The Osceola times., 1879-03-29
THE FIGHTING ALSTONS.
A CArolis Family whose MeDabcrs All Die
w IN Thesr Boots On.


A CArolia Family whose Mepa bers All Die
w sh Their Boots On
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 oid-time chivalry dsys-the
fighting Alstons of Carolina. The his
tory Of this audacious strain of blood Is
interviewer with history OF those tur,
bulent days when gentlemen fought at
the drop OF the hat, and a slight move.
ment OF the pistol finger was the answer
to all insult CT insinustion-the close OF
all argument.
The Alstons were gallant mn of gentle
bleod 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 iorteitures. 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 Hsyne, whom he
wounded in the knee. On one occasion
ne was visiting in Augusta, when a gen.
tlemsn, mistaking him for an acqusin-
lance, tapped him across the shoulders
with a riding whip. Aston wheeled a.
quick rs lightning. The gentleman
spoogized in the most ample terms
Alston took the whip from his hands,
lashed him across the back and then
said: "Now, sir, your apology is sc-
cepted." OF course meeting followed
1t is said that Aston once iought gen
tleman who disputed the age of some
wine OF which Aston had been bosstiDg,
throwing some of the wine in his face
that he might get its full favor.
Colonel Bob Aston came of the family
known IS the Halifax Alstons. Their
estates lsy about Halifax, N. c., and
they dominated that whole section for
years. They we're enormously weslthy,
and travelled from one OF their estates to
another in almost regal state. They had
hundreds of slaves. and always Travelled
with coach and fonr and q small army
OF retainers. The men were princely in
their habits of expense, and put the
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 loaf sugar.
"I have known her." says Colonel Tom
Howard, a connection, Ito put 800 on
a cock fight with her own birds, and then
stand and watch the struggle 10 the
death" Colonel Willis Aston, known
as "Honest Willis Alston," the grand
uncle of Bob Alston, fought dozen
duels in one winter, numherless qusrrels
having sprung from his assaults on de-
faulting state treasurer. He killed two
men and was himself frequently wound
ed. His favorite weapon was an old
fashioned "yager," which is 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 / shall deal only with the sons o.
Colonel Bob Alston, who were the later
Alstons' immediate ancestors.
Old Colonel Alston, who was himself
killed in duel. had three eons-Willis,
Gideon aud Augustus. Willis Alston
was the father OF Colonel R. A. Aston.
Each of these brothers came to bis death
by violence, or died, as the family ira.
di,ion runs. Gin his boots" Gideon
Aston, the first of the three 10 die, was
killed In peculiar manner. dis brother
Willis was in Nashville on lordly frolic,
when he became very much enamored o.
the lady who afterward married Sam
Houston Miss Trimble, / believe. He
paid her assiduous suit for several
months, and, while engaged in this dsl
lance, formed an attachment Ior young
Spanish boy named Pelat. This boy was
friendIess and poor and Aston adopted
him, taking him home with him when
he lett Nashville. 1t appears that there
was some feeling between Pelst and Gid
con Aston; at any rate they left ths
house at night and went into the yard
for the purpose OF "prscticing with tnelr
pisto g." Gideon was then college boy,
having Just turned sophomore in the
State University. In few moments
after he lett the house with Pelst be wa
found in the yard with pistol bullet
through his brain. Pelat said that he
had shot himself accidentally, and thi-
is all that was ever known OF the matter
And now comes one Of the most
remarkable tragedies in the history o.
this section, so full of tragedies Their
was living in Florida, then primitive
region, young Leigh Reed, man OF
great ability, centleness and courage.
He was almost idolized by the people
that state for his gallant services 10 the
fierce Indian wars, having by his skill
and learlessness several times saved the
little colony IRON destruction by tht
Seminoles and their allies. A story is
told Of him that will illustrate his char
sc.c. and At the same time show hc~
a A -