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COKSTITljtej \yp. e/SIIIXG CO. ATLANTA, GA., TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1879. VOL. XIT, NO. 39 THE COMING MAN. Presidential lightning of 1880. ~k«« » r«r tbit krettety Cliiat UaeU Bttt, dam "KT*"* alt l5Sy > |»SS i 22j Mr - •iot. l?n» r°""' l ' r *>>Ie dirar- ln .P^jriyl rtrclM. even In the »aaar,aajs.ig: r°»p»KHlent to wait upun tbe democratic reprmenutivi-. of ilie forty-fifth eimmm *" **Pre«ion of tht-ir opinion a. to the* iCTfj*** Ti-ra^lti.*, fcithto Irhir.!?h«Tif_rfl‘";r“ °* U » Interview. Mr W « o. V’*** Aenllemen: C.iCv’riTjif 1 * 1 "!?* "P^nu the firm district: -My personal niP^ nr. Hancock. monel preference r»t end efter him As for Tilden. H would be e terrible neoeMity I *'«■“ "flul™ W» renomination! (If o ,77.. tb * 1 he I" not eligible. 'I V** l *r ty think. him neeeUry for the pueHlon of .taixlard-beuer again. W U1 * u PP° rt him, but I cannot imagine «ueh an event. Mr. Bayard. j* t°o much of a partiaan to lie a >uo- oewdnl leader; that In, ha would not get that finotin. vrrte which drift, in every preei- denttai campaign toward the moat popular of the candidate*. Grant ia perhlpa the eoming man on tbe republican aide. 1 ' n annul rapraaenu the mennd t.f K ? district: “My pemmal preference u for the renomination of Mr. Tilden. and I believe my district ia alao aa unanituona for the reimminatnm aa it wu in aupuirting the ticket in 1875. I know the generally exprraaed sentiment of the people of tieor- S'" “ i J ¥ r ’ Thurman, wboae view, on the Bnaneial laauea accord with their idea, of the money notation. In that reapect per- M^ l< mini r ' Tliuriiian hx* tbe advantafe of .Mr. Ti.dcn, though the resumption of »uecie payment seems to have leveled that issue can‘l*«*Kns. Governor Col- ‘»**te, *s here, and In oonverea- tlon with him on this very subject he says that a sense of juslioe demands that the democracy of the country shall vindicate their action in 1876, and this can be done by renewing the ticket neat year. Grant, it aeems to me, will be the nominee of the republican parly f .r the presidency." Phillip Cook represents the third Oeor* ^ district: -My personal preference ia tor nrman or Hayard. If Tilden was renom inated I wotill support him, but be did not H|ieak out at the time when his views were most needed, when .his counsel was of the greatest importance to his friends in congress. Thurman lix* the advantage of Hayard in this regard, that lie has a large slate to back him, while tbe latter has only three electoral votes to contribute to the result. Mr. Thurman's views on the money question suit our views and harmonize with the sent!men(s so generally expressed by the western and soutliern states. The republican nominee, it appears to me, will be neither Grant nor Illaioe, but John Hiier- mau. whose position and views suit the hanks,isindholdcrs and capitalist generally, and who are bound to have as their candi date a hard-money and hard-fiisted man." Henry H. Harris represents the fourth Georgia district: "There is no desire, so far as I know, to have Mr. Tilden renomi nated. He is not the preference of die Georgia democracy by any means. The fact is dial while we know Mr. Tilden was elected in 1870 there is a grave doubt as to whether lie conducted himself as the suc cessful candidate of the party should lisve done in such an emergenecy. Grant seems certain to be the republican candidate in 1880. The greenback uuestion was settled at the last election ami does not enter as a disturbing element into the politics of our section." Milton A. Candler represents the fifth Georgia district: "Personally I am for Hayard, and so are many of my const it u- ents, though tlie state is for Thurman. Mr. Tilden 1ms a wrong to be righted, and that. In connection with talent, tact, skill as an organiser and the ever necessary leverage of money, gives him an advantage overall the aspirants for the honor. In a word, it makes him a formidable candidate, and it may be that lie will so shape the issues in his own state aslo compel the party to stand by him next year. However, that is not what 1 started to say. 1 was merely giving yon my viewa Grant is popular with the ne groes. The money ix*uo does not trouble us." James H. Blount represents the sixth Georgia district: "His impression was that his const linen la personally preferred Mr. Thurman and next Mr. Bayard. As he knew nothing of the sentiments respecting the claims of Mr. Tilden for the renomina- thin, be could not speak with any degree of intelligence at this time. It was, however, a moral certaimy that if the will of the jprty required the renomination of Mr. BATHED IN BLOOD. no idea on our part of any wish to go to ex treme* We simply don’t agree with Mr Randall in a great many of bis views, and the sooner weeavs force the tsatie the better." I —- ‘*35 h * t * re UKwe point* of difference!" HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IH THE CAPITOL. "Well, sir,” replied the gentleman." they | aa follows: First, if we are right on the ! money question, Mr Ran-laII i* wrong; if we are rignt on the tariff question, Mr. Randall is wrung; if we are right on tbe policy of internal improvements. Mr. Ran dall is wrong. We propone to fi^ht the question on these three issues. While we nave the greatest respect for Mr. Kaudall’s peat abilities as a iwrliameniaria:;. we dif fer from him so radically in tlie*e import ant matters of legislation that we nr-an to run a candidate more to our choice. "What is your strength?’ "We have the bulk of the anatbem vote already pledged to Mr. Blackburn. He will get, begining with Maaou and Dixon's line, all from Maryland, but Mr. Kiiumel; ill from Virginia, but Jugde Harris; all from North Carolina, but General Beales and iioasibly Mr. Davis; tlie entire rote of South Carolina, three from Georgia, two from Alabama, all from Mississippi, except Money and Singleton; the entire vote of Louisiana, wjth the possible exception of General Gibson; three from Texan, all from •Arkansas with the exception of Gunter, all from Tennessee but Atkins and Whitthome, the solid vote Kentucky, five from Missouri, Mor rison and Springer from Illinois, and tbe new members yet to hear from; fire from Indiana and all from Ohio, with the single exception of Frank Hurd. With the scat tering strength pledged to Blackburn from the northern states we will have, all told. 71 votes and 73 will elect.” There ia not the least doubt that the Blackburn movement is very powerful and may prove strong enough to retire Mr. Randall to the flour. One of the best evi dences of thia ia tbe unanimity displayed by soutliern men in his favor. Tbe dark horses have all withdrawn. Mr. Goode, of \ irginia, who has been counted upon as one of tbe>e probable dark3»oi>cs, tola your cor respondent to-day that be was emphatically out of tbe fight and meant to throw what ever influence he had in favor of Mr. Black- bor, J; * Mr * Hwuae » Teunewe, another possible com promise, said the same thing. The democracy will have hut these _ two candidates. Randall and Blackburn. Mr. Cox, of New >ork, may attempt to cut some preliminary figure, but he will join the anti-Randal! throng and take Ms ride by men like Morri- eon and Goode, who were ignored by the Colossi Alstraasd Ei. Oox few* s HwtU? Xastlsg, Ia Which the Termer Gsta K tel sad tbs latter Bemsly Wemadsd—Iks Facts Bsfsrsasd Aftr theKii'.xg. Yesterday afternoon another bloody tragedy was enacted in this city. It came on suddenly and the terrible news, as it first circulated 'from mouth to mouth, was scarcely believed by those who beard it. It had been so generally hoped that days, and even years, might pass before such another event would startle the community that men dreaded to learn he truth. The fact was only too* true and too awful. The verification was swift, and crowds flicked to view the scene and the participant* in one of the completest death-dnels on our records. THE ACTORS 18 TUX DTO. were two citizens well known in our com munity and numbering hosts of friends. One of them was Colonel Robert A. Alston, of the adjoining county of TV Kalb, and its representative in the present general a* cm- bly.^ The other was Captain Ed. Cox. of DeKalh county, and one of the *ub-1e#e«* of penitentiary convicts. Colonel Alstrn was chairman of ibe penitentiary commiree of the present honse of representatives and the author of the bold and horrifying rsnort upon our penitentiary lease system which caused so wide a sensation in November THE SCETK or THE TXAOCTf _ in the middle room of the offees of the state treasury in the capitol hur'ding. Tfie state treasury is located uponihe ground floor of the building and intoed lately in tbe comer ar the inte sect3»*» ot Maretf* and Forsyth streets. The **>m was about twelve by fifteen feet in distensions and was used as a sitting room a*d desk office nv Colonel Murphy, clerk v 'he treasure \ It was the one into whic^ the vanlt |<ened. In it the parties met ard the affix nccurml in the presence, of dtate Treasurer Ren- froe. Captain/ Nelms. ♦ e principal keeper of th. 7*enitenti* .*. and the tax collector of yGtimer 'Unty, Mr. I*, n. Milton, fld who **» present to get a receipt #rtax V’.iectiona paid into the treasurr. Tlie p>-m is rather confined in size ang.'*ith i’ * furniture added, made an arena *> r oat wronderfully adapted to prodyde kh» cal consequences. Tint CAUSE OF THE TSAOEDT. e real facts in all their legitimate con which preceded and led up to tlie hand, a knife with which he threatened to** spectacle at this juncture beggars descrip- _» a thpait uon » «^kened all who saw it. The floor 5 8 Jr , . of the room was slippery with pools of in the plan blood, and yet tbe faint bluosmoke from 1 the pbtolj was creeping alon/the ceiling in search of .fn outlet. One of the men was . _ , . A . .. .. .lying iir-'h the floor at fulHength. with the 8, ^ I no * dlffica,t ^ ,h€ “’ blood s\rramlne from that horrible shot In CTT ALSTOS’S THEOAT unless he acqui . . He seemed to have had an idea of frighten ing Alston into compliance. Alston told Cox he was unarmed and de- ■. /*>>< Jtiectii *P®*k" in hi* make-up of emu mi • tees. It seems to be the sore point with there leaders of the bouse that Mr. Randall rent them to the rear. Wlwn XK Kerr wu eleclrd •iwaker he aara Ilia laadine anlaKoniat, ilr. Randall the chairmanship of anpronria^ ttons. vylien Mr. Randall, fn die due couivg' hial encounter are difficult to be ascer- of politics, had a similar opjiortunity to S* teined in the present state of af- geuerou* to his rivals, be threw them all in fairs. One of the actors is dead and the shad*, giving Mr. Goode no eha/rnmu- ship, retiring Mr. Morrison co a subordinate place on public laudjL sending Mr. Sayler on ways and means and placing Mr. Cox at the head of the libranr committee, which only meets to dispense bouquet*. A St. Louis dispatch states that Win. R. Morrison, memlier of oongress for the sev enteenth Illinois district, arrived there to day and haa expressed himself very freely abont the contest for speakership of the rilden he would receive the unswerving support of the democracy of Georgi u” l)r. William II. Felion represents the seventh Georgia district: "I am for Mr. Thurman, or if lie cannot receive the nom inal ion, then I am for Mr. Hendricks. Our people would be delighted to siip|*irt him Kir president. Mr. Tilden is not in demand in our state. We would, however, heart ily support him if renominated. My state is for Thurman and is anti-Tilden. Grant on the republican side seemed to be the in evitable choice of that party.” Mr. Alexander H. Stephens, or the eighth district of Georgia, exprr«ed himself as fol lows: "I have no opinion to expras «m the subject. 1 have no idea who will he tli« democratic nominee in 1880 for president. U is one of the uncertainties of the future, and no satisfactory belief can be entertained he anr sensible man in reference to it. I & mu know whether Mr. Tilden could be renominated, and have no «>!»»nion on the subject. I will say I do not think lie ought to be renominated. I was opposed to him before ami are more opposed to his renomi- nation limn I vra* to hi* first nomination. -Who do yon think the republicans will nominate?’ Mr. Stephens was asked, to which he re plied: ••I have no more satisfactory idea on that noint than I have as to who the democrats wHI nominate. Judge Doolv. of Georgia, once said If there was anything that was unknown to Coni it was a verdict of a pent jury, and I think if the judge was alive he would include among the possible things unknown to God that of the nomination of «av national convention of either party "f a candidate for the presidency in these liimm P. Ml re prerent, the ninth Oror- n.ili.trict: -Th-preference oi tbe p-^>lc Jt i» lint fee Allen G. Thomwm Tfemie. A. Hendrick,. My rente ha, the ttee»te,t adminitjon for Ilf. Ttmr- nian and hi, reatciuanlike qualitiea. Hi, .w, nu the currency quction rail our iMitie and «re are remngiy attra. ted to- tilmfor mreiy rereon,. lithe »nrce», of ilia party dec!are.i it expedient to re- nominate Mr.Tilden ..nr people would hur- reli hw Tilden a, loudly aa for the candidate oi their choioe. Hut that fa yet to be determined. The greenback move ment fa popular with u,. but the demonatration fa confined within Jinny im«s and there i, no pumibility of a reiwe- aieTkket on that imue. Aa for Giant, who i, relied upon to divide the aouthera itatw. we l.ave no fear of hi, roakina any inroed- ln our tanka in Georgia. I may any that jure after the decision of tire .electoral couimi- Jon there waa a atom* feelin* in favor of the renomination of Tilden ami Hendncka. but aincc then there ha, wen a revufanm in the feeliug, of the people which ikwe not 1 irate that they are clamoring lo vole fee the ticket in tlie next preredential con- wet." The upeakerehlp. WaahiaOToa. March A—The eiwakerehip nrohlem fa still the afarerbinit topic of the •STur. and toofay the opporition hi.Mr. Rainfall appear, to have taken definite jfaur Frequent caucure, have hern lield during tlie part few dayit but mulling pore- tiva ha- re-ulletl. Th., afternoon, how ever, the-.inborn men who, ateopprawd to Mr. llamfair, candidacy had an Informal meet ing ami arrangrel a plan of ^petatfan. 1 non thcin.wnd-l»in'. the nrarent campaign for -oo-ker-hip fa quite a, much national Ir^SomU A, one of the leading Black burn men remarked to your cwrreepoudem to-day: •Tha -mth ha, finally come to the ron- eliu-ion that it i-afa.ut t.me — —” in the national ifemocracy Hist the only pn**r »vw meet Uie !•» rnt emergency i* w south, with its house. He declares most positively that under no circumstances will he be a candi date himself, and that lie is opposed to Randall ami in favor of a southern roan for that position in order to test the question whether soutliern men can be put in promi nent places with safety to tlie interests of tlie nation. He regards Blackburn, of Ken tucky, as a brilliant and able man, who would make an excellent speaker. Ex- Governor Throck morton and Mr. Gaddings, members from Texas, are also here en route I tome, and express opinion that most of the Texas mem Iters ana the southern delega tion will vote for Blackburn, and that Ran dall's defeat is certain. Tlie Kind ef a Mrs Cefywaya Is. English Official Correspondent*. It ia no exaggeration to say that hit his tory from the first lias been written in characters of blood. I do not refer merely to the long chronicle of his butcheries— from the slaughter of his brother and their followers, early In bis career, down to the more recent indiscriminate and wlrolcsale destruction of all tlie unmarried women who attempted to evade his orders, given In a sudden fit of caprice, tliat they should accent as hu*h«nds the elderly un married soldiers of his anuv, tlie massacre being subsequently extended to all the rela tives who took away for burial tbe exposed corpses of the slaughtered women—but 1 would take h!s character from his own ac count of himself; it was sent little more than two years ago to the lieutenam-govi nor of Natal, who, on hearing of the mi sucre of the girls, wrote to remind him of what had very recently |»assed between him and the representative of the Natal government. Sir T. Sliepstoue, in the wav of more merciful rule on the occasion of liiN installation as king, expressing a hope that the lieutenant-governor might learn from him that the refiorts which had reached hitn were incorrect, (’ctywayo replied. ‘Did I ever tell Shepstone? Did lie tell tlie white |«ople I made such an arrangement? Because, if he did, lie lias deceived them. I do kill, hut do not con sider vet 1 have done anything in the way of kiiling. Why do the white people start at nothing? I have not yet begun. I have yet to kill; it is the custom of our nation, and 1 shall not depart from it. Why does the governor of Natal speak to me 'about my laws? Do I go to Natal and dictate to hitn about his laws? I shall not agree to any laws or rules from Natal, and by so do ing throw the great kraal which I govern into tlie water. My jieople will not listen unless tliev are kjlled; and, while wishing to he friends with the English, do not agree to rive my people over to be governed by laws sent t> by them. Have I not asked English government to allow me to wa-h my spears, since the death of my father Um|«ndi, and they have kept playing with me all this time ami treating me like a child? Go back and tell the English that 1 shall now act on my own account, and if they wish me to agree to their laws I shall leave and become a wanderer; but before I p> it will be seen, as I shall not go without having acted. Go back and (ell the white man this, and let them hear it well. The governor of Natal and 1 arc equal. He is governor of Natal and I am governor here. isve to be relied upon for the matter of the present narrative, and these statements made during the intense excitement follow- ! j the drcMUa] event may unintentionally somewhat h variance with the facts de veloped upon a judicial investigation here after. We have endeavored to get at the truth in the matter -and we give the con nected account made'wp from the state ments of those who would consent to speak about them. They are to tW effect as below the courier lease act by tlie general assembly In 1876, tinder which the convicts of the state were leased to companies formed and designated as "penitentiary companies." One of th<W companies was cotiqiosed of several gentle men, among whom were Senator GyaiTon, B. G. Lockett. W. B. Lowe and Colonel C. B. tfornmni. The convicts of the state are di vided in a certain manner between these ronijumic* for a fixed sum per annum for each convict, and are employed by the leer.-es in labor upon farms, in mines and in railroad const met ions, etc., as they may be made nmst profitable. Mr. <!ox was a sub-lessee under General ordon, and had about sixty of the convicts ngaged in agricultural labor upon a farm n Taylor county. General Gordon ha* cen for sometime anxious to sell out his terest in the lease and sever his connec tion with the employment of convict 1al*or under this system. He lias been endeavor ing to do so for some months, and when Colonel Alston, who has always bee:i a warm personal friend of General Gordon, left Washington a few days ago, General GorJon gave him a power of attorney to sell his interest In Penitentiary Company HASTE TO THE WEDDING. Tlie Approach of England's Royal Xnptlals. Losnos, March 8.—The Crown Prince of Germany arrived to-day to attend the mar riage of the Du*e of Connaught with the Princess Louisa Margaret of Prussia, da ugh ter of Prince ami Princess Frederick Charles, which will take place on tlie 13th instant at Windsor castle. The Princes* Louisa Mar garet, accompanied by Prince and Prince# Frederick Charles and suites, will arrive in England on Tuesday. Early next week the richly ornamented state carriages belonging to her majesty, and which will he used tor tlie conveyance of the queen, the Dnke of Connaught and Prince# Louisa Margaret, the Prince and Prince# Frederick Charles of Prussia, tbe Prince and Prince# of Wales, the Crown Prince and Princess of Germany, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburg, the King and Queen the Belgians. Prince# Beatrice and Prince Iweopold and other members of the royal family, will be seut from Buchingham pal ace mews to the oueen's coach-house in the roval mews at Windsor castle, where they will remain in readiness until the wedding- day. These vehicles, which are exceedingly handsome and well appointed, will take the oueen, the bride and the bridegroom and Uie royal family from the principal center of tlie palace in tbe grand quadrangle to the Horseshoe cloisters at the west end of St George's chapel, where the procession will form in the nave and advance up the choir to the altar. Upon the morning of the wed ding a special train coni: osed of saloon car riages will be provided for the conveyance of the guests from London to Windsor. The lord chamberlain's dejartaieni is actively employed in perfecting the various arrange ments within the castle and St. George': chapel OUR SWISS COLONY. No 2. THE BIDOIXU ANP BAKGAIXUIO. It appears that Mr. Jessie Walters, of Albany, who is a representative from Itougherty county in tlie present legisla ture, had been in correspondence with Gen ial Gordon upon the subject of this inter- and was desirous of onro-hasing the ante. When General Gordon placed t he interest in the hands of Colonel Alston for sale he wrote to Mr. Walters, informing him of the fact and sugge>ting that he see Colonel Alston concerning the matter. Several day* ago Mr. Walters cam** to this city with the view of meeting Colonel Alston and negotiating about the interest offered for sale. Colonel A 1st reached the city from Washington on St> day la«v and on Monday had an interview with Mr. Walters. In the meantime Mr. Cox. who was a neighbor of General Gnrd. and Colonel Alston and an intimate friend many years* standing latter, had decided to get out of the business himself, and some arrange ment had been made between him and Mr. Walters upon that subject also. The sub stance of it was.aa we learn, that in the event Walters purchased don interest uj**n advantageous terms he would also take Mr. Cox’s imereit upon terms satisfactory to the latter. ITjioii thi* account Mr. Cox was ]*articularly anx ious that tlie Gordon share should be'pass* d over to Mr. Walters, and naturally set him self to the task of aiding this result. When Mr. Walters and (Monel Alston wet. how ever. the former would not consent to pay the price «h-inaiHl**l by Colonel Alston, which was $4.0UU Colonel Alston was act ing a* the agent of General Gordpn, and tr.-ia anxious, as his friend and agent, to realize from the sale a sum that would free General Gordon from the lease without loss. In other words, that amount of ntopey would have just covered the ex|*rn*e*«'f General Gordon in the transaction. CV.lorol Alston refused to make bettc* figures and Mr. Walters said he would not buy and bade Colonel Alston adieu. This to i ’oloncl Alston was an understanding that nego tiations were at an eud in that direction. He looked elsewhere and found a party who would buy in the person of Colonel C. B. Howard, one of the co-lessee*. Colonel Howard agreed to purcha*e the interest for and it is said a |*ortion of the pur chase money was paid to make the bargain certain. TCYI5U TO 8KEAK THE BOXD. When the fact was made known that "olonel Alston had contracted witli Colonel Howard it is alleged that Mr. Cox U can great!v excited, and declared the matter should not take that direction. He was intent n|*m making the trade so as to gi himself tlie advantage he sought, that lie sought out Colonel Alston to try and effect his pun*>se. Prior to finding Colonel Al ston he visited Colonel Howard and asked to know whether, in the event the trade was lusuminated, he.Howard, would consent to trade with him, Cox, for his interest in the matter. Colonel Howard replied that he would not talk about that at this time; h' could not make but one trade at a time ami cas buying the Gordon interest as it stood, subject to tlie sub-lease held by Cox. This turn of affairs, it seems, led Mr. Cox to a stronger determination to unset the trade and secure the transfer of the interest to Waiters. It is due to say that Walters had connection whatever with Cox in transaction j-erding the diffi culty with Colonel Alston. THX F1XST ALTXBC.ITIOX. told him to go and arm himself and meet him there at that place In five or ten min utes. Alston said he would do it, and they parted. After Alston left it is alleged that Cox indulged in very abusive language about Alston, atid said if Alston did not do right in the matter he would kill him be fore sun-down. It wras tbeu seen that both the men were excited and angry and a serious difficulty was expected to arise between them. PaETABCSG FOB THE FIGHT. We learn that Mr. Cox went into the saloon of Mr. Pause, near by, and met sev eral parties there. He attempted to borrow a pistol there and said he "wanted «ne d—d S uick" aotf remarked to Colonel J. L. Har- s that h« had had a fuss with Ebb Alston and intended .to kill him. He made no concealment of this intention, but he wx* refused the hitn of a weajion and advised not to have a difficulty. But he persisted ard went to the gun store of Heinz A Kerfcele, on Whitehall street, after a pistol He said he "wanted a <f—d good one and well loaded." He bought a new nickel- plated revolver, of the "Swamp Angel'* jiattern, we heMeve, and it was carefully loaded for Wm by the vendor. He then went lack to Marietta street and was in that vfcinity evidently upon the'lookout for Afrtou. w » jS ALSTON’S MOVEMIXTS. When Colonel Alston left the barber shop he went to the state capitol and entered the office of tbe state treasurer. He met there Colonel Renfroe. Colonel Howard and others, and spoke of the entire transaction with Cox at tbe barber-shop. He detailed Cox's demands and threats; and of his own l*art in the quarrel. He seemed ready and disposed to return to where Cox was. a* he had promised, but bis friends insisted upon his not doing so and prevented him front it. He had evidently armed himself for the affray which he said he knew was certain to be i • revoked. Where he procured t he pistol or front whom is at present In mystery. While he was thns engaged in conversa tion a messenger arrived from Cox. This person was a young man named Sam*, we learn, who has been in the employ of Cox. He brought word to Alston that Cox WAS READY AND WAITING for him and to come on and see it out, or fight it out like a man! Alston asked Sains if Cox was drinking, and Sams replied that he did not know, but that he was very much exeited. Alston told Sams to go back and say to Cox that he would not come to meet liim, but for Cox to attend to his own business, and he, Alston, would attend to his; that he wanted tio difficulty with Cox, and it would’do neither one of them any good to shoot the other. The young man went away and. it is snpposeu, told Cox what Alston had said. Alston then got up and, as Governor Col- litt was at dinner, lie started out to twid le governor or intercept him upon his re turn. He inet the governor on Forsyth street and told him all the facts in the mat ter, and remarked that he believed, in jus tice to himself and family, and in self- defense, he ought to get a double-barreled shot-gun and KILL ED. OOX OX SIGHT. This was the first that Governor Col- ijuitt had heard of the diffleity. Gov ernor Colauitt told Alston he must not do this that the law would protect hitn. and 1 hat he would see that it was done. While they were ta king, Alston, who was looking toward the capital, said: "There goes Cox now; lie is limiting me.” Gov- Coiqnitt looked and saw Cox walking rapidly towards the capitol. He turned to Alston and said to him, "You go in and get your dinner. I will see that he is stopped in this matter." Colonel Als'on went into the Herron house. Governor Colnuitt went immediately to his office, and betore he sat down he sent for Captain Nelms. Captain Nelms came and he told him hurriedly about the difficaltv. Nelms said lie had heard alsiut it. The governor then told Nelms to go at once and stop Cox and arrest him if necessary before he left tlie hou-c. iivemor Colquitt said he thought Alston was eating his dinner at the Berron house. Had no idea that lie had followed him to the capitol. and was waiting to hear from Nelms, and in less than ten minutes after Nelms left the office lie heard the firing. He first thought that the firing was between Nelms and Cox. because he thought that Alston was not in the building. Tlie killing occurred in less than ten minutes after he beard of any difference between the ponies. THE WHOSO MAX. It wx* Professor B. F. Moore, as Cox dis covered when he had passed around into the middle room to the entrance behind the «*ountcr and half drawn his pistol >hoot at the supposed enemy. The color ed messenger In the office, Peter McMichael, saw the movement and was prepared to frustrate t he shoot ing. When C-ox saw the liarty was not Alston lie turned and went out, making liis way up stairs into the ex ecutive department in search of Alston. Alston in the meantime went back to the treasurer’s office and sat down. He again spike of the impending difficulty, being told that Cox had just been there hunting for him. He said that it was "ateirible thing to be forced into a difficulty with a man who was hunting you down, as Cox wx* doing him." Almost immediately after this Cox came again into the treasurer’s office and found Alston there. Cox and Alston were both considerably excited, but Cox seemed to be exceedingly angry xs well. They began tlie controversy again, Cox telling Alston that he had treated him wrong and had to answer for it. Alston got up. and putting his hand gently upon Cox, said to him: "Mr. Cox, I do not want to have any dif ficulty with you about this matter, and there is no need for it. Let us drop it now. It will do you no good to kill tne, anti do • gornl to kill you—not a bit in the world.” Cox replied in an abusive manner and continued to denounce Alston and to urge him on to the affray. It was thought his object wx* to goad Alston to make the first attack. At the time only Treasurer Ren- free and the tax-collector of Gilmer county were in tlie office. Captain Nelms coming in soon after. While the quarrel was iu progress the Gilmer gentleman remarked tliat Cox wx* abusing Alston beyond en durance and that Alston ought not to let a man talk to him in that way, but ought to kill him. Treasurer Retifroe, fearing the difficulty, told them not to have a fight in his office. Upon this COX INVITED ALSTON OUTDOORS to settle the matter, but Alston declined to go, repeating that he did not want anv dif ficulty. C-ox replied that he should have oue. Alston said if he could not avoid it he supi*«ed he would. Cox told him he could m»t get out of it, and Alston x*ked him if he named to begin it right then. Cox said tliat was as good a place x* ant and that a difficulty was what L had come for. He went to the from do* of tlie room and attempted to shut it. Treasurer Kcnfsoetold him not to shut that door, but Cox paid no attention to him, but, seeing that it was hooked back to the wall, he unbooked it and shut it. He then turned and advanced towards Alstou. who also ro>e and stepped forward. Captain Nelms ran be- the heal, and the other was moaning upon the »ofa four or five feet twan with the bloed choking him and? flowing front -his mouth and his hand dripping as though taken from a pool of crimson life-blood. On the floor were fqandfx pistol-ball and some of the teeth knocked from Mr. Cox’s mouth when he ft-fes hit. The picture was one tliat baffled Imagination and nothing so vivid in its it testimony of the desperate affray so lly.dosed could be put upon canvas or ~'tltefs Ink upon this page. ki; P ”T ^ MARIETTA STREET. \y \V—Windows. A—Alston’s first position. A2—Where Alston fell. C—Cox’s Ant position. C3—Cox’s second position G—Tax-Collector. V—Vault door. A VAST CROWD of excited people were gathering at news of the tragedy and the rooms, the vestioule and' the windows’ faces were (>acked with the curious antTanxious throng. Tlie police and physiciars were speedily on hand. Drs^Love and Todd took charge of Colonel Alston, and at once began to try and revive him and bring him to consciousness. l)r. ir was in charge of Mr. Cox and did all b ]N>wcr to relieve him of his sufferings, wound in Colonel Alston’s head was at once pronounced mortal; those of M Cox were deemed painful, but not seri ous. Colonel Alston was placed in an easy position and restoratives applied, while his wound was sought to be staunched and his bead bathed. The affair came on at 3:20 p.m., and for nearly two hours tlie men were thus tenderly cared for by physicians and friends. Colonel Alston became very restless, and urged Ills way once dear across the room in his straggles. He returned to conscious ness once and only for a brief moment or two. Mr. Frank Gordon, son of Senator Gordon, was promptly at his side and in reply to his question Colonel Alston once pressed his hand as a sign of recogni tion and faintly called his name, "Frank." Then with a struggle he said: "I am dying—.” "LET ME SEE MY WIFE." Between Colonel Alston and his wife has always existed the tenderest and siticcrest Jove and confidence. In all circumstances they were more like the youthful lovers of the long ago than tlie husband and wife, with well-grown children at their sides. It was his last sane request—that never-failing devotion crystal lized into expression—"letmcsee my wife!" She was at her home in DeKalb county, all unconscious of the calamity that had over taken her husband and doubtless pre paring liis welcome when liis return should be made. A carriage was at once sent posthaste to bnng her to his bed-side. for soon after he was taken upon a stretcher and tenderly borne to a bed in the room of Mr. Walker, in the Grant building, corner of Marietta and Broad street*, ln this connection, it may lie cited a* significant beyond their knowledge, when upon leaving home in the morning Colonel Alston said to his wife, that he would get his business arranged that day and ’* AFTEK TO-NIGHT I WILL BE AT HOME! ’* When the night came to earth it had al ready closed down its eternal veil over the mortal eyes of the man. Mr. Cox was removed in a carriage to the residence of Dr. Taber, 82 Decatur street, wbere he now lies closely attended by his friends. He was taken into custody by the police and a member of the force is* ke] the house to guard him until lie is ab be removed and delivered to the sheriff. As tlie case does not appear bailable, in that event he will have to go in jail to await tlie meeting of tlie su)ienor court on the last Monday ami last day of March. others had failed and failed again. He was a restless worker and one who never tired m the pursuit of x puri*ose. Those who knew him best appreciated his character at high standard* and those who might not esteem him were those who had been so unfortunate as to know his faults and see none of his virtues. All in all his death was untimely, unhappy and calami tous. Colonel Alston was bom in Macon, Gx, on the last day of December, 1832. After emerging from his school-days be engaged in mercantile pur suits in Charleston, S. t\, and at the S « of 24years married Miss Mary Charlotte *Gill,^daughter of a large planter. H« began the study of law and was admitted to practice in 1858. He punned the law until the war came on, when he eutered the service and rose to distinction as one of the leading spirit in Morgan’s raiders- He was one of the bravest of tuat brave band, and through a hundred fights recklessly invited death but never received a wound. At the battle of Cynthiana, Ky., it is related that he lost his breakfast by having his biscuit shot from l»etween his teeth. After the war he ttime lack to his charming home in De- Kalb county and engage ! successively in law, farming and jourmUism, up to the pxff two or three years. He was one of the owners and managers of the ill-fated Atlanta Herald, a journal whose brilliancy and enterprise made it famous in its day. Ot late he has returned to his pro fession of law, and in claim cases lias made much money, tbe bulk of' which he gave promptly away to the creditors of his newspaper venture. He was well-known all over the union, and in Washington City was a general favorite with public tnen in congress and in the gov ernment. He was a shrewd observer bf men, and could mould them often to his pur- posesas with the hand <)f a masterspirit. He good citizen, and in his office of a yielded to an involnntary pressure. General Reed aimed deliberately, fired and Colonel Alston fell with x fearful wound tom through him. The Alstons always asserted that General Reed should have held his fire, hut Reed’s friends claim that the duel was a fair one, and that Reed went into the duel with “ yagers," knowing that it was x duel to the death, and only took his just chances. In any event, however, the sister of Augus tus Alston was almost maddened at the death of her brother. She took the lead from the dead body, and moulding it into ballets seut them to Colonel Willis A lston, telling him to hurry home and avenge his brother’s death. It was very well under stood that when-Willis Alston came there would be trouble. A FEAST THAT ENDED IN X TRAGEDY. On the uight of the meeting of the legis lature, General Reed was elected speaker. After tlie adjournment the members had assembled in Brown’s hotel to enjoy the usual dinner given by the speaker to his friends. While tlie banquet was merriest there was a slight commotion in the further end of the halL Pushing aside the crowd gathered about the door, a tall figure, wrapped in x long cloak, stepped hastily towards the table. Al though the face was hidden by a slouched hat, tbe tall and striking figure wx* known to the crowd. "There’s Alston! Alston 1" tliev shouted. At this point Colonel Alston threw the cloak back and disclosed his^ features. Without an instant of hesitation Reed arose and drew hi* pis tol and fired' at Alston, tearing two fingers off of his right hand in which he was hold- tug a. bowie-kaife. Alston never hesitated at this but cltarged like a wild boar on Reed. They were pulled apart after x struggle in which Reed was cut and Alston somewhat injured. 8om« months afterward General Reed wx* walking down the s treet with a friend when he was attacked by Col. Willis THEN AND NOW. tears in bis eyes, “Poor Boh. He shall not die in his boots," and he tenderly pulled them off At tlw bed-eide the wene was The Senate of I8«l and the Senate or heart-rending. The poor wife, holding her I husband’s hand and calling on him in the I most piteous tonex Near ner kneeled Gov-I The senate of the United States, for the ernor Colquitt praying aloud, his voice so | forty-sixth congress, which convenes in broken tliat he could not syllable his words. I Washington on the eighteenth instant. Around the bed stood friends with uncov-1 will be democratic by a majority of eight, ered heads and streaming eyes, while the I thirty-eight states being represented. The crowd thronged outside the door eager for I republicans will he x minority in that body the slightest bit of newx On the bed, I for the first time in eighteen years. The peaceful and resigned, his eves resting fond-1 democratic senate, in which only thir ty on hi* wife or lifted now and then to I ty-three states were represented, adjourned Some friend, lay the sufferer. Ah, surely, | sine die on the fourth of March, 1S61. Asa *« God’s mercy, here was the peaceful death I niatter of curiosity wo reproduce the roll of had prayed for! Surely here was a peace I *ach body—that of 1861 and that of 1879. that mocked all earthly stofms—a peace I It is worthy of note, as a coincidence, that that smiled at the ghastly hole in the tern- I the democratic majority in 1861 was pre- pie and the blood-stains—a legacy of peace I cisely what it is to-day—eight: that would enrich his son beyond all meas ure—a peace that "passeth understanding." representative iri onr general assembly hfa “fe^nThfa the state. te be ot gnat u..ef«Im«i He dropped mortally wounded. Colonel Alston’s friend.* claimed that he had noti fied Reed that he would kill him on sight. t-i .1.:.. It . t- V PREVENTING V PROPHECY. Colonel Alston hx* often remarked to the writer and to others, in the realistic language of the west, that he felt as though he could not be spared to a peaceful death, but tliat he should tome day " die with liis boots on!" He said this to Captain Ed. Mercer, one of his mod devoted admirers, and when yesterday Captain Mercer looked upon the dying form of hi.* friend and he recalled tlie almost prophetic words. And when the body was carried to a bed chamber the faithful friend followed it and tenderly drew from the feet of Colonel Alston the boots in which lie stood when he was shotdowrn. He did nut want to sec that prophecy fulfilled to its letter. THE CORONER’S INQUEST. All the talk on the streets yesterday was the unfortunate tragedy in which Colonel R. A. Alston lost his life Tuesday after noon. Tlie remains of Colonel Alston lay in the room of Mr. Neil Robson yesterday until after 2 o’clock in the afternoon. About 11 o’clock, coroner Drake summon ed a jury and held an inquest over the body of the deceased. The jury was very intelligent and looked thoroughly into the facts before it. Mr. IL M. Scott a as fore man. The coroner’s jury found tlie following verdict: We, the Jury of Inquest held on the body of R. A. Alston, find that he came to hi* death from a pistol ball fired from a pistol iu the hands of Ed ward Cox, said ball entering the brain in the re gion of tbe right temple, and in our opinion the t.'iark. killing was willful and premeditated murder: E. Frank Bliley, W. G. Drake. 8. II. W. G. Drake, Coroner. and began to fire _ „ rapidity. Captain Nelms fell back upon tbe table, and Treasurer Renfroe and the other man were standing in the room next to Marietta street and near the door where Colonal Alston was standing in front of the stove. Colonel Alston, when lie arose from his chair, had his coat buttoned across his breast, but he unbuttoned it and drew his pistol from an inner pocket. His wx* a self-cocking pistol, ana this enabled him From the KwllxerlaiMl or Ear pe the Switzerland of America. Morxr Airy. March HI—Tbe So w set tlers liere are well pleased. The Tagblalt and Zeitung, both published xt Zurich, just received, show that the people xre being fully aroused on this subject. Tbe Tagblait of February 19th says: Herr National rath Joes lectured lx*t Sitn- __ day. xt Wintherthur. on emigration to x about time to'x**ert itself ! audience. A committee was appointed lwlieve «ho who will bestow proper attention on thia matter. A company of voting and enterprising men Tlie fact appears to be that Cox first en countered Alston in the barbershop of Dougherty Hutchins, on Marietta street, about noon. He asked Alston into the bar': room to talk, and Alston afterward stated tliat Cox demanded of him that lie rcscim the trade with Howard and make the on with Walters, stating that Walters would pay more than Howard for the interest stake. Colonel Alston replied to biro tliat it was now impossible to do tliat tiling He had BfewiS^d .he'* I ’neptTMt jjoryoooi nyeowy pe Walter, am! he had derlired u, ..ke the i Mr. C<,j pei-.Kt.-d and said if A lston did f h * f a l I ,£ en * , T* in f th ? ".*¥ Umpi Z >I sell to Wallers, h- (C-.*, wold be ; C , olor ;t! ^ lrtou ' *^? ut (ron ‘ a ” d fa- ken. urmined, and hed-1 .Ji i. rendto eT ' i »» “"£«>Urnurf, stat.d it 11-s dory h.s familv. he said. ! ^*' n «•* ««he demanded tin- -oLuiu-nation -t the other i bork " f thc b ~ J « h * >* ft ,ower transaction and it must be dime. \ colonel Alston staggered, reeled to get the first shot at Cox. the ball striking Cox on the left side of tbe upper lip and pen etrating the mouth and jaw. Cox then got into tbe corner and fired at Alston, but missed hint and the ball went into the wall behind. Alston then fired twice in succes sion. his second ball striking Cox in the left hand, fleshy part between the thumb and fore-finger, and the third shot going wild and buryiug in the plastered wall about a foot from the floor and close to Cox—so close, it api«ars. as to have gone through the breast portion of lib coat as he rtu •• - , - enormous* electoral strengto, ward xml assert ttswlf tn mil .V, r We etc perfectly willing and have xl- «•»(**<, to i*»drr to, tb* oorthwnfanu- whirh rcrnivd ,o (fenmod „ onr ban-fa STwTcr ramwfer of all factional claim, fee the benefit Of the party at laree; hut i. n,, longer the least rraaon arhy such demands should be complied with. The war fa over, all sectional ditferencea are heeded, all animosities ouehl to he buried, and we propose now to place oumelrm on^fadff igg^ssice but sensible platform. Them fa come for- \ left Zurich, under the lead of Herr Zeigler. who haa been fanning in America tor six month*, to pOTchxe real estate in the state of Georgia Tbe deader of this company will, according lo the Vaterland. lay the foundation of a large Swi# colony, which Herr National rath Dr. Joxs. aided by the Grutlivecein, intend* to establish. . sired. General A. R. Lawton, of Savannah, takes I Alston said he could not do it and would poroemioa on tbe first of next month of an I not if he could. He told Cox he would not elegant residence purchased here. I be bullied into doing the thing proposed to Farming operations xre active. I him. $r. George. It is stated that Cox drew, or had in hb THE DEATH OF COLONEL ALSTON occurcd at 6:40 p.m., at the room above mentioned. He was surrounded by hb wife, daughter and son, and by numerous friends. He remained unconcious, and did not recognize his wife or chil dren. Mrs. Alstou bore the situation with great fortitude until the moment ot the final struggle and then tlie scene of grief and woe was one one of unutterable awe. Tears and sobs of sorrow filled the and followed after the spirit in its flight into the great unknown. The body wx* cared for in the best nian- :r and remain* until this morning laid out in the chamber where he died. It will be taken home to-day and the funeral will be had to-morrow in Decatur, at 2 p.m. The notice of the time and circumstance* of the funeral b given elsewhere in our columns. Colonel Abton leaves a wife and four children—two girls and two boys. Mr. Cox also has a family of a wife aiid four chil dren. THE TRAGEDY IN TIIE CITY. The sad and bloody event was one of tlie most regretted affairs ever known in onr history. All Atlanta knew "Bob Alston,” and they were few who did not admire and esteem the man, above whatever :aults lie had, because of his manly virtues and his cliivalric and yet kind ly traits* of character. The streets were filled all evening with men discussing the affair, and an universal expression of sorrow was heard. It did not seem real to know that Alston wx* dead, and the news spread like a telegraphic message from ear to ear and house to nouse. The friends of both parties are plunged into endless re grets tliat they should have thus marred and closed their useful careers. NO INQUEST OB TRIAJ Lx*t night after the death of Colonej Alston the coroner waa notified of the fact, but in consideration of the circumstance* attending the homicide and the fact that ample witnesses to all the facts are accessi ble. he decided tliat it was unnecessary to hold an inquest over the remains. We alto learn that it is the probable pi pose of the friend* of Mr. Cox to have hi waive a committing trial and go on to await the action of the grand jury and higher courts. In thb event there will be no legal inquiry into the facts until the regular term. MB. cox’s CONDITION idnight was reported to be very favor able. Hb wound* are not dangerous, but up to a late hour he wx* restless and could not be gotten to sleep. He lias snokeu to several of his visiting friends, and it i* said that he claims to have acted in self-defense in the affray; that Al ston advanced u[*m him am! lired at him. striking him in tlie face before he fired back at Alston. When first shot he w very close to Alston, and hb face is full powder-grains from the pistol charge. colonel Alston’s career one rich 1n episode* of a remarkable and often romantic nature. He wx* man ot t ecu liar character. He wa* de scended from a famous family, the Alstons of South Carolina who were men of . and reputation, and whose dash and courage made them remarkable. They were duellists bom and men who rated life bauble in a combat for a prin ciple. or a sentiment of honor and pride, or in vengeance for a wrong inflicted. Golonel Robert A. Abton was to the man ner bora, and be succumbed to that fatal- which he so often declared wx* inheritance of hb name — a INCIDENTS OF HIS LIFE AND FAMILY. What Ilia Former Partner Sny* Abont Him. Atlanta, Ga., March 12, 187V It is with faltering pen and uncertain fin gers that I come to write of "Bob" Alston —dead! For ten years he was my friend—knit to my heart by a thousand ties. To write of him or talk of him is to give to the public many thing* that shopld be cherished iu the privacy that makes them sacred. For four years we were bound together witli the syuil>atliy that men feel for each other when they stand shoulder to shoulder and heart to 'heart to fight against odds—and in the extremities of tliat struggle 1 learned to know him, 1 believe, better than any living uiun ever knew him. I shall write of him, a then, a* if he were before me to-night, ami* with his blue eyes looking into mine, and my band within his kindly grasp. If I should be betrayed Into writing anything that would have been-, better unwritten. 1 shall remember that none but hb friends have read it, for I do not believe that the state of Georgia holds to-day a single man or woman who has auglit but regretful ten derness for the dead man that lies in tliat coffin yonder! THE “HALIFAX” ALSTONS! Bob Alston came of a princly stock. His ancestors settled in Halifax. North Caroli na, nearly a century ago. They were ini- periors, dauntless people, of enormous wealth, lavish habits, and stirring tradi tion*. They were of a stubborn strain of fighters, dominating over every thing and brooking no contention. They were known over the country as a gentle hut reckless race and came to be called the "Halifax” Alstons. Many a time have 1 heard Alston tell, in hb frank and bright way, of the traditions of these people—how they tra veled from one of their estate* to another almost regal state—with thejold King George coach and four and an army of sable attendants—how hb grandmother used to carry her own sheets and pillows and loaf sugar with her every where she went—an l of now, in her mettlesome days, racing with her husband over the country-side, she would put $100 on a cock-fight and follow tlie fox-hounds where none but the Alstons dared ride. Or of how hb grandfather of fered his estates to Jefferson when war wx* declared, and drank rye coffee to his death, because he drank it during the war—-of how honest Willis Atston, his grand uncle, had to confront the whole state of Carolina be cause of his assaults upon a defaulting state treasurer, and of the lordly way in which these two brothers fought and frolicked alternately with the gentry from Virginia to Georgia Tlie elder of these " Halifax” Alstons, the grandfather of Bob Alston, came to Georgia with liis family, and bought the "Slioulder- bone lands,” now owned in part by David Dickson. He had by this time lavished much of his wealth, but wx* still immensely rich. He had three sons—Willi* (Bob’s father), Augustus and Gideon. Each of these men cauie to a violent death. Willb Alston became iuvolved in a feud with the Ingrams, of Hancock county, a very brav and honorable family. A lsu>n again ret used, and explained fib reasons. It b here stated that their conversation became audible to those in the shop at the time and that Abton was talking in a con ciliatory way while Cox was angry and very and fell in the other door, athwart the threshold, bleeding profusely and uncon scious upon the instant. Mr. Cox changed position from tbe corner to the opposite side near the table, but teeing tbe effect of thb shot he did not attempt to shoot again. He was bleeding himself copiously from the wounds it* the mouth and in hb hand. He said to Treasurer Renfroe: "We are both of us killed!” and then be went into the front room and laid down upon the lounge. Tbe shots had been heard all around and through tbe building, and men came running to the scene of the tragedy.The It b my opinion that in the death of I j*®* 1 !- Fitzpatick, D. ‘Bob" Alston, the state of Georgia lost one | D ' fought and died at each ocher’s hands to wipe out insults, imputations and wrongs. We cannot now recapitulate the record. The man who fell yesterday and has passed from among hb fellow-men was one who deserved a longer life and a better fate. He wx* brave to recklessness, generous to x fault, kind as a woman and unswerving as a friend. He was endowed with intellect and hb strokes of success were inspirations os genius. He was irre pressible in energy and exhaustle# in re sources. He went where others dared not go, undertook what others dared not attempt and succeeded where SEVERAL RENCONTRES TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THEM, and their feud was the reigning sensation of that section of the state for months. Colonel Abton always went armed with ‘yager”—a funnel-shape*! gun deadly and heavy. He had, however, several pair* of fine duelling pistol*. One nigltt a general engagement was expected and the duelling pistols were all out in a room forin.si*ect;o Young Gideon Abton wx* at home on v_ cation from the university of Georgia, where he had just risen sophomore. I have hesnl Colonel Mark Johnston say that he was the handsomest and most winning boy heever knew, and a boy of great brilliancy. There was also in the house a young Castil ian named Pepin that Willi* Abton had picked up when he was in Nashville, pay ing hb suit to Miss Trimble, who after wards married General Sam. Houston. Colonel Alston saw this friendle# boy and adopted him. He wx* ag-eat favorite with the family. He and Gideon on this night left the room with some pistols to try them. In a few moments Pepin came hack and an nounced that he had shot Gideon, through mistake, and killed him. Pepin was given x place in the navy and wx* drowued in one of the tropical sex*. It is notable of thb Alston-Ingram fued that a dramatiza tion of it was written and published. The M. S. was discovered, without signature or due, in the hat of a lady, who was fear less and widowed. She published it. Had the authors been known they would have, all probability, been killed. THE ALSTON* IN TALLAHASSEE. Shortly after this time the Alston* moved to Tallahassee, where they at once became very prominent on account of their wealth, bravery and talent. They were an unusually handsome and athletic race— being without exception six feet or over, ^portioned and accomplished. Wil- on once carried a load of eight hun dred pound* dead weight on his shoulders in Tallahassee for a wager. In Tallahassee wx* started the feud between the Alston.' and General Reed. General Leigh Reed wa a young man who had distinguished himself in the Indian wars in Florida, and who stood very high in public estimation. Brave, genial, brilliant, be had a most auspicious career ahead of him. He was the leader of one of the parties in Florida, and Colonel Augustas Alston led the other. Tliev be came involved in a difficulty. Bob Alston says, because of an article that had appeared in a paper reflecting on Governor Call. At any rate, tbe trouble resulted in a meeting in which Augustus Abton was killed. The facts seem to be that aa the men turned to fire Colonel Alston's yager went off before he had aimed it, the hair-trigger having Heed's friends claim that he received... uvh notification. At anv rate Colouel Alston was imprisoned. Ho managed to get off to Texas, it is raid, at a sacrifice of ’er $30,000 in property and money, e settled in Texas, near Brazoria After lie had been there for some time lie beard that x Dr. Stewart had been dis cussing hb killing of Reed in uncompli mentary terms. He wrote down the re mark-. and h short time afterwards met Dr. •Stewart on the prairie. He presented the letter, and asked Dr. Stewart if he had made the remarks he was credited with there. While Dr. Stew’art was examining the letter, he drew hb pistol and fired on Colonel Abton. The snot entered hb bow els. In the meantime Dr. Stewart had dis mounted. getting hb horse between himself and Abton. Alston advanced, and after being terribly mutilated, so much so that his bowels protruded, he killed Stewart—pour ing a load of buckshot through liis head. He was taken to jail, and while there wrote liis last letter oil earth. It was ad dressed to Colonel Tom Howard. It was confident, hopcfnl and defiant. After writ ing thb letter he took hb fiddle and com menced playing, all gashed and tom a* he wx*. William, hi* faithful body servant, .‘hortly afterward entered the jail, haring a coil of rope wound about hb body under his clothes. While they were preparing for the master’s escape, a noise was heard outside. It was a crowd breaking into the jail to take the prisoner out and kill hint. The mob pressed through the doors, but the dauntless hero never quailed. He sat there fiddling in lordly con tempt of pain ami death. iooking upon his iiiliuniuii assailants with unhianched face. They dragged him out, nging him in a blanket, which they knotted at the ends. There, muffled up from the light of day, but witluhe old fear- lessness blazing in his heart, and the old dauntless smile playing on hb lip*, his body riddled withashowerof lyncher’s bullets,the last of the Halifax Alstons died. A lion-like they were.theirgentleblood (laminginto passion at the slightest insult—generous of life and gold alike—litter in their imperious habit* and princely ways for the days' chivalry and a realm of barons than form prosaic days and our commonplace laud. THE ALSTON DESTINY. There b a point U|M>n which "Bob" A ston lias been more misunderstood than upon hisalleged proclivity for fighting. The bravery and dash of the old Alston blood were there, but the passioti-fever had been cooled out of it, and a mast genial essence sent through it, cool and sparkling. His mother was a gentle woman and gave to her sons a most admirable sweetness of disposi tion. Whenever the Alston fire flashed in the veins, thb delicious coolness put it down. I never saw Alston angry five minutes at a time in my life. It was a flash —a frown—a smile! Why does not John Nelms say that in the crisis of that mur derous fight, while the messenger of death was already winged,the uale.stera face turn ed toward liim and lighted with a smile? And does not the poor clay coffined and stilled, in that room, yet wear a smile that tells that the passion roused in that for bearing frame died away before the smoke had cleared from hb face? I know, besides this, as Alston’s friends know, that he had x sort of superstitious dread of dying a violent death. While he loved his ancestors, and honored their high spirit, lie lixs told me time and again that hb highest ambition was to live und die iu tieace. He said to me once that lie had kneeled by his boy s bodside and prayed to God that he might be allowed to leave liiin a legacy of peace. The night he left Atlanta to go to’meet Mr. E. Y. Clark in Alabama, he E tried with me at the old Castleberry comer. e turned and leaned against the well that st«KHl there and prayed aloud that he might come back without having done or suffered violence. He never knew what bodily fear was. I have seen him do the most audacious things, and he has now written courage with his life-blood. He wx* gentle of spirit,and he shuddered at tlie thought of bloodshed. His impul sive nature—and must otten liis generous chivalry—frequently led him into difficul ties, but he always sacrificed ail that honor ouhl jfcrinit to avoid violence. I heard it said yesterday that he had kjlled two men. Nothing could he falser. He never fought a duel. He never hurt human lieitig. He never carried x pistol. authority on the code, and lias adjusted. I presume, more difficulties than any man in Georgia The saddest memory of his life, as 1 know, was his connection with the McGraw-Tabor duel. An article ap peared in t ie Charleston Mercury x*sailiug Judge McGraw. Young McGraw, Alston’s friend, challenged the three editors of the paj»er. declining to hold tlie author of the article responsible, and contending that the publication wx* the offense. Tabor accepted. Alston loaded tlie pistolx At the second fire Tabor sprang into the air and fell to the earth a corpse. Alston never got over the horror of that sight. He believed in the code,” but he believed in it as a j*eace- maker. He held that it settled difficulties rather than raised them. "Under tlie code,” said he, "street fights are impossible and murders almost so. In Charleston, with the code in vogue, there wx* not murder in twenty years. The code simply means that two gentlemen in {ixssinn shall leave their dispute to two gentlemen who are axil and disinterested." Hi* own death seems to give weight to hb argument. Had his difference with Cox been left two hours it would have been settled. He laughed to me a few months ago when I noted him with an old enemy. "Oh, I am getting cooler now. I think I am going to break the old tradition that the Alston* must die in their boots.” There was a fla vor of sadness in this remark. 1 know that this vague horror of a violent death over shadowed his whole life. "What could have been more piteous, to those who know the fire that lived in the man’s heart, and tlie pride that flashed through hi* veins, than the abject way : mo. uc wu*™ luo iroauucns nuu i vmik« a V-VW« impulses of his teens into his forty ■ M »^t'" years. He was just throwing these off. ^ & Foster? R And those splendid energies—that marvel- J James Dixon. R. ous information—that active brain—that I DELAWARE, buoyant force—what could they not hava ( D accomplished when ballasted with the wis-1 fLoSSa." dom and experience of fifty Tears ? I David L. Yulee. D. tn the legislature, he had al-1 Stephen It. Mallory, D. ready gone to the front ranks, and as fast as I GEORGIA, the vein of earnestness and sagacity was I n discovered beneath the apparent tightness l iIuNOIS. his leadership was being confirmed. He I Lyman Trumbull, R. would have gone out of the present house I Stephen. A Douglas, D. very nearly Its foremost man if he had 1 _ . DGMANA. lived. Hia real career wx* just opening, I D * and the man in him was just asserting Ja *° D * fgSRc itself over those charming and boyish traits I James Harlan, R. which,- winsome as they were, could not I Jame* W. Grime*. R. enforce a genuine leadership. Just re-1 , covered from his financial troubles, he I l \v” rowel would have been more than independent in 1 LOUISIANA. ’ few months. It ia hard tliat, lust as his ] John Slidell, D. hand was outstretched to pluck the tedious I Judah P. Bantemln, D. fruitage of a lifetime, it should be palsied I n n with death.- Truly, God’s ways are inscruta- 1 n “ nlh - 1 n * ml,n R - ble! , Alston was the most generous man that 11 Charles Sumner, R. ever knew. I have seen him literally give I nentr Wilson, R. away his last dollar. Never in my life did I I see him refuse help to any applicant, if he | had aught to give. He ptvc laviahly, 1 A ‘ K< m"$ig*K heartily, and without a question. lie has | Zach. Chandler, R. spent several snug fortunes since 1872. At I K- 8. Bingham. IL one stroke he made $9,8000; at another, I .. MI « ' $11,000, and at another, $15,000. He af«nt I S^wfitfegnlV wonderfully little money on himself. He I MISSISSIPPI, denied himself even the comforts of life I Jefferson Davis. D. tliat he might give to others. I never I Albert G. Brown, D. shall forget how ray eyes filled with I R ,5* tears and laughter . at the same I Trusten Polk. D. ’ time, when I saw him at the govern-1 NEW HAMPSHIRE, or’a inaugural ball with trousers tliat had I Daniel Clark, R. greatVhole* in them, and remembered that I John v«fS*v.rimr two days before he had given to a noble pur-1 w w qJLJJ*| pose ten times the amount needed lor a new I preatonKimt R* pair. I have seen liim sj>cnd the day with- I NEW JERSEY, out a mouthful of dinner, and the next day I J. R. Thompson, D. * n . d rf™ *»° , ot il . aw *? m ' h ; ■’nobth'caiSuxa. SniSM T. L. CltnEm»n, I>. $15,000 that he received a short t am sure he gave away nearly $5,000. and in I Thomas Bran, D.’ two weeks lie had not a cent left He I OHIO, showed me a list of his expenditures, and I GooirnsRPngh. D. there he had given hi friend and enemy I Bcn - F - R - alike, to all who had asked, as long as he iSSa had a dollar. There was no ostentation I Edward D. Baker, R. about all thix He rather kept it hidden I PENNSYLVANIA. m^woridfvwtf&ndl ’ 00rdin8!, ° f l ' b more worldly-wise friends. I RHODE ISLAND. He wx* true to his friends to the last de-1 Ja*. E. Simmons, D. gree. He never failed to help them when I JftSHW&J**• chance offered, mid never deserted them I S0UT (L£!£?P NA ' when they were in trouble. livable, sym-1 TENNESSEE, pathetic and frank, he was wonderfully I Andrew Johnson.“n. magnetic. Every man who worked on the | A. O. P.JVIcholaon, D. ... . which he tried avoid the difficulty with Cox. How Avoided him, dodged him, expostulated, lagged for peace—asked hi* friends to inter fere and save him, and at last threw him self in the treasurer’s chair and said: "How ivful it i* to be hunted down by a .. ho is determined to kill yon!" Ah—God alone knows how that proud heart was rung, and that gentle spirit tortured, when it uttered that cry! And about the last thing he did was to walk np to Cox, lay his two hand* gently on hi* breas* and looking into his enemy’s face with tliat frank, win some way of his, say: "Ed, %rhy should w« have a difficulty? f don’t want to kill you, and you oughtn’t to want to kill me?" When at lx*t he saw that the fight must come he met it grandly and like tbe man he was. When Cox with his pistol in hia hand turned to lock the door tor the death struggle, how easily Alston could have killed him. But no! There he sat calmly awaiting, until his xseailant bad turned full ujKjn him. Then he amee deliberately, and stood nerved for tbe deadly shock. And he met it like x hero! He never stirred from his tracks. He stood erect, bis bead thrown back in the old royal way, half-wheel' on his heels at each shot to confront enemy, who dodged and jumped from side of the room to tbe other. When pistol snapped, and be knew his life wa* gone, he never blanched or dodged. He turned toward Nelms, bis friend, smiled, and without a frown met hia death in the old Alston way! There was a touching thing done by Ed. "BOB" ALSTON’S LIFE. g from his boyhood when he died. I Robt W. Johnson, D. Wm. R. Sebastian. D. 1 CALIFORNIA. John T. Morgan, D. Geo. 8. Houston. D. ARKANSAS. Aug. H. Garland, D. J. l». Walker, D. CALIFORNIA. Newton Booth, R. Jam cm T. Farley, D. N. B.'llill. R. ... OONNECTlCU tV. \V. Eaton, D. o. n. halt, R. _ DELAWARE. Thoa. F. Bayard, D. RU Saulshury, i>. FLORIDA. Charles W. Jones, D. Wilkinson Call, D. John B. Gordon, D. Preston B. Plumb, R. KjOTUckr. James B. Beck, D. John 8. Williams, D. LOUISIANA. Wm. Pitt Kellogg, R. B. F. Jonas, D. MAINE. Hannibal Hamlin. R. James G. Blaine. R. James B. Groomc. D. George F. Hoar, R. Thomas W. Kerry, It. William Windom, R. Lucius Q. C. L . __ MISSOURI. Frances M. Cockrell, D. George G. Vest, D. NEBRASKA. Algernon S. I’a idock.R. Alvin Saunders, It. John P. Jones, R. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Edward H. Rollins. R. To elect—a republican. NEW JERSEY. Then. F. Randolph, D. John R. M’Phersnn, D. NEW YORK. Francis Reman, D. Rescue Conkling, R. NORTH CAROLINA. Matt. W. Ransom, 1>. Z. B. Vance, I». Geo. n. Pendleton, D. James H. Slater, Y). PENNSYLVANIA. Wm. A. Wallace, 1>. J. D. Cameron, R. RHODE ISLAND. A. E. Burnside, R. Henry B, Anthony, R. Wade Hampton. D. IsliamG. Harris, D. TEN A 8. VERMONT* George F. Edmunds, R. Justin a Morrill. IL VIRGINIA. Robert E. Withers, I>. John W. Johnston, D. WEST VIRGINIA. Frank Hereford, D. Henry G. Davis, D. WISCONSIN. Angus Cameron, IL Matt. H. Carpenter. IL RECAPITULATION. Democrats..............—.42 Republicans —XI IndependcnL — 1 okfHerald with' him loved him. On yea-1 . terday dispatches were received from them J^n rfetKJu, D all over the state, and to-day a half hun- I VERMONT, dred of them will be in Decatur to see him I Jacob Collamer, R. buried; Moore comes from Augusta, Win-1 Solomon Fool R. ter front Macon, Burney from Albany, and I r» m ~\} iii£L A 'n two-score from Atlanta Those men who I t Hunter T) knew him best loved him most. I WISCONSIN. ’ His love for his wife wx* marvelous in its I 2^£f» D nl£m’.i R ' w ftoshnea tttld strength. « was the passion RECAPmtLATION of his life. To the very last he waa her I Republican 2fi lover. The last letter lie ever wrote was ad-1 Democrats... dressed to her as if he was suing for her | Americans... hand in marriage, and he says: "I shall be in Atlanta on Saturday for my answer." The morning that he left her he kissed her at the door. She followed him to tlie steps and there stopped. "What! no further than the steps with me?" he said. And, laughingly, she went with him to the gate. Ah! the poor woman spoke the secret of her heart and the glory of her life when she rubbed hischilleia hands and said: "Oh! my poor lover; my precious lover. Stieak to me—look at me!” She was all to hint— and nobly did she All his life with her sweet and loyal love! May God in liis infin ite gentleness bathe her heart with mercy! Alston was child-like in his faith. He had absolute trust in prayer. I doubt if he ever closed his eyes at night with-1 The Committee Exonerate* tlie Leg(»- out going on his knees. He prayed I Ixtnre from the Charge of Bribery, have * seen ‘him HiTEnei Rf»*fai W to Tho ConrtituUon. in our old editorial room and pray alond I Little Rock, March 12.—The majority for help and guidance. And the first im- I report of the bribery investigating com pulse that followed this prayer he would | nuttee find nothing in the evidence re- follow blindly and to the end. At heart I fleeting directly or indirectly npdn Colonel he was profoundly religious, and his beliefs I Robert Johnson or in his conduct of the were ola-fashioned on all religious subjects. I senatorial canvass, but his record in this, as He used to upbraid me for working on Sun-1 in all other previous contests, is above sus- day in the severest terms. That he some-I pieion, nor do they find anything in tlie times sinned himself was due to the pc-1 testimony which reflects directly or indi- culiar impulsiveness of his nature. His life I rectly upon Senator Walker in any attempt though was singularly free from vices. I to bnbe any member. There is no testimony I know of few men who were I whatever which shows that any member cleaner in their habits. His life was a - 1 received a bribe for liis vote in the senato- struggle, in which a great religious heart I rial election and no satisfactory evidence trieuto corral a myriad of impulses. It is | of any offer of a bribe was made to any not for nie to judge him. I know none of I member, the secrets of the future, but I do know I that if there is mercy in God lie will not I A STRANGE STORY. turn away from this silent heart, that in all I its sorrowtland triumphs went np to Him I A Mysterious Female In Stone Moan* THE ARKANSAS SCANDAL. in an impulse of praise or supplication. If ever a man walked reverently iu the shadow of His footstool my poor friend did. I might write forever about him. _ About his home-life. —abont the ki his arm about me when I came to this city tain and fler Myaterlonn Disappear- rme iorcveraooui mm. aooui _ „ , :e. no soft and loving and gentle ^a., 2 kindliness with which hr placed ll ?« ®ft February last, there ut me when I came to tins city | P, ace , a wo " ian claim Special dispatch to The Constitution. Stone Mountain, Ga., March 10.—On ~ ’ there arrived in this claimed to be from a friendless youngster— about the charming I 7""^' surprise!, that hiT life developed day after stoted she was in tlie last stages of day-about the half-ad, ludftendc? talks ’ um .P t, ?" 1 ; , J a ,'V, co .™ ! to £i ,s we used to have about his life and the hopes I !' er Itealth tntirlii he improicd. On mak- and loves he had centered on hfa childreh-^ >»K < n <t°'rT.» procure board with about hfa wonderfull adventures and ex- MmeKO^ iam.ly .n tl'e countrv. she was ploita, so full of that bright audacity tltat informed by ilr J. H. JC.mfaelK Jr that ”t him so well! she! could probably procure hoard with hfa _ . „ .... ... . • ... I father, who lived a mile from town. She Butthepubhc has nothing to do with if h c would take her out to this. To-day we bury h.m-to-roorrow we the lMC named, which hc did, and atone hi. memory in onr hearts and fnrn | board* was procured. She had been our face, to the future Tears are idle, and >t Mr j H KJmtoeU'a. Sr„ abont two no cry can bnng back that bn^ht presence when fine night about two o'clock and that wmtome face. Noth.ng can light „ he Mr KimbieU and wife, stating thoje darkened eye»-nothiug ll ' r ‘l' ™ she was “suffering a great deal and wished coffined heart nothing quicken that fared I ,, e won jj send for a physician,” which he "n 1 !!!"?! ,lerTe , , ls ^ c ? s ,,* lan - i I did. Soon after the physician arrived she God’s will be done, and God rest thee in bjrth to a ^ rfSht peace, thou honest fnend-thou golden- u pt othe timeofthebirthof thcch.ldshe hearted gentleman. IL W. G. | had told no one on tlie place that site was quick with child, and so well did she keep ner person concealed by wearing a large cloak, tliat no one even suspected she was w # a* <hn I pregnanL Mr. Kinibrell becoming offended Ylbat Mr. W. U. Clayton Maya of the I al the imposition she had practiced upon Bridge DlMuter NearSelinn. I him, and suspecting her to be a woman of Mr. W. H. Clayton, superintendent of "j' 1 re'jnf^thrt'fa 11 '“nSeto^ow this division of tlie Southern «xnre» I Mm ”?* re . f * rent », j* 1 * 1 , he 2‘F‘ t ?°°* company, has just returned _ | .oniathinj; of her character. Thi. site re- Under kind treatment, she remained - at Mr. Kimbrell’a residence for two week* after the child’s birth. On the 6th A RAILROAD HORROR. and Dalton railroad. Mr. Clayton binii for th. company, and was waiting for the I “rtTd* Kcntu^ Th£ she reached town, while the innocent little two weeks old. wx* smil- for the corapanv. and was waiting for the train to take him to Selmx 8onte unex-. pected business came up and detained him, I ?”?I eac V^ n J 1 wt that th* fatal train toft without, him I **“*1 Which so that the fatal train left without him. I y~^t "~Y W ” «'“• 7" BU *' r Mr. Clayton lta. a host of friend, all over "' K , f ‘ ,ce * l,c , drew H" from ‘i* Georgia, who congratulate him on his es- «*<fdess gum, and gave it away to anegro cape Had he Sen that train Atlanta a^msn, saymg as sbe d'd so '-None of her L n,«t sagacious and faithful ,'uperintend- ^frai^ toe S,d ”a“ it sZU’d * „ , . . I After she had given away the child .he Mn Clayton defanbes the scenes at tlie j hoarded the cars and went to Atlanta, wreck as horrible. The bridge waa over while here she gave her name as Mra. K. thirtyfeet high, and the middle span I j,- t Benton, but when she arrived in Atlanta dropped through. The engine had already „|, e registered at the National hotel pasted over, when the express car and first I jjaudgrass. passenger car broke through, jerking Iuom of her whereabouts we have no clue. We from the engine and leaving it In safety onlv know that on the same night she ar- The two cma fell thirty feet right athwart rived in Atlanta at 11 o'clock she left the the creek, damming it up, and of course , loUjl Bnd boarded the Western and Atlan- causing the water to rtfa rapidly The pas- tic All the letters she received while sengers were drowned—that fa, tlie most of Gris place were postm .rked Marietta, Ga. them who wera killed at all. One young | Up th j, writing tbe babe is well, and ” “ receive* all the care that tbe negress is ca- . Mr. George Evans, was caught between two cat. and held «a if in a vise. He was I ruble of giving. Hut shall the babe ever ! n !" jwwn.ttd pinioned there, I remain in the hands of the present owner? had to stand and see the waters rising inch I 8ha n t ], e innocent babe ever suffer for the V ' n I Y* Un * 1 * they carae to hia I s i n * and heart)es*ness of its demon mother? shoulders, then his neck, then his head, and I o r will some step* be taken to find the finally over hut mouth, nastnls, eves and I mother, and when found, be made to raise 5“.™» sufferings must have been in-1 j t an it should be by a mother. And if she aescrtbably severe. I aunot be fonnd, for humanity’s sake will Tbe sleeping-car was pitched headlong I not some person of its own race and color throngh the broken span, but the eud I take it and raise it as it should be. struck the wreck and bafhnced, leaving the | Nehoc. rear end still resting on the broken buttress ( • of the bridge. It happened that there was a I Marietta and North Georgia Railroad, partition across the car, which broke the fell I The bridge across Little river, in Chero- of tbe passengers—those in the rear end I kee county, for the Marietta nnd North only felling to the partition, and those below I Georgia railroad, has been finished, and it only felling, of coarse, half the length of I trains on this road are now running to near the car. If there hod been no partition some I Canton. The managers of this road hope te of tbe passengers on this car must have been I reach the latter place by the first of May. killed. As it was they were all hurt, more I Mr. E. C. McAfee, formerly of Cumming, or less. It is a notable fact that the engin-1 Gx, who once represented the 39tli district eer who pulled this train was once before 1 in the Georgia senate, hx* recently been ap- the engineer of x train that went through x I pointed conductor xnd general agent for this bridge. He escaped unhurt both times. He I road. He is a live, energetic man, and we is a careful official and no blame can attach Y congratulate the road on procuring the i to him. vices of sach a man.