The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-03-20
I'm HIS BOOTSl,
Another Accountable fray
Two Lives Lost.

cribed, was q gallant Confederate 81
dier. chief of staff TO General Johr
Morgan, with whom lie was captured
in Ohio, and sent to the Penitenti4ry
whence they escaped, though -tlstor
was re-taken. Subsequently he shared
with the writer the torture of existencf
for a number of months in the Prison
Pen at Fort Delaware. He has d wide
connection in North Carolina, some OF
whom at the beginning of the war
we're among our wealthiest families
A fatal encounter took place IN the
Treasurer's office of the Capitol to-day
between Mr.. Edward Cox and Colonel
Robert A.. Aston, in which Colonel
Aston was mortaily wounded and Mr..
Cox severely, if not fatally. Colonel
Aston was one of the most prominent
men in Georgia and we'll known
throughout the country, especially in
Washington. He came of the i<hting
A,stOns, Of Carolina, a family CT duel
lists, every one of whom died with his
boots on. The difficulty was as fol-
lows:-Mr. Cox and General Gordon
are partners in the lease of the coavicts
Of Georgia, but Gordon was very anx-
lous to get out Of the partnership and
sent Aston to Atlanta with authority to
dispose of his interest 10 any one that
would take it. Cox, who is a pester-
ing, bullying man, with a Gas5erOus
temper, met Aston here and insisted
on his selling GOrdon's interest to j
w. Walters, who had agreed to take
Cox's if he could get Gordon's. Colo
mel Aston said ,hat lie corld serve
General Gordon better by s.! ng to
Mr.. Charles Howard. Cox thLa 60
enraged and told Aston il he did not
sell as he directed he would XII him.
Aston, who, although a veiy Grave
man, has always had "a horror cf dying |
a violent death, as had ell his aaces-
tors, drew away aud left. Cox followed
him, ard finally drew a knife on him. |
telling him he would kill him Il re did
not trade with Walters. Aston said:
IL am unarmed; you would not XIII a
defenceless man." Cox told hil to go
and arm himself. Aston went to the
Capitol, where the Treasurer pcrsua-
ded him to stay. The Governor came
in. and a, ked Aston to step into the
TIeasurer's Office and stay there while
he would send for Cox.
Aston s.ys:-"I know him well.
gentlemen, and | ought TO take a shot
gun ard kill him. else he will Kill me.
AS Aston went into the Tr~eascrer's
Office Coz came down a side corridor.
He looked in the Governors office as
he pissed. and seeing a man who re-
semhled Aston sitting there drew his
pistol. He saw Aston just then en'er-
ing the Treasurer's flee. AMI follow
ed him. They began tie controversy
again, Cox telling Aistsn that he had
treated him wrong aud had to answer
for it. Aston got up, md putting his
hand gently upon Co4, said to him:
MIR. Cox. l do not want to save any
difficulty with you about this matter,
matter, and there is no need for i.
Let us drop it now. 1t will do you DO
good to kill me, and do m 10 good to
Kill you-not a bit in the world"
Cox replied in an abusive manne
and continued to denOunce Aston and
to urge him on 40 the ARRAY It was
thought his obj et wa to goad Aston
to make the first attack. At the time
only Treasurer Renfroe and the tax.
collector of Gilmer county were ia Tie
office, Capt. helms coming in soon
after. While the quarrel was in pro-
gress the CHA e. gentleman remarked
Cox was abusing Alston beyond
and that Aston ought o to
let a man talk to him in thai way, but
to kill him.
Eseasurer Ren(roe,p fearing-the difi~
told them MOTTO have u fight, in
lis Office. Upon this Cox invited AS
outdoors to settle the matter, but
declined to GO, repeating THAT be
not want any difficulty. Cox re
that he should have one. Alstnn
laid if he could not avoidit he sIsapoe
ID he would. Cox told him he c)ald
lot get out of it, and Aston .skee
linn if he wanted to begin irr,Sh' Their.
COX said that it was as good a plase as
my, and that a difficulty was wiTt be
lad como for. EfegAwentt to the lront
of the room and attempted 10 shu
t. Treasurer Rsnfroe Id him MT to
hut that door, but Cox paid no 7tten-
ion to him, but seeing hat Il was
rocked back to the wall, he unlocked
t and shut it.. He then turned and
dvanced towards AIS Oh, VIII also
ose and stepped forward. 'apc.
SelmS ran between them and Ca ing
ach by the shoulders with his jEauds,
as he did SO both men drew their !
istols and began to fire at each Their s
With great rapidity. Capt. Naiu fell f,
,ack upon the table. s
Col. Aston. when he o om |
is chair, had his coat buttone1. ross {
is breast. but he unbuttoned &C and 1
rev his pistol from al Inner pocket. |
lis was a self-cock,ng pistol, and this !
him to get the first soo5 at
the ball striking Cox on the lcfg
de of The upper lip and pen.r ing
he mouth and jaw. Cox the got !
lto the corner and fred at Aston. q
missedFhim and the banswent into 4