The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-03-27
THE FIGHTING ALSTONS.
A CarOIin Family whose Members All Die
With Their Boots On.
atlanta Letter in New York Herald

Atlanta Letter in New York Herald.
The killing of Col. Robert A. Aston
in this city on last Tuesday revives the
memory of the most famous family prob
ably of the old-time chivalry days-the
fighting Alstons of Carolina. The his
tory of this audaciOus strain of blood is
interviewer with a history of those tur>
bulent days when gentlemen fought at
the drop of the hat, and slight move
ment of the pistol finger WAS the answer
| to all insult or insinuation-the close OF
sll argument.
The Alstons were gallant men of gentle
blood and usually of large fortune. They
were free livers and reckless fighters, and
frequently became involved in difficult
ties that drained their estates with costs
and forfeitures. Probably the best
known of them, Col. Ben. Aston, had
several affairs of honor, and wounded his
antagonist every time he went to the
field. He was an imperiOus, passionate
man, and as cool under fire as he would
be in his drawing-room. His most no
table duel was with Hayne, whom he
wounded in the knee. On one occasion
he was visiting in Augusta, when a gen.
tleman, mistaking him for an acquain-
lance, tapped him across the shoulders
with riding whip. Aston wheeled as
quick as Lightning. The gentleman
apologized in the most ample terms.
Aston took the whip from his hands,
dashed him across the back and then
said CHOW, sir, your apology is &C
cepted." OF course meeting followed.
1t is said that Aston once fought gen
tleman who disputed the age of some
wine of which Aston had been Boosting,
throwing some of the wine in his face
that he might get its full flavor.
Colonel Bob Aston came of the family
known as the Halifax Alstons. Their
estates lsy about Halifax, N. c., and
they dominated that whole section for
years. They were enormously wealthy,
| and travelled from one OF their estates to
another in almost regal state. They had
hundreds of slaves, and always travelled
with a coach and four and a small army
OF retainers. The men were princely in
their habits Of expense, and put the
E'code" above the bible. The women
were high strung and spirited. Mrs.
Bob Aston, the grandmother of the sub
ject of this sketch, always carried her
own sheets and pillows with her when
| she Travelled, and case of loafsugar.
q have known her," says Colonel Tom
Howard, a connection, ito put 300 on
a cock fight with her own birds, and then
stand and watch the struggle to the
| death" Colonel Willis Aston, known
as Honest Willis Alston," the grand
uncle of Bob Aston, fought a dozen
duels in one winter, numberless quarrels
having sprung from his assaults on de-
fsulting state treasurer. He killed two
men and was himself frequently wound
ed. His favorite weapon was an old
fashioned "yager," which is a sort of
blunderbuss, carrying a double handful
OF buck-shot, and of fearful execution.
A volume might be filled with the
bloody exploits of these two brothers,
but l shall deal only with the sons Of
Colonel Bob Aston, who were the later
AIstons' immediate ancestors.
Old Colonel Aston, who was himself
killed in duel, had three sOns-Willis,
Gideon aud Augustus. Willis Aston.
was the father of Colonel r. A. Aston.
Each of these brothers came to his death
bv violence, or died, as the family ira
dition runs. Gin his boots" Gideon
Aston, the first of the three to die, was
killed in peculiar manner. His brother
Willis was in Nashville on lordly frolic,
when he became very much enamOred of
the lady who afterwsrd married Sam
Houston Miss Trimble, believe. He
paid her assiduous suit for several
months, and, while engaged in this dal-
lance, formed an attachment Tor young
Spanish boy named Pelat. This boy was
friendless and poor and Aston adopted
him, taking him home with him when
he left Nashville. 1t appears that there
was some feeling between Pelst and Gid
con Aston; at any rate they left the
house at night and went into the yard
for the purpose of "prscticing with their
pistols" Gideon was then q college boy,
having Just turned sophomore in the
State University. In few moments
after he left the house with Pelat he was
found in the yard with pistol bullet
through his brain. Pelat said that he
had shot himself accidentally, and this
is all that was ever known of the matter.
And now comes one Of the most
remarkable tragedies in the history of
this section, so full of tragedies There
was living in Florida, then a primitive
region, young Leigh Reed, a man of
great ability, gentleness and courage.
He was almost idolized by the people of
that state for his gallant services in the
fierce Indian wars, having by his skill
and fearlessness several times saved the
little colony from destruction by the
Seminoles and their allies. A story is
told of him that will illustrate his char
acter and at the same time show how
delicate was the sense of personal honor
at that time. General Reed Was poll
teal opponent of Governor Calls son
and at the same time his personal friend.
Political feeling ran very high, and on
election day q Mr.. White made some
reflections upon the integrity OF Cover
nor Call. Reed at once challenged him
for q duel. The men went, were both
desperately wounded, and behaved with
great gallantry, fighting, l believe, with
bowie knives, their left hands being
strapped together. Some time sfterward
Reed became involved in q difficulty
with the Alstons. 1 give the history as
it was given me by Colonel q. A: Aston
himself. He said that an article ap'
peared in 8 newspaper rejecting on
Governor Call. Colonel Augustus Ais
| A. laoIar IF tho Call fac