Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-03-12
Fatal ARRAY.

The Atlanta correspondent Of the New York
Herald gives the following account Of tho fatal
atfrsg that took place is tbst city yesterday:
A fatal encounter took place ia the Treasurer $
Office CT The Capitol to day brtwcen Mr. Edward
Cox and Gel. Robert A. Als,oo, 10 which Col.
Aston wes mortally wounded and Mr.. Coz
severely, if not fatally. Colonel Aston was
ono of the most prominent men 10 Georgia and
veil known throughou! the country, especially
in Washington. He camo of the fighting AL
stons, of Carolina, family Of duelists. every
one Of whom died With his boots on. The diff
icu.y VAS as follows: Mr.. Cox snd General
Gordon are partners 10 the lease of the conVicts
Of Georeis, but Gen. Gordon was very aDxious
to get out OF the partnership aud sent Aston
to Atlanta with authority to dispcae Of bis TO-
'erest to any ono that would take it. Cox, who
is pcsteli0g, Bullying man, with q dangerous
temper, met Aston hare and insisted on his sell
ing Gordon interest to j. W. Walters who had
agreed to take Ccx's if be could get Gordcn's.
Col, Aston said that he could serve Gen. Cor
don better by selling 10 Mr.. Charles Howard
Cox then got enraged and told Aston if be did
not sell as he ireceG be would kill bin. Aston,
who, although thoroughly brave maa, has
always had horror of dying violent death, as
had all bis ancestors. drew away aod lett. Cox
followed him, and finally drew koiie on him,
telling him he would kill him if BIO did not
trade With Walters. Aston said: II am un.
armed you would not kill dcfeneeless man.
Cox ted him to 20 an arm himself. Aston
went to tho Capitol. where the Treasurer per
suaded bin to stay. The Governor camo 10,
aDd asked Aston to step into the Treasurer's
ctfioe aud stay there while he would send for
Cox.
Aston says: "Ikuow him WE'LL gentlemen,
and ought to take gun and kill him. else ho
will kill ne. As Aston went icto tho Treasur.
er's Office Cox came down side corridor. He
locked in the Governors Office as he passed.,
and s3ciug man who reScmbled Aston sitting
there drew his pistol. lie saw Aston just
then entering the Treasurers Office, aod follow.
ed him. Aston 10 the meantime had procured
8 pistol. He turned aud said: u want 10
have no trouble With you. Cox; I've sold that To-
terest to Howard already, SO VIC needn't have
going to kill you" Aston exposlulated, aud
The Treasurer and Captain Nelms, the peui!ec-
!iary keeper, started to interfere. Cox i'd
vanccd augrily, having first shut the door,
Aston then says: well, we'll have it now;
are you armed Aston waited fer an answer,
but Cox, without replying, drew his pistol. n.
teriog cry Ct rage. Aston whipped out bis
pistol at the same moment Captain Nems
jumped between then and c1usht at both the
NEE. The TWO pistols flashed simultaneously and
the close room was filled with smoke There
were several successive flashes, interference DO.
ing impossible. Aston first ball struck Cox
10 the mouth and apparently blinded him, as be
wasted several shots. Aston stood per. |
fectly cool. His second shot tore through Cox's
upltcd hand and his third was buried 10 Cox's !
throat. By this time Cox had staggered up to |
Als.op, and putting his pistol almost 10 bis
head fired. Aston fell forward Instantly, the |
ball having entered his temple. Cox threw |
M his hands and said: I'VE are both killed.
The mea were both carried Ont and attention
given 10 them.
Aston fingered unconscious until half past
six this evening". bis condition exciting the 10
tensest public interest. Immense crowds hung
about the doors begging for news as to, bis
condition as long as be lived, and the whole
city is borne down With sorrow. He failed to
recognize bis vile and friends, AID died With
out any appearance Of pain.
Cox is 10 critical condition. aud he public
indignation is verJ high against him.
1t is said of Aston that he had had many
previous similar difficulties 10 his life, aud that
le had prescntiment that he was to die sud-
IepIy by tho bullet in personal encounter, as