Halifax County NcArchives News.....Alston-Johnston Killing February 21, 1809 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Carolyn Shank Carolynshank@msn.com March 9, 2008, 4:17 pm Friday, March 10, 1809 Edenton Gazette February 21, 1809 --On Tuesday night, the 21st ult., at a tavern in Halifax, N. C., a dispute arose between a MR. ALSTON and a MR. TARLTON JOHNSTON, in consequence of which MR. ALSTON took up a large carving knife to stab MR. JOHNSTON but failed in his attempt; they were separated, but MR. ALSTON soon after returned and insulted MR. JOHNSTON again, which roused him to give MR. ALSTON a violent push, when he left the room in search of pistols, which he procured, and declared publicly that he would put MR. JOHNSTON to death, but not being able to find him that evening, the next day repeated his search, and discovered through a window, MR. JOHNSTON, in a room with some gentleman, who prevented his horrid intention from being put into execution. MR. JOHNSTON then applied to the civil authorities to have MR. ALSTON arrested, but could not procure assistance to effect it. MR. JOHNSTON, in order to guard against the threats of ALSTON, purchased a musket to defend himself, as he was then going out of town. MR. ALSTON followed him with a determination to take his life, and MR. JOHNSON repeatedly turned around, desiring him to desist; but MR. A. would not,and while MR. JOHNSTON was descending a hill, he, MR. ALSTON snapped his pistol two or three times. MR. JOHNSTON then immediately , after crossing a creek, finding MR. ALSTON determined to pursue, turned round, fired and killed him on the spot. MR. ALSTON had just time before he expired to request a gentleman that was near him to see him decently buried. MR. JOHNSTON returned to town and gave himself up to the Court, when he was immediately let to bail. -- N. Her. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/halifax/newspapers/alstonjo513nnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ncfiles/ File size: 2.3 Kb