Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-16

COLUMBIA. s. c.. January 15-tSpe-
cialo-This afternoon Lieutenant Govern
nr Tillna n shot and fatally wounded n.
6. Gonzales. editor of the State with
out 2 word of warning. within few yards
of the Senate Chamber. in which Tillman
had presided during the morning. Till
man has long borne resentment against
Gonzales. more especially on account of
attacks made upon him in the state.
during the political campaign in this State
last summer. In these editorials, Tillnan
was characterized as liar" black.
guard. debaucher." and criminal. AS
ne old not resent these epithets then,
everybody supposed that nothing would
be done about it on Tillman's part.
Without Word of Warming.
To-day he presided over the Senate,
and there was nothing to indicate the
impending tragedy.
Tfllman left the chamber accompanied
by State Senators Brown and TaIbird.
They had Just passed out of the Capitol
grounds when they met Gonzales walking
in an opposite direction Without a word
OF warning, Tillman drew a pistol and
fred. the bullet striking Gonzales in the
stomach. AS he staggered and p-opped
himself against wall Of a building Till
man said: I've done what you told me-
Gonzales sang to the ground Tillmap
still having his pistol pointed at him.
tYou Coward, Fire AEain.,5
Gonzales said: .'You have killed me.
you coward: fire again II you want
Tillman lowered his pistol and walked
toward the middle of the street where
he was arrested by a policeman. Gonzales
was picked up and taken to his office
nearby. and physicians were summoned.
SO great was the shock. that physicians
thought that he would die in few min.
Ites, hut he rallied. and was taken to
the Columbia Hospital.
Believing that he would de, he made
AT ante mortsm statement in which he
Sid that he had no idea of meeting TILL
man. ant. !Snew nothing of his danger. un-.
til 'Tillnan fred He said he thought Tlll-
man drew his pistol from his sleeve
He, declared that he supposed the re-
mark Tillman made after shooting him
was induced by editorials made in the
State" though he mentioned no particu-
lar one.
Sent Him no Message.
The report was circulated that Tillman
had sent after shooting: 81 got your
mesa ge''
Gonzales asserts. calling upon God to
witness the truth of the statement. that
he sent no message to TilIman.
An operation was performed by the
surgeons and they found that the bullet
had passed clear through Gonzales body;
had pierced the liver, grazed the lining
Of The stomach; had torn one intestine
for fire inches. and had perforated others.
Gonzales stood the operation well. but
physicians have but slight hopes for his
recovery.
90
calibre Colt and qulck-firinE. magazine
revolver, made In Germany. It was with
this that ! shot Gonzales.
Makes No Exp1anation.
Tiliman declines to make any statement
whatever, acting upon advice of counsel,
but MS friends justify him on account
of the severe manner In which Gonzales
had chara cterized him. The best senti-
ment of the State condemns Tiliman's
action. which. they declare, amounts to
nothing short of assassination. He will
developed. when he can apply tor bail. He
has offers to go on his bond for any
amount.
Nephew of the Senator.
Tiiiman is a nephew of Senator Tillman
ana son of the late Congressman George
D. Tillman. who was great friend Of
Gonzales In 1890 Lieutenant-Gove
Tillman had row with Gonzales
and challenged him to fight
duel, but the challenge was declined as
Gonzales was opposed to that method Of
settling difficulties.
In an editorial, Gonzales once intimated
ths.t if TiIlrran had any grievances he
could settle them face to face. and it is
this that is supposed to have brought
forth Tillman's remark after shooting
Gonzales. The latter has always been
outspoken and unparing in his criticisms
OF men in public life when he did not p-i
prove of, and hence had many
enem.es and few warm personal friends,
Nevertheless the PROBABLE fatal outcome
of his shooting has created much SYM
pathy for HIM.
Senator Tillnan wired to-day for full
particulars of the affair. and it is re-
ported that ne may come to Columbuia.
1t is not known what action. if any. the
Senate will take tomorrow when it as
se,nblcs but II is intimated that inn
pea chment proceedings will be taken, all
though Tlllman has about a week yet
to serve as Lieutenant-Governor.
What His Companions Sny.
The two Senator'S with him at the time
of the shooting say that they had not the
least int,naation Of what had happened.
and IT all occurred SO unexpectedly that
thew can tell nothing about it, except that
Till.nan fired the shot
II is said that Tillman asked to be taken