The sun., 1879-05-04
THE ALSTON MURDER TRIAL.
Trying 60 Impeach "a witness for tho Defence
The Prisoner'a TestImony.

ATLANTA, Ca May 3.-The testimony In
the Cox case to-day took general range to
bring up all the loose ends and complete the
presentation upon either side. The impeach-
ment OF the witness Sans was the principal ep-
isode. and 10 It great attention was directed.
Sans. a week ago, married n niece OF Alston's
widow. The State sought to show that Aston
and his wife opposed the marriage. and that
Sans WIS moved by enmiiy in testifyinR
ho did. The stenographer and mem
bers Of the Coroner's jury testified that Sams's
statement there WIS read over to him and ap-
proved. On this trial no repudiated nearly all
the material statements and said that he ever
swore. Treasurer Reniroe and Milton were
recalled. and swore positively to their posi-
fore. all Of which had been contradicted hy
sans. The defence introduced nsnrlv all the
officials and many citizrns Of DeKalb County,
who testified to Sans's good character. and
that they would believe him on oath. They also
testified that Cox WINS the most ardent friend
Aston had in the canvass Tor the election last
year To the General Assembly. when Aston was
successful.
Cox made free and lengthy statement To the
court and jury. He sat down in q chair. and
spoke luenty and deliberately, giving his early
history. .durHtion. record In the war as q sol
dier. and subsequent lie as farmer, Some
years after the war. he settled in DeKAlb County
near to Aston. He bought his farm there on
embarrassed. and Interested defendant in a
convict lease. he 70 have half OF the profits.
Aston drew up the contracts He took IN
Aston rs silent partner. he to give Alston half
OF az ne made out OF any business. and Aston
his ofice as assistant ke.prr OF the peniien.
tiary. law practice. or otherwisa. The first year
his profits on hire Of convlcts were $500. and he
rassed. and he frequently gave MIN money to
go 10 Washington city TO collect claim.
AlatnD refused he fgd
no more 70 do with the convict business. They
remained friends. however. When the Gordon
interest was placed In Alston's hands the de-
irndant wanted to sell also. Walters wanted to
buy. The defendant wanted 5000 for his in
teTest. As Aston had told him he would hold
him for the forty four bales OF cotton for the
yenr's rental. Walters refused To- buy at tho
price. A., nm tnducsment To the defendant to
sell to Walters for 81 500. Aston agreed TO
release the defendant from the payment
OF the cotton. At the barber shop Aston tod
ont OF this" and said the 5000 agreed upon for
max ing the sale was not enough for him. he
said he had saved Cox tho cotton and Cox ought
to give him half. or % bales. Defendant replied
that all his property wns under mortgage and
this would take the bread from his wiie aad
Defendant threatened To expose tho convict
business. all the parties 10 II. and Aliston's
actions about 1t in the Legislature, Aston said
he would kill defendant II he did and called him
liar Defendant threatened TO knox him down.
Alston told defendant to arm himself and meet
him AT some place and fight il out He did arm
Alston. and received Astons message. He
then went To the Capitol to make Aston
agree to settle up their business relations
hunlly. and not for tho purpose OF lighting
Alston. The latter met him. and they had
the talk testified To. except that Alston
proposed 10 fight defendant and said he would
Lonrd the neat train with him. Aston said
Do you want TO shoot II out2" Witness re-
piled amy way that suited HIM. Alston slid
" Do you want 10 shoot now p and rose. De-
fendant WIS at the door with view OF leaving.
Aston drew pistol md he drew his. Aston
fired twice aud strurk him In the mouth.
which shot knocked him to tho floor
Astnn shot him in the hand. H. WINS dazed by
the shock. his head buzzrd. and he could not
hear the shOls. As soon M he could do 50. he
rose and fired at the largest bulk OF Aston ho
could see through the smoke. He saw Aston
SINK down. and then sat down himself. He
only shot AlstOn in Erlf-deirnre. He wns his
best friend. and he did not want to kill him.