The Indianapolis journal., 1903-09-28
Is Alleged to Have Shot Him Down
without Warming.
CAUSES LEADING TO CRIME
AND REVIEW OF THE TRAGEDY AND
SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS.
TtiIman Nephew OF the "Pitchfork-
ing" Senator and Member Of a
Noted Family Of slayers.

COLUMBIA, 8 C, Sept 2l.-After two
ccntinuances and a change OF venue. James
ii. Tillman. son of former Congressman
George ID. Tillman and nepnew of United
States Senator Tillman, will be put on trial
IN Lexington tomorrow for the murder
Of n. c. Gonzales, editor of the State, the
chief newspaper of middle and upper Caro-
lima. The trial had been set for Monday.
April 13. At the time the editcr was slain
TiIlman was lieutenant governor of the
State. having been elected for two years in
1900 His term of office expired five days
after the tragedy. when Tillman was in
Jail.
On the day of the shooting. Jan. 15 Mr..
Gonzales left his Office about o'clock and
was walking home to lunch 1t was cold
he had on an oyercoat and carried his
hands in the pockets. with the thumbs on
the outside. an habituaI position with him.
AT the same time the lieutenant governor
who had just taken off the flowing purple
robes worn by the lieutenant governor i'm
South Carolina In his capacity as president
OF the Senate. left the Statehouse with two
friends Editor Gonzales and the Tillman
party met just at the intersection of the
street down which Mr.. Gonzales was about
10 turn When directly opposite him TILL
man extended his arm and fired, the bullet
entering one side and passing out the other.
At the application for bail. which was re-
fused. Tillman stated that he had been no.
titled Gonzales had made threats against
y him and that he saw the editor thrust. his
hand down in his pocket Thereupon he
shot. In an ante-mortem declaration Mr.
Gonzales said he had sent no message
made no threat. was unarmed and expected
no trouble. Tillman used a German maga-
zine pistol. having great penetration. He
also had another revolver of large caliber
on his person at the time. Two men-one a
doorkcsper, appointed by TiIlman, who had
bad reputation in Edgeheld. and a friend
of the doorkeeper of the same cIass-con-
ilrmed TiIman's story. He is contradicted
by prominent lady of this city. and neither
OF the friends with whom he was walking
saw any hostile movement. A building con-
tractor and several other persons known in
this community. eyewitnesses contradict
Tillr1an- All the evidence on the subject
IL that Editor Gonzales was not armed, had
not carried a pistol for many years
IL is the opinion OF a good many people
that the intention OF Tillman was definitely
known to several OF his most intimate
friends several days in advance and deyeI-
opments along this line may cause sensa-
tions.
REVIEW OF THE CASE.
The causes leading UP to the tragedy
would make long story. But the pub
hshed reports that Tilman and Gonzales
were political rivals or had any interest In
common are without foundation. Their
spheres In life were wide apart. They
never met socially and had no mutual
friends Tilman's nearest approach to OBJ
tanning social foothold was when through
the political influence of his uncle he was
appointed lieutenant colonel of regiment
organized for the Spanish war. On the
death of It's commander he became colonel.
lie was known as a patron of cock fighting.
taking "A prominent part in the mains"
snd ss wss ssr an Intimate M % in the gambling cir
hundreds of stories. most of them substan-
tiated told about Tillmans career i'm the
army and his home life that have never
appeared i'm print In fact. despite the
many published statements to the con-
trary. he was never attacked ''n his private
relations But these things being Tin the
air. and talked about by ali men. when
the name of Tillman was proposed as a
member of the South Carolina society. the
each year. the proposer withdrew it, on
assurances that Tiliman would be black
hailed, Tillman credited this to Editor
Gonzales. he and his brothers being MEM
bers OF that society.
When Tillman ran for lieutenant COVER
nor in 1900. there was very absorbing con-
test in the gubernatorial race and as sew
eral well known men were making the race
against Tillman, his election was consid-
cred such a remote possibility that no at
tentien was paid to him. No fight was
made The country people knew nothing
OF the charges against him. Being fine
speaker. and possessed OF accurate knowl-
edge of the prejudices of the people in diff
ferent sections, he won I'm a walk
During the session OF the Legislature four
teen months ago Tillman announced his
tntsntion of being candidate for Cover
nor IN the primaries during the approach
ing summer. About the same time he made
ruling on parliamentary question in the
senate. That body questioned its correct
ness. and the committee on rules was in
strncted to investigate aud report This
ing officer. Tiliman made a speech which
he had printed in the journal, in which he
said he bowed to the ruling. but knew he
was right; that he had telegraphed TO the
two leading parliamentarians In the coun-
try and had been sustained by them To
newspaper men the lieutenant governor
said Speaker Henderson and President Pro
Tenn Frye had fully indorsed his ruling.
Asked for their kilograms he said they
were locked up In his room.
Henderson, sending them Tillnlan's state
ment. They replied. inclosing copies OF
their telegram 70 the South Carolina Of
against Tillman. Mr.. Gonzales published
this correspondence conspicuously In his
papers. charged Tillman with falsifying the
records Of the senate and declared that act
branded him unfit 10 hold the ONCE OF Gov
ernor. Tiliman refused to be interviewed
right when got on the stump. He never
met the issue.
SWORD EPISODE
Before this exposure. this incident about
the Jenkins sword occurred. TilIman col
lected money I'm the Legislature and else
where and purchased a s65 sword which
he invited President Roosevelt TO deliver
TO Major Micah Jenkins. the South carolin-
IAN who distinguished himself In the trough
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5. COL. ~