The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-01-22
EDITOR SHOT DOWN
A Day Of Excitement in Capital
City Of South Carolina.
TlLLMAN SHOOTS GONZALES
Editor Of the State Is Finally Called
to Time for Many Cenunciatory
Articles Published In
His Paper.

A Columbia, >. u, Speclal Says. AS'
Gonzales, editor of The State, is at
the Columbia hospital in critical con-
dition as a result of serious pistol
wound inflicted by James H. Tillman'
lieutenant governor Of South Carolina.
The shooting occurred on Main
street, just as the intersection OF Ger
vais street, in full view Of the state
capitol. It was an awful tragedy In
broad daylight, and upon the most fre'
ouented street and corner In Columbia.
1t was just few moments before q
o'clock when the cry was passed along
the street that Jim Tillman had shot
N. G. Gonzales"
Editor Gonzales was en- route nome
! to dinner from his Office when he was
met by Mr.. Tillman. Tillman was &C.
companied by two state senators.
1t is said that not word was spoken
as the editor and lieutenant governor
met face to face. Tillman instantly
drew a revolver, it is said, by eye wit
nesses, and placing it close to the body
of Gonzales, fred, without word be-
ing spoken.
Gonzales staggered and then catch-
ing his balance, turned towards the
man who had shot him, shouted the
one word "Coward!" as he was caught
by parties who had rushed to his as
sistance.
The office of The State is on the
same block as the scene Of the shoot
ing. and 1t took but few moments Tor
a great throng to assemble in front or
the newspaper. The excitement and
the indignation on the streets was in
tense. Immediately after the shoot
ing Lieutenant Governor Tillman was
arrested and taken to police headquar'
ters.
Oriqin Of the Trouble.
The trouble between Lieutenant
Governor James H. Tillman and Editor
Gonzales has been brewing for some
length of time, anG followed severe
denunciation of Tillman, which Con
zales made in the columns Of his paper
and on the stump throughout the state.
1t had it's inception directly In the
fight between Senator Ben Tillman
and Senator McLaurin, which occurred
in the United States senate.
Major Micah Jenkins, who had serV-
ed with Roosevelt's Rough Riders in
Cuba, and who had won for himself
record for bravery and merit. was. to
have been presented with a sword by
the people of South Carolina, in recog-
milton Of his courage and the fame
which he had won for his naive state
in the Spanish-American war. The
presentation was to have been made
by Lieutenant Governor Tillman.
When President Roosevelt withdrew
his invitation to a state dinner, which
he had sent to Senator Tillman be-
cause of the fight the latter had in the
United States senate, Lieutenant
Governor Tillman in retaliation for
this act toward his uncle refused to
present the sword to Jenkins.
Gonzales took up the matter through
the columns of his paper, and bitterly
denounced Lieutenant Governor Till
man, calling him liar and scoundrel.
He repeated the accusation on many
different occasions, and even dared
young Ti1lman to deny the charges
which he had made.
The charges which Gonzales made
against young Tillman were wired all
over the country and made deep SEN
sation, many uncomplimentary re-
marks being made in the press Of the
United States because 1illman did not
resent the charges made by Gonzales.
The feeling between the two men
was very deep and bitter, and a4-nough
the men had never before had person
al blows, trouble was expected when
they should meet, and the friends Of
the two men have been on the look
out for just such an encounter as hap
pened Thursday.