The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1903-02-13


Tillman got his pistol from, as l was
watching Mr.. Gonzales expecting to
see him shoot Governor Tillman. Gov
ernor Tillman, after he fired, turned
and walked off into Main street, shortly
after he shot. Senator Talbild said,
"This must stop" and several persons
went to Mr.. Gonzales.
J. A. WHITES AFFIDAVIT.
An affidavit was read from j. A.
White, keeper Of one of the committee
rooms, in which White said that he re-
called the events mentioned in Holtz-
enbach's affidavit, and substantiating
it in every particular, except that not
knowing N. G. Gonzales, he did not
say it was Mr.. Gonzales with whom he
had the conversation. He took it to
be N. G. Gonzales.
TILLMAN'S AFFIDAVIT.
Before me personally appeared Jas.
H. Tillman, who, being duly sworn,
says: That his statement herein made,
so far as he is informed and believes it
is proper to make at this time, is as fol-
lows: That for a year and possibly
longer, N. G. Gonzales has villified de-
ponent, pursuing him unrelentingly
with malice and venom, which deponent
believes was never equalled in the his
tory of this State, charging him with
being liar, blackguard, rogue, debau-
n will lni, nd L,
Every act of deponent has been dis
torted and discolored by the hate and
venom Of Gonzales. Thought that
though innocent he was called upon to
endure these, inasmuch as deponcnt was
public officer. That he bore all this
with patience although his private life
heretofore considered sacred was invad-
ed, discussed and held up to public
dcrision. That deponent had been in
formed that during the campaign there
was a rumor that Gonzales had said if
Tillman had said the same things in
Columbia that he said elsewhere there
would be personal encounter in which
one would die. Deponent was repeat
edly urged and warned to look out
for his safety while in Columbia
by various parties. Dcponent was in
formed that Gonzales came to the State
house and inquired for deponent and
said that he had made deponent show
the white feather on several occasions
and intended to make him do it again.
That deponent verify believed that N.
&. Gonzales at that time was armed
Deponcnt was still anxious to avoid an
alteration if it could be done lonora-
.bly. lnasmuch as deponent was about
to retire from the office he was remov-
ing his personal belongings from the
State house to his room in the hotel
and among other things it became nee
essary to remeve two pistols, one the
property of dcponent, the other left in
the room by some one not known, but
presumab by some friend. While carly-
ing these weapons to his &c ON, while
upon Main str at he observed N. G..
Gonzales coming directly towards him,
glaring at deponent, and with his hands
in his overcoat pockets. Suddenly he
pushed his hand into his pocket on the
right side and turned towards depon-
ent. Said Gonzales was all the time
glaring straight at deponent. Believ-
ing his life in danger, deponent hur-
riedly said, II got your message"
and fired. Deponent believed then and
believes now that Gonzales was armed
and intended to kill him. That he was
desirous of avoiding a difficulty with
Mr.. Gonzales If he could. When Con
zales cut across was the time dcponent
saw him thrust his hand in his pocket.
That deponent when he left State House
didn't know he was going to meet Con
zales on the street. Deponent believes
Gonzales was about to draw a pistol
upon him and therefore he fired upon
him. Deponent fired to save himself,
believing his life was in danger.
j. w. DeVore and ". II. Rainsford,
members of the House from Edgefield
County, made affidavit that they know
that Capt. J. A. White is a man Of un-
llHpchCiiDlc CHARACTER ana an Ola COn"
federate soldier.
Solicitor Thurmond, at the conclusion
of the reading Of the affidavits, re-
neWed his motion that the hearing be
postponed, saying that it was very i'm
portant that the prosecution have a
chance to reply to the affidavit, that
such had been the custom.
Mr. Nelson in reply stated that dur
ing his career as Solicitor he had never
had demand for affidavits of an op-
ponent granted. The State had made
its showing at the coroner's inquest.
The only other matter that the State
might wish to reply to was the state
ment Of Holtzenbach Mr.. Croft said
that to allow the State further time
would amount to nothing save to secure
cumulative evidence and cumulative
testimony. If in view Of the testimony
presented here today, the Court con-
sidered that there was legal doubt
that Tillman was guilty of murder,
then the defendant had right under