The New York herald., 1879-03-12
COLONEL ROBERT A. ALSrON KILLED
His Assailant, Edward Cox, Probably
Fatally Wounded.
THE BLAME ON COX.
Violence and Murder in Missouri
and Kentucky.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

ATLANTA, Ga, March IL. 1879.
fatal encounter took place in the Treasurers.
Office of the Capitol to-day between Mr.. Edward Cox
and Colonel Robert A. Aston, in which Colonel
Aston was mortally wounded and Mr. Cox severely.
if not fatally. Colonel Aston of the most
prominent men in Georgia and well known through
out the country. especially in Washington. He came
OF the fighting Alstons. Of Carolina. family of
duciists. every Of whom died with his boots
The difficulty was follows Mr. Cox and General
Gordon are partners in the lease of the convicts
OF Georgia, but General Gordon was very
anxious to get out Of the partnership and sent
Aston to Atlanta with authority to dispose of his
interest to any one that would take it, Cox who is
apestering. bullying man. with dangerous tenn
per. met Aston here and insisted his selling Cor
don's interest to j. W. Walters who had agreed to
take Cox's if he could get Gordon's. Colonel Aston
said that he could General Gordon better by sell
ing to Mr. Charles Howard. Cox then got enraged and
told Aston if he did not sell as he directed
he would kill him. Aston. who, although
thoroughly brave man. has always had horror Of
dying violent death. had all his ancestors. drew
away and Left. Cox followed him, and finally drew
q knife him. telling him he would kill him il he
did not trade with Walters. Aston said-"I am un-
armed; you would not kill a defenceless man" Cox
told him to 60 and arm himself. Aston went to the
Capitol. where the Treasurer persuaded him to stay
The Governor came in. and asked ston to step into
the Treasurers Office and stay there while he would
send for Cox.
KILL or DE KILLED.
Aston says-'I know him we'll gentlemen and
ought to take shot gun and kill him. else he will
kill me. AS Aston went into the Treasurer's Office
Cox came down q side corridor. He looked in the
Governors Office as he passed. and seeing man who
resembled Aston sitting there drew his pistol. He
Aston just then entering the Treasurers Office.
and followed him. Aston in the meantime had pro-
cured pistol He turned and said III want to have
trouble with you. Cox; I've sold that interest to
Howard already we needn't have fuss" Cox
says:-"I must have one. I'm going to kill you"
Aston expostulated, and the Treasurer and Captain
Nems. the pcntentary keeper. started to Interfere.
Cox advanced angrily having first shut the door.
PISTOLS sHoRT RANGE.
Aston then says:-"well, we'll have it now are
you armed?" Aston waited for an answer. but Cox.
without replying drew his pistol. utterng acry of
rage Aston whipped out his pistol at tho same mo-
ment. Captain Nelms jumped between them aud
caught at both the men. The two pistols flashed
simultaneously ana tho close room filed with
smoke. There were several successive flashes. inter-
ference being impossible. Alstons hrst ball struck
Cox in the mouth and apparently blinded him. as he
wasted several shots. Aston stood perfectly cool
His second shot tore through Cox's uplifted hand
and his third buried in Coxs throat. By
this time Cox had staggered mp TO Aston. and
putting his pistol almost to his head fred. Aston
fal forward instantly. the ball having entered hts
temple. Coxjthrew up his hands and ssid:-"We
both killed" The men were both carried out and
attention given to them.
AISTcN DEAD.
Aston fingered unconscious until halfpast six this
evening" his condition exciting the intensest public
interest Immense crowds hung about the doors beg
ging for to his condition long lived.
and the whole city is borne down with sorrow. He
failed 70 recognize his vito friends and died with
out any appearance OF pain.
Coz ia In acriticA condition md the public ndic.
nation is very high against him.