The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1903-01-22
SHOT DOWN WITHOUT A CHANCE
Seems to Have Been the Way GoEzale
Met His Probable Death Wound

Seems to Have Been the Way Gonzales
Met His Probable Death Wound.
There appears to be nc conflict Of
testimony as to the essential features
of the tragedy. Gonzales was walking
home alone from his Office Lieutenant
Governor Tillman left the state house
just after the senate. over which he
presided. had adjourned. He came out
Of the state house accompanied by
State Senators Talbord. of Beaufort.
and Brown, of Darlington. and was
Joined on his way up town by Repre-
sentative-Elect Wyatt Aiken and ex-
State Deputy Dominick. The meet
ing with Gonzales was just at the turn
Of Main and Gervais streets, on the
north side of the street. There was
no encounter, no fist fighting. no lay
ing on Of hands. Tillman, so far as
the evidence discloses, simply drew
his revolver and fred at Gonzales.
Most Of those who saw the affair
say there was nothing said until after
the shot One of Tillman's escorts
says he thinks Tillman said: II re-
ceiyed your message" and then fred.
He is not certain of this, but thinks
so. The other companion Of Tillman
says he did not hear anything, but
thinks he would have heard any words
If they were spoken. Two or three
others say they heard nothing until
after the firing of the pistol.
Gonzales himself gave an explicit
statement of the affair prior to being
put under an aesthetics. He was very
emphatic in saying that he had not
sent any message to Tillman at any
time, and that Tillman said nothing
until after he had fired; after he had
shot he said something about taking
him (Gonzalssl at his word. Gonzales
took this to mean that Tfllman told
him that he was settling old issues
face to face with him.. Gonzales is
certain that nothing was said until aft
er the shot was fired, when he tottered
to tie street car transfer station
agains which he leaned. Tillman was
still pointing his pistol at him, where
upon Gonzales said: "Shoot again you
coward" TiIlman lowered his pistol
and walked away.
There was only one shot fired, and
that entered rhe right side just above
the vest pocket passed through the
forepart Of the body and came out
Just below and behind the left vest
pocket. The bullet was picked up on
the pavement Gonzales and Tillman
passed each othe,. in full view since
the opening of the present session of
the legislature on last Tuesday, but
there was no encounter, no word
passed, and TO recognition of any kind
before yesterday. Throughout the af-
fair yesterday Lieutenant Governor
Tillman was peri ectly cool and col
lected, sober and lnexcited, to al APP
pearances. Gonzales was unarmed. A
few moments after the wounded man
had been conveyed to the Office of his
newspaper half dozen or more physi-
clans were uoing all they could to save
his life.
It was promptly decided that the
only hope was to perform an operation,
and it was performed at the city hos
pital late yesterday afternoon. The OPP
GRAFTON was regarded as successful, but
in the judgment Of the physicians the
wounded man has only one chance in
five to live. His constitution and hab-
its of life. however. are stated to be
greatly in his favor. The wound is an
ugly one. the liver and intestines be-
ing punctured.
Lieutenant Governor Tillman was
asked for statement, but said he had
been advised by bis counsel to say alb
solntely nothing and he followed their
advice to the letter.