The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-01-06
A TOUCHING CASE.
Arrest of Wealthy Planter Charged With
Murder Committed Years Ago

HOUSTON, Tex, Jan. 2.-Sherif J. j. Rankin, OF
Fayette County. arrived in the city Friday night
with Colonel II. h. Aston, wealthy and Promi-
nent planter OF Gregg County, in custody, who is
under indictment for murder in Fsyette County.
The crime for which Colonel Aston is held to n
swer was committed two years before the war.
The facts in the case are as follows:
Aston was then residing in Fayette County. and
was bold, OutspOken friend and advocate of
General sam Houston. A bitter antagOnism, the
result OF lawsuit sprung mp between Colonel
Aston and DIR. Wren, prominent citizen OF Fay
cite COUNTY The suit being decided in Alston's
favor embttered DR.. Wren that he swore
that he would kill Aston on sight Both
were known To be men OF great courage. and their
friends attempted to heal the breach but without
success. The 5th Of November 1888 was election
day. aud General Houston chosen Governor.
Colonel Aston, although strong supporter of the
"HeIO OF san JacintO," hesitated about going to
the polls but he had been in Texas a long while
and felt that he would not be doing his duty if he
did not go and vote for his friend. Consequently
he went to the polls at la Grange, the county
OF Fayette County.
While there ne encountered Dr. Wren and his
Oyerseer. and as Aston had anticipated. they
made an attack upon him. While DR.. Wren was
endeavOring to draw his revolver il caught in his
suspender and Aston shot the Doctor through
the heart. killing him instantly. Then turning
suddenly he stopped the OyerSeer who was APP
preaching Aston from the rear with drawn
bowie knife. by putting a bullet in his body. The
Aston RETAINED from killing HIM. After the
shooting Aston fed into Eastern Texas living in
Cherokee and RuSk Counties He was residing in
that portion of Rusk County which cut on to
form part OF Gregg County, and here he has re-
sided lOr the past twenty-six years. hOnored and
respected by all classes OF citizens
Colonel Aston is now sixty-fOur years old. III.
is a tall, hale, hearty, robust looking man, with
strong. rugged face. which lights up a kindly
preston when in conversation. Aston has accu-
INFLATED large property in Gregg County aud
Sheriff Rankin says no man Is a better citizen.
stands higher or has more friends than the Col
Onel where he lives. When he went to leave the
peOI le fiOcked around the Colonel in crowds. and
he could have given bail in any amount il he
(Rankin) had authority TO take IL. On the trsin
Colonel Aston said to the Sheriff: II am an old
man; do not want to get away from you. but
want to go and get out from under the shadow of
this case. So do not take me along aS prisoner.
] could have resisted your arrest and made il
very lively. but knew you could ultimately ar
rest me. and didn't want any more trouble
sheriff Rankin took the Colonel at his word and
kept watch upon him. allowing him the ut
most freedom OF action. Colonel Alston'S arrest.
however, is having very depressing effect upon
him. although he has no fears of the result, aud
has ASSURANCES from the best citizens of Fayette
County that they are ready to go on hsSbond to
any amount. Such long time has elapsed since
the killing took place that in all probability there
will be witnesses Obtainsble when the case
comes up for trial. Sheriff Rankin and his priS-
oner LETT tor La Grange to-day and the result OF
the trial will be awaited with keen interest By
the many friends of Colonel Aston throughout
Texas.