Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-02-18
he had the conversation. He took it to
be N. G.. Gonzales.
Tillman's AFFIDAVIT.

he had the conversation. He took it to
be N. G.. Gonzales.
Yllman's AFFIDAVIT.
Before me personally appeared Jas.
H. Tillman, who, being duly sworn,
says: That his statement herein made,
so far as he Is informed and believes
it is proper to make at this time, is
as follows: That for more than year,
and possibly longer, N. G. Gonzales
has villifled deponent, pursuing him
unrelentingly with malice and venom,
which deponent believes was never
equalled in the history Of the state,
charging him with being liar. black
guard, rogue, debauchee and villain
and such other epithets. Every act Of
deponent has been distorted and dis
colored by the hate and venom Of Con-
zales. Thought that, though innocent,
he was called upon; to endure these, in
asmuch as deponent. was public Of
ficer. That he bore all this with pa
tience, although his private life here
tofore considered sacred was invaded,
discussed and held up to public derts-
ion. That deponent had been inform
ed that during the campaign there was
q rumor that Gonzales had said II Till
man had said the same things in CO.
lumbia that he said elsewhere there
one would die. Deponent was repeat
edly urged and warned to look out for
his safety while In Columbia by vari-
ous parties. Deponent was Informed
that Gonzales came to the state house
and inquired for deponent, and said
that he had made deponent show the
white feather on several occasions, and
intended to make him do 1t again.
That deponent verify believed that N.
G.. Gonzales at that time was armed.
Deponent was still anxious to avoid an
alteration II 1t could be done honor
ably. Inasmuch as deponent was
about to retire from the Office, he was
removing his personal belongings from
the state house to his room in the ho-
tel, and among other things 1t became
necessary to remove two pistols, one
the property Of deponent, the other
left in the room by someone not known,
but presumably some friend. While
carrying these weapons to his room,
while upon Main street, he observed
N. G.. Gonzales coming directly to-
wards him, glaring at deponent and
with his hands In his overcoat pockets.
Suddenly he pushed his hand into his
pocket on the right side and turned
toward deponent. Said Gonzales was
all the time glaring straight at depo-
nent. Believing his life in danger,
deponent hurriedly said, II got your
message" and fred. Deponent be-
lieved then and believes now that Con
zales was armed and intended to Kill
him. That he was desirous Of avoiding
a difficulty with Mr.. Gonzales II he
could. When Gonzales cut across was
the time deponent saw him thrust his
hand in his pocket. That deponent
when he left the state house didn't
know he was going to meet Gonzales
on the street. Deponent believes Con-
zales was about to draw pistol upon
him and therefore he fired upon him.
Deponent fired to save himself, believ-
ing his life was in danger.
J. w. DeVore and T.. n. Rainsford,
members Of the house from Edgefield
county, made affidavit that they know
that Capt. ]. A. White is a man Of ur-
impeachable character and an old Con.
federate soldier.
Solicitor Thurmond, at the conclu-
sion of the reading of the affidavits,
renewed his motion that the hearing
be postponed. saying that 1t was very
important that the prosecution have a
chance to reply to the affidavits; that
such had been the custom.
Mr.. Nelson in reply stated that dur
ing his career as solicitor he had never
had a demand for affidavits for an op-
ponent granted. The state had made
its showing at the coroner's inquest.
The only other matter that the state
might wish to reply to was the state
ment of Holtzenbach.
Mr.. Croft said that to allow the state
further time would amount to nothing
save to secure cumulative evidence and
cumulative testimony. II in view OF
the testimony presented here today the
court considered that there was legal
doubt that Tillman was guilty OF mur-
der then the defendant had right un-
der the constitution. to demand his
freedom. The matter was argued at
some length. r."
The court sustained Solicitor Thur
mond's motion and adjourned the
hearing until Thursday next, at which
time it will be continued In the court
house in Columbia The order was
to the effect that the defence should
submit it's affidavits to the prosecution,
and should the prosecution have fur
ther affldavits that they be submit
ted to the defence, and both be given
time for reply.
Mr.. Tillman was represented by
Messrs Buchanan, Croft, nelson,
Robert, Elliott and Blease; the prose-
cution by Solicitor Thurmond and
Judge Crawford.