Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-01
T|LLMAN HAD PISTOL
]. W. King Testifies in Con-
zales Murder Trial.
READING OFEDITORIALS
IN WHICH THE DEFENDANT WAS
SEVERELY CRITICISED.
The Micah Jenkins Sword Presentation
Incident Recalled by
One Of These.


King. a member of the legislature from
ness called by the state today when the
trial of ]. H. Tillman was resumed. In an
swer to questions by Solicitor Thurmond
the witness said: ION the day before the
shooting l saw a pistol in Mr.. Tillman's
pocket" Mr.. Tillman, he said, was in the
lobby of a hotel at the time, talking to some
friends
On cross-examination he said he was
aware Of unfriendly relations between the
defendant and Editor Gonzales.
The reading Of editorials Of the State re-
lating to the defendant was then begun.
W. A. Elliott, jr., one Of the attorneys
assisting the solicitor, had before him the
files of the State, from which he read
editorials covering the period from March
/, 1902, to December 81, 1862. These edi-
torials attacked Tillman severely. At the
end Of the first hour the papers for the
first month had not been read.
During the reading counsel for the de-
PENDANT suggested that the editorials other
than those relating to the defendant be
read. The court held that inasmuch as the
files had been introduced by the state the
state could have read so much as it de-
sired.
The Micah Jenkins Incident.
Among the editorials which have been
AOau " eAAO July d lluIuUeT are CT1tlClS1nS
of the defendants action in telegraphing
the President in connection with the Micah
Jenkins sword fund incident, while others
were written in opposition to Mr.. Tillman's
prospective candidacy for governor.
A short recess was taken at IL 10 am.
Inc reading continued uninterruptedly ex-
cept during the brief recess which was
taken. The defense up to noon had offered
no objection to the reading Of any of the
editorials. Counsel for the defense have an
index to all the editorial in the files having
read the files through in advance, that OBJ
jections may be offered to such as they
might desire not to have read
Inc crowd OF spectators grows less each
day AT the beginning Of the reading the
solicitor hoped to be able to have it con-
dinner.
Dying Statement Admitted.
1t was not until four minutes Of the hour
ior the midday recess-1:3O pm. yesterday
that the arguments were concluded and
ruling made by the court regarding the adj
mission of the statements of the murdered
man to ]. A. Hoyt Judge Gary decided
that the statement which Mr.. Hoyt said
Gonzales made to him was admissible hold
Ing that all the requirements Of law rela-
tive to the admission of dying declaration
had been met. The defense then objected
to the Introduction of a verbal statement
If there were any written statements by
Gonzales. When court reconvened at 3
pm Mr.. Hoyt proceeded to give the state
ment. Mr.. Hoyt then said Mr.. Gonzales
made the following statement to him:
He said that he had left the State Office
to go to dinner; he was walking along Main
street toward the state capitol. and had got
nearly to the city railway transfer station
when he saw Jim Tillman coming from the
capitol With two men, whom he didn't rec
ognfze; he said there were several people
standing around the corner, and that he
saw II he kept on his course along the edge
of the pavement he would brush against
these men. and, to avoid them. he cut dag
onally across the pavement toward the cor
ner Of the transfer station, and as he was
going across he saw Tillman pull big pis-
tol and shoot.
He said that he turned and faced him,
and exclaimed. Shoot again. you coward.
You have killed me- He looked Tilman
in the face. and Tillman held the pistol to-
ward him. but did not shoot; ne said that
then some gentlemen ran up and helped
him. He said that he shot-just about
the time Tillman shot-that he (Tillman)
exclaimed. I have done what you said or
I have taken you at your word or some
thing like that
The statement, he said was made about
half an hour after the shooting. Mr. Hoyt
was questioned on cross -exa mination BY
Mr.. Nelson as to his feelings toward the
defendant.