The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-02
THE SHOOTING or COZ. ASTON.
Tho Prosecution Closed and the Taking Of
Te.tImony for the Defent o Begun.

Iesttmony Deteut begun.
ATLANTA Ga, May lin tt e trial Of Cox
for the murder OF Col Aston. Il first witness
called to-day for the prosecu ton was p. II.
Milton. tax collector OF Gim' County who
was in the treasurer's Office dur ing the ARRAY.
He fully corroboratod the testi mony given by
Treasurer Renfroe yesterday, He said Cox
seemed determined to force al ston to fight. and
when he could not get Aston .ut oftho room he
proposed to board the train wi tn him. evidently
proposing duel elsewhere. Cox had his pistol
out before Aston. The witness Judged from
the action Of Aston that CoX's answer to Alstons
question. Are you going 10 shoot me now ?"
was OF an affirmative char acter II Cox had
had self-cocking pistol h would have shot
first as he had all tho advantages.
Dr. Willes westmoreland testified as to the
wound Of Aston. and said 1t was surprising
that he lived SO long.
George Techner testine that he was in
Pause's saloon about 2 p. NJ. Cox entered and
called A. L. Harris from the card table had a
short consultation with III m and. as he turned
and left. said: " will X II him, - him"
Butler Woodward was in Heinz Berkle's
loaded. and he wanted It quick. He bought q
revolver ofthe Derringei' pattern and. as he left
the store. said; " You Will hear from me again
soon"
The State here rested it's case.
The opening statcmt mt OF the defence was
made by eN-Congressr nan Gambler, who said
Cox wanted the whole ruth OF the case to come
before the Jury, and W ud endeavor TO present
il. The testimony Of iems. who was between
the combatants when ne fight began. had been
suppressed by the Stn' .. IA well as that OF other
important witnesses ho were sworn at the be-
ginning Of the trial b the state. The defence
would adopt them anc put them on the stand
| Cox would show up Il whole affair. about the
lease business. and me conflicting interests
showing why II was ecessary that the defend;
said that Cox took the life Of Aston in self-de
fence. aud they wou ID endeavor TO make this
Charles Heinz tesldned that Cox came to his
gun shop about 7. VI. for one OF his best pis-
tolls. and asked that / be loaded. AS he was In
| hurry. He gave Cox pistol loaded. Cox said
| II was good pistol. and IL man wanted one
that was a good on y to have. As he left. Cox
| but II don't 1t is sale Cox was man of
WAS e,cited wben h pu n psto IN Ss SoS
W. X. Hodgson. o ne OF Cox's counsel. testified
tered and called for Pause. The witness
told him that Paus was not there. Cox called
S ns SAID "pS F'G Cox h"S il% Harris s
qse sS8 70 S"na Witness yS@ SOON d0a aer %et M
Cox opt on the street. Cox said; Come
Into barber she . and into back room and
said he mad TO NEE Aston and had had diffl-
Guilty with him. ~ ims came in, and Cox said 10
him, Go and tell. Aston | am here to meet him
turned and said hat Aston had recOnsidered
the matter ana i,aid that Cox should 40 his
way and he Aston would 20 his way. Cox said
| An right" and oon left. going toward the
Capitol. A few 'inutes after ne heard OF the
| shooting he Went the Tleasurer's Office, saw
| Cox. heard Cox * Reniroe II Aston didn't
shoot first. and Rel ifroe answered yes.
A. 5. Harris testi led that Cox asked him for
| pistol The witnes said that he had none and
| Cox asked the WITH ess to get one for him. The
| witness asked wha for. and Cox replied that he
had 10 meet man in two minutes. He said II
was Bob meal ing Aston The witness
said: You are not going 10 fight Bob Aston p
a dead man"
Or, Thad. Johnsc n testified that he met Cox
and Aston together at o'clock in the morn
ing. They ioked " th him. He never saw two
mon apparently mo re friendly.
George Eddeman testified that he was with
| Hodgson In a salooi when Cox asked both for a
pistol. Neither Of hem had one. Cox said 10
| Hodgson: You au / are old college mates
| and II you don't sta nd up 10 me will kill YOU 4"
| He afterward modit ed il TO / will curse you"
Comptrolle Ter Gene raj Goldsmith testified that
he heard firing in the Treasurer's office, He
ran in and saw two men there-Alston down.
and dying. Cox he thought. was bleeding to
| Murphy and Howar q coming out of the dark
room. He saw moth Ing OF Alston's pistol
DIR; Taber. CoX's lysician. testified that Cox
was hit by two balls.
b. F. Moore testihe q tnat he was in the Treas
urers office when COX entered the first time.
He then ask ked for W es. Murphy.
Senator Gordon an c GOV. Colquit will be ex-
amned Tomorrow. The interest in the trial
deepens and disting ished men from all parts
OF the state are pres tnt Hundreds leave the
court room doors daily. unable TO gain admit
tance.