Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-03-13
The Atlanta Tragedy.


v1e Inc htlanta Ca correspondent OF the New
nofk Herald furnishes graphic particulars OF
The bloody tragedy In the treasurers once in
the Capitol building In that city, Tuesday even
Ing, In which Col Robert A. Aston was killed
ana EdWord A. Cox seriously wounded. IL ap-
pears, as heretofore stated, that Cox and United
states Senator Gordon are partners Ia the lease
OF aportion OF the state conv1cts, but General
ship sent Aston TO Atlanta with authority 20
dispose OF his interest Cox, who is represented
as an III tempered man, met Aston Tuesday and
w walters, who had agreed to take Cox,s II he
couid get Gordons. Col. Aston said that he
could serve Gen. Gordon better by selling TO Mr.
SnarieS howard. Cox then got enraged and
told Aston II he did not sell as he directed he
would Kill him. Aston drew away and left.
cox followed him and finally drew knife on
him, telling him he would XIII him n be (id not
trace with Walters. Aston said, Al am un-
armed; you would not kill q defenseless man."
COX told him to go and arm himself. Aston
suaded him to stay. The governor came Ia and
asked Aston to step into the treasurer's once
ana stay there while he would send for Cox.
ought to take shotgun and kin him, else he
VIII XII me" As Aston went into the treas
urer so1fce Cox came down q side corridor He
and, seeing man who resembled Aston siIfine
there, drew his pistol. He saw Aston tust then
entering the treasurer's office and followed him.
Aston IN the meantime had procured a pistol
He turned and said: Il want TO have no trouble
with you, Cox; I've sold that interest to Howard
already, so we needn't have fuss COX said
II must have one. Fm going to Ain your Al
Ston exp0stulated and the treasurer and Can't.
Nems, the penitentfary keeper, started to In
terfere. Cox advanced angrfly, having FIRST
shut the door. Then Aston said: "welI, weIi
have ii now; are you armed9" Aston waited
Tor an answer, but Cox, without replying, drew
his pistol, utterfng cry OF rage. Aston whip
peo out his pistol at the same moment. Capt
VEINS Jumped between them and caught at
both the men. The two pistols flashed simulta-
neousy and the room was filled with smoke.
There were several successive flashes, interfer-
ence being impossible. AlSton's FIRST bali struck
Cox in the mouth and apparently blinded him,
as ne wasted several Shots. Aston stood per-
fectly cool. HIS second shot tore through Coxs
uphfted hand, and his third was buried in Coxs
throat. BY this time Cox had staggered up 70
Aston. and putting his pistol almost TO his
head fred. Aston fell forward Instantly. the
ball having entered his temple Cox threw up
his hands and said: 1--WE are both Killed. The
men were both carried out and attention given
them, and Aston died In q few hours
IL is said OF Aston that he had had many pre-
vious personal difficulties, and that he had q
presentment that he was TO die suddenly In q
personal encounter. 1t is also said hts uncle,
Augustus Aston, fought q duel in Florida with
rifles many years ago, and was killed by his ad-
yersary. a near-sighted man, named Reed ms
father, Willis Aston, met tn1s lnAA Reed in the
streets OF Columbia, Ca. subsequently, and
Killed him. Reeds brother now took up the
quarrel and meeting Willis Aston In Texas one
uay shot and killed him.