The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-04-17
Atlanta letter IN Nec York IIern,d.

Through Many Generations.
Atlanta letter ia Nep York Wcrnld
The killing Of Robert A. Alslon in this
city on last Tuesday revives the memory
ofthe most famous family probably of the
old-tinlc chiva!ry 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 a
hat, and slight movement Of the pistol
finger was the answer to all insult or in :
sinration-the close of all argument.
The Alstons were gallant men Of gentle
blood and usually large fortunes. They
were free livers and reck less fighters, and
frequently became involved in Difficult
ties and drained their estate with costs
and forfeitures. Probably the best known
of them, Col. Ben Aston, had several
affairs of honor, and wounded his antag-
onist every time be went to the field.
He was oil inperious, passionate man,
and rs cool under fire as he would be in
his drawing-room His most notable
duel was with Hayne, whom he wounded
Iii the knee. On one occasion ne was
visiting i'll Augusta, when gentleman,
mistaking him for au acquaintance,
tapped him across the shoulders with n
riding whip. Aston wheeled rs quick
as tightening. The gentleman apologiz-
cd III the most ample terms. Aston
took the whip from his hands, lashed
him across the back, and then said :
Nov. cir, your apology isaceepted." OF
course meeting followed. 1t is said
chat Aston once fought 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 Alston came of the family
known as the Halifax Alstons. Their
estate lay about Halifax, n. c., and they
dominated that whole section for years.
They were enormously wealthy, and
travelled from one of their estates to an
other in almost regal state. They had
hundreds of slaves, and always travelled
with n coach and small army of retain
crs. 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 case of loaf-sugar.-
"l have known her." says Colonel
iou Howard, connection, "to put 500
on cock fight, with her own birds, and
then stand and watch the struggle to the
death" Colonel Willis Aston, known
as Honest Willis Alston," the grand
uncle of Bob Alston, fought dozen
duels in one winter. numberless quarrels
having sprung from his assaults on a de-
taulting State Treasurer. He killed two
men and was himself frequently woun-
ded. His fayorite weapon was an old
fashioned "yager," which is sort of
bunderbuss, carrying a double handful
OF buck-shot, and of fearful execution.
A volume might be filled with the bloody
exploits of these two brothers, but 7
shall deal only with the sons of Colonel
Bob Aston, who were the later Alstons'
Immediate ancestors.
AN ALsToN MUST DIE WITH HIS ROOTS
ON.
Old Colonel Alston, who WAS himself
killed in duel, had three sons-Willis,
Gideon and Augustus. Willis Alston.
was the father of Colonel r. A. Aston
Each of these brothers came to his death
by violence, or died, as the family tradi-
tion runs, ''in his boots" Gideon AL
st0n, the first of the three to die, was
killed ina peculiar manner. His brother
Wills was in Nashville, on lordly frolic
when he became very much enamored OF
the lady who ,iterward married Sa::
!louston-n Miss Trimble, 1 believe.
lie paid her assiduous suit for several
months, and, while engaged in this DALI
ance, formed III attachment for q young
was friendless and poor and Aston
adopted him, taking him with him
when he left Nashville. 1t appears that
there was some feeling between Pelat
and Gideon Aston; ct any rate they left
the house at night and went into the
yard for the purpose of "practicing with
their pistols" Gideon was then a COL
lcge boy having just turned sophomore
i'll the State University. IN few mo-
ments after he left the house W. Pelat
he was found in the yard, with a pistol
bullet through his brain. Peat said
that he had shot himself accidentally
and this is al! that was ever known OF
the matter.
FLORIDA TRAGEDY.
And now comes one of the most re-
mnrkable tragedies in the history Of this
section so full of tragedies. There was
living in Florida, then primitive region
young Leigh Reed, n man of great .vil.
ity. gentleness and courage. 10 was
almost idolized by the people of tha,
Stale for his gallant services in the fierce
Indian wars, having by his skill and
fearlessness several times saved the little
colony from destruction by the Seminoles
and their allies. A story is told o.
him that will illustrate his character and
at the same time show how deiicate was
the sense of personal honor ut that time
General Reed was a political opponent
ofGovcnor Calls son and at the same time
his personal friend. Political feeling rar
very high, and on election day Mr.. White
made some reflections upon the integrity
of Governor Call. Reed at once chal
lcnged him for duel. The men went
were both desperately wounded, and be
haved with great gallantry, fighting
neiieve, with bowie knives, their LETT
hands being strapped together. Some
time afterward Reed became in volved il
difficulty with the Alstons. give
the story as i was given me by ColOnc
r. A. Aston himself Hesaid that ar
article appeared in newspaper reaec-
ting on Governor Call. Colonel Angus
tns Aston, who was the leader of tht
Call faction, demanded the name of til,
author. He was furnished with The
name Of General Reed, who was the lend
or uf the opposite faction. He ut ono,
challenged General Reed and meeting
MA arranged. tbs weapuls selected
were "yager+," this deadly weapon being
n have said. n favorite with the Alstons
Colonel Alston WAS attended by Mr.. Ke
n"n, his brotherin-law. At the word
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