The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-06
il KILLED HIM
 AND WOULD DO II AGA|N,'' J SAYS H|NSON Italian Who Chopped BaSSford'S $ Head Off Caught in Woods
 Near lrondale
ENTERING WOODS WHEN
 STOPPED BY CRAWFORD
Prisoner is But Nineteen Years Old. Remained in Swamp Along Shades Creek all Day
 and Night.

"I killed him, and I would do 1t again." said Joe Hinson or Hindon, or as he was generally know, "Dago Joe," after he was captured yesterday after noon near Irondale by w. A. Crawford, assistant town marshal of Irondale. Hinson is the man who killed Charles S. Bassford early Saturday morning near East Lake, chopping Bassford's head almost completely off with an axe.
 After committing the crime Hinson escaped from the house and officers were unable to find any trace of him Saturday. Early yesterday afternoon persons in Ironda1e advised Crawford that a man of foreign appearance was acting suspiciously on the outskirts of that town and suggested that he might be "Dago Joe."
 Was Just Entering Woods.
 Crawford went to the neghborhood where Hinson had been seen and soon caught sight of him going down the road. He followed for several hundred yards and caught up with him just as Hinson was turning into the woods. Crawford commanded him to put up his hands, which Hinson refused to do. Crawford then threatened to shoot and Hinson this time obeyed the command.
 After some little questioning on the part of Crawford he admitted that he was the man and that he had no re- grets, and that under the same cir cumstances he would do it again. Craw- ford then brought him to Birmingham and placed him in the county jail. He had no handcuffs to place upon the Italian, but the latter made no at tempt to get away from him.
 At the county jail Hinson admitted that he killed Bassford, making prac- tically the same remarks that he did to Crawford. He talked but very little beyond this, however.
 He is but 19 years of age and five feet and five inches in height. and of distinct Italian appearance. After leaving the scene of his crime he ran through the woods for a great distance and remained hid all day and night. his hiding place being in the swamp along Shades creek near Irondale. Ha became hungry yesterday afternoon and was securing about for food when his presence was detected.
 
 In regard to the differences between him and Bassford, which led up to the crime, he was very reticent, only stat ing that the killing was necessary in order to save his life.
 The killing of Bassford is regarded as one of the most cold -bIooded crimes that has ever occurred around Birming- ham. Bassford was asleep at the time, he, Hinson and another Italian named Capilis occupying a servants house ir East Lake, where they were working for Edward Wheeler putting down cement sidewalks.
 Small differences arose between the men, the last of which occurred over pet dog belonging to Bassford These differences apparently preyed on the young Italians mind, and shortly after 8 o'clock Saturday morning he arose. went into the yard and secured an axe. Returning to the house he brought the axe down twice across the neck of the sleeping man. The noise he made awoke Capilis, and seeing him awake, Hinson fled.
 Crawford is regarded as one of the nerviest men in the county and has captured a number of desperate char acters, among them being Will Gun ningham, the negro who stirred up things all the way from Talladega county to Jefferson county and stood off several possies of reputy 5heriffs and citizens.
 off several possies of deputy sheriffs Agent Crawford of the Southern rail- way, who was killed by car robbers Hast winter.