The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-05
FiendiSh Crime Committed At East Lake By Italian Nam-
 ed Joe Hindon
MEN HAD QUARRELED
 EARLY IN NIGHT OVER DOG
Charles S. Bassford Has Head Almost Completely Severed From Body By Two Strokes of
 an AK.

One of the most fiendish crimes in the history of the Birmingham district was committed early yesterday morning near East Lake, when an Italian named Joe Hindon almost completely severed the head of Charles S. Bassford, an Amer ican, while the latter was asleep, with a big axe. Tfindon, Bassford and an- other Italian, Nick Caplis, slept in the same room and the noise which Hindon made while staying Bassford awoke Cap lis and probably saved his life, as Hin- don was advancing on him at the time. Hindon left the scene immediately after committing the crime and is still at large.
 Bassford's remains were removed to the parlors of the Gaudin Undertaking Co. An effort was made to locate his rela- lives and a telephone message received by the Gaudin company at late hour last night from the chief of police of Atlanta advised that brother and sis ter of the dead man resided there and would be over on the first train to make the burial arrangements.
 Two Strokes With AK.
 Bassford was evidently sleeping with one hand upon his throat as two or three of his fingers were cut off. The Italian made two strokes with his axe, which was a double -bitted one, one stroke cut ting from the back side of the neck and the other cutting the front of the throat.
 The crime was committed about o'clock, and Capls stated that when he awoke Hindon was coming toward him with the axe. When Hindon saw Caplis was awake he said, q had to do it; he tried to kill me yesterday" and then proceeded to make his escape. All three men roomed together in servants house on the rear of Bradley J. Saunders place, being employed by Edward Wheeler in the laying of cement walks in East Lake. Bassford had only been working with MT. Wheeler on this contract for week or two, and from papers on his person it appears that he Is wanted in Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. It is also said that he had been in some trouble in Newcastle, Ala The crime for which he is wanted in Tennessee appears to have been a serious one.
 Hounds Called To Scene. When Hindon left the house Caplis left immediately behind shim going to MT. Wheeler's house. where he advised him of the crime. The sheriff's office was immediately communicated with and Deputy Sheriff Jack Brown of East Lake was dispatched to the scene.
 At the time the call came the blood hounds were following the trail of the negro who shot the Twentieth street fruitstand keeper late Friday night. They were immediately recalled and sent to East Lake, where an attempt was made to take trail. but without success. Peo- pie from East Lake had gathered around the place, tramping all around it and destroying Hindon's trail. The dogs ran several but they all turned out to be trails of persons coming to the scene
 Acting Coroner G. M. Taylor of Pratt City appeared on the scene early in the morning and held an inquest the jury re- turning a verdict to the effect that Bass ford had been killed by Hindon. The jury was composed of A. B. Zegler, c. E. Ad- ams T. L. Roches, G. H. Cole, O. T. Smlln ana U. J. Greene.
 QuarreIed Over a Pet Dog. It appears that Bassford and Hindon had allowed bad feeling to arise between them It also appears that Hindon and other Italian, Capis, had been at outs. Trivial things proved to have been the cause of the rupture between the men. While nothing to the effect was given before the coroner's hearing, it is said that the last quarrel arose over a pet dog belonging to Bassford which Bassford wanted to sleep in the room. Hindon put the dog out two or three times and words arose between the two men on this account.
 Hindon. from all indications, arose early
 in the morning, went into the yard and secured the ax and returned to where Bassford was sleeping; then took delib- crate aim and brought the ax down across the sleeping mans neck. Hindon had been in the district for about three years, and was about 21 years | of age, coming here from West Virginia. Bassford was a man of middle age, and worked for MT. Wheeler some 12 or 15 | years ago in Tennessee
 | Letters found in his pocket, addressed to Herbert Hill, care general delivery" and postmarked Mt, Pleasant Tenn, led 1 the sheriff's dr Int to believe that | he was want some crime committed there. and authorities there were im-
 nediately >fred asking for information in 1 regard to him.
 l Deputy sheriffs are still working on the 1 case endeavoring to get some trace of l IIindon, but so far have been unsuccess- l full.