The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-08-22

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his antagonist every tiins he went to the
held. He was an impetuous, imperious
man, and was as cool under fire as he
would be in his own drawing room. his
most notable duel was with the great
Hayne of South Carolina, whom he
wounded in the knee. On one occasion
he was visiting in Augusta when a gem
tieman, mistaking him for an acquaint-
anoe, tapped him across the shoulders
lightly with riding whip. Aston
wheeled as quick as lightning. The gen
tleman apologized in the most ample
terms. Aston took the whip from his
hands, dashed him across the shoulders,
and said: Nov, sir, your apology is
accepted" OF course, meeting fol-
lowed 1t is said that Aston once
fought gentleman who disputed the
age of some wine of which Aston had
boon Boosting, throwing some in his face
that he might get the full flavor.
The Halifax Alstons' estates lay about
Halifax, N. G., and they dominated that
whole sootion for years. They were enor-
mously wealthy, and travelled from one
of their estates to another In almost regal
style. They had hundreds of slaves, and
always Travelled with coach and four
and a small army of retainers. The men
were princely in their habits of expense,
and put the code above the Bible. The
women were high-strung and spirited.
Col. William Aston, known as Hon
t. T.
in one winter, numberleas quarrels hsv-
ing sprung up from his attack on the
Stats Treasurer. He killed two men and
was himself frequently wounded. His
favorite weapon was an old-fashioned
"Yager," which was sort of blunder-
buss, carrying a double handful of buck
shot, and of fearful execution. A vol
ume might DO filled with the bloody ex-
ploits of these two brothers, but this ar
ticle will deal only with the sons of Col.
Bob Aliston.
Old Col. Aston, who was himself
killed in duel, had 5hree sons, Willis,
Gideon, and Augustus. Willis Aliston
was the father of Col. R. A. Alston,
late Of Atlanta. Each of these brothers
came to his death by violence, or died,
as the family tradition runs, with his
boots on" Gideon Aston, the first of
the three to die, come to his death in a
peculiar manner. His brother Willis
was in Nashville on lordly frolio when
he became very much enamored of lady
who afterwards married Sam Houston
Miss Trimblo. He paid her assiduous
suit for several months, and while en-
gagged in rhe dallianoe formed an attach
ment for young Spanish boy named
Pelat. This boy was friendless and poor,
and Alison adopted him, taking him homo
with him when he left Nashville. 1t ap-
pears that there was some feeling be-
tween Gideon and Pelat. At any rate
they left the house at night and went
into the yard for, the purpose of practic-
ing with their pistols" Gideon was then
q college boy, having just turned sopho'
more in the State University. A few
minutes after he left the house with
Pelat, he WAS found with a pistol bullet
through his brain Pelat said he had
shot himself accidentally, and this was
all that was ever known of the matter.
And now comes one of the most re-
markable tragedies in this section so full
Of tragedies. There was living in
Florida, then a primitive region, young
Leigh Reed, a young man of great abil
ity, gentleness and courage He WAS
almost idol1zed by the people of his State
for his gallant service in the fierce In
dian wars, having by his skill and fear
lessnesa several times saved the colony
from destruction by the Seminoles and
their allies.
A story is told of him which will ILL
lustrate his character, and at the same
personal honor at that time. Gen. Reed
was political opponent of Gov. Calls
son, ard at the same time his personal
friend. Political feeling ran very high,
and on election day a Mr.. White made
some reflection upon the personal iI,teg-
rity of Gov. Call. Reed at opoe chal-
lenged him for duel. The man went,
were both desperately wounded, fighting
with bowie knives, their left hands being
strapped together.
Some time afterward Reed became IN
volved in difficulty with the Astons.
An article appeared in newspaper re.
feoting on Gov. Call. Col. Augustus
Aston, who was leader of the Call fac
ton, demanded the name of the author.
He was furnished with the name of Gen.
Reed, who was the leader of the opposite
faction. He at once challenged Gen.
Reed, and a duel meeting was arranged.
The weapons selected were "Yagers,"
favorite with the Alst0ns. Col. Aston
was attended by Mr.. Kenon, his brother
in-law. At the word Zone" Col. Ais
toms gun exploded, being hair-triggered;
ths contents were discharged into the
mir. Gen. Reed. aiming with delibera-
tion, fired, and COL, Aston dropped
dead.
His sister, a most spirited woman, was
almost crazed with the news of his death.
She secured the lead that had killed him,
and with her own hands nodded 1t into
bullets and ssnt them to her brother,
Willis Iatnp and i'm Dlorad him tn onnoe