The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-16
POLITICAL FEUO
ENDS IN SHOOTING.
Lieut.. Gov. Tillman of South Caro-
lima Sends Sends Bullet Through
Body of Editor Gonzales.

Columbia, s. c., Jan. 1s.-In the shadow
- the state capital yesterday afternoon
C0l. James H. Tillman. lieutenant gov
ernor OF the state, shot and dangerously
wounded Mr.. n. q. Gonzales, editor OF
the State.
The victim was on his way home when
the afYray happened He saw Tillman
and a party OF politicians coming down
the street and stepped across the street
60 avoid them
Before those around were aware OF any
movement on Tillman's part. the latter
drew n magazine revolver and fired at
Mr.. Gonzales body The ball entered
the right side below the nipple. and
ranged across the body and downward,
coming out through the watch pocket on
the left side. When he fired. Tilman OK
claimed IL took you at your word" Mr.
Gonzales staggered 10 a doorway and. a.
Tllmsn pointed tho revolver I'm his face
the stricken man dehsntly said: Shoot
again. you dirty coward
Tillman wGs Immediately arrested by
the police. He had Colt revolver In
addition to the magazine pistol. Mr..
Gonzales was taken Ia the office of the
State, q few doors away. and coolly and
stances. Col Tillman declined To talk
The community Is shocked and TIL
mans action IL deplored and condemned
I'm the operation the surgeons found that
tho ball had passed across the body. cut
ting four gashes in the large Intestine
The operatic1 was performed successful
~ and Mr.. Gonzales condition at mid
night Is more encouraging than during
tho afternoon. His chances for recovery
are as good 20 10 100.
There seems TO have been no imme-
date provocation for the shooting Mr.
Gonzales has for years fought the TIL
m;n faction and In the past summer led
in the fight against Tillman. who was
candidate for governor
The withering sarcasm OF the editor OF
the State and his direct AMI uneuu.vocal
charges stung Tillman to immoderation
and he has no doubt been nursing his
wrath "a no reference 10 him has appear
ed In the State since the August primary.
when he was overwhelmingly defeated.
SURGEONS SUMMONED.
Dr. w. GIN Wylie of Bellevue hospital
New York. and Dr. Simmons ~ Charles
ton are coming on special train 10 aid
In staying peritonitis. which is the only
trouble feared as Mr.. Gonzales stood
the shock stoically.
Of1cer Boland OF the police force
rushed up and seized Tilman after the
shooting Tilman appeared cool and
collected. lie had just lef, the state
house, where he had presided over the
morning session Of tho state senate
Fearing trouble the police hurried with
him TO the county jail. where he was
locked In a cell
The news Of the attack had spread
like wildhre and the greatest indigna-
tion was expressed kilograms were
sent to Charleston for surgeons. but the
condition OF the wounded man was such
that an immediate operation was neces-
eary. The surgeons announced late last
night that Gonzales did not have but one
chance In hundred OF recovery. Con
zales Is about AZ years OF age
He has good constitution. and while
waiting in his office to he removed 10
the hospital he talked TO his brothers
of the attack. He said &c was cowardly
and expressed surprise that Tillman
should have fired. nasmuch as no recent
attacks had been made on him In the
state.
Senators Brown and Talbird. who were
with Tillman. declined 10 make any state
ment. Tillman's friends announced that
the shooting was direct cause OF the
vicious attacks made on the lieutenant
governor by Gonzales during the recent
campaign.
Ti'lman has been lieutenant governor
for two years In the last primary he
was one OF the six candidates for gov
ernor. and the Columbia state singled him
out. day after day, the paper giving it's
entire editorial space to Tillman. and
denounced him as n liar. a blaclguard
and n scoundrel
CHALLENGE SENT.
About two months ago. Tillman sent
letter to Gonzales. inclosing formal
challenge for a duel and offered TO resign
his position lieutenant governor "
Gonzales would meet him on the field OF
honor. The challenge was spurned.
In the newspaper history of this state
no such articles were ever published as
those written by Gonzales, in which he
directed the shaft OF his bitterness at
Tillman. Just what the lieutenant GOV
srnor meant by his reference to hav-
Ing received a message has not been OK.
planned His friends say that II was the
hrst item he had met the editor since the
md NJ the campaign. when Tillman was
badly defeated
In view Of the bitter feeling between
them the shooting did not create sur
prise. Friends Of Gonzales contend that
he sent no message or threat to Tllman
and they contend that the attack was
without cause. but premed,ated
Tilman IL = nephew Of United States
Senator Tillman His father. the late
George T., Tillman. was member Of