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• Maryland tobacco farmer and businessman William "Billy" Zantzinger was one of the subjects of the Bob Dylan song "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll." In 1963, a drunken Zantzinger hit 51-year-old barmaid Hattie Carroll with his cane after she, in his opinion, took too long to bring him his drink. Carroll died of a stroke in hospital the following day. Zantzinger was originally charged with murder, but the charge was later reduced to manslaughter. Zantzinger was convicted of manslaughter and served six months in county jail. Zantzinger died on January 3, 2009, at the age of 69.The Independent: William Zantzinger: Subject of Bob Dylan ballad (January 12, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Full name: William Devereux Zantzinger
  2. Born: February 7, 1939Times Online: William Zantzinger: Tobacco farmer who inspired a song by Bob Dylan (January 12, 2009)
  3. Physically abused African-American barmaid Hattie Carroll on February 8, 1963; charged with manslaughter in connection with her deathThe Independent: William Zantzinger: Subject of Bob Dylan ballad (January 12, 2009)
  4. Convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six months in prison and $625 in fines on August 28, 1963Times Online: William Zantzinger: Tobacco farmer who inspired a song by Bob Dylan (January 12, 2009)
  5. Sentencing came the same day that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speechTimes Online: William Zantzinger: Tobacco farmer who inspired a song by Bob Dylan (January 12, 2009)
  6. Was convicted of fraud and deceptive trade practices in 1991 and sentenced to 18 months in prison and a $50,000 fineThe Independent: William Zantzinger: Subject of Bob Dylan ballad (January 12, 2009)
  7. Married twice; wives names were Jane and SuzanneTimes Online: William Zantzinger: Tobacco farmer who inspired a song by Bob Dylan (January 12, 2009)
  8. Three children from his first marriageTimes Online: William Zantzinger: Tobacco farmer who inspired a song by Bob Dylan (January 12, 2009)
  9. Died: January 3, 2009
  10. Funeral was held on January 9, 2009Baltimore Sun: William Devereux Zantzinger...dies at 69 (January 9, 2009)
  11. Immortalized in the song "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" by Bob Dylan

• "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" Lyrics

  • "William Zanzinger killed poor Hattie Carroll
  • With a cane that he twirled around his diamond ring finger
  • At a Baltimore hotel society gath'rin'.
  • And the cops were called in and his weapon took from him
  • As they rode him in custody down to the station
  • And booked William Zanzinger for first-degree murder.
  • But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
  • Take the rag away from your face.
  • Now ain't the time for your tears."BobDylan.com: "The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll"

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Bob Dylan | Martin Luther King Jr. | I Have a Dream | Jim Crow Laws | Maryland

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