The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-23
THE FIGHTING ALSTONS.
ACARoLINAFAMILY WHOSE MEMBERS
MUST ALL DIE WITH THEIR
BOOTS ON,
Old Time Chfvalry-strauxe and Violent
Deaths Of the Alstons Through Many
Generations 'C0l0nel Bob" Meets the
Fate Of His Race
New York Herald

New York Herald
ATLANTA. Ga, March II, 1879.
The killing Of Col. Robert A. Aston in this
city on last Tuesday revives the memory of
the 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 those turbulent days when gentlemen
fought at the drop OF nat, and slight
movement OF the pistol finger was the an
swer to all insult or insinuation- close of
all argument.
The Alstons were gallant men OF gentle
blood and usually large fortunes. They
were free livers and utterly reckless fighters,
ana frequently became involved In difficulties
that drained their estates with costs and for
FIXTURES. Probably the best known Of them.
Colonel Ben Aston, had several affairs of
honor and wounded his antagonist every time
that he went into the field. He was an i'm
perious, passionate man, and as cool under
lire az he would be In his drawing-room. His
most notable deed 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 riding whip,
Aston wheeled as quick as lightning. The
gentleman apologized In the most ample
terms Aston took the whip from his hands,
iashed him across the back and then said,
Nov, sir, your apology is. accepted" Of
course meeting followed. IL Is said that
Aston once fought a gentleman who disputed
the age of some wine Of which Aston had
been boasting, throwing some of the wine In
his face that he might get its full flavor.
Col Bob Aston came of the family known
as the Halifax Alstons. Their estates lay
about Halifax, N g., and they dominated that
whole section for years. They were enor-
mously wealthy and travelled from one of
their estates to another In almost regal state
They had hundreds of slaves, and always
travelled with a coach and four and a small
army Of retainers 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 Aston, the
grandmother of the subject of this sketch,
always carried her own sheets and pillows
with her when she Travelled, and q case Of loaf
sugar. II have known her, SAYS Col Tom
Howard, a connection, ito put 500 on cock
fight with her own birds, and then stand and
watch the struggle to the death" Col Willis
Aston, known as Honest Willis Aston" the
grand uncle of Bob Aston, fought dozen
duels in one winter numberless quarres hav-
ing sprung from his assaults on a defaulting
State treasurer. He killed two men and was
himself frequently wounded. His favorIte
weapon was an old-fashioned wager" which
is a sort of blunderbuss, carrying double
handful of buck shot, and of fearful execu-
ton. A volume might be filled with the
bloody exploits of these two brothers, but |
shall deal only with the sons OF Col Bob AL
ston, who were the later Alstons immediate
ancestors.
AN ASTON MUST DIE WITH HIS BOOTS on
Old Col Aston, who was himself killed in
n duel, had three sons-WillIs, Gideon and
Augustus Willis Aston was the father of
Col r. A. Aston. Each OF these brothers
came to his death by violence, or died, as the
family tradition runs, lin his boots" Gideon
Aston, the first Of the three to die, was killed
i'm a peculiar manner. His brother Willis was
in Nashville, on lordly frolic, when he be-
came very much enamored of the lady who
afterward married Sam Houston-a Miss
Trimble, | believe He paid her assiduous
suit for several months, and, while engaged
in this dalliance, formed an attachment for
Young Spanish boy named Pelat. This boy
was friendless and poor, and Aston adopted
him, taking him home with him when he left
NASHVILLE. IL appears Illdt Lutlt Was sOIne
feeling between Pelat and Aston; at any rate
they left the house at night and went into the
yard for the purpose OF ''practicing with their
pistols" Gideon was then college boy,
having just turned sophomore In the State
University. In few moments after he left
the house with Pelat he was found In the yard
with pistol bullet through his brain. Pelat
said he had shot himself accidentally, and
this Is all that was ever known of the matter.
AFLoRIDA TRAGEDY.
And now comes one of the most remarka-
Die tragedies in the history of this section SO
tull OF tragedies. There was living in Florida,
then primitive region young Leigh Reed, a
man OF great ability, gentleness and courage.
de was almost ldolized by the people of that
State for his gallant services in the fierce In
dian wars, having by his skill and fearless
ness several times saved the little colony
Irom destruction by the Seminoles and their
aries, A story is told Of MIN that will illus
Srate MS character and at the same time show
now ueneate was the sense OF personal honor
~ mat time. Gen. Reed was political an
,n ne OF Gov. Calls son and at the same
ran Us LIS personal friend. Political feeling
White NAV aaen, and on election day a MIR.
tagr;t, n ~ G some reflections upon the in
nix gity Oh Gov Call. Reed at once balIanr ,a
ILL. lot uuel. The men went Jrnrs istS
oGiS.y wounded and behaved witb uos.
Eailahuys hghtlng, 1 believe WITH ga sleat
.ss' tHet ieit hands being stranned ~. ~.
k stneL, some slme aiterward Reed haca " ~
llVoIVeu 10 q difficulty with the Alstn,seaa inS
give the story as it was oivan . s 1
Col. X. A. Aston himself He said the. py
article appeared in newspaper refieefins., a a.,
Gov. Gait Col Augustus Aston. who y ",
the leader OF the Call faction. demandad w. m,
lame q the author. he was furnished WITH
H a 4 M "a