The Black Sheep of Battery Place

Murder in Atlanta

August 21, 1904

Andrew’s troubles begin in dramatic fashion. Repeated tensions with neighbors across the hall in an Atlanta boarding house come to head. The wife of Frank E. Brett had complained on several occasions that Walline left his door open while ‘partially undressed’. Predictably, Frank threatened to ‘whip’ Andy. An argument in the hallway ensued. Two gunshots rang out – instantly killing Brett.

Walline claimed self-defense at trial. In October 1904, a jury found Walline guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced to six years in the Georgia penitentiary at Milltown. Walline appeared unmoved by the verdict and even smiled when the sentence was delivered, later remarking that he intended to earn time off for good behavior.

Pardoned

1908

After serving three and a half years, Walline was granted a full pardon by Georgia Governor Hoke Smith in February 1908. The pardon was supported by a petition signed by the trial judge, the solicitor, and several members of the convicting jury. Following his release, Walline returned to Chattanooga to live with his mother.

Andy Walline, who has been absent from the city for several years, has returned to make Chattanooga his home. Mr. Walline has many friends here who are giving him the glad hand and warm welcome the gentleman deserves.
The Chattanooga News: May 7, 1908

Andrew’s Troubled Timeline

The Chattanooga News: Oct 3, 1914 THREW LAMP AT PATROLMAN

...The case of the state against A. A. Walline, charged with felonious assault on the person of Patrolman J. H. Gouldy, is set for trial in criminal court Monday, Walline was arrested the latter part of May in a police raid on a disorderly house on Market Square, directly across from the old police station. When Capt. Hackett, Patrolmen Gouldy, Minor and Owens endeavored to place the inmates of the house under arrest, Walline threw a lighted lamp at Mr. Gouldy with such force that the officer's face was terribly cut and his eye was badly mashed by the blow received.
Chattanooga Daily Times: Aug 4, 1916 BEER FLOWS IN GUTTERS AFTER NINTH STREET RAID

Andy Walline, proprietor of a rooming house at 525 1-2 Market Street, was arrested yesterday afternoon and evidence secured against him as a result of his fear of missing a sale, even with officers almost on him. On reaching the place Deputy Alford stepped into a room to one side, where, he states, Walline was selling a bottle of beer to a customer.
Chattanooga Daily Times: April 10, 1917 WALLINE ARRESTED AGAIN

With three cases of liquor selling against him, A. A. Walline, groceryman at Eighth and Polar streets was arrested.
The Chattanooga News: Oct 11, 1917 JUSTICE EXACTS HEAVY TOLL

Four cases against Andy Walline affirmed. He's out of the city - leaving his mother on the bond.
1920 CENSUS UNSTABLE MARRIAGE?

• We find Andrew, now 44, in Charleston, SC, in 1920, working as a plumber — and married to Minnie, age 26.

• A divorce decree: Minnie Walline vs. Andrew Walline is listed Jan. 20, 1929 in Chattanooga.

• Yet Andrew and Minnie appear in Hamilton County, TN records as being married May 5, 1931.

• August 12th of the same year – newspapers report a petition filed for a divorce from Andrew.
Chattanooga Daily Times: Jul 20, 1925 WALLINE IS ARRESTED FOLLOWING RAMPAGE

Andy Walline, living at 607 Battery Place, while in a drunken frenzy yesterday afternoon, decided to break up housekeeping. He started off by throwing most of the furniture out of his house and tearing up the place in general. Policemen Walker, Newman and Davis hurried to the scene, and on arriving they found a victrola, a sewing machine, two electric fans and many small articles lying in front of the house. The officers were told that Walline was upstairs and they found him clad only in his underclothing. He was still trying to find something to tear up.
The Chattanooga News: Mar 24, 1927 KICKS ON WATERY SOUP

Walline was arrested Wednesday night by Patrolman Jim Judge at a downtown restaurant. The restaurant keeper, appearing in court as prosecutor, stated that Walline had become boisterous, and had "kicked" on the food served him. When asked for an explanation, Walline said: "Well, judge, it was like this. I've been eating at home, where I get good soup, with some vegetables in it. That soup they brought me was just like water.”
Chattanooga Daily Times: Feb 5, 1933 THE ANDY & MIN CHILI PARLOR
Chattanooga Daily Times: Mar 3, 1931 CAR MAKES LEFT TURN ON MARKET, THREE HURT

Andy Walline, driver of a car carrying hot tamales and chili, was arrested last night by Officer Allen and charged with assault with an automobile.
Chattanooga Daily Times: Mar 31, 1933 POLICE TAKE WALLINES AFTER 'FAMILY BATTLE'

Andy Walline, 58, and his wife, Minnie Walline, 39, co-owners of the Andy and Min chili parlor, East Fourth near Market street, were arrested early this morning on charges of disorderly conduct. The family quarrel started shortly after midnight and aroused almost every one in the neighborhood. A crowd of about seventy-five persons watched the pair hauled away in the wagon...
Chattanooga Daily Times: Jun 27, 1933 ANDY-MIN FIGHT BRINGS PATRON'S DAMAGE SUIT

The tiff between Andrew ("Andy") Walline and Minnie ("Min") Walline in their "Andy and Min" chili parlor on East Fourth street, June 5, had its sequel in the filing of a $5,000 damage suit in circuit court yesterday. The plaintiff, Loraine Dunn, related that she was a customer in the parlor when "Andy" began throwing glasses at "Min." One struck her in the head, shattering and driving glass particles in her scalp, and rendering her unconscious, the plaintiff stated.
1936 Andy & Min move to Knoxville and open a chili parlor at 402 N. Gay St.
The Knoxville Journal: Mar 25, 1936 D I V O R C E

This time it's for real.
The Knoxville News Sentinel April 4, 1936 ANDY IS OUT - CHILI PARLOR NEEDS A NEW NAME
Knoxville - 1941 'Min's Chili Parlor' becomes the 'Haywood D. Stanley Hob Knob Grill'

Mar 1 1946

Andrew A Walline dies in Los Angeles, CA

We don't know what led Andy to Los Angeles, or the cause of death.

He lived a hard life. To what extent it was of his own making will never be fully known. In the early 20th Century, local newspapers reported all misdeeds - a microscope of social judgments and everlasting written records; revealing a timeline of events that no doubt weighed heavily on his mother and brother.

Two photos identified as Andrew A. Walline posing in front of 22 Lindsay St. (220 Lindsay St.) were likely taken by his brother, Charles G. Walline.
Their family home is just out of view on the right at 107 Payne St. (607 Battery Pl.).

Click image to view.

Charles and Andrew were born and lived in a house built in 1874 at 107 Payne Street – it remains today as 607 Battery Place.

Andrew’s Troubled Timeline

Two photos identified as Andrew A. Walline posing in front of 22 Lindsay St. (220 Lindsay St.) were likely taken by his brother, Charles G. Walline. Their family home is just out of view on the right at 107 Payne St. (607 Battery Pl.).

Two photos identified as Andrew A. Walline posing in front of 22 Lindsay St. (220 Lindsay St.) were likely taken by his brother, Charles G. Walline.
Their family home is just out of view on the right at 107 Payne St. (607 Battery Pl.).