Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-03-20
TIE IMPROMPTU DUEL.
Which Resulted In Clear Gaze Of Murder
The Facts Briefly Stated.

Which Resuited In Clear Case Of Murder
The Facts Briefly Stated.
Following are particulars Of the Kill
ing of Col Aston
! ATLANTA, Ga March IA, three
O'Clock this afternoon the city was
startled by the successive reports OF
pistol shots in the treasurer's Office at
the capitol. A policeman breaking
IN the closed door discovered COL II.
A. Aston lying on the floor with the
blood pouring from a wound in his
head, and Mr.. Ed Cox lying near him
with horrible wound in his face, and
others in his body. Treasurer Rem
froe and Capt. helms, principal peni-
Tertiary keeper, were leaning over
Aston and helping him TO rise The
story OF the tragedy that eliminated
in this scene was as follows:
Mr.. Ed Cox, who was the assailant.
was partner OF Gen. Gordon in the
| convict lease, about which so much
has been said When Col Aston was
in Washington Gen. Gordon author
lied him to sell his interest in the
lease, as he wanted to wash his hands
OF the whole matter. Cox had been
trying to sell his interest, also, aud
had arranged to sell to one Mr.. Wal.
ters il he could control Gordon's share
also. Aston found it To Gordon's
advantage to sell to MIR. Howard
Cox tried to persuade him to sell 10
Walters, and finally said he would kill
him if he didn't do it. Aston tried
to avoid Cox, but was logged by him
all day. At length Cox drew his knife, :
and told Aston that he was going to
kill him.
Aston said "You wouldn't kill
an unarmed man, would your"
Cox then said: will wait for
you TO arm yourself"
Aston went toward capitol hill.
bent upon avoiding trouble. He met
Gov. G lqni,t, who, knowing Cox's
desperate character, was very much
alarmei for Aston, to whom he WIS
devoted!y attached. lie begged Al.
stcn TO go to his office and remain
while he went TO SEQ Cox.
Aston said: you had better let
me get a shotgun and kill him, be-
cause | know him and be will kill
me il | don't"
He went on towards the capitol
aud procured a pistol. Cox had al.
ready gone ahead CT him and was
waiting for him.
Aston went in at side door and
avoided him.
Cox wrote him note askiag him
to come out on the sidewalk and
have it out.
Aston declined and walked about
inside the capitol.
Cox came in and seeing Pref.
Moore sitting al desk drew his pis-
tol thinking it was Aston. The pro.
lessor .urned ard Cox went on 10
look for Aston.
He finally saw him go in the treas
urer's door and followed him.
Aston turned as no entered and
said, Cox, don't want to have
any trouble with you"
'Come out and lots settle it,"
said Cox
II will not fight unless you force
it on me. said Aston.
"Then Ill force it on you," said
Cox closing the door.
A. this Aston seeing that q fight
was inevitable. said: "Weil then,
It's settle il right now. Are you
armed ?"
Without a reply Cox whipped ou.
his pistol Aston drew also, and
throwing their pistols to level they
fired straight at each other
Capt. Minis who bad run in be.
tween them barely escaped being
shot. He tried to catch the combat
ants who were close to each other,
but failed
Cox was struck in the mouth at
the first fire, land after that ran about
the room and appeared 10 shoot at
rindom.
A'st IN never left his track, but
pale and s.ern, fired coolIy, shooting
Cox's pistol hand the second shot.
and shooting him square in the
throat the third time.
AT length, COX. having succeeded
in getting right up to Aston, fired
his fifth shot, and sent ball through
Alston's brain. he had not touched
him before that.
Aston fell at once, lay at full length
en- the floor, and mover was consoion
after that an instant.
Cox threw his pistol down stag-
gered to the table. fell, and said {:
I'VE ere both killed."
Col Aston died at ten minutes to
seven
Tho y hole city mourns his death.
No freer. hearted, nobler gentleman
ever lived. and he had thousands OF
friends. Cox's assault IL considered
murder without extenuaiion. Colo.
mel Aston had dneling traditions all
through his family history. but never
fought duel. He was brave TO
fault, but always said he WIS super.
s'itious about dying violent death.
and his higher ambition was 10
change the tradition that an Aston
must always die in his boots He
was widely and favorably known.
II SAY, Jack, which would you
rather, that lion tore you to pieces,
or tiper ?' "Why Won goose of