Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-13
GEORGIA GORE.
A Desperate Encounter in the Capitol
lone Man Shot to Death and His
Opponent MOrtaIIY Wounded.
Special to Cincinnati Ennuirer.l

Special to Cincinnati Enquirer
ATLANTA, GA, March 11.-Colonel
X. A. Aston, one of the most popular
and best known men in the South, q
leader in Georgia politics, and we'll
known throughout the country, was
killed to-day in a %renconter with Ed
Cox. The circumstances which pre-
ceded the murder were as follows
General Gordon owned an interest in
the convict leasing in Georgia. His
partner in this lease was Ed Cox, for
merly a %neighbor. General Gordon
was very anxious to get out of the
lease, as a scandal had grown out of
the management of other leases. He
sent Colonel Aston to Atlanta from
Washington, with authority to sell his
interest to the best advantage. Cox
met Aston in Atlanta and told
Aston that he had arranged to sell
his interest to Mr.. Walters if he would
sell General GOrdOn't interest to him.
Aston replied that he thought of
selling GordOn's interest to Mr.. How
ard. Cox then told him if he did not
trade with Walters he would kill him.
Aston knew Cox well, and knew
him to be very violent and dangerous.
He therefore avoided discussing the
matter with Cox, but went off and
sold to Howard. Cox followed him
everywhere and kept insisting that
they must have it out. Aston is no
tably a brave man, and comes of a
fighting family whose duels make a
big part of Carolina history, but he
always avoided a difficulty. He drew
away from Cox, and at last Cox drew
a knife on him. Aston then said
I'm unarmed, and you wouldn't
murder me Cox then told him to
go and fix himself.
Aston walked to the capitol, where
he met Governor Colquit, who is his
lifetime friend, and told him of the
circumstances. The governor per-
suaded Aston to go into the capitol
until he could send for Cox and settle
the matter, Aston said 81 know
Cox better than anybody, and | ought
to take a shotgun and kill him. He's
going to kill me-" The governor sent
for Cox, but in the meantime he had
stepped to the side of the capitol
unperceiyed, and sent a note to Aston
to come out and settle it. Aston
declined to answer, and started to the
treasurer Office.
Cox, upon getting no answer, came
into the capitol after Aston. He saw
him entering the treasury room and
followed him. As he went in he closed
the door, and said "Now we have to
settle it"
Aston said " l will nave no diff
Guilty with you
Cox said, You shall have one"
and closed the door.
Aston in the meantime had secured
a pistol. He appealed again to Cox,
but Cox would hear nothing. Aston
said Well, we'll have it here, then.
Are you armed?"
Cox made no answer, but drew his
pistol. Aston drew at the same time.
The treasurer was at his desk, and
Captain Helms was by him. He
sprang between the men, but they fred
before he could reach them, one ball
cutting his whiskers. The men then
poured in shot after shot, Cox moving
about wildly but Aston standing like
a rock. AlstOn's first ball struck Cox
full in the mouth, while Cox's ball
missed. Aston shot deliberately,
burying hissecond ball in Cox's throat,
and breaking his pistol hand with the
third. BY this time Cox, who had
fired wildly, closed on Aston, and
sent a ball crashing through his tenn
pie. Aston fell, and Cox, threw up
his hands, saying I'VE are both
killed. Aston was unconscious after
he fell, and died at halE-past six
o'clock.
His death creates universal sorrow,
as few men had more devoted friends.
The streets about the room in which
he died are almost impossible, and
the Indignation against Cox is terrible.
1t is believed that Cox will die. AL
ston was a chivalrous, high-souled
Carolina gentleman. He represented
De Kalb county in the legislature at
the time of his death.
WHAT SENATOR GORDON HAS TO SAY
ABOUT THE MURDER.
WASHINGTON, March 11.-A pri-
yate telegram received here tonight
from Atlanta, Georgia, announces the
death OF Colonel II. A.. Aston from
the effects of a pistol shot wound
received in an encounter with Edward
Cox, a prominent Georgia planter.
Senator Gordon states that he paye
Colonel Aston a power of attorney to
revoke all his engagements with Cox
when he became convinced that Cox
was guilty of cruelty to %convicts. Ex-
Congressman Pierce Nj. b. Young also
received a dispatch from Atlanta to-
night, and Georgians here regard
J Colonel Alston's taking off as a cruel
assassination. Colonel Aston was
early in the late war appointed lieu.
tenant-colohel of cavalry by the Con
federate authorities, and served in
that capacity through the war