The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-14
DIED WITH HIS BOOTS on.
THE END or 4 MEMBER or 4 FAMOUS
DUELLING FANNY.
Col. Robert a. Alston's Encounter with Ed.
Cox In the Capitol or GcurEia-A C"ur-
ngcous Man Forced 20 FIaht for his Life.

Col. Robert a. AIston's Encounter with Ed.
Cox In the Capitol or Gc"rEia-A C"ur-
Rgcous Man Forced 20 FIaht for his Lie.
ATLANTA. March 12-Ncver before since the
war has this busy city b'cn 50 much affected rs
blythe killing Of Col. X. A. Aston. yesterday. The
Colonel belonged to one Of the oldest families ~
the South. u member Of which married TheO-
dOsia tho pcttcd chiid VI Aaron Burr. and
mndra worthy husband for the daughter of that
famous and eccentric statesman. Tho Aistons
have been noted ducllists. and it is said
that not u male member of tho house for
several generations has died "a natural DEATH
Bob Aston as he was familiarly called. though
courageous man. was not bully. nor did he
court encounters that were likely to call for tho
use " deadly weapons. He WIS gentleman
OF the old school The fate Of his iorclathcrs
ecomed 10 have impressed him profoundly;
nud while no one questioned mis- courage no
seldom or never carried n pistol.
During IN" late war Bob Aston served "a n
Lieutenant Colonel VI cavalry. and disiln-
Euishrd himself Ivy valiant and faithful scr.
Nrr. Ntet thc war No WIS nm intimate 'rnnd
md counsellor oi General tunw Seuntorl Cor
DON. Uud senator Gordon has been = PARTNER OF
State Of Georgia. Cox tho reverse OF Al
sion. He was type oi tie southern buliy-a
man OF some social position but with temper
which indulgence had made uncomfortable.
Gen. Gordon has lately been DESTROYS of Civ
ing up his connection with convict labor Tor
several reasons. the two most potent %! which
were tho unpopunrity Of that kind Of labor
nmong tne INDUSTRIAL Slass.s oil lle Hth," itnd
grown out Of the management OF previous
leases. Gen. Gordon therefore save authority
any one who would buy it. Cox had arranged
e. sell his interest TO n MIR. Walters. provided
Sso "@ Co CEa 2S,Sd Sim:Sf r eS to S" s
Gordon's interest more advantageous ~ 10 Il MI.
Howard Col Aston met Cox and inii MIN mat
he was about 10 sell to Howard This rnrnEed
Cos who said that he would Kill Aston Il tho
latter should not sell To- Walters. Aston. WHO
was unarmrd aud who desired to avoid muir
dprnu- row ,vu,iri further talk and went off
and solid the interest 10 Howard.
Cnx logged Aston all day, and at length
overlook HIM. ant drew a knife and said that
Aston sud: You wouldn't kill an unarmed
cox then said: IL will wait for you to arm
yourself"
avoiding trouble. He met Gov Colquiu. who.
knowing Cox. rs desp.rado. was worry much
attached. He begged Aston TO 60 to his office
an remain while b" went To see Cox.
Aston said p" You had better let me get n
shotgun AMI kill him. hc.ause know him. and
Aston went on toward the Capitol. and pro-
cured pistol. Cox had already gone ahead OF
him. Hnd was WHITING for him. Aston went in
NJ sid" door. and avoided him. Cox wrote "A
note asking Aston 10 come ont on the sidewalk
ana have 70 out Aston declined. and walked
about in-i!e the capitol Coy entered. and sce-
in Prot. Moore sitting at n drsk drew his pis-
To-. tulnhluE II WAS ASTON. Inc PROFESSOR
turned. and Cox went 2 20 look for Aston, He
finally saw MIN 40 in at the Trensurers door.
AMI followed him.
Aston turned as he entered. md said. " Cox.
don't want 10 have any trouble with YOU"
Come out and let's settle it, said Cox.
Will not fight YOU. unless you force II on
=" Thon III force it," said Cox. closing the
At this Aston. seeing that n fight was inevita-
bic. SAID. Well then. lets settle. right now.
Ar. YOU armed -
Without a reply Cox whipped out his pistol.
Aston drew also, and throwing their pistols 10
level. they fired stra.sh; Al each other. Cupt.
Minis. Th9 haa run n Ia between ihsm barely
bh0nts. who were close 10 each other. but
failed.
Cox was s'ru K in the mouth AT the first fire
an after tia. h. ran about at random. Aston
did not sten from his trHrks. hut. pae and stern.
fired roolly. shooting CoX's pistol hand tho s"s-
ond shot. and shooting him squarr ia ih"thrnat
the thiri time. At length Cox. haviu- sur-
ceeded m getting right up 20 Aston, fired MS
brain. He hat n,ttouched him before that.
Aston l~ll and av M fuIi length on the floor
Unconscious from that instant Cox turcw his
pst"' Town stasS"rrl e. the table. and Tell. and
said. W. ar both killed
Col Aston died ut Tn minutes to I, Cox's
wounds are not considered mortal, and iny
he Wa i0k n To iai t. await trial the Curnner's
jury having found thar the murder Of Aston
was W .iul and premeaitat"d.
the wuol. r'y L. mourning Tor Col. Aston
Cox. who H. not expected 90 Iva II everywhere
eNt.ruted 49, "a drih"rufp murderer II h said
that Col. Aston was anxious 10 change the 90
tradition That an Aston. lkr "a Douglas never
died in his bed. II - uncle. Augustus Aston.
f0ughta duel with rifles in Florida many years
aco. IN WIS X lied 10y one Rid. Willis Aston
the father o; Col Aston. mot Reed in the street
in Coumbus Ga. and killed him. and Reeds
brother subsequently killed Willis Aston in
T.yas.
WAsHINGroN. March 1s-Ger iGordon WAS
visited AZ his sick bed. in Wtlurd's. Inst nielt
b tue reiort. r of q Washington newspaper.
TIE Senator sud That he hat no EXCUSES or
apologies 10 max" for his appearance in the
altitude of n contractor. II makes no
difference he said. whether | went into II
upon solicitati n or not; went into il and |
shdll not shirk any responsibility arising from
H. am on re ora rs "a critic ~ the law. Tor
wrote TO tn vernon pointing ont It's defects
a inrt which rffertually disprcyes the charge
nude against me that have been
orrosed 10 an investigation into its
operation. pelieye IN IA" system
or tho principle involved in the law ard
know that lis operation has been b'neh 'ial to
the state. eYcn under its very imperfect pro-
visions or requirements. The truth is the
ta."@ about Tho ruuiGitY Ot contractors and the
nisfr"ntment of tho prisoners have been nx-
aggrratcd. They ono prisoners were the vic
t'ls al "pid"nilcS IN on" or two # IA" rnmps {:
NOT IN my camp. however, and i,el justified IN
claiming eN"mutlon from adverse criticism
under tue circumstances. As 10 Alston's death.
10 man can regret IL more than do. He WAS
my devoted friend. my intimate and trusted
friend