The Union Flag

Terrible Homicide

On the night of the 24th of December last, Col. John T. Basket, was killed at the house of Jonathan Hartman, about nine miles north-west of this place. Mr. James Hale, a young man and an ex-Federal soldier, was arrested, brought to this place and tried before Esquires Collins and Gallagher, on an indictment for the murder. There were quite a number of witnesses, both on the side of the prosecution and defence, and some conflict in the testimony. It seems that Colonel Basket went to the house of Mr. Hartman, about two hours after dark, somewhat under the influence of strong drink, and there found Mr. Hartman and young Hale. It was proven, that some angry words had passed between the deceased and accused the same evening, and upon Col. Basket's entrance into Mr. Hartman's house, the quarrel was renewed, which was ended by the shooting of Basket. Who fired the fatal shot is not definitely and conclusively known, as upon this point—the material one—the evidence is doubtful and somewhat conflicting. Hale was committed to jail to await the February sitting of the Criminal Court. A mystery enshrouds this dark and hellish deed, which we hope the investigation before His Honor, Judge Howard, will clear away, and whoever the murderer is, let him be punished in accordance with the enormity of the crime. Col. Basket, at the time of his death, was Deputy Sheriff of the County, about sixty years of age, and enjoyed the confidence of the public in his individual and official capacity. There was no political feeling in the case, as all the parties were loyal.