Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-02-27
A Pistol With.a History.


was standing, a few evenings ago, on
the corner of Lamar and Jackson streets, in
this little city, looking vaguely toward the
setting sun, and chinking" two Mexican
dollars in my hand, when an acquaintance
approached and remarked:
"See here, Jones, is something with his
tory--a thing which you may have heard OF
before" and he placed in my hands what
thirty years ago was the most noted weapon
in all Georgia. long, rifled, double-sighted
dueling pistol. Tho weapon was single
barreled, with cock under, not above; no
guard to protect the triggers, one of which
drew the cock back and the other threw it.
Upon the market at this day of modern i'm
provements the article would have fetched,
perhaps, $3.50, but half century ago the
pair, Of which this was the survivor, had
sold in London for E25. But let me tell its
history as my friend told it to me:
This, you sec, has the name of A. Prevot,
London, on the barrel, and was purchased,
with its fellow, fifty years ago, from that
manufacturer by one Sir Hugh Cadwaader
as the best duelling brace ever manufactured
in London. See how fine the steel, how
perfect the rifle grooves, and yet how simple
the thing is gotten up. Oadwaladcr, soon
after the purchase, had occasion to use them,
and did, with effect. A Lieutenant in the
Army insulted him at banquet ono even
ing, and the baronet threw glass of wine
in his face. A challenge followed, and Sir
Hugh, being anxious to try his now pur-
chase, chose pistols They met at sunrise
next day, and the Lieutenant fell, pierced
through the heart by bullet from this weap-
on. Sir Hugh soon after came to this coun-
try, and in difficulty with Scottish gen
tleman in Charleston, S. c., used this pistol
with fatal effect Sir Hugh afterward gave
the brace to his second in the last named
encounter, u young South Carolinian by tho
name OF Aston, an ancestor of tho Colonel
Aston killed last year in Atlanta. II was
not long before Aston had occasion TO use
them. While in Augusta, Georgia, u wealthy
young man of that place made some disrep-
utablo remark about Alston's political party.
A quarrel ensued, and a meeting was the
consequences. Aston was badly wounded,
but with this pistol he killed his adversary.
We next hoar Of these twin death angels
in Florida, whittier Aston carried them.
lie had removed to Texas, but had brother
in Florida who was killed by General
Rcade, rising politician of that State. On
learning of the homicide Aston set out for
the scene with his trusty brace to avonge
his brothers blood. He arrived at night
and found Rcade at u banquet. Disgusting
himself, he gained admi;tance and made
a" Reade with huge knife. Reade rose
and hurled his chair at the intruder In the
melee that occurred Aston dropped his pis-
tol, and quick as thought Readc seized il
and fired straight ut Alstons head. The
latter threw up his hand to ward of the
pistol, and the charge tore away two OF his
fingers. Tho combatants were separated,
the pistol restored 10 its owner, and he was
taken away. A few days later, as Reade
was suddenly confronted by the Unsuitable
Aston, who poured load OF shot into the
Generals body. Not satisfied, Aston then
drew this pistol, and, advancing to where
Rcadc lay, placed the muzzle TO his temple
and pulled the trigger The next moment
the brains Of the most brilliant young man
that ever lived in the State were scattered
over the sidewalk. Aston "outdid" the
authorities and left for Texas scot free
Soon after his return to that State he met
an enemy, a Dr. Stewart by name, alone on
the prairies, and, after desperate encounter,
killed him with one or the other of this
brace. Report seems to favor the idea that
IL was this one. This ended Alston's ca
recr, for he WAS taken from Jail by mob of
Stewards friends and hanged, and tho pair
OF pistols were captured by one of the mob,
who soon after killed his brothcr-in-law with
one OF them for calling him horse thief.
A scmi-bandt, knowing something of the
history of the pistols, bought them for $40,
and during the next five years killed no less
than four men with them. He was taken
by the vigilants and hanged. The pistols
then went ~ pard Of his, and this worthy
man kept them several years without 1t be-
ing positively known that he used them 10
take life. Finally he died ut the end OF
rope for stealing another rope that had
horse attached TO its other end, and the
pistols descended TO his son, who, leading
wild, reckless life, migrated 10 the East and
located In Alabama. II was not long before
he saw in his town stranger with consid-
cradle sum of money, and tho old Murrcll
faint In his blood prompted him 10 make an
effort to get it. Watching the movements
Of his prey, he soon found out that the
stranger was Georgian by the name OF
Brady, who would leave for home that after
noon. That saIDc evening, M the shades VI
night grow dense, the innocent Brady, pur-
suing his lonely way, heard the thunder Of
hoois behind him. Tho country was wild
and dcsolatc, and the rapidity Of the hool
beats warned him that there was reckless
rider In the rear llenow regretted the cx-
posurc Of his money in the village, and just
had time 10 open his saddc-bags and got
hold Of an old pcpper-box" revolver. On
came the horsoman and bounded into view;
II second more and he was alongside; anoth-
er second and he had with one hand seized
Brady's rcins, while with the other he level.
cd one Of those pistols ut the head Of his
victim Quick as thought Brady presented
his pistol and fired. The robbers horse
the finest specimen Of horse flesh Brady
said he ever saw--whcclod, and the rider
lost his balance aud fell 10 the ground In
heap. Now was Bradys opportunity, and
STOPPING low he took deliberate aim and
fired, and then putting spurs sped ten miles
distant 10 the nearest farm house, 10 the IN.
mates Of which he told his story. The host
and his sons returned with him 10 the spot,
where they found the robbcr dead and the
pistol by his side.
Brady brought tho pistols 10 Georgia, and
soon ailerward got into difficulty with two
4 l..