Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
FEUD ENDS IN A TRAGEDY
Lieutenant Governor Tlllman Shoots Ed
itor Gonzales on Street.
Widest EXCITEMENT IN COLUMBIA
wounded Man Is said to BE on the
Verge of Death and His Friends
~ Threaten to Mete out venge-
10. uce Upon His slayer.

COLUM. Jan. 15.-In the shadow
Of the South, statehouee the lieu
tenant governos imes H. Tillmsn. this
afternoon shot and probably mortally
wounded Narcisso Gonzales, founder and
editor of the Columbia State, a newspaper
which has since its inception bitterly op-
POSED the Tillman faction in South Caro-
lima politics.
The two men have been sworn enemies
for some years and Tillman's animosity
was accentuated by Gonzales pronounced
editorial opposition to him as a candidate
for the nomination during last falls pri-
mary. In that connection Gonzales made
an editorial reference to Tfllman as liar,
scoundrel and a debauchee. A challenge
to duel followed, but Gonzales ignored it.
Pistols TO settle Fued.
1t is rumored that the immediate cause
OF the attack was a message sent yester-
day by Gonzales to Tillman. Last night at
the Columbia hotel Lieutenant Governor
Tillman said to a group of his friends:
Gonzales has sent me word that when
we meet again we shall settle our difn-
cultes with pistols"
Gonzales friends deny that he sent
message Of any character to Tillman. State
ments of eyewitnesses to the tragedy are
somewhat conflicting and IT cannot be
stated positively whether or not any words
passed between the men before the shot
was fred
The condition of the wounded man late
tonight was regarded by the surgeons as
critical. Tillman was arrested and is con-
fined in the county Jail pending the out
come The affair caused great excitement
in the city, which is filled with politicians
who are here to participate in the inaugu
ration Of the new state governor. Lieu
tenant Governor Tillman's term will ex-
pire within few days.
Editor Gonzales was on his way home to
dinner from his office when he met Mr..
Tillman. Mr.. Tillman was accompanied
by two state senators.
1t is said not a word was spoken as the
editor and the lieutenant governor met face
to face. Tillman instantly drew a revolver.
1t is said by eye witnesses, and, placing 1t
close to the body OF Gonzales, fired without
word being spoken.
Gonzales staggered and then, catching
his balance, turned toward the man who
had shot him. Tillman had the smoking
revolver in his hand with the muzzle point
ing at the wounded man.
Coward" shouted Gonzales, as he was
caught by parties who had rushed to his
assistance.
Lieutenant Governor Tillman was imme~
diately placed under arrest and Mr.. Con"
GALES was hurriedly carried TO the office
Of the Columbia State, where medical aid
was summoned.
In the city the widest excitement pre-
vailed and thousands congregated at the
| scene of the shooting and at the news
paper Offices.
| Mr.. Gonzales at O'Clock was still in his
office. He is perfectly rational and de-
clares he has given no recent offense for
the shooting.
Wound is Very Serious.
Arrangements were then made to carry
him to the hospital, where the wound will
be probed. 1t is not known as yet whether
the bullet entered the intestines and the
abdominal cavity. From a hurried exam
ination, however, the wound is regarded
as very serious.
The bullet entered the right side and
came out on the left side, passing entirely
through the body.
Though desperately wounded, Gonzales
displayed wonderful nerve. When he
reached his office he inquired about some
business matters and declared he had been
shot without provocation. He has been
informed that the nature OF his wound Ia
very serious, but he is cheerful and en-
courages those about shim to hope for the
best. Tillman is under arrest. He declines
to make any statement at this time for
publication.
Physicians report that Gonzales wound
may prove fatal.
Trouble Brewing for Long Trial.
The i'll feeling between Lieutenant Gov,
been brewing for some time and followed
a severe denunciation of Tillman which
Gonzales made in the columns of his paper
and On the stump throughout the state.
The trouble between the two men, how
ever. grew out OF a fight between Senator
b. r. Tillman and Senator McLaurin on
the floor of the United States senate.
Major Micah jenkins, who had served
with Roosevelt's rough riders in Cuba and
who had won a record for bravery and
merit, was to have been presented with
sword by the people OF South Carolina IL
recognition Of his courage and and the
fame which he had won for his state IN
the Spanish war. The presentation was Il
have been made by Lieutenant Governor
elect Tillman, who today shot Gonzales.
When President Roosevelt withdrew hii
invitation to a state dinner In Washing
ton which he had sent to Senator Tillman
because the latter had assaulted Senator
McLaurin In the United States senate
Lieutenant Governor Tillman refused t
present the sword to Lieutenant Jenkins.
widest Excitement Prevails.
Mr.. Gonzales took up the matter through
the columns OF the Daily State and bitterl!
denounced Lieutenant Governor Tillman
He repeated the denunciations made previ
ously on many different occasions and evel
, dared Mr.. Tillman TO deny the charge
which he had made.
The charges Gonzales made were spreai
all over the south and made a deep sensa
tion, many uncomplimentary remarks be
ing made in the press Of the country be
J cause Tillman did not resent the charges
Both Gonzales and Tillman have hosts O
? friends and more trouble may follow to
days affair. Gonzales comes from a fam
lily noted in this section of the countr
for courage and nerve.
Gonzales himself went 10 Cuba befor
the Spanish-Amerioan war and enlisted a
a scout with General Gomez. doing notabl
,, work for the insurgent army. He is a
! able writer.
Surgeons performed an operation upo
T Gonzales at the city hospital late this even
Ing The operation was regarded as sue
] Ell M M In fttHg of q ha nh.