The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-16
EDITOR GONZALES SHOT
 BY LIEUT.. GOV. PULLMAN
Result of the Bitter Political Wars That Have Long Ragged in South Carolina Gonzales
 Desperately Wounded.

Lieutenant Governor TfTlman left the State house just after the Senate. over which he presided, had adjourned. He came out of the State House accompanied by Senator Talbird of Beaufort, and Senator Brown of Darlington. and he was joined on his way up town by Congress mah-elect Wyatt Aiken and former Rep resentative Dominick. The meeting with Gonzales was just at the turn of Main and Gervais Streets, on the north side of the street.
 There was no encounter, no fist fight ing, no laying on of hands Tiilman so far as the evidence disciosss. simply drew his revolver and fired at Gonzales. Most of those who saw the affair say there was nothing said until after the shot. One of Tiliman's escorts say she thinks Tiliman said: .T received your message" and then fred
 The other companion of Mir. TiIlman says he did not hear anything. but thinks he would have heard any words # they were spoken.
 Two or three others say they heard nothing until after the firing. of the pis- tol.
 Gonzales himself gave an explicit state- ment of the affair prior to being put un- der anaesthetics. He was very emphatic in saying that he had not sent any mes sage to Tillman at any time. and that fired. and then after the shot he said something about taking him (Gonzaios) at hls word.
 Dares Him to Shoot Again.
 Gonzales took this to mean that Tili- man told him that he was settling old is- sues face to face with him. Gonzales Is certain that nothing was said until after the shot was fired. when he tottered to the street car transfer station. against which he leaned. Tillman was 'ntili point ing his pistol at him. whereupon Con gales said: Shoot again. you coward
 Lieutenant Governor Tillman lowered his pistol and walked away. There was only one shot nred and that entered the right side between the eighth and ninth ribs and passed through the fore part of the body. coming out just above the free border of the ribs. The bullet was picked up on the pavement
 Gonzales and Tfllman have passed each other In full view since the opening of the present session of the Legislature on last Tuesday. but there has been no en- counter, no word passed and no recogni- ton of any kind before today.
 Throughout today's affair Lieutenant Governor Tilican was perfectly cool and collected. sober and urexcited so all ap- nearances. Mir. Gonzales was unarmed.
 In a few moments after the wounded man had been conveyed to the office of his newspaper half a dosen or more physicians were doing all they could to save his life 1t was promptly decided that the only hope was to perform an opera ton,
 Lieutenant Governor Tillman was asked for a statement but said he had been ad- vlsed by his counsel to say absolutely nothing and he followed their advice to the letter.
 Surgeons performed an operation upon Gonzales at the City Hospital late this afternoon. The operation was regarded as successful but the judgment of the physicians the wounded man has only one, chance in five to live. His constitu- ton and habits of life are stated to be greatly in. his favor.
 The wound is an ugly one, the liver and intestines being punctured-
 Gonzales is of Spanish extraction, being the son of Ambrose Jose Gonzales. who with Narcisso Lopez began the struggle for Cuban independence in is4s. He IS now IS years old. He himself served in the ranks of the Cuban insurgents In 1895. He organized The Columbia State newspaper in 1891, and has been always a bitter opponent of the Tfllman faction in South Carolina politics.