Lee Shelton (Stagger Lee) was born March 16, 1865, in Texas. It seems that he was a 'mack' (maquereau), or pimp. He killed Billy Lyons in St. Louis in 1895.
"Godfather of Gangsta," Cecil Brown.
Godfather

The first record of the song is 1903 (not seen) according to the Traditional Ballad Index.

Also see Cecil Brown, 2003, "Stagolee Shot Billy," Harvard University Press.