The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-01-23

WIN as HiSn1 operator Tor the Attain
tic and Gulf Railroad, now part OF
the Atlantic Coast Line, at Savannah,
from which point he was transferred
a year later to the post of operator
and railroad clerk at Valdosta, Ga,
He left that place in June, 1880, on
invitation of A. b. Williams, whom
he had met in the campaign of 1876,
and who had then just assumed
charge OF the Greenville Daily News,
to serve as local reporter for that
paper. August ). 1880, he began his
service with the News and Courier as
its regular correspondent in Column
bia, and continued in that position
until October, 1881, when he was
sent to Washington to act as it's
special correspondent in the exciting
year following the death of President
Garfield, He reported the Guitsau
trial and execution and the long ses-
sion of the 4Ith Congress for the News
and Courier. In August, 1882 he
was transferred to Charleeton and
placed on the editorial staff of the
News and Courier. After a few
months he was again sent to Co!um-
bia and took charge of the News and
Courier Bureau, and continued in
charge of it's news and business de-
partments until the election Of Ben
jamin r. Tillman as Governor in
1890, when he resigned his position
on the News and Courier. 1t was
his intention to leave South Carolina
and seek a newspaper opening in the
Hawaiian Islands, but he was urged
to remain and became editor of q
daily newspaper in Columbia, repre-
senting the views Of the opponents of
Governor Tillman. With his brother,
Ambrose f.. Gonzales, he secured the
capital necessary to start The State,
of which paper he was elected editor
and manager. He purchased the
plant, selected the force, organized
the office and the publication of The
State was begun February is, 1891.
His supervision of the business de
partment of tho paper lasted two
years. His control Of the editorial
policy Of the paper has continued since
its organization twelve years ago.
Mr.. Gonzales was so much interest
ed in the cause Of Cuban independ.
euce that, soon after the beginning
Of the revolution Of 1895, he offered
his services to the insurgents in the
field, but they were declined on the
ground that he could be Of greater
aid to the cause in his editorial posi-
ton. Before the breaking out of the
war between the United States and
Spain he sought the means of taking
part in it on Cuban soil, but being
disappointed in other plans for get
ting to the front he went to Tampa
few days after war was declared and
was there appointed first lieutenant
on the staff of Gen. Emilio Nunez, of
the Cuban army, then preparing an
expedition for the relief of Gen. Max
imo Gomez. This expedition was de-
layed in its departure, but reached
Cuba the latter part of June and,
after being repulsed at two points by
the Spaniards, disembarked July 3,
ut Palo Alto, on the south coast OF
Cuba. The point at which the expe-
dition disembarksd was within easy
striking distance of the central trocha
and on July 4th Gen. Gomez was
found and relieved. After six weeks
Of extreme hardship and pryation
during which he participated in one
fight, an attack on the fortified town
of Moron. Mr.. Gonzales, learning
on August 18th that the war was
over, obtained his discharge and EN-.
barked for home, reaching Key West
after various adventures, September
l, 1898, and resumed his place as edi.
tor of The Columbia State, which
place he continued to fill to the time
of his assassination.
Mr.. Gonzales was married to Miss
Lucy BarronS of Manning, S. c., No
vember II, 1901.