Alston got into trouble for counterfeiting in Logan County, Kentucky, and was banished. In 1789, he moved to the area of Alston's Creek, in northern Logan County but, did not remain there long. Fearing for his safety, Alston moved around often over the next two years. First, he went to Alston's Lick, now in Muhlenberg County, and shortly thereafter, to Livingston County and finally, to Henderson County, all in western Kentucky. In 1790 he crossed the Ohio River to the north into Illinois.