Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-10-15
ALL CARRY GUNS
At T|LLMAN TRIAL
Practically Every One Connected
With Either Side is Armed.
FEAR TRAGEDIES WILL FOLLOW
Impeachment of Witnesses and Re-
Elections on Character Sure to
Bear Fruit-TestimOny All In
Arguments Begin To-day.

"
witness supported a republican candi-
date for the house of representatives
is a reflection upon his character, ac-
cording to a ruling of Judge Gary in
the trial of James H. Tillman for the
murder of N. G. Gonzales, editor of the
Columbia State.
The prosecution continued placing
witnesses in rebuttal on the stand, CIV
ing particular attention to impeaching
the testimony of Richard Holzenback
and T. D. Mitchell, who testified for
the defense.
John d. Livingston, formerly county
treasurer for Orangeburg county, de-
clared he knew T. d. Mitchell and
would not believe him on oath. P. H.
Nelson and Judge Croft, for the de-
tense, undertook to show that Mr.. Liv-
ingston supported the republican con-
%gressional candidate in the last cleo
ton.
Il object to that line of questioning"
interrupted Col. Bellinger, for the pros
ecution.
Politics and Character.
1--WE have had religious views, fac
tional politics and other extraneous
matter injected into this case, and ]
submit that the political views of this
candidate can have no possible bear
ing on the case on trial" y
Under the peculiar conditions down
here" Judge Gary said in o%verruline
Col. Bellingers' motion, Il think ii
does affect a mans character, and ]
hold the question is competent and
shall admit it."
The witness replied that he had sup
ported the republican congressional
candidate in his district. This was evil
IDENTIFY considered sufficient by the de-
Tense to offset his testimony as to the
truth and veracity of Mitchell, as nc
further questions were asked him.
Some Garry Wv Pistols.
Practically every one here connected
with either side of the case is armed
Some of the men carry two pistols
while others are content with but one
These guns are of large caliber, anG
make the witnesses look as If they
had an umbrella under their coats.
Both the state and the defense ex
press themselves as being well salts
fed with the cases they have made
out. Tillman's lawyers are very con
fdent, asserting that a mistrial is the
worst they can get on the showing be-
fore the jury. They look for a promp'
acquittal.
Chief of Police Tcstihes.
Chief of Police August Fischer, O.
Orangeburg, declared T. d. MITCHELL
reputation for truth and veracity wal
bad, and that he would not believe hin
under oath. Mr.. Mitchell is the defens'
witness who testified that although HI
did not know Mr.. Gonzales very well
he forced him into a conversation il
which he asked him if he did not thinl
it was time he "let up on old Jim.
meaning Tillman. According to Mitch
ell, Mr.. Gonzales replied he was goin.
to fight Tillman as long as he Offer
himself for public Office"
He also testified that Mr.. Gonzale
said: "If he (Tillman) ever bats al
eye at me I'll fill him so full of Leaf
he won't be able to tote it Off"
Feared Tragedy Would Follow.
After Chief of Police Fischer hat
left the witness stand, and as he wa
standing outside the courthouse, T. D
Mitchell and he engaged in an argu
ment. Fischer, to avoid it, came int
the courtroom and said that he did no
want trouble with Mitchell, as it woul'
certainly result in his killing Mitchell
or being killed by him.
The prosecution announced that it
case was closed, and the defense i'm
mediately began putting witnesses OF
the stand to prove the reliability O
Holzenback and Mitchell.
Persons familiar with the methods
here profess to believe that severe
shooting scrapes will undoubtedly re
suit from the efforts to impeach tn
integrity of witnesses. While it is no
expected that trouble will occur in Lex
ington, it is stated that it undoubtedl,
will as soon as the parties get to thei
homes.
Neighbors of years have been Gale,
on to swear that they would not be
lieve one another under oath, and tn,
feeling on both sides is very bitter.
The defense completed It's case Sat
urday afternoon, and the argument
will begin to-day. 1t is expected thes
will occupy all day and tomorrow, ant
probably a portion of Wednesday.
is expected the case will go to tn,
jury on Wednesday afternoon or night
Under the constitution Of the stat
court must adjourn on Sunday. I'm
less the case is finished and the yer
dict reached by that time Judge Gar.
will have no alternative but to declar
IT. a miStrja1.