The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-15


ATLANTA, Ga, March 11.-At 3 o'clock this
evening the city was startled by the success
sive reports OF pistol shots In the Treasurer
office at the Capitol. A policeman breaking In
the closed door discovered Col. II. A.. Alston
lying On the iloor with the blood pouring from
| wound In his head, and Mr.. Ed. Cox lying
near him with horrible wound In his face
and others In his body. Treasurer Renfroe
and Capt. Nelms, principal penitehtiary
keeper were leaning over Aston and helping
| him to rise, The story Of the tragedy that
/ illuminated In this scene was as follows:
h Mr.. Ed. Cox. who was the assaiant, was a
partner OF Gen. Gordon In the convict lease,
about which &c much had been said. When
Dol: Aston was In Washington Gen. Gordon
authorized 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, and had arranged to sell to
one MIR. Walters III he could control Gordon's
share also. Aston found IL ito Gordon's adj
vantage to sell to o Mr.. Howard. Cox tried to
persuade him to sell to Walters, and finally
said he would kill him IL 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
COX then said: Il will walt for you to arm
yourself"
Alston went toward Capitol Hill, bent upon
avoiding trouble. He met Gov. Coluuitt who
knowing Cox's desperate character, was very
much alarmed for Aston, to whom no was
devotedly attached. He begged Aston to 20
to his Office and remain while he went to see
Cox.
.Alston said: you had better let me get d
shotgun and kill him, because know him,
and ne will kill me II don't"
He. went on towards the Capitol and pro-
cured pistol. Cox had already gone ahead
OF him, and was waiting for him.
Aston went In q side door and avoided him.
Cox wrote him I. note. asking him to come
out on the sidewalk and have it out
Alston declined, and walked about inside
the Capitol.
Cox came In, and, seeing Prof. Moore sit
ting ct desk, drew his. pistol, thinking 1t
was Aston The Professor turned, and Cox
He finally saw him go In the Treasurer's
door, and followed him.
Aston turned as he entered and said "Cox,
don't want to have any trouble with you"
"COme out and let's settle It." said Cox,
Il will not fight you unless you force 1t on
me- said Aston.
"Then I'll force IT, said Cox, closing the
door.
At this Aston, seeing that q fight was In
right now. Are you armed?"
without reply Cox whipped out his pistol.
Aston drew also, and, throwing their pistols
to q level, they fired straight at each other
Capt Nelms, who had run In between them,
the combatants, who were close to each other,
but failed.
Cox was struck In the mouth at the first fire,
and, after that, ran about the room, and ap-
peared to shoot at random.
Aston never left his tracks, but, pale and
stern. fired coolly, 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 a ball through AIston's brain. He had
not touched him before that
Aston fell ut once, lay at full length on the
floor, and never was conscious after that
Instant.
Cox threw his pistol down, staggered to the
able, fell and said 1--WE are both Killed"
Col. Aston died at ten minutes to Z.
The whole city mourns his death. No freer-
hearted, nobler gentleman ever lived, and he |
lad thousands OF friends Cox's assault Is
considered murder without extenuation Col |
Aston had dazzling traditions all through his |
amily history, but never fought duel He |
vas brave to.a fault, but always said he was |
about dying d violent death, |
ind his higher ambition was to change the |
tradition that an Aston must always die in |
lis boots. He was widely and favorably |
Known.