The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-05-10
THE ALsTON TRAGEDY.
COx's Statement-PnblIc Sentim en-
Against Him.

Cox made a full and lengthy statement t
the court and jury. He sat down in chai
and spoke tiuently and deliberately, givin
his early history, education, record In th
war as soldier, and subsequent life as
farmer. Some years after the war he set
tied in DeKalb county, near to Alston, ant
bought his farm there on Alston's account
and from that time they were bosom
friends.
In 1876, Senator Gordon was embarrass
ed and interested defendant in the convic
lease, he to have half the profits, Aston th,
contract. He took Aston in as a silen
partner, he to give Aston half he made o
any business, and Alston to divide with hin
all he (Alston) made out of the office a.
keeper of the Penitentiary, law practice o.
otherwise. The first year his profits on thu
hire of the convicts were $500.
He gave Alston half. Aston got embar
rassed, and defendant gave him money tc
go to Washington to collect a claim
which he got, and got $15, 900 fee. Alsto1
refused to divide, and said he wanted no
more to do with convict business. They
remained friends, however. When Cor
don's interest was placed in Aston 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 A bales of cotton for
| the years rental.
Walters refused to buy at the price. As
an inducement to defendant to sell to Walt
ers for $500, Aston agreed to release de-
fendant from the payment of cotton. At
the barber shop Alston told defendant: :
'You have made good thing out of this,
and 5000 agreed fee for making the sale
was not enough for him; said he had saved
Cox's cotton, and Cox ought to give him
half or % bales.' Defendant replied that
all his property was under mortgage, and
this would take the bread from his wife and
children; Alston also threatened to stay the
trade
Defendant threatened to expose the con-
vict business and all parties to it, alsoAlston's
actions about it in the Legislature 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 did arm himself and re-
turn at the time fixed; sent word to Aston
and received Alston's message went then
to the capitol to make Aston agree to set-
tie up their business relations finally, not
for the purpose of fighting Aston.
The latter met him and they had the talk
testified to, except that Aston proposed to
fight. Defendant said he would board the
next train with him. Aston said: 500 you
want to shoot it out ?" He replied "any way
that suited him." Aston said: "Do you
want to shoot now?" ard rose. Defendant
was at the door with view of leaving.
Alston drew pistol and he drew his; Ais
ton 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 conli do so, he rose and fired at
the largest bulk of Alston he could see
through the smoke; saw Alston sink down.
He then sat down. He only shot Aston in
self-defense. He was his best friend, and
did not want to kill him.
The case was adjourned until Monday,
when argument will begin. Three of the
strongest counsel will argue on each side. |
Interest in the trial has grown to be univer-
sal. Sentiment is nearly wholly against |
Cox. Neither he nor his counsel are very
sanguine.