Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-10-15
ALL CARRY GUNS
At T|LLMAN TRIAL
Practically Every One Connected
With Either Side is Armed.
FEAR TRAGEDIES WILL FOLLOW
Impeachment of witnesses and Re-
Elections on Character Sure to
Bear Fruft-Testim0ny All In
-Arguments Begin To-Day.

witness supported republican candi-
date for the house of representatives
is a reflection upon his character, ac-
cording to a ruling of Judge Gary in
the trial of James H. Tillman for the
murder of N. G. Gonzales, editor of the
Columbia State
The prosecution continued placing
witnesses in rebuttal on the stand, CIV
ing particular attention to impeaching
the testimony of Richard Holzenback
and T. D. Mitchell, who testified for
the defense.
John D. Livingston, formerly county
treasurer for Orangeburg county, de-
clared he knew T. d. Mitchell and
would not believe him on oath. P. II.
Nelson and Judge Croft, for the de-
fense, undertook to show that Mr.. Liv-
ingston supported the republican con-
gressional candidate in the last elec-
tion.
81 object to that line Of questioning"
interrupted Col Bellinger, for the pros
ecution.
Politics and Character.
1--WE have had religious views, fac
tional politics and other extraneous
matter injected into this case, and
submit that the political views of this
candidate can have no possible bear
ing on the case on trial"
"Under the peculiar conditions down
here" Judge Gary said in overruling
Col. Bellingers' motion, Il think it
does affect mans character, and
hold the question is competent and
shall admit it.
The witness replied that he had sup
ported the republican congressional
candidate in his district. This was evi-
IDENTIFY considered sufficient by the de-
fense to offset his testimony as to the
truth and veracity of Mitchell, as no
further questions were asked him.
Some Carry Two Pistols.
Practically every one here connected
with either side of the case is armed.
Some of the men carry two pistols,
while others are content with but one.
These guns are of large caliber, and
make the witnesses look as If they
had an umbrella under their coats.
bOtH lu0 SIdtS anu tHC dClChSV "a
nress .a.v.1.zo1,-- heing well Satis-
- witis the cases thay have made
out. Tiliman's lawyers are very con-
fident, asserting that mistrial is the
worst they can get on the showing be-
fore the jury They look for a prompt
acquittal.
Chief of Police Testifies.
Chief of Police August Fischer, of
Orangeburg, declared T. D. Mitchell's
reputation for truth and veraeity was
bad and that he would not believe him
under oath. Mr.. Mitchell is the defense
witness who testified that although he
did not know Mr.. Gonzales very well,
he forced him into conversation in
which he asked him if he did not think
it was time he ''let up on old JIM"
meaning Tillman. According to Mitch
ell, Mr.. Gonzales replied he was going
to flight Tillman as long as he offers
himself for public office"
He also testified that Mr.. Gonzales
said: "If he (Tillman) ever bats an
eve at me I'll fill him SO full of lead
he won't be able to tote it off,
Feared Tragedy Would Follow.
After Chief of Police Fischer had
left the witness stand, and as he was
standing outside the courthouse, T. d.
Mitchell and he engaged in an argu-
ment. Fischer, to avoid it, came into
the courtroom and said that he did not
want trouble with Mitchell, as it would
certainly result in his killing Mitchell
Lair u; I,xyh him
The prosecution announced that its
case was closed, and the defense i'm
mediately began putting witnesses on
the stand to prove the reliability OF
Holzenback and Mitchell.
Persons familiar with the methods
here profess to believe that several
shooting scrapes will undoubtedly re-
suit from the efforts to impeach the
integrity of witnesses. While it Is not
expected that trouble will occur in Lex
ington. it is stated that it undoubtedly
will as soon as the parties get to their
homes.
Neighbors of years have been called
on to swear that they would not be-
lieve one another under oath, and the
feeling on both sides is very bitter.
The defense completed its case Sat
urday afternoon, and the arguments
will begin to-day. 1t is expected these
will occupy all day and tomorrow, and
probably a portion of Wednesday. 1t
is expected the case will go to the
Jury on Wednesday afternoon or night.
Under the constitution of the state
court must adjourn on Sunday. Un-
less the case is finished and the YER
dict reached by that time Judge Gary
hs,f TO ro