Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-03-20

WSSSIM WVSNSNVM
eve are both of us killed!'' and then he went
into the front room and laid down upon the
lounge. The shots had been heard all around
and through the building, and men came run
ming to the scene of the tragedy. The specta-
Gle at this juncture beggars description, and
sickened all who saw it. The floor OF the room
was slippery with pools OF blood, and yet the
faint blue smoke from the pistols was creep
ing along the ceiling in search of an outlet. One
of the men was lying upon the floor at full
length. with the blood streaming from that
horrible shot in the head, and the other was
moaning upon the sofa four or five feet away,
with the blood choking him, and flowing from
his mouth and his hand dripping as though
taken from a pool. On the floor were found a
pistol-ball and some Of the teeth knocked from
Mr.. Cox's mouth when he was hit.
AvAsT CROWD
of excited people were gathering at the news
of the tragedy. The police and physicians
were speedily on hand. Drs. Love and Todd
took charge of Col Aston, and at once began
to try and revive him. DR.. Taber was IN
charge of Mr. Cox, and did all in his power to
relieve him of his sufferings. The wound IN
Col. Alston's head was at once pronounced
mortal; those of Mr.. Cox were deemed PAINFUL
but not serious Col. AlstOn was placed IN an
easy position and restoratives applied, While
his wound was sought to be staunched and
his head bathed. The affair occurred at 3.2O
y. M. and for nearly two hours the men were
thus tenderly cared for by physicians and
friends. Col. Aston became very restless, and
urged his way once clear across the room III his
struggles, He returned to consciousness once
and only for brief moment or two. MI.
Frank Gordon, son of Senator Gordon, was
promptly at his side, and in reply to his ques-
ton COL Aston once pressed his hand as a
sign of recognition and family called his name,
''Frank." Then with a struggle he said: II
am dying
''LET ME- SEE MY WIFE"
Between Col. Aston and his wife has always
existed the tenderest and sincerest love and
confidence. In all circumstances they were
more like the youthful lovers of the long ago
than the husband and wife, with well-groWn
children at their Sides 1t was his last sane
reuuest-that never-failmg devotion crystal
ized into expression-''let me see my wlfe!'
She was at her home in DeKalb county, all UNI
conscious of the calamity that had overtaken
her husband, and, doubtless, preparing his
welcome when his return should be made. "A
carriage was at once sent post-haste to bring
IeT lO Ills lOl ttlVSA iiS "oo eStNSi
upon stretcher and tenderly borne to bed IN
the room of Mr.. Walker in the Grant building
THE DEATH OF COL. ALSTON
occurred at GAO p. m, at the room above men
toned He was surrounded by bis wife, daugh-
ter and son, and by numerous friends. he re-
mained unconscious, and did not recognize his
wife and children. After the death of Col.
Aston the coroner was notified of the fact,
and in consideration of the circumstances at
tending the homicide and the fact that ample
witnesses to the fact are accessible, he decided
that it was unnecessary to hold an inquest over
the remains, though on the following day a
Jury of inquest was impanneled, who returned
a verdict charging Cox with the crime of will
full and premeditated murder Cox was then
conveyed to jail.
THE LAWYERS ENGAGED FOR THE PROSECU-
TION.
It is understood that the prosecution of Cox
will not lag an instant. Messrs. Hopkins u
Glenn, Mr. Howard Van Epps, Mr.. Patrick
Calhoun, Col Willis A. Hawkins, and Judge
Samuel Hallhave been, we understand, retain
ed for the prosecution. 1t generally believed
that the trial will come off week after next,
when the criminal docket is opened. There IS
deep interest felt in the progress OF the case
1t is a notable fact that the Legislature at its
ldSI SeSSlOll, pdSSSt law ploNluiAS oheto " 49,
might, in any murder case, "recommend the
prisoner to mercy" and that this recommen-
dation should reduce the sentence from death
to life imprisonment. 1t is suggested that,
possibly, in the course of the coming trial, the
defence may rest upon an appeal for this say
ing recommendation. 1t is curious that this
law was framed, advocated and finally put
through by the earnest personal exertlons OF
Col. Aston himself. 1t will be strange fate
if the first man that pleads for his life, under
this saving clause, should be the man who is
tried for the killing of ''Bob'' Aston
COL. ALsTON's CAREER.
Colonel Aston was born in Macon, Ga, on
the last day of December, 1892. After emerg-
ing from his school days he engaged in mer-
camille pursuits in Charleston, S. c., and at
the age of "a years married Miss Mary Char
lotte MaGill, daughter of large planter. lie
began the study of law and was admitted to
practice in 1858. He pursued the law until
the war came on, when he entered the service
and rose to distinction as one of the leading
spirits in Morgan's raiders. He was one OF
the bravest of that brave band, and through a
hundred fights recklessly invited death. but
never received wound. At the battle of
Cynthiana, KY, it is related that he lost his
breakfast by having his biscuit shot from be-
tween his teeth After the war he came back
to his charming home in DeKalb county and
engaged successfully in law, farming and jour-
nalism, up to the past two or three years. lie
was one Of the owners and managers OF the
Atlanta Herald, journal whose brilliancy
and enterprise made it famous in its day. VI
late he has returned to his profession of law,
and in claim cases has made much money, the
bulk of which he gave promptly away to the
creditors of his newspaper venture. lie was
well-known all over the Union, and i'll Wash
ington City was a general favorite with public
men in Congress and in the government. He
was a shrewd observer of men, and could
mould them often to his purposes as with the
hand of a master spirit. He was a good citi-
zen, and in his office of a Representative III
our General Assembly his career promised to
be of great usefulness to the State.
REMARKABLE INCIDENT.
Many remarkable incidents are reported in
connection with the life of Col. Aston, among
which the following will bear repetition :: 1t is
said, in reference to his membership with De-
catur Methodist Church, about two years ago,
when he felt it his duty to join the church, he
preferred the EdgewOOd Chapel and was about
to Join there, when he learned that Mr.. Cox
had an idea of joining the church also. lie
approached Mr. Cox and earnestly begged him
to join the Edgewood Church. MI. Cox would
not consent. AT last Col Aston said: "Well,
Ed, I'll join at Decatur if you will" 10
this proposition an affirmative response was
returned, and these two men entered the SOL
emn bonds together. Now, one is slain and
the other is his slayer.