The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-04-17
Atlantu letter in Ne,p York Herald.

Aaanta letter ii, New York Herald.
The killing of Robert A. Alslon in this
city on last Tuesday revives the memory
ofthe most famous family probably of the
old.time chivalry days-the fighting
Alstons of Carolina. The history Of this
audacious strain of blood is interviewer
with the history of these turbulent days
when gentlemen fought at the drop Of q
hat, and slight movement of the pistol
finger was the answer to all insult or in
sinuation-the close of all argument.
tt Alstons were gallant men ofgentle
blood and usually large fortunes. They
were free livers and reckless fighters, and
frequently became involved in difficult
ties and drained their estate with costs
and forfeitures. Probably the best known
of them, Col. Ben Alston, had several
affairs of honor, and wounded his antag-
onist every time he went to the field.
He was an iuperious, passionate man,
and as cool under fire SIS he would be in
his drawing-room. His most notable
duel was with Hayne, whom he wounded
in the knee. On one occasion he was
visiting in Augusta, when gentleman,
mistaking him for an acquaintance,
tapped him across the shoulders with u
riding whip. Alston wheeled as quick
as Tightening. The gentleman apologiz-
ed in the most ample terms. Aston
took the whip from his hands, lashed
him across the back, and then said:
sNow, sir, your apology isaceepted." Of
course meeting followed. 1t is said
that Aston once fought gentleman who
disputed the age of some wine of which
Alston had been boasting, throwing some
of the wine in his face that he might get
its full favor.
Col. Bob Aston came Of the family
known as the Halifax Alstops. Their
estate lay about Halifax, N. c., and they
dominated that whole section for years.
They we're enormously wealthy, and
travelled from one of their estates to an
other in almost regal state. They had
hundreds of slaves, and always travelled
with q coach and small army Of retain
ers. 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 Alston,
the grandmother of the subject of
this sketch, always carried her own
sheets and pillows with her when she
travelled, and a case of loaf-sugar.-
"I have known her." says Colonel
Tom Howard, connection, "to put 500
on cock fight, with her own birds, and
then stand and watch the struggle to the
DEATH" Colonel Willis Alston, known
rs "Honest Willis Alston," the grand
uncle of Bob Aston, fought dozen
duels in one winter, numberless quarrels
having sprung from his assaults on de-
faulting State Treasurer. He killed two
men and was himself frequently woun-
ded. His favorite weapon. was an old
fashioned "yager,n which is a sort of
blunderbuss, carrying double handful
of buck-skot, and of fearful execution.
A volume might be filled with the bloody
exploits of these two brothers, but /
shall deal only with the sons of Colonel
Bob Alston, who were the later Alstons'
immediate ancestors.
AN ASTON MUST DIE WITH HIS BOOTS
ON.
Old Colonel Alston, who was himself
killed in duel, had three sons-Willis,
Gideon and Augustus. Willis Aston.
was the father of Colonel R. a. Aston
Each of these brothers came to his death
by violence, or died, as the family tradi-
tion runs, "in his boots" Gideon AL
ston, the first of the three to die, was
killed in a peculiar manner. His brother
Wills was in Nashville, on lordly frolic
when he became very much enamored of
the lady who afterward married Sam
Houston-a Miss Trimble, l believe.
He paid her assiduous suit for several
months, and, while engagedin this dalli-
ance, formed an attachment for young
Spanish BOY, named Pelat. This boy
was friendiess and poor and Alston
adopted him. taking him with him
when he left Nashville. 1t appears that
there was some feeling between Pelat
and Gideon Aston; ct any rate they left
the house at night and went into the
yard for the purpose of "practicing with
their pistols" Gideon. was then a COL
lege boy having Just turned sophomore
in the State University. In few mo-
ments after he left the house with Pelat
he was found in the yard, with a pistol
bullet through his brain. Pelat said
that he had shot himself accidentally,
and this is all that was ever known of
the matter.
A FLORIDA TRAGEDY.
And now comes one of the most re-
markable tragedies in the history of this
section so full of tragedies. There was
living in Florida, then primitive region,
young Leigh Reed, man of great abil-
ity. 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 character and
at the same time show how delicate was
the sense of personal honor at that time.
General Reed was political opponent
ofGovenor Calls son and at the same time
his personal friend. Political feeling ran
yery high, and on election day Mr.. White
made some reflections upon the integrity
of Governor Call. Reed at once chal-
lenged him for duel. The men went,
were both desperately wounded, and be.
hayed with great gallantry, fighting !
believe, with bowie knives, their left,
hands being strapped together. Some
time afterward Reed became involved in
a difficulty with the Alstons. l give
the story as it was given me by Colonel
R A. Alston himself. Hesaid that an
article appeared in newspaper refec-
,inr on Governor Call. Colonel Angus,
FMS Aston, who was the leader of the
Call faction, demanded the name OF the
author. He was furnished with the
name of General Reed, who was the lead
or of the opposite faction. He ut once
challenged General Reed, and a meeting
was arranged. The weapons seiecteu
were "yagers," this deadly weapon being
as | have said, iavorlte with the Alstqns
Il ,vn, attended, Nv MIR X