The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-27
TILLNIN'S TRIALPOR MURDER.
CELEBRATED SOUTH CAROLINA
CASE BEGINS TOMORROW.


Surprises Expected--Tillman's Public ca.
reer-His Deception u the state Sen.
ate Disclosed by Man He killed--The
Major jenkins Sword Presentation.
COLUMBIA, 8. c., Sept. 2e.-After two
oontinuanccs and q change Of venue James
H. Tillman. son Of former Congressman
George D. Tillman and nephew OF United
States Senator Tillman, will be put on trial
in Lexington tomorrow for the murder
Of N. G. Gonzales, editor Of the State, the
chief newspaper Of middle and upper Caro-
lima At the time the editor was slain
Tillman was Lieutenant Governor Of the
State. having been elected for two years
in 1900. His term Of ONCE expired I'VE
days after tho tragedy. when Tllman was
in jail.
On the day Of the shooting. Jan. is last.
Mr.. Gonzales left his Office about o'clock
in the afternoon and was walking homo
to luncheon It was cold. He had on
an overcoat and carried his hands in tho
pockets, with tho thumbs on the outside.
customary position with him. AT the
same time the Lieutenant Governor. who
had just taken OF the flowing purple robes
worn by the Lieutenant Governor In South
Carolina, In his capacity as President Of
the Senate, left the State House with two
friends. Gonzales and the Tillman party
met just at the intersection Of the street
down which Mr.. Gonzales was about to
turn. When directly opposite him Tillman
extended his arm and fired, the bullet en-
tering one side and passing out OF tho
other.
At the application for bail, which was
refused, Tillman said that he had been
notified that Gonzales had made threats
against him, and that he saw the editor
thrust his hand down in his pocket. There
upon he shot. In an ante -mortem declara-
ton Gonzales said he had sent no message.
made no threat, was unarmed and expected
no trouble. Tillman used German maga-
zine pistol having great penetration. He
also had another revolver Of large calibre
in his pocket at the time.
Two men. one doorkeeper appointed
by Tillman and friend of tho doorkeeper
of the same class, confirmed Tillman's
story. He is contradicted by we'll known
woman Of this city, and neither Of the friends
with whom he was walking saw any hostile
movement. A building contractor and
several other persons known in this COM
munity, eye witnesses, contradict Tillman.
All the evidence on the subject is that Editor
Gonzales was not armed, and had not
carried pistol for many years.
It is the opinion Of good many people
that the intention Of Tillman was known
to several Of his intimate friends several
days In advance and Developments along
this line may cause sensations.
The published reports that Tillman and
Gonzales we're political rivals or had any
interest In common are without foundation.
Their spheres in life were wide apart They
never met socially. and had no mutual
friends. Tillman's nearest approach to
obtaining q social foothold was when.
through the political influence Of his uncle,
he was appointed Lieutenant colonel Of q
regiment organized for the Spanish war.
colonel. He was known a. patron Of
cock-fghting, taking prominent part In
the mains, and was an intimate In gamb-
ling circles, where he was lucky.
There were hundreds Of stories, most OF
them substantiated, told about Tillman's
career in the army and his home life that
have never Appeared In print. In fact,
despite the many published statements
to the contrary, he was never attacked
4in his private relations" But These things
being "in the air and talked about by all
men, when the name OF Tillman was pro-
posed as member OF the South Carolina
In lon thnk ~
state Ball" each year, the proposer with.
drew it on assurances that Tfllman would
be blackballed. Tillman credited this to
Gonzales, he and his brother being menu
bers Of that society.
When Tillman ran for Lieutenant-G Gov
emor In 1900 there was q very absorbing
contest in the gubernatorial race, and as
several well known men were making the
race against Tillman his election was
considered such a remote possibility that
no attention was paid to him. No fight
was made. The country people know
nothing of the charges against him. Being
good speaker and possessed Of accurate
knowledge Of the prejudices Of the people
in different sections, he won easily.
During the session Of the Legislature
fourteen months ago, T;llrnan announced his
intention Of being candidate for Governor
in the primaries during the approaching
summer. About the same time he made
a ruling on parliamentary question in the
Senate. That body questioned its correct
ness, and the Committee on Rules WAS in
structed to investigate and report. This
committee reported adversely to the pre-
siding officer. Tillman made speech.
which he had printed in the Journal. in
which he said he bowed to the ruling. but
knew he was right; that he had telegraphed
to the two leading psrliamentarians In the
country and had been sustained by them.
To newspaper men the Lieutenant Governor
said Speaker Henderson and President Frye
OF the Senate had fully Endorsed his ruling.
Asked for their kilograms, ne said they
were locked up In his room.