The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-10
EXPECTING FLASH
OF PISTOL | FIRED
[iIIman Calmly Rehearses
Details of the Tragedy.
HIS REMARKABLE NERVE
He Cortc's Some Statsm .nts Made by Wines,
es, but Manifesty With No Idea Of
Max NJ the Case Better for
Hims4lf.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press)
Lexington, S. c.. Oct. 9.-James II.
Tillman was on the stand today over four
hours, witness in his own behalf. For
one full hour he was subjected to the
fire of cross examination by counsel for
the State. But one other witness was
placed on the stand by the defense, after
which the @efense rested. Witnesses in
State were heard during the closing
hours. Splendid progress was made today
toward the conclusion of the trial which
already has consumed nearly two weeks.
The defendant resuming his testimony
today was asked OF the impression made
upon him as to Mr.. Gonzales feeling to-
ward him by the editorials, number
being Indicated by title. Replying he
said, that they impressed hlm as intensely
bitter. He said he did not make threats
in Edgefield or on train.
The defendant was asked with refer
ence to statements attributed to nin
while engaged in conversation IN his
rccm in a hotel in Columbia on August
20 or q of last year. He said:
The conversation DR.. Adams refer red
to took place when a number OF my
friends were in The room and it YVES a
running, general conversation. Some times
| would be talking to one and then an
other, some times three or four would
be- talking to NE. Somebody came in the
room and told me about some new ru-
NOR concerning what Mr.. Gonzales would
do to me and made the remark that ii
ne attempted to do that, l don't think
said as DR.. Adams has said snuff lis
light out but - him, | would xii
him., / think.
He said further: Il had been told il
different places in South Carolina that
Mr.. Gonzales had stated shat l dared not
GENE to Columbia and say about him
there what l had said Oil other stumpS
in the campaign"
He said the different statements were
made in connection with rumors Of threats
reported to him.
The defendant said further that it had
been reported that the opera house in
Columbia where a campaign meeting was
to be held was to be packed and that he
was rot to be let out alive. and stated
that lie said if that rumored threat was
carried out sit would be one of -----
tragedies in South Carolina"
Answering counsel he said he had sent
word to Mr.. Gonzales to attend thaAmeet-
ing at Columbia and make his &lrges.
He said he did not feel safe to go I'M
armed while in Columbia He said he did
not have pistol in his hip pocket prior
to the day of the shooting, as testified to
by two Columbia boys, but said he did
Il. I
where it was carried at that time.
Mr.. Tillman exhibited the automatic
pistol to the jury, saying that because
of its peculiar shape it could not be car
ried in hip pocket. He added that it
was a bottle he had in his hip pocket at
the State House.
Mr.. Tillman put on the overcoat which
he said he wore on the day OF the shoot
ing and stood before the jury, showing
that it had no side pockets. Placing his
right hand in rear pocket he said that
was where he drew the pistol from He
said he reached bac kthere and cooked it
when he saw Gonzales
After detailing his movements about the
State House after the adjournment of the
Senate on September 10. the defendant
bird and Brown he started down town
Just before l got to the transfer |
noticed Mr.. Gonzales some distance down
the street looking at me intently," said
the defendant. Il never took my eyes off
of him, nor did he take his eyes off of
me.
At this point in the witness narrative
blue print of the scene of the shooting
was produced which was held before the
jury by counsel, while the defendant IN
dicated positions as he proceeded with his
statement, saying:
Mr.. Gonzales got about along there
(indicating). he was coming down tin;
street next to the curbstone. We three
were walking about i'll the middle of the
sidewalk, as near as / can recollect it..
Just before Mr. Gonzales got to me he
cut across toward me-
Answering counsel he said Mr.. TalbiId
was on the outside and that there was
room enough for Mr.. Gonzales to have
passed between Senator Talbird and the
curb.
The witness was asked to state what
Gonzales did and what appearance he had
When he started to cut across the
pavement toward me- was the reply.
his overcoat was tightly buttoned up
and both his hands were thrust in his
oyercoat pocket. The thumbs OF both OF
his hands were, outside of his overcoat
pocket until he started to cut across the
sidewalk coming directly toward me, aud
then the thumb of the right hand dis
appeared in his pocket, and it happened
almost directly in three or four seconds
after that | was expecting him to shoot
and l said 1 got your message, ard
fred
The defendant stated that when he said
message he had in mind what was re
ported by Captain White and Mr. Hols-
onback Answering counsel he said be
did not fire second shot, because Mr..
l