Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-10-21
TILLMAN IS
ACQUITTED
South Carolina Lieutenant Governor,
Who Murdered Editor Gonzales, is
Given His Liberty.
JURY WAS OUT TWENTY HOURS
One Man in Favor Of Conviction
Tillman Claimed He Did Shooting
In Self-Defense.

Lexington. S. c.. Oct. l5.-James n.
Tillman, who was charged with the
murder of n. G. Gonzales. editor of
the State in Columbia. on January ] |
last. was acquitted this morning. The
jury was out 20 hours before reaching
verdict.
noisy demonstration followed the
announcement of the jury's conclu-
sion. friends of the defendant giving
vent to their feelings in a shout. The
court, previous to the reading of the
verdict, had admonished the specta-
tors to refrain from any demonstra-
ton Counsel for the defense moved
the defendants discharge from the
sheriff's custody. No objections being
made by the state, the court made the
order.
There was no indication when the
court convened this morning as to
whether or not verdict would be
reached. and civil business was being
proceeded with when loud rapping
was heard on the door leading into
the jury room. In moment all was
astir. Word was Immediately sent out
and the defendant and his friends
were soon in court. The jury was
then brought in and the verdict was
announced thus terminating the case,
which had occupied the attention Of
the court for Is days.
Tillman Shakes Hands.
Upon the entry of the order dis
charging him from custody. Mr.. Till
man shook hands with the judge and
Jurors. He then left the court ROOM
in company with his attorneys, but
parted with them at the front door to
go across the street to the jail. visit.
ing that institution for the last time,
TO gather up his effects. He had been
in custody since January 18th, his ap.
plication for bail having been refus-
ed.
Mrs. Tillman and the defendants
mother were not in the court room
when the verdict was announced, but
the former had been apprised of an
agreement. and was at the jail to
await the announcement and to meet
her husband there. The mother had
heard at her home. a few blocks
away. that the jury had come in and
was fastening on her way to the
court house when she met her son
coming out on the street. Learning
the result she threw her arms around
his neck. Later all gathered at the
hotel. where they received their
friends and relatives.
He Leaves for Home.
Mr.. Tillman left on an afternoon
train for his home in Edgefeld, ac-
companied by his wife and friends.
Senator Tillman was not present to-
day, having gone yesterday to his
home at Trenton, where his wife Is
recovering from injuries received in a
runaway accident. Soon after the
Jury went out yesterday afternoon a
ballot was taken which resulted In a
vote of 10 to 2 for acquittal. Soon
after one of the minority Joined the
majority. leaving one juror standing
ont. He held to his views and kept
the jury up all night. Many of the
jury got no sleep during the 20 hours
they were locked up.
The count in the indictment charg-
ing the carrying of concealed weap-
ons was ignored during the trial and
the jury took no action on 1t. After
the verdict was announced the clerk
held up the pistols which had fgur-
ed in the trial and offered them to the
defendant, who waived them on say
ing: They are not mine"
TilIman Makes Statement
Later Mr. Tillman made the follow
ing statement to the associated press:
IL feel very grateful at the result
of the verdict, but at no time did |
apprehend any serious consequences.
|. of course. deeply regret the death
of Mr.. Gonzales, but | was forced to
do what | did. | never apprehended
a conviction. for felt that | did not
do any more than any other man
would have done under the same cir
cumstances, and what ! was compell-
ed TO do. My position was fully stat
ed in the testimony gave on the
stand.
Il did ask for a change of venue be-
cause | was convinced, on account Of
prejudice in Richland county, that |
could not get fair trial In that coun-
~ and | felt sure that as soon as my
case could be presented 10 an Impair
,iaI iurv I couId no yindicated