The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-16
LIEUT.. GOV. TILLMAN
Shoots and Morally Wounds Editor
Gonzales at Columbia, sc.
SHOOTER WAS ARRESTED
The Tragedy Grew Out Of The Recent
Primary Election.
GONZALES WAS NOT ARMED
When Fired Upon, and Soon Afterward
Made Statement.
INTENSE EXCITEMENT PREVAILS
Tillnan lie at County Jail Under the Pro.
lection Of Officers ard Refuses to
Mako a Statement.

Columbia. g. c.. January 15.--Narciso
Gener Gonzales, editor OF the state, Is at
the Columbia hospital, in critical condi-
tIon from a pistol wound, indicted by
James H. Tillman, lieutenant governor Of
South Carolina, and a nephew Of Benja-
min X. Tillman
The shooting occurred on Main street,
at the intersection OF Gervsis street, In
fun view Of the State capitol, the most
frequented corner Of Columbia.
II was Just a few moments before .
o'clock when the cry was passed along
the streets that Jim Tllman had shot ~
G. Gonzales"
Immediately there was rush toward the
scene. The Offices OF the State are in the
same block as the scene of the shooting
and II took but few moments for e. great
thronE to assemble in front OF the news
paper building. The excitement and iudic-
nation on the streets were Intense.
Mr.. Gonzales was taken to the Office
Of the State, where physicians pronounced
his wound very dangerous and probably
fatal
Policeman Boland, immediately after tho
shooting, arrested Lieutenant Governor
Tillman and took him to police hesdauar-
tiers, where he was relieved Of two pistols
the one with which be shot Mr. Gonzales
and a second large revolver of 9s.calibre.
From the police station he was taken TO
the county Jail, where he is toni.ht under
protection of the officers. The only at
trlbuted cause for the shooting Is that dur
ing the recent primary election MIR. Con
zales bitterly opposed Lieutenant Governor
Tillman 10 his race for governor.
During the progress Of that campaign Mr.,
Gonzales In his ight to defeat Mr. Tlllman
had editorlaly called him debauchce
and blackguard. and had denounced him as
criminal candidate" and ''proveu liar
II was these editorial expressions, II Is
supposed that sosded Mr. Tiumnn to the
desperate deed a. today Since the hrst
primary. August 90. 1909 Mr.. Gonzales has
had nothing 10 say about Mr. Tfllman OK
cept to comment on the result OF the pri-
mary.
There appesrs to be no conflict or ties,
timony as to the essential features Of tho
tragedy. Mr.. Gonzales was walking homo
alone from his office TO his lunch.
Lieutenant Governor Tillman left tho
state house Just after the senate. over
which he presided, had adjourned He
came out Of the State house accompanied
by Senator Talhord Of Beaufort and Sen
ator Brown Of Darlington. aDd he was
Joined on his way M town by Congressman
elect Wyatt Aiken and former Representa-
tive Dominlck. The meeting with Con
zales was Just at the turn Of Main md
Gervais streets, on the north side of the
street There was no encounter. no est
sfslVN.
30 far ms the evidence discloses. simply
drew his revolver and Aired at Gonzales
Most Of those who saw the AFFAIR say there
was nothing said until after the shot One
Of rlllman's escorts says he then heard
Tillman say:
Il received yogS message. and then
Cred.
lie is not certain " this, BIZ thinks so.
The other companion Of Mr.. Tuman says
be lid not hear anything. but thinks he
would have heard any words IL they we're
spoken,
Two or three othe.s say they heard 10th
ing until after the arng Of the pistol
Gonzales himself gave an explicit state
ment Of the snnir. prior TO being put under
nneesthetics. He WIS very otrphatlc IN
saying that he had not sent any message
TO Tillman at any time, and that rillman
said nothing until after he had fred, and
then after the shot he said something about
taking him CGonzales) at his word
Gonzales took this To nisn that Tnlman
told him he was settling old issues face
TO face with him. Gonzales is certain that
nothing was said until after the shot was
hred, when he tottered TO tie street car
transfer station, against which he leaned,
| Tillman was still pointing his pistol at
| him. whereupon Gonzales said;
"shoot again. you coward"
Lieutenant Governor Tillman covered his
! pistol and walked away.
There was only one shot 6red, and that
entered the right side, between the eighth
! and ninth ribs, and passed through tie
! body, coming out lust above the free Dor
der OF the ribs. The bullet was picked
up on the pavement
! Gonzales and Tillman have passed each
!