The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-07

Of his case has otherwise been admira
BILE, and the incident today came with
a decided shock to many of the spec
tators
But to return to the trial proper
most of the morning was devoted to
witnesses whose testimony went to
show that Mr.. Gonzales was not arm
ed at the time of the encounter with
Mr.. Tillman. The coat he wore was
accounted for. More than one gentle
man swore that there was no pistol IN
it or in the possession of the wounded
man. And when the State had estab-
lished this fact to it's own satisfaction
it began the introduction OF its evl-
dence of threats made against Mr..
Gonzales by Mr.. Tillman. Stress was
given to this point from two chan
nels: Mr.. c.. j. Terrell, editor of the
Johnston Monitor, was one Of them
and DR.. E. L. Adams was the other.
Mr.. Terrell disclaimed any personal
animus toward the prisoner and DIR.
Adams spoke Of him in the most
afectionate and admiring terms. 1t
was this latter fact doubtless which
rendered the evidence given by DR..
Adams the more significant.
Without seeking to reproduce the
exact words of either witness (for
they are given elsewherel I merely
record here my own impression of
them. Mr.. Terrell talked with Mr..
Tillman at EdgeGeld some time last
spring. He told him he was going to
be candidate for Governor and he
told him, too, that he was going down
to Columbia and kill Mr.. Gonzales.
Mr.. Terrell demonstrated, suggested
rather that he should fght him.
Mr.. Tillman replied that he would
shoot him down like mad dog with
out giving him show.
At another time he heard Mr.. Till
gnan try to send a thraet against his
life to Mr.. Gonzales by Mr.. E. J. Wat
son of Tthe State. Mr. Watson re-
fused to take the message.
Dr.. Adams had told Mr.. Tillman
his supporters expected him to fight
Mr.. Gonzales.
lMr. Tillman had replied that they
need not bother, for he was going to
snuff his life out with this, drawing
a pistol. =,
Later he had been in room with
Mr.. Tillman in Columbia, when some
one came in and read an extract from
the State. The paper spoke of Mr..
Tillman's conduct as 'mock theatri-
cals,'' and Mr.. Tillman replied that
Mr. Gonzales might call it that if he
wished, bnt he would "make it the
God damndest tragedy that ever hap
pened in South Carolina.
tt was not so much the words OF
DR.. Adams as it was his tone and man
ner that impressed. There could be no
doubt of his sincerity; no doubt of his
kindly disposition towards the accused
and no doubt tina the was reproducing
mental picture Of scene he had
acually witnessed. If Mr.. Tillman
were merely on trial for making
threats, the testimony of DR.. Adams
would convict in the minds of ninety
nine jurors. out of a hundred. There
was no escape from the conviction
that what ne told happened. word for
word, tone for tone manner for man
ner, just as he told it.
EYE-WITNESSES TESTIFY.
The afternoon session Of the court
was devoted to the 'seye-witnesses. :"
It was this evidence that brought the
States case to the verge OF its climax.
A number Of them went on tie stand
to-day. More of them will doubtless
follow tomorrow, they we're testify
ing when the court adjourned.
For my purpose extended comnent
upon the words of but one is necessary.
This was. Senator Talbird, Of Beau
fort. Senator Talbird was ones Of the
two men who walked down to the
tragedy from the State House with Mr..
Tillman. ~
This isShe substance Of Che story he
told: Brown, Tillman and himself
reached Main street in Columbia. He
was on the outside, Tillman was in the
centre, Brown was next the wall.
Gonzales approached. walking in the
opposite direction to themselves. He
was towards the outer edge of the
pavement.
When he had drawn close to them
Mr.. Tillamn said: "Good morning,
Mr.. Gonzales. - Mr.. Gonzales did not
reply, but walked diagonally towards
the wall to pass them. Then the
tragedy took place. Senator Talbird
was conscious something was happen
ing. Turning. he saw Mr.. Tillnaan in
the act of firing, heard report and
heard him say. 81 got your mes
sage" AL of this at glance and
practically simultaneously. He threw
up his hands and said, "This thing
must stop,'' and a moment later went
towards Mr.. Gonzales. Mr.. Tliman,
still holding the pistol in his hand.
moved off. Mr.. Gonzales addressed
Mr.. Tillman, saying: "Here am,
finish it!' The rest is detail. But
detail sometimes is all important.
It is in a detail that Senator Tai
birds testimony is most significant.
Here it is: When he turned and saw
the pistol in Mr.. Tillman's hand, saw
him in the act of firing it, he saw it
across his back, not across his breast.
Reason that out for yourself. The
three men, Brown, Tillman and Tai
bird, walked abreast. Mr.. Gonzales
was to pass them or proceed to their
roor IF Ti11mon paree6 avan for an