Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-10-12
TllLMAN TRIAL.
Case Goes 70 the Jury Wednesday,
caroiinas Deeply interested in
the Trial.

MB84 E@A%N e# --@~--~ &9&s E&S
LEXINGTON, u. q. Oct. i2.-The
last Witness to be heart in the trial
Of James II. Tillman, charged with
the murder Of N. g Gonzales, left the
stand Saturday at 4 O'Clock, thus con.
Guiding the taking Of Testimony. On
Monday and Tuesday counsel will adj
dress the jury, seven hours being al.
Iotted each side. On Wednesday
morning Judge Gray will deliver hin
charge after which the case viii 90
to the jury. This arrangement was
announced by the court inst before
adjournment today.
The counsel for the defense pro
posed that the case be submitted 10
the jury without argument. The state
suggested that three hours be de.
voted TO each side. but the court pro-
posed a day each, which was accepted
By the attorneys on both sides. The
case. which Is 0 about 10 be closed,
has attracted deep interest all over the
east and III the cnrolinas Ii has been
the one topic OF discussion since II
opened two weeks ago, this is owing
70 the prominence the defendant
and his relation to the politics Of the
state.
On the day Of the shooting. Jantl-
ary ~. Mr.. Gonzales left his ONCE
about 2 o'clock and was walking
home TO lunch. II was cold. He had
81 an oyercnat and carried hia hands
In the pockets with the thumbs on
the outside. an habitual position with
him. At the same time the lieuten.
ant governor. who Ind just taken on
the flowing purple robes worn by the
lieutenant governor In South Carolina
In his capacity as president Of the
senate, left the statehouse with two
friends. Editor Gonzales and the
Tillman party met Just at the inter-
section Of the street down which Mr..
Gonzales was about TO turn. When
directly opposite him Tillman extend
cd his arm and fired. the bullet en-.
tering n side and passing out the
other.
At The application for bail, which
was refused, Tillman stated that he
had been notified Gonzales had made
threats against him and that he saw
the editor thrust HIS hand down In
his pocket. Thereupon he shot. In
an nnte-mortem declaration Mr.. Con.
xales said he had sent no message.
made no threat. was nnarmod and ex
pected no trouble. Tillman used a
German magazine pistol. having great
penetration. He also had another re.
volver OF large caliber on his person
at the time. Two men-one a door.
keeper. appointed BY Tillman, who
had a bad reputation In Edgeneii.
and a friend OF the doorkeper OF the
same class-con1rmed Tillman's
story. He IN contradicted BY a prom
inent lady OF the city, md neither OF
the friends with whom he was walk.
Ing saw any hostile movement, A
building contractor and several other
persons known In the community,
eye witnesses, contradicted Tillman
All the evidence on The subject Is
that Editor Gonzales was not armed.
had not carried a pistol for many
years.
II is the opinion Of q good many
people that the intention OF Tillman
was definitely known to several Of
his most intimate friends several days
In advance and developments along
this line may cause sensations.
Review Of the Case.
The causes leading UP 70 the TRACE.
dy would make a long story. Hut the
published reports that Tillman and
Gonzales were political rivals Or had
any interest In common are without
foundation. There spheres In life we're
far apart. They W. met socially and
had no mutual friends. Tiilman's
nearest approach to obtaining a social
foothold was when through the po-
litical influence OF his uncle he was
appointed lieutenant colonel Of a regi-
ment organized for the Spanish war
On the death Of its commander he be
came colonel. lie was known rs a
patron Of cock fighting. taking a
prominent part In the mains" and
was intimate in the gambling circles.
where he was lucky. There we're
hundreds Of stories. most Of them
substantiated. told about Tilmnn'a
career in the army ana his home no