Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-04-02

THE CLOUD THAT FOLLOWS THEM.

week, came OF princely stock. HI'
ancestors settled in Halifax, N. C..
nearly century ago. They were i'm
perlous, dauntless people OF enormous
wealth, lavish habits, aud stirring ira
ditions. They were of a stubborn
train of fighters, dominating ovel
everything, and brooking no conten'
ton,
The elder of thes e"Halitax" Alstons
the grandfather Of Bob Aston came
to Georgia with his family and bought
the "Shoulder-bone lands" He had
by this time lavished much of his
wealth, but was still immensely rich
He had three sons willis (Bob's fa'
ther), Augustus, and Gideon. Eacf
OF these men came to a violent death
The Alstons moved TO Tallahassee
where they at once became very prom.
inent on account of their wealth, brave.
~, and talent. They we're an unusual
ly handsome and athletic race. being,
without exception, six feet or over,
well proportioued, and accomplished.
Willis Aston once carried load Of
800 pounds dead weight on his shout.
ders, in Tallahassee, for wager.
In Tallahassee was started the feud
between the Alstons and General
Reed. General Leigh Reed was a
man who had distinguished himself
in the Indian wars IN Florida, and who
stood very high in public estimation.
Brave, genial, brilliant, he had most
suspicious career ahead of bin lie
was the leader OF one fthe parties in
Florida, and Col, Augustus Aston led
the other.
They became involved in a difficult
ty, Bob Aston says, because Of an ar
ticle that had appeared in paper
rejecting on Gov Call. At any rate,
the trouble resulted in meeting, in
which Augustus Aston vas killed
The facts seemed to be that as the
men tHrned to fire Col. Alston's wager
went of before he had aimed it, the
hair trigger having yielded to an in
voluntary pressure. Gen. Reed aimed
deliberately. fred, and Col Aston fell
with fearful wond torn through him.
In any event, however, the sister OF
Augustus Aston was maddened at
the death of her brother. She took
the lead from the dead body. and
m ulling it into bullets, sent them
to Col. Willis Aston telling him to
hurry home and avenge his brothers
death. Il was very well understood
that when Willis Aston came there
wonld be trouble.
On the night OF the meeting Of the
Legislature Gen. Reed was elected
speaker. After the adjournment the
members assembled in Browns Hotel
to enjoy the usual dinner given by
The Speaker to his friends While the
banquet was at its merriest there was
a slight commotion in the further end
oil the hall.
Pushing aside tho crowd gathered
about the door, tall figure, wrapped
in a long cloak, stepped hastily
wards The table. Although the face
was lhsiid hid by a slouched hat, the
tall and striking figure was known to
the crowd. There's Aston. Aston"
they shouted
At this point Colonel Aston threw
the cloak back and disclosed his feat
ures. Without an instant of hesta~ |
ton Reed arose and drew his pistol,
and fired at Aston, tearing two fingers
off of his right hand, In which he was
holding a bowie-knite. Aston never
hesitated at this, but charged like
Wild boar on Reed They were pulled
apart after a struggle, in which Reed
was cut and Alstun somewhat injured.
Some months atterwsrd General
Reed was walking down the street with
4 friend when he was attacked by Col.
Willis Aston He received the con.
tents OF a shot gun, an as he turned
TO confront his assailln', received the
other load in his face. He dropped
wounded. Celonel Al-ton's
friends claimed that he had noli6~d
Reed that he weuld kill him on sight.
Reeds friends claimed that he receiv
ed no such notification. At any rate,
Col. Aston was imprisoned. He man.
aged to get off 10 Texas, it is said at
a sacrifice of $4,000 in property and
money. He settled in Texas, near
Brazoria.
After he had been there for some
time, he heard that DR.. Stew had
been discussing his killing of Reed in
uncomplimentary terms. He wrote
down the remarks, and short time
aft erward met DIR. Stewart on the
prairie. He presented the letter, and
asked DR.. Stewart if he had made
The remarks he was credited with
there
W nile Or, Stewart was examining
he letter he drew his pistol and fired
Oh Col. Aston. The shot eoterrd his
bowels. In the meantime DR.. Stewart
had dism united, getting his horse be
.ween him and Alton. Aston ad
'ancad, and after being terribly mu-
Hated, he killed S:ewart-pouring q
Dad Of BUCKS It through his cad,
lie was taken to Jail. and while there
wrote his last letter on earth. 1t was
addressed to c |. Tom Howard. l,
vas confident, hopeful, and defiant.
After writing this letter he took hls
iddle and commenced plsying,all cash
I'd aud torn as he was, {
William, his faithful boy servant,
hortly atterward entered the Jail, hav- I
ug coil of rops wound about his
,ody under his clothes. While they
we're preparing for their masters es
APE, uoise was heard outside 1t
vas a crowd breaking into the jail TO |
AXE the prisoner out and kill hin.
The mob pressed through the doors, '
,ut the daunt-ess hero never quaIled. t
lie sat fildlinQ 10 lOrdly contempt O