The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-13
BRUTA[LY ATTACKS
WIFE WITH HAMMER
William E. Milford Is Not Yet
Captured
CRIME AT EAST LAKE
Little Son WINS the Only Eyewitness
and He Tells narrowing story
of How Father Struck
Seven Blows

Milford, who the police claim brutally
murdered his wife with a hammer yes
terday morning, was uncaptured. Mrs.
Milford, the victim of the revolving crime
which has shocked all Birmingham, lin
gered between life and death all last
night at the Hillman hospital.
kilograms were sent all over the state
yesterday and police departments and
detectives were warned and given the de-
scription of the supposed criminal. They
are on the alert every railroad train is
examined and Milford's arrest is expected
hourly. Chief of Police Bodeker said last
night, II believe that Milford has gotten
away from town, but look for his capture
within day or two. | have no doubt but
what he committed the crime"
Sheriff Higdon is exerting every effort
In the criminal hunting. Bloodhounds
were sent to the scene of the murder yes
terday morning, but they trailed the man
short distance and could go no further.
Sheriff Higdon has sent minute descrip-
ton of Milford to every sheriffs office in
the state. They are working on the
theory that Milford is going toward
Opelka, his former home, and where his
father is now said to be dying. Special
men have been sent to Opelka and every
approach to the city is guarded.
Unusually Revolving Crime
Milford's attack upon his wife, Dora,
yesterday morning at their home at the
Trotwood park in East Lake, according
to the story of the eldest son, Chester.
who claims to have seen the deed, and
also things said by neighbors of the fam
fly, picture the crime as one of the most
horrible and brutal ever occurring In
Birmingham. Milford Is said to have
struck his wife seven times in the head
with a heavy blacksmith's hammer,
crushing her skull at every stroke and
scattering the wonans brains about the
room. The attack was made while Mrs.
Milford was asleep in bed yesterday
morning about 5 o'clock. Milford then
fed out the back door of the residence
and has not been seen since.
The only eyewitness to the crime was
Milford's eldest son, Chester. The child
tells the story that his parents trouble
started over a dollar which Mrs Milford
refused to give her husband Thursday
night The boy said that his father want
ed dollar to go get his hair cut and that
his mamma refused to give it to him be-
cause he had not been working for some
time. Mr.. Milford then became very an
cry, it is claimed, and drove the negro
cook from the house. Chester said that
his father threatened to kill some one be-
fore morning
The boy said that he then went to
bed with his mamma and his father re-
tired with his two little brothers in an
other room. Yesterday morning he was
awakened by his father coming into the
room and he jumped to the floor. His
father told him to be quiet or he would
kill him and then turning to the sleeping
wife he struck her seven blows with the
heavy hammer He then seized the I'M
conscious woman and dragged her from
the bed to the floor where she was found
La few minutes later by neighbors who
had been warned by the frightened child
rem.
After dragging the unconscious form of
his wife from the bed Milford grasped
his hat and disappeared through the back
door of the house ON the run. He left
note on the mantel of the room In which
the crime was committed. The note was
addressed to one of his friends, MT Ora
ham, tho keeper of the park. The note
gave direction for the disposal of the
three boys. saying that they should be
taken to Milfords brother-in-law, who
lives at Avenue f and Twentieth street.
The note said, MY home was hell and
my wife caused 1t. She was all the
trouble and 1 could not help it,
Mr.. Graham said yesterday that he
knew the Milforts very well and that
trouble had been going on in the family
for some time. He said Milford was
formerly an employee of the Louisville and
Nashville railroad but had had no work
for the last few weeks and his wife
thought he was trying to make her sup
port him and the children. She worked in
O. downtown cothes-pressing establish
ment.
Came From Opelika
Both of the Milfords we're from Opelika
although they have lived In Birmingham
for several years. She Ia IS years old
and has been married Is years. She has
a sister and two brothers living in Bir-
mngham. She Is the mother of three
boys, Chester, 10 years old; Frank. nine
years old. and Albert, four years old. No
hope is entertained at the hospital for
her recovery and her death was expected
before last night.
The news OF the crime spread like wild
fire through East Lake and surrounding
vicinity yesterday morning and armed
posses of angry citizens assisted the sher-
If and police In their search for the
criminal and fleeing husband. That he
could have made hts escape seems mirac-
ulous and many are OF the opinion that
he is still hiding himself somewhere In
the vicinity where the crime occurred.
-.e.--
yU-r uyv1Ov