The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-03-18
PISTOL LAW.
Desperate Encounter in the Ge0r.
gia State House.

i gia State House.
ATLANTA. Ga. March IL A fatal en-.
counter took place in the Treasurer's
office of the Capitolto da, between Mr..
Edward Cox and Cplnuel R ber A. AL
ston, 10 which Colonel Ais on was NOR.
tally wounded and Mr.. Cox severely. il
not fatally. Colonel Alston was one OF
the most prominent men in Georgia and
well known throughout the country, es-
pecially in Washington. He came OF
the fighting Alstons, Of Carolina, fami-
fy OF duelisls, everv one Of whom died
with his boots on The difficulty was as
follows Mr.. Cox aud General G brdon
are partners in the lease Of the clDvicts
of Georgia hut General Gondou was very
anxious to get out of the partnership and
disposr Of his interest to any one that
would take it. Cox, who is a Fostering,
bullying man, with a dan Sefous temper,
met Alston here AMI insisted on his sci.
ling Gordon's interest to Nv. Walters,
who had agreed to take c x 8 if he could
get Gordon's. Colonel Aston said that
he could serve General Gordon b. tier by
selling to Mr.. Charles Howard. Cox then
got enraged and told Aston fhe did not
sell as he directed he would kill him. Al,
ston. who although a thoroughly brave
man, has always had ahorror ofeytng a
violent death, as had all his ancestors,
drew away and left. Cox followed him,
and finally drew a knife ON him, telling
hum he would kill him if he did not trade
with Walters. Aston said II am un
armed you would not kill defencelesa
man Cox told him to go and arm
himself. Aston went to the Capitol,
where the Treasurer persuaded him to
stay. The Governor came in, and asked
Alston 10 step into the Treasurer 3 Office
and stay there while be would send for
Cox,
| KILL OR BE KILLED.
Alston saws IL know him well. gen.
tlemen, and / ought to take a. shot gun
and kill him, else he will kill me. As AL
ston went into the Treasurer's office Cox
came down side corridor. He looked
10 the Governors Office as he passed. and
seeing man who resembled Alston sit
ting there drew his pistol. He saw Al
stOn just then entering the Treasurer 8
Office, and followed him. Aston in the
meantime had procured n pistol. He
turned and said III want to have no
trouble with YOU, C,x: I've sold the in
terest to Howard already, 80 we needn't
have a fuss" Cox says:-.'I must have
one. I'm going to kill you" Alston
expos,ula' ed. and the Treasurer and Cap
tain Nelms, the penitentiary keeper, star
ted In interfere. Cix advanced angrily
having first sbu' the door.
PISTOLS AT SHORT RANGE.
Alsion then says We'll. we'll have i,
now are you armed ?" Aston waited
fof an answer, but Cox without replying
drew his pistol, uttering cry of rage
Aston whipped out his pistol at the
same moment. Captain Nelms jumped
between them and caught at both the
men. The two pistols Asshed simultap
eously and the close room was siiled with
smoke, There we're several successive
flashes, interference beng Impossible
Alston's frst ball struck Cox in tb,
mouth and apparently blinded him, as ht
wasted several shots Alslon secont
shot tore through Cox's uplifted haad
and his third was buried in Cox.
throat. BY this time Cox had stag
gered up to Alst,n, and putting hi.
p stol almost to his head fred. Alstor
fell forward instantly, the ball having en-
tered his temple. Cox threw up hi
hands and said AVE are both killed.
Tue men were both carried out aud at
tention given 10 them.
ALsroN DEAD.
Alston fingered unconscious unit
haf-past six this evening. his condition
exciting the intensest public interest
Immense crowds hung about the door
begging for news as to his condition a
long as be lived, and the whole city il
borne d,wn with sorrow. He failed II
recognize his wife or friends aud diet
without any appearance ofpain.
i Cox is in critical condition and tn,
public indignation is very high agains
him.
Archbishop Purcell.