The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-01-21
AN AWFUL TRAGEDY.

Gonzales, editor of The State, was
shot down on the streets Of Columbia
by Lieut.-Gov. j. II. Tillman and
death resulted at noon Monday. All
Of the facts that have come to light
up to this time stamp the attack by
Tillman as being little, if anything,
short of an assassination. Briefly
stated they are as follows:
Tillman had just left the State
House, where he had presided over
the proceedings Of the Senate. lie
was accompanied by Senator'S Talbid,
Of Beaufort, and Brown, Of Darling
ton, and shortly joined by Congress
man-clcct Wyatt Aiken and Itcprcicn-
tativc Dominick. AS they crossed
Gervais street, which intcrsects Main
street Immediately in front OF the
State House grounds, Mr.. Gonzales
was coming down Main street aud the
meeting took place at the corner,
where is situated the street car trans
fer station. Without a word Of warn
ing Tillman drew his pistol and fred.
Not one Of those with him had time
to stay his hand, and the murderous
bullet sped on it's deadly mission. 1t
penetrated Gonzales right side, just
in front Of the vest pocket, passed
entirely through him, coming out q
little below and just back of his vest
pocket. The intestines were perfora-
ted in four places and the liver was
pierced. Gonzales staggered against
the transfer Office for support, and, as
he did SO, Tillman again presented
his pistol but did not fire. Friends
carried Gonzales back to his off &C aud
members of his family were sent for.
lie was soon moved to the hospital.
Tillman walked out into the middle Of
the street where he was arrested.
Two pistols were taken from him, one
o long range magazine pistol Of Ger
man make and q large Colts revolver.
He made no statement aud was taken
to Jail. Ono Of Lieut.-Gov. Tillman's
escorts thinks he heard Tillman say,
as he drew his pistol, Il received
your message" IIc is not positive.
Mr.. Gonzales made the statement
shortly after being shot that Tillman
gave him no warning, when he pre-
sented his pistol the second time II
said to him. Shoot again, you coward"
Mr.. Gonzales was unarmed.
Indignation over this foul deed fills
the entire country. 1t is Of no oon.
oeru whether the people agreed with
Mr.. Gonzales in political matters; it
amounts to nothing if there be many
who regarded him az being indise.ee.
and un%relenting in dedunciations Of
Tillman during the campaign last fall;
It matters not whether the dead editor
had sent Tillmau a message, (but few,
il any, believe he did); these things
cannot justify the deliberate, willful
shooting without warning. And every
man, woman and child Of discretion
and with O correct conception of jus
tice and right realize that the Lieuten-
ant-Governor of the State, the second
highest official of the commonwealth
has fastened q stain upon them tina,
will require years of commiseration tc
wipe out
N. G. Gonzales was q strong man
and an honest man. Right was hiE
governing principle, and he dared more
than other men to express his convio
tions Of right. If he was indiscreet
it was the result of over.zealousness fol
the general good. He understood The
high position he occupied as a watch
man on the tower for the people, ane
was fearless in the discharge of wha
he conceived to be Il duty. What h,
said Of Tlllman had for its object tn,
public good, and he stated only wha
he believed to be facts. Flo was will
ing to bear the consequences, but hi
high sense of honor never for a mo
ment allowed him to believe that h
could be shot down without warning
In this death South Carolina lose
her ablcst Journalistic man of bril-
liaccy and of the highest sense o
honor, a man Of convictions and total
ly fearless in expressing those convic
tions. His loss will be keenly fol,
The pride Of his life was to hold sh
honor of this commonwealth up
that high standard which in days gon
by made her famous among tho State.
and it was in this cause he lost hi
life.
A new weekly newspaper has bee
started 10 Greenwood, which gives the