tenn.: Shelby: A. G. Slagle born March 1833, Va.; grocer, single, but
lives with his son, Adison, age 8 born Jan. 1892 in Tenn.
1901, June 20: Notice: "Trustee Sale. Under and by virtue of the powers conferred
upon me as trustee by three trust deeds, viz., one executed Nov. 20,
1891...one dated July 11, 1895... and the other dated April 30, 1896... all
of which were made by A. G. Slagle and his wife...which said deeds were
respectively made to me as trustee to secure the indebtedness therein
described, I will at the request of the holder and owner of the indebtedness
mentioned in said trust deeds, which is past due and unpaid, sell, at public
outcry, for cash, to the highest bidder, on the southwest corner of Main
and Madison streets, in the city of Memphis, at 12 o'clock a.m. on
Saturday July 20 [29?], 1901." There follows exact locations of the
property on the west side of Trezevant ave. Signed W. H. Brewer,
Trustee. [Commercial Appeal, p.5][Notice runs thru July 29]
1901, July 31: Court: "Can not sell property. Judge Galloway enjoined A. G. Slagle
from disposing of a lot.
An injunction filed in the Chancery Court yesterday by Mrs. Bettie Clark, administratrix of William Clark, deceased, charges fraud on the part of the defendant, A. G. Slagle.
The bill alleges that prior to his death, William Clark loaned the defendant various sums of money, aggregating the amount of $1,140.95. As security for same the defendant executed three different trust deeds, covering a lot on the west side of Trezevant avenue, in the suburbs of the city of Memphis.
The fraud, according to the bill, consists in the defendant having described and conveyed in the deed of trust a wholly different and much less valuable lot than was agreed upon between him and William Clark at the time of the negotiation of the loans. It is claimed that the trust should have embraced an improved lot, north of the one actually conveyed, and of sufficient value to secure the loans. The property transferred was worth only about $200.
It is insisted that at the time of the delivery of the trust deeds Clark supposed that the lot described therein was the more valuable one, and thus a fraud was practiced upon him.
In accordance with the prayer of the bill Judge Galloway issued an injunction restraining Slagle from disposing of the improved lot." [Commercial Appeal, p.7][Goes to court May 22, 1903]
1901, Aug. 1: Notice: "Real Estate Transfers. A. G. Slagle to Addison D. Slagle (value
$400): lot 4, block 1, Stratton & Rogers subdivision, west line Trezevant
avenue. 50 x 150 feet."[Commercial Appeal, p.9] [SEE Aug. 30, 1910]
1902, April 27: Court: Criminal Court Calendar docket has A. G. Slagle on May 3
[Commercial Appeal, p.3]
1902: Tenn.: Memphis: CD: Grocer
1903, May 16: Court: Second Circuit Calendar has Bettie Clark, administratrix vs. A. G.
Slagle. [Commercial Appeal, p.7]
1903, June 6: Court: Second Circuit Calendar has Bettie Clark vs. A. G. Slagle for three
cases to be held June 12. [Commercial Appeal, p.7]
1903, June 27: Court: Second Circuit Calendar has Bettie Clark vs. A. G. Slagle for
three cases to be held July 3 [Commercial Appeal, p.6]
1903, July 18: Court: Second Circuit Calendar has Bettie Clark vs. A. G. Slagle for July
24 [Commercial Appeal, p.6]
1903, Nov. 26: Notice: Real Estate transfer from A. G. Slagle to John B. Yarborough,
$1,469.89, 25x150 feet on west side Trezevant ave. 430 feet south of
Young avenue. [Commercial Appeal, p.4]
1904, March 16: News: Memphis is starting parkway around Memphis. Four suits
instituted against this. One by A. G. Slagle. The property in question
fronts the west side of Trezevant ave., west of Montgomery Park race
course. [Commercial Appeal, p.4]
1904: Tenn.: Memphis: CD: Grocer
1905: Tenn.: Memphis: CD: Grocer; Trevezant ave 2 n of Malcolm ave.
1907, Jan. 20: Court: Circuit Court cases include City of Memphis et al vs. A. G. Slagle,
and City of Memphis et al. vs. Bettie Clark [Commercial Appeal, p.8]
1907, Jan. 25: Ad: "Mrs. Dessie Slagle will learn something of interest by addressing
undersigned, care Commercial Appeal. 'Mississippi.' "[Commercial
Appeal, p.12][Wonder what this is about. Runs several days. Blackmail?]
1909, Jan. 3: Court: Criminal Court Calendar: "Thurs. Jan. 7 - Young Man S. A.
Slagle, alias A. D. Slagle, Old Man S. A. Slagle, alias A. G. Slagle"
[Commercial Appeal, p.5]
1909, March 3: News: "Attempted Suicide. Anna Jones, 19, Found in Serious
Condition at Bellmont Hotel.
Anna Jones, 19, attempted sucide [sic] early this morning by taking
an overdose of morphine [must have gotten from Slagle] in her room at
the Bellmont Hotel, 72 Adams ave. The girl was found in a serious
condition by a physician, who was summoned, and had her taken to the
city hospital in the ambulance. Her chances for recovery are very slim.
J. C. McCleary, manager of the Bellmont Hotel, stated last night
that the girl came there yesterday morning about 10 o'clock, in company
with a man, who registered as A. B. Slagle [alias of A. G. Slagle] and
wife. They went out to supper early in the evening, and returned to their
room about 8 o'clock. Mr. McCleary said that Slagle came to the office
about midnight stating that his wife was ill and he wanted a physician.
One was telephoned for immediately, and found that the woman was in a
serious condition. She refused to make a statement, although Slagle is
reported to have told the physician that the girl had grown despondent
because of ill health, and he believed this was the cause of her attempting
suicide." [Commercial Appeal, p.11]

1909, May 27: News: "Real Estate Transfers. ...Addison D. Slagle to Dominic J.
Zanone, $315, [sic] lot 4 block A. Mt. Arlington subdivision, northwest
former of Malcolm and Trezevant avenues." [Commercial Appeal, p. 5]

1909: Tenn.: Memphis: CD: nog; h = S. Trezevant 2 n of Malcolm ave.; also at that
address is Anderson G. Slagle
1910, Aug. 30: Court: "Impeaches Father's Act. Addison Slagle, Minor, Enters Twice
in Chancery.
Addison D. Slagle, who says he is a minor, 18 years of age,
through his next friend, R. F. Malone, yesterday filed two suits in the chancery court. One of the suits is against Dominick J. Zanone, and the other against the City of Memphis, L. P. Thompson, clerk of the circuit court, and A. G. Slagle, who is the father of the plaintiff.
In the first suit it is claimed that the father, who is made a
defendant in the second suit, deeded him a certain parcel of land which he values at $2,000 to $2,500, and that the defendant, Dominick J. Zanone, who is described as a man of affairs, a money-maker, and skilled in business, induced him to part with for what he says was the wholely [sic] inadequate sum of $515, and that he has not been able to collect more that $315 of that sum.
It is claimed that advantage was taken of his youth and
inexperience, and childish wants and impulses, and that he has now spent the proceeds, thus far collected, for such notions and fancies as appeal to persons of his immature years. He claims he was imposed upon by fair and flattering speeches, and asks the court for relief.
[NOTE: Nov. 12, 1910 court decided Zanone was taxed with costs up to and including filing of plea in abatement]
In the second suit it is claimed that the city condemned for park
purposes a certain property which had been granted him by his father.
[NOTE: Dec. 13, 1910 the bill against the city, the city demurred]
Upon an order of the court, in Judge J. P. Young's division,
damages in the amount of $559 were allowed.
He claims that his father, as the tool of designing persons, falsely
alleged that the plaintiff had attained the age of 21 years and had deeded the property to him, and therefore the father arrogated the right to receive the damages ordered paid by the court.
Plaintiff says he is not now 21 years of age, and had at the time of
the contested transaction attained only the age of 16, and that he had not vested in his father the title to the property.
He says that his father is addicted to the morphine habit, and is
now an inmate of the Shelby county asylum for the poor and insane.
It is not denied in the bill that the money paid over to his father by
L. P. Thompson, clerk of the circuit court, was by order of the judge of the
circuit court.
Young Slagle says that his father is a wreck mentally and
physically and was not in possession of his faculties when the alleged transaction took place." [Commercial Appeal, p.4]
[NOTE: Likely he dies soon after this.]

[RED HERRING: THE following is not to be same person, but probably related. First
story said, "A. G. Slagle" but that was wrong. A.G. Slagle is still alive in 1909.
1909, Aug. 29: BODY OF A.J. SLAGLE! found in French Broad River five
miles from Newport near Bridgetown. Murdered. [New Port Plain Talk,
May 30, 1912, p.2]
1912, May 30: Recounts Slagle murdered; insurance fraud etc. page 3 of article
not located.
1913, June 19: Story of the other Slagle's murder]

1921, May 16: Addison makes contact with his brothers Harry and Robert Slagle in
Wash., D.C. who must be the children of Slagle's first marriage to Sara
Wallis Shafer. They didn't know they had a brother. [Wash. Herald, p.2]
1941, Aug. 12: Memphis: Notice: Real estate transfer Addison D. Slagle to Wm. C.
Clark 30 tax, $10 paid, all interest in lot west side Park, 325 feet south of
Maple. [Commercial Appeal, p.23]

BIO INFO ON ADDISON Douglas Slagle:
Born Jan. 5, 1892 to Dessa T. "Dessie" Wall
1913: Has son, Addison Douglas Slagle II
1920: Lives in Los Angeles
1945, Nov. 17: Died in Los Angeles