Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-03-18
The Atlanta Tragedy.
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE
BLOODY ENCOUNTER.

The Atlanta GA correspondent Of
the New York Herd Id furnishes graph
ic particulars Of the bloody tragedy IN
the treasurers Office in the capitol
building in that city Tuesday even
ing, IN which Col. Ro. A. Acton was
killed, and Edward A Cox seriously
wounded. 1t appears, as heretofore
stated, that Cox and United States
Senator Gordon are partners In the
lease of II portion of the State con
viots, but General Gordon being anx-
ious to get out OF the partnership sent
Aston to Atlanta with authority to dis
pose Of his interest. Cox. who Is rep
resented as an ill-lempered man, met
Aston Tuesday and insisted on his
selling Gordon's interest 10 j w.
Walters, vino had agreed to take Cox's
II he could get Gordon's. Col. Aston
said that he could serve Gen. Gordon
better by selling to Mr.. Charles How
ard 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 OH him, telling
him he would kill him II he did not
trade with Walters. Aston said, az
am unarmed you wonld not kill n de-
fenseless man. Cox told him to go
and arm himself. Aston went to the
Capitol, where the treasurer persuad-
ed him to stay. The Governor came In,
and asked Aston to step into the
treasurer's Office and stay there while
he would send for Cox
Aston said ~ know him well
gentlemen, and ought to take shot
gun and kill him, else he willkill me-"
Az Aston went into the treasurer's
Office Cox came down u side corridor.
He looked IN the Governors Office as
he passed, and seeing man who re-
sembled Aston sitting there, drew
his pistol. He saw Alstoh just then
entering tho treasurer's office and fol.
lowed him. Aston in the meantime
had procured pistol He turned
and said II wunt TO have no trouble
with you, Cox; I've sold that interest
TO Howard already, no we needn't have
n FUSS Cox raid; III must have
one. I'm going to kill you" Alston
expostulated, and the treasurer and
Captain Nelms. the penlIentiary Ike p.
er, started to interfere. Cox advano-
ed angrily, having first shut the door.
Then Aston said :--"Well, we'll have
II now are you armed ~ Aston wait.
ed for All answer, but Cox without re-.
ply ing drew his pistol, uttering u cry
OF rage. Aston whipped out his pis-
tol at the Same moment, Captain
Nclms jumped bets cen them and
caught at both men. The two pistols
flashed simultaneously and the close
room WAS filled with smoke. There
was several successive flashes, inter-
ference being impossible. Alston's
first ball struck Cox In tile mouth
and apparently blinded him, M he
wasted several shots. Aston stood
perfectly cool. His second shot tore
through Cox's upllfted hand, and his
third was burled la Cox's throat. by
this time Cox had staggered up to
Aston, and putting his pistol almost
TO hIs head fired. AlrtoD tell forward
Instantly the ball having entered his
temple. Cox threw up his hands aud
said I'VE are both killed" The
men were both carried out and atton-
ton given them, aud Aston died In
n few hours.
IL said OF Aston that no had had
many previous personal difficulties,
and that he had presentmtnt that
he was 10 die suddenly IN persunal
encounter II Ia also said hia uncle,
Augustus Alston, fought duel In
Florida with rifles many years ago,
And was killed by his adversary, a
near sighted man, named Reed. His