Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-05-08
THE ALsT0N MURDER TRIAL.

The trial of Cox for the murder of Colonel
Aston is still progressing in Atlanta. Ihe
examination of witnesses was concluded on
Saturday, closing with statement by the de-
fendant, who in addressing the court and jury,
gave his early history, education, record IN
the war as soldier, and subsequent life as q
farmer. Some years after the war he settled
in DeKalb county, near to Colonel Aston,
bought his farm there on Alston's account,
and from that time they were bosom friends.
In 1876 Senator Gordon was embarrassed and
interested defendant in the convict lease, ne
to have half of the profits. Col. Aston drew
the contract. He took in Col. Aston as ST.
lent partner, he to give Alston half of all he
made out of any business, and Alston to di.
vide with him all he (Alston) made out of his
Office as assistant keeper of the penitentiary,
law practice or otherwise. The first year his
profits on the hire of convicts was $500. He
gave Aston half. Aston got embarrassed
and defendant gave him money to 60 to Wash
inston City to collect claim which he got,
and got $4,000 fee. Colonel Alston re-.
fused division, and said he wanted no more
to do with the convict business. They re-
mained friends, however. When Gen. Cor.
don's interest was placed in Colonel Alston's
hands, defendant wanted to sell also. Walters
wanted to buy. Defendant asked $4,000 for
his interest as Alston had told him he would
hold him for Al bales of cotton for years
rental. Walters refused to buy at the price.
AS an inducenent to defendant to sell to Wal
ters for 81, 500, Col. Alston agreed to release
defendant from the payment Of the cotton.
At the barber shop Aston told defendant,
ayou have made good thing out of this,
and said 80 $500 agreed upon for making
the sale/&as not enough for him: He said he
had saved Cox the cotton and Cox ought 70
give him half, or twenty-five bales. Defend,
ant replied that all his property was under
mortgage and this would take the bread from
his wife and children. Col. Alston threaten.
ed to stop the trade Defendant threatened
to expose the convict business and all the par.
ties to it, and also Alston's actions about it IN
the Legislature. Col. Aston said he would
kill defendant if he did and called him liar.
Defendant threatened to knock him down.
Aston told defendant to arm himself and
meet him at some place and fight it out. He
did arm and return at the time fixed !; sent
word to Aston and received Alston's message;
went then to the Capitol to make Alston agree
to settle up their business relations finally,
and not for the purpose of fighting Aston.
The latter met him, and they had the talk tes'
tilted to, except that Alston proposed to fight
defendant, and said he would board the next
train with him. Aston said: "Do you want to
shoot it out?" He replied any way thatsuit'
ed him. Aston said "Do you want to shoot
now ?" and rose; defendant was at the door
with view of leaving Alston drew pistol
and he drew his Aston fired twice and struck
him in the mouth, which shot knocked him to
the floor; Aston shot him in the hand he
was dazed by the shock, his head buzzed and
he could not hear the shots; as soon as he
could do so he rose and fred at the largest
bulk of Aston he could see through the smoke
saw Aston sink down; he then sat down he
only shot Alston in elfdefence; he was his
best friend: he did not want to kill him.
The case was adjourned until Monday when
the argument began. Three of the strongest
counsel will argue on each side. The interest
in the trial has grown to be universal. The
sentiment is nearly wholly against Cox. Mel
ther the latter nor his counsel are sanguine
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