The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-01-23
Editor G GONZALES, gnasmea. shot Down
on the Street by
LIEUT.. GOV. JAS. Il. TILLMAN.
The Two afrt, Meet, and MS Gonznlc
WAS About u, Pass, Tili.nnn
!. Pulls a Pistol nn.i
shoots Hin.

Thursday, by Mr.. James II. Tillman,
Lieutenant Governor Of South Caro-
lima. Mr.. Gonzales was unarmcd, and.
MS he had passed Mr.. Tillman several
times OIL the street since the Legisla-
ture met, was not expecting trouble.
When they met Thursday with the
suddennesS OF Il thundcrclap from Il
cloudlcss sky Mr. Tillnlan drew his
weapon and sent the bullet on it's
deadly mission. When shot Mr.. Con
Zalez was within few feet uf Mr..
TIllman and was In the act Of walk
ing around him and two other gentle
men who were with him. The follow
ing Is the story OF the terrible tragedy
as furnished The News and Courier
by It's. Columbia correspondents:
The shooting occurred on Main
Street, just at the intersection Of Ger
vais Street, In full view Of the State
Capitol. It was an awful tragedy in
broad daylight and upon the most
frequented street and corner in Cuun-
bia. The bullet which pierced through
one Of the most distinguished editors
OF the entire South may end that
brilliant life but IL the best Of surgery
the best Of care and the nest ardent
OF prayers and wishes avail for aught
that life ought tn be saved
A SHOCK.
1t was just few moments before
o'clock when the cry was passed along
the streets that lin 'rillman had
ing and startling announcement. 1t
went like thrill through all Colum-
bia and there was a rush towards the
&c = I,,, 4 Il 1,
and the condition Of tile distinguished
editor. The office Of The State Is On
the stlIic block as tile scene of the
shooting and it took but u few mo-
ments for great tllrong to assemble
in front of the newspaper Office.
TWO PISTOLS.
The excitement and the Indignation
on the streets was intense. Policeman
Roland Immediately after the shoot
ing arrested Lieut.. Gov. Tillnan and
took him to police headquarters where
a. he was relieved Of two piSt olS-the
Il. one with which he shot Editor Coma
va, les and a second large revolver of 3S
.sS u.s. cal ibre. rom the police station: he
was taken to the county Jail where he
IS tonight in full protection OF the Of
ficers, There was no conflict and the
only attributed cause for the Shooting
by Lieut. Gov. Tillman is that during
the recent primary election Editor
Gonzales opposed Lieut.. Gov, Tillman
~ his race for governor and in that
editorial opposition Editor Gonzales
had bscp severe in his opposition
T1fE PROBABLE CAUSE.
During the progress of that cam
paign Editor Gonzales in his fight to
defeat DR. Tillman had editorially
called him a debauchee, "blackguard'
and In fact denounced him rs a
criminal candidate" and Il proven
liar" 1t was this and other such
editorial expressions it is supposed
that goaded Mr.. Tillman 10 The des-
perate deed OF Thursday. This was in
August last and since the first prma-
ry, August 70. 1902, Editor Gonzales
has had nothing - say about Mr..
Tillman, except To comment on the
result Of the primary.
Editor Gonzales and Lieut.. Gov.
Gilman have passed each other in full
view since the opening Of the present {
session OF the general assembly on
Tuesday but there had been no en-
counter, no %ord passed, no nod or re-
,cognition Of any kind and Thursday
it came like thundecclap eat OF Il
peaceful sky when the shot was fired.
I was absolutely unexpected and all
Thought that whatever soreness there
was as a result Of the primary Of last
August had passed away, but it seems
otherwise.
THE STORY
as To the shooting that is simple
story. Lieut.. Gov. Tillman met Mr..
Gonzales On the street, drew his pistol
and fired into him. There was no fuss
or feathers but when nt close range
Mr. Tillman opened fire, wiped his
pistol on his coat-slecye, took aim us
If to fire q second time changed his
mind and let his pistol fall to his side
Lieut.. Gov. Tiilman was perfectly
cool and collected, sober and uncXcitcd
TO all appearances. MIR. Gonzales was
uGarmcd. The shock from the maya
zine pistol paralyZed him and as Nr.
Gonzales saw the deadly weapon aim
ed at him, perhaps for u fatal bullet,
lie cried out Shoot again. you COW
ard" Mr.. Gonzales was in no way
armed and had no pistol. IL his life
be spared perhaps that expression
which MAY have spared The second
bullet was the magic Of the occasion.
Mr.. Gonzales is a man Of robust
health, strong physique, and active,
all of which are in his favor.
AS he fell against the nearby trans
icy sta tion TO steady himself Mr..
Ja,gf&.s Sims and Mr.. Gamcwcl La
Motto came rushing up and gave Mr..
Gonzales support, aud helped him'to
the business Office Of the newspaper
which MIR. Gonzales had labored SO
hard and so faithfully to establish and
make Il leading factor IN the affairs OF
his State. There with his head rest
ing ON Il bundle OF newspapers he re-
Muestcd that his wife be sent for and
Ito stricken friends. most Of whom
were in tears, he told The story of the
tragedy. DR.. B. w. Taylor, Dr. L. ID.
|Sendall, DR.. Philpot and Ur. j. w.
I}ah1Ock were soon at his Side and In Il
- few mOments there were half Il dozen
or more physicians doing all they
could To save life. 1t was promptly
decided that the only hope was to per-
form an operation and get the true
course Of the bullet and try TO repair
the serious but then unknown dam
age.