Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1903-01-17
EDITOR GONZALEZ
SHOT BY TILLMAN
Sensational Tragedy Occurs
In Columbia, s. C.
CITY rs GREATLY EXCITED.
Ia Shadow of Capitol Building Lieu
tenant Governor OF South Carolina
Shoots Down, Probably Fatally,
Well Known Editor of The State.

Columbia, S. c., Jan. ia deplor-
able tragedy occurred in Columbia, S.
c., yesterday afternoon in the proba-
bly, fatal shooting of Editor Gonzales,
of The State, by Lieutenant Governor
James II. T1llman, the elimination
of bad blood which mad existed for
some time between the two men grow
ing out of certain publications made
by Editor Gonzales in his paper con
Gerning Mr.. Tillman.
The shooting occurred on Main
street, just at the intersection of Ger
vais street, in full view of the state
capitol 1t was an awful tragedy in
broad daylight, and upon the most
frequented street and corner in Co
lumbia.
The bullet, which pierced through
one of the most distinguished editors
of the entire south, may end that
brilliant life, but if the best of sur
gerry, the best of care and the most
ardent of prayers and wishes avail
for aught, that life ought to be saved.
It was just a few moments before
o'clock when the cry was passed
along the streets that Jim Tillman
has shot N. g. Gonzales!"
1t was a shocking and startling an
nouncement 1t went like thrill
through all Columbia and there was a
rush towards the scene of the tragedy
to learn the facts and the condition of
the distinguished editor.
The off1ce OF Tthe State is on the
same block as the scene of the shoot
ing and 1t took but a few moments
for a great throng to assemble in
front of the newspaper office. The
excitement and the indignation on
the streets was intense Policeman
Boland immediately after the shooting
arrested Lieutenant Governor TILL
man and took him to police headquar-
ters, where he was relieved of two
pistols-the one with which he shot
Editor Gonzales and a second large
revolver of SO caliber From the POI
lice station he was taken to the coun-
ty Jail, where he is in full protection of
the officers.
There was no conflict ond the only
attributed cause for the shooting by
Lieutenant Governor Tillman is that
during the recent primary election Ed
ttor Gonzales opposed Lieutenant Gov
ernor Tillman in his race for governor
and in that editorial opposition Editor
Gonzales had been severe in his oppo-
ton.
During the progress Of that cam
paign Editor Gonzales in his fight to
defeat Mr.. Tillman had editorially
called him a debauche, blackguard
and in fact, denominated him as a
criminal candidate" and a proven
"ltar"
1t was this and other such edito-
rial expressions it is supposed that
goaded Mr.. TdlLnan to the desperate
deed Of yesterday. This was in August
last. and since the first primary, Aug
26, 1909. Editor Gonzales has had
nothing to say about Mr. Tallnan, ex-
cept to comment on the result Of the
primary.
Both Gonzales and Tillman have
hosts of friends, and trouble may fol-
low the shooting.
Gonzales came from a family noted
In this section Of the country for cour-
age and nerve. There are three
brothers in the family who are brave
and desperate men, and who may take
UP the affair.
Gonzales himself went to Cuba be-
fore the Spanish.American war and
enlisted as scout with General Co
nez, doing brave work for the Cuban
tnsurgent army. He Is an able and
fearless writer and a man without
fear