The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-01-16
BULLET OF TlLLMAN
THREATENS THE LIFE OF EDITOR
N, G. GONZALES.
THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
SHOT DOWN HIS FOE ON A CoLUM-
RIA STREET.

South Carolina is Visited by n Ter
ribIe Tragedy-James III. Tfllman
Met Gonzales, Drew His Pistol
and Fired One ShOt-This Found
Its Mark, and Gonzales May Die.
called TiIIman Coward" and the
Latter Observation-Disclosures Caused
Enmity-TfIIman in Jail,
Columbia, S. c., Jan. 15-In the very
ebadoW of the South Carolina state
canitol Lieut.. Gov. James H. Tillman
This afternoon shot and possibly NOR
+aUv wounded Narcisso Gener Con
1aIes founder and editor of the Col
umbia State, a newspaper which since
,ts inception, has bitterly opposed the
Tilman faction in South Carolina pol
i-;cs The two men have been sworn
enemies for some years, and Till
mans animosity was accumulated by
Gonzales pronounced editorial opposi-
ton to him as candidate for the
Democratic nomination for Governor
during last falls primary.
The condition of the wounded man
late tonight was regarded by the sur
icons as critical. Tillman was arrest
Oh and is confined in the county Jail,
n4nding the outcome of Gonzales in
juries.
The affair caused great excitement in
the city, which is filled with politicians
who are here to participate in the in
auguration of the new state govern
ment. Some expressions of a desire
for summary vengeance were heard on
the streets after the shooting, but moth
ing of a serious character occurred.
Columbia, S. c., Jan. 15.-Mr. N G.
Gonzales, editor of the State, is at the
Columbia Hospital in a critical condi-
ton as a result of a serious pistol
wound inflicted by Mr.. James H. TILL
man. Lieutenant Governor of South
Carolina.
The shooting occurred on Main street,
just at the intersection of Gervais
street, in full view of the State Capt.
toll. 1t was an awful tragedy, in broad
daylight and upon the most frequented
street and corner in Columbia.
The bullet, which pierced through
one of the most distinguished editors
of the entire South, may end that
brilliant life, but if the best surgery,
the best of care and the most ardent
of prayers and wishes avail for aught,
that life ought to be saved.
1t was just a few moments before
2 o'clock when the cry was passed
along the streets that Jim Tillman
has shot N. G. Gonzales!" 1t was a
shocking and a startling announce
ment. 1t went like thrill through all
Columbia, and there was a rush to-
wards the scene of the tragedy to learn
the facts and the condition of the dis
tinguished editor.
TiIIman Was Arrested.
The office of the State is on the
same block as the scene of the shoot
ing and it took but a few minutes for
great throng to assemble in front
OF the newspaper. The excitement and
the indignation on the streets were in
tense. Policeman Boland, Immediate
Gov. Tillman and took him to police
headquarters, where he was relieved
OF two pistols-the one with which he
shot Editor Gonzales, and a second re-
Volver of 38-calibre.
From the police station Lieut. Gov.
Tillman was taken to the county Jail,
where he is tonight, in full protection
of the officers.
There was no conflict, and the only
attributed cause for the shooting by
Lieut.. Gov. Tfllman is that during the
recent primary election Editor Con-
zales opposed Lieut.. Gov. Tillman in
his race for Governor and in that edi-
torial opposition Mr.. Gonzales had
been severe.
During the progress of that cam
palgn, Editor Gonzales, in his fight to
defeat Mr.. Tillman, had editorially
called him debauche. 'blackguard,"
ana in fact denominated him as a
criminal candidate" and a proven
liar" 1t was this and other such ed
Horial expressions, it is supposed, that
goaded Mr.. Tillman to the desperate
deed of to-day. This was in August,
last, and since the first primary on
aug. &c, 1902, Editor Gonzales has
mad nothing to say about Mr.. Tillman,
except to comment on the result of the
primary.
How 1t Was Enacted.
There appears to be no conflict of
testimony as to the essential features
VI The tragedy. Mr.. n. G. Gonzales
was going home alone from his office
~ MS lunch. To go home he had to go
tto"n Main street to Gervais, and then
urn east and go down that street.
"aI' Gonzales was as usual walking.
Lieut.. Gov. Tillman left the State
mouse just after adjourning. He had
presided at the Senate's session and re-
manned around the Senate chamber for
a while. AS he came out of the State
Iouse he was accompanied by SEN
T.or Ialbird of Beaufort and Senator
D5oWn OF Darlington, and he was join
81 on his way up town by Congress-
Nldh-elect Wyatt Aiken and ex-Repre-
sentative Dominick.
me meeting was just at the turn
VI Main and Gervais streets, on the
.oIth side of the street, just at the
street car transfer station. There was
t 40 encounter, no fist fighting, no lay
as On or hands. Lieut.. Gov. Tillnan,
r ne testimony now all seems to be, SIM
py urew his revolver and fired into
H0itor Gonzales.
doSt or those who saw the affair
"a Lnere was nothing said until after
9Hot. One of Lieut.. Gov Tillman's