A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER WITH PISTOLS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 167, 23 May 1879, Page 2

A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER WITH PISTOLS.

A desperate encounter with pistols took place on the 11th March in the Treasurer's office, Atlanta, Georgia, between a Mr E. Cox and Coionel R. Alston, which ended in Colenel Alston being killed, and Mr Cox severely if not fatally wounded, Colonel Alston was one of the " most prominent men" in Georgia, He came of the fighting Alstons of Carolina—a family of duellists, every one of whom, it is stated, "died with their boots on," Though a brave man, he always cherished a hope that, unlike the rest of his family, he might manage to die with his boots off; and when " a difficulty" arose between himself and Mi-Cox on a matter of business, Oolonel Alston, knowing that Cox was a dangerous man, retired to the Treasurer's office, where the Governor advised him to stay offering at the same time to send for Cox and endeavor to arrange the difficulty.- Cox, however, required no sending forfor lie was shortly afterwards seen coming down a side corridor with a pistol in his hand. Alston in the meantime had procured a pistol, and on Cox approaching expressed his desire "to have no fuss." Cox replied by expressing his intention to kill Alston, who remarked, "Well, we will have it now." The Treasurer-and Captain Nelms, the . penitentiary. keeper, rushed forward to interfere, but it was too late. Both the men fired their pistols once, and the room was filled with smoke, There were several successive flashes, and interference was impossible. Alston's first ball struck Cox in the mouth, and apparently blinded him, as he wasted several shots. Alston stood perfectly cool, His second shot tore through Cox's uplifted hand, and his third was buried in Cox's throat. By this time Cox had staggered up to Alston and shot him through the head, Cox then threw up his hands and exclaimed, "We are both killed!" The difficulty being thus arranged, every attention was paid to the disputants. Colonel Alston died the s&me > evening, and Cox, by latest accounts, was in a most critical position. The affivir, it is stated, has caused " some excitement" in Atlanta.