The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-10-21

The trial Of James II. Tlllman Tor
murder, which began on the 18th OF
September, was given to the jury on
last Wednesday morning. The taking
of the testimony was concluded on
the previous Saturday, and in accor-
dance with the agreement OF counsel,
two days were given to argument be-
fore the jury. For the prosecution
Solicitor Thurmond and Mcssrs. Eli
OFT, Asbill, Crawford and Rellingcr
made speeches, while Mcssrs. Rem
bert, Johnstonc. Nelson and Croft APP
pcarcd for the defence. The greatest
interest was felt in the arguments of
Col. Croft, who closed for the defence,
and Of Gen. Bcllinger, who closed Tor
the State. Col. Croft said that Con
zales might have expected to be kill
ed on account Of the liberties he took
in his newspaper. Tillman' attor-
neys at the last, it was noted, almost
abandoned the plea of self defence,
and minimizcd the testimony incident
to the actual shooting. The position
was taken that Gonzales. on account
of his bitter editorials, had sooner or
later to meet his death. They claim
that he did not exercise the liberties
of the press rightly, but that he took
lie censes in way to persecutc Tlllman
and drive him to desperation. MIR.
Bellinge-, in his speech, used some
plain language, and called the killing
an assassination The State through
out took the position that all along
Tillman intended to kill Gonzales
and that he simply awaited the op-
portunity. Gonzales made no de-
monstration, was unarmed, and there
could be nothing in the plea of self
defence.
Judge Gary delivered clear and
strong charge to the jury, and they
retired with tho record in the case at
lis 0 clock in the afternoon Of Wed
nesday After being out about twen-
ty hours, verdict of not guilty was
brought in. 1t is said that on the
first ballot ten voted to acquit and two
were for conviction. One Of the two
soon came over to the side Of the ma
jority, and the other stood to his CON
yictions until tho next morning, when
he, too, surrendered And thus, in
spite of the Law and the great weight
Of unimpeached evidence introduced
by the State, James H. Tillman was
set at liberty.
Much has already been said in the
press in condemnation Of the verdict
Of the Lexington jury. It is appalling
to think that twelve men, sworn to
find verdict according to the law and
che evidence, should, in che face Of
facts undisputed and indisputable,
disregard their solemn oaths and set
che prisoner at liberty. James FL.
T;!lmas, while still acting as lieuton-
ant.governor Of South Carolina, shot
down an unarmed man without giving
his adversary the slightest opportu-
nifty for resistance. If it is charged
that the provocation was great, it may
be said that the charges preferred by
Mr.. Gonzales during tho campaign
have never been disproved. The jury
at Lexington hos found Tillman not
guilty OF taking the life Of tho dead
editor, and from that verdict there is
no appeal. But the people Of South
Carolina, who have followed tho pro.
gress Of the trial closely. arc strong
in their disspproval of this travesty
Of justice. There has been too much
lawlessness in this State, and a healthy
public sentiment is crying that it
must stop.