Evening journal., 1903-01-16
EDITOR SHOT
BY A TILLMAN
Lieutenant-Go Governor of South
Carolina Fires Bullet Into
N. G.. Gonzales
VICTIM RECEIVED NO WARNING

Columbia, S. c., Jan. 16.-In the
very shadow OF the South Carolina
State House Lieutenant-Governor
James H. Tillman yesterday afternoon
shot and probably mortally wounded
Narcisso Gener Gonzales. founder and
editor of the Columbia State, a news
paper which since its inception has
bitterly opposed the so-called Tillman
faction in South Carolina politics.
The shooting occurred on Main
street, just at the intersection of Ger
vais street, in full view of the state
capitol. It was an awful tragedy In
broad daylight on the most frequented
street and corner in Columbia.
1t was just a few moments before
o'clock yesterday afternoon when the
cry was passed along the streets that
Jim Tillman had shot N. G. Con
zales." The announcement went like
thrill through all Columbia, and
there was rush towards the scene OF
the tragedy to learn the facts and the
condition of the distinguished editor.
The Office of the State is on the same
block as the scene of the shooting,
and 1t took only a few moments for a
throng to assemble in front of the
newspapers building. The excitement
and the indignation on the streets was
intense.
The story of the shooting. as told by
eye-witnesses, is very simple. Lieu
tenant Governor Tillman, as stated,
met Mr.. Gonzales on the street. and
when at close range drew his pistol
and opened fire. He wiped his pistol
on his coat sleeve and took aim as II
to fire a second time, but changed his
mind and let the pistol fall to his side.
Lieutenant Governor Tillman was per-
fectly cool and collected, sober and un-
excited to all appearances. Mr.. Con-
zales was unarmed The shock from
the magazine pistol paralyzed him, but
as he saw the deadly weapon aimed at
him, perhaps for fatal bullet, he cried
out; Shoot again, you coward"
There was only one shot fired, and
that entered the right side between the
eighth and ninth ribs and passed
through the forepart of the body, COM
ing out just above the free border Of
the ribs. The bullet was picked up on
the pavement. It seemed to be bright
and new and in no way battered. 1t
was a bullet from what is said to be a
long-range German-make magazine
pistol, such as is used in the army.
The pistol was a present to Tillman
from his brother, who is an army
doctor.
Policeman Boland Immediately after
the shooting arrested Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Tillman and took him to police
headquarters, where he was relieved of
two pistols, the one with which he
shot Editor Gonzales and a second
large revolver Of 3S caliber. From the
police station he was taken to the
county Jail, where he now is, in full
protection of the officers. No fight nor
words occurred between the men pre-
ceding the assault, and the only attrib-
uted cause for the shooting by Lieuten-
ant-Governor Tillman is that during
the recent primary election Editor
Gonzales opposed the lieutenant-gov-
ernor in his race for governor and Wig
orously assailed him editorially.
During the progress Of that cam
paIgn Editor Gonzales in his newspa-
per, The State. called Tillman a de-
bauche and a blackguard, and referred
to him as a criminal candidate and
proven liar" 1t was this and other
such editorial expressions it is sup
posed goaded Mr. Tillman to the des-
perate deed. The campaign oc-
Cured last August and since the
first primary, August &c, 1902. Editor
Gonzales has had nothing to say about
Mr.. Tillman except to comment on the
result of the primary.
An operation was performed on Mr..
Gonzales last night which lasted two
hours. His condition is regarded by
the surgeons as very critical
Mr., Gonzales is a man of strong,
robust physique, and was in the best
OF health at the time Of the shooting,
so that his friends hope he may pull
through. Notwithstanding the severe
wound from which he is suffering.
1t is declared by close friends Of the
stricken editor that Tillman's life is
perfectly safe from any mob attack,
and that there is no thought on the
part of Mr.. Gonzales friends OF aveng
ing his shooting by acts of violence.
Lieutenant Governor James II. Till
man is a nephew of United States
Senator Benjamin Tillman.