The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-01-22
EDITOR GONZALES DEAD.

lie was SnOt Oh tue Sticct ny oolAco IL
Tiilnan, Leiutera 1t Governor OF the
State Of South Carolina. Mr.. Tillman
h,l Jus. lett the capitol where he had
D.esiIad over the SENT In company
with two other men he met Editor
Gonzales who was alone and who passed
cross the sidewalk to keep from brush
ing against Tillman. The latter car
ried two pistols, and when within five
or six feet of his victim he shot him :,
without a word OF warning. Editor
Gonzales died Monday at one o'clock,
four days alter the shooting occurred.
It is regarded all over the country as
q cowardly and murderous attack, and
the assassin has little sympathy from
any quarter.
There was bitterness between them
becasue Mr.Gonzales through has news
paper had strongly and violently OPP
posed Tilinan for Governor and had
caused his defeat. He thought Till
man an unworthy man. lie placed
low estimate on bis character and said
50 in plain and singing public declar-
,,1ons. The means which Tlllman
sought for redress and the manner CT
his attack upon his victim justify
peopie everywhere in concluding that
Editor Gonzales estimate of Tillman
was none TOO low.
The leading editors Of the country
who have marked we'll Mr. Gonzales
career as founder of the State newspa-
per and as a strong and forceful writer
speak ia the highest terms CT his abii-
1tv and character, though some have
laid structures on his Incorporate at
tacks upon his assassin when he was
seeking to prevent his nomination for
Governor.
Editor Gonzales had perfect hatred
for shams, corruption and meanness,
aad WIS free to give expression to his
feeling. And even it he did use lam
cuage too bitter against MIR. Tillman,
the latter sought cowardly means
and manner OF redress. His action is
regarded on all sides as deliberate MUIR
der, for he had been smarting under
the defeat which enraged him several
months.
There seems to be a general impress
sion that Tiiinan will be acquitted,
although almost every one thinks him
guilty OF deliberate murder.
South Carolina has record for fail
ure to hang men of prominence. The
Richmond News pointediy says:
"South Carolina is on trial before
the country, AID the country Will
watch with acute interest whether her
courts and jurles can cope with crime
like this. She has in her annals
long and bloody list Of manslaugh.er,
the victims including some of her best
and most useful citizens. This case
pats her On trial again"
The following brief sketch which
appeared in the Charlotte Observer the
d " alter the tragedy Will be of interest
to the general reader:
"Narciso Gonzales was born on Eds
to Island, 5. G., August ., 1888. His
parents were Cubans, his father, Gen
Ambrosio Jose Gonzales, having been
one Of the juuta of five members who
declared Cuban independence in 1913
all / tegan the revolution Of which Lo-
PEI was the head. AS young man
\. G. Gonzales was In tie railroad tel
egraphic service, but all of his mature
life has been given to newspaper work,
in which be started as reporter and
in which he achieved merited distlnc-
ton. He was ever Jealous for the
emancipation of the island of his faith
crs, and, in this matter, as in all other s,
demonstrating his 1alth by his work,
became soldier in the Spanish Amer
lean war, attaining the rank of first
lieutenant.
GA fact which accentuates the rag
cdy is that Mr. Gonzales is to leaye
young widow. He was married but
little over a year ago-in November,
19O1-to Miss Lucy Barron, OF Man.
ming, S. G.. His immediate kinsmen
are Mr. A. E. Gonzals, the busine:s
manager, and Mr.. w. E. Gonzales
news editor, of The State.
HEADS SHOULD NEVER ACHE.