The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-01-22
SHOT ON THE STREET.
Lieutenant Governor Tillman Com.
mits the Deed.
AN EDITOR Is VICTIM
The Unfortunate Affair Was Brought
Ab0ut During the Recent Hot
Political Campaign In the
Palmetto State.

Gener Gonzales, editor of the State,
Is at the Columbia hospital in a criti
cal condition, from pistol wound in
Aieted by James II. Tillman, lieuten
ant governor of South Carolina and a
nephew of United States Senator Benz.
r. Tillman. S
The shooting occurred on Main
street just at the intersection of Ger.
vais street. In full view of the state
capitol. the most freauented corner
of Columbia.
II was just few moments before
2 o'clock Thursday when the cry was
passed along the streets that Jim
Tillman had shot n g. Gonzales
Immediately there was rush to-
wards the scene of the tragedy. The
Offices of the State are on the same
block as the scene OF the shooting and
It took but few moments for great
throng to assemble in front of the
newspaper building. The excitement
and indignation on the streets was
intense. Mr.. Gonzales was taken to
the Office of the State, where physi.
clans pronounced his wound very dan
gerous and probably fatal,
Policeman Boland, Immediately aft
er the shooting arrested Lieutenant
Governor Tillnaan and took him to po-
lice headquarters. where he was re-
lieved Of two pistols, the one with
which he shot Mr.. Gonzales and sec
ond large revolver of SO calibre.
From the police station he was taken
to the county jail. where he Is under
protection of the officers. The only
attributed cause for the shooting Is
that during the recent primary cleo
ton Mr.. Gonzales bitterly opposed
Lieutenant Governor Tillman In his
race for governor.
During the progress Of that cam.
paign Mr.. Gonzales In his fight to de-
feat Mr.. Tillman had editorially cali
ed him a dehauchee and blackguard.
and had denounced him ais terminal
candidate and a proven liar.
Il was this and ether such editorial
expressions, 1t Is supposed that goad-
ed Mr.. T'iliman to the desperate deed.
Since the first primary. August rs,
1902, Mr.. Gonzales has had nothing
to say about Mr.. Tillman. except to
consent on the result of the primary.
There appears to be no conflict OF
testimony as TO the essential features
Of the tragedy.
Mr.. Gonzales was walking home
alone from his Office to his lunch.
Tillman left the state house just
after the senate. over which he presid-
ed had adjourned He came out of
the senate house accompanied by Sena-
tor Talbord. Of Beaufort. and Sena.
tor Brown Of Darlington. and he was
Joined on his way up town by Con-
gressman-alect Wyatt Aiken and for
mer Repreas ntative Dominick. The
meeting with Gonzales was just at the
turn of Maine and Gervais streets, on
the north side Of the street. There
was no encounter. no fist fight, no lay
ing OF hands. Tillman. SO far as the
evidence discIoses, simply drew q re-
volver and fred at Gonzales. Most Of
those who saw the affair say there
was nothing said until after the shot.
One of Tiliman's escorts says he
thinks Tillman said
4 received Your message" and then
fired.
He Is not certain Of this. but thinks
SO. The other companion of Mr.. Till
man says he did not hear anything. but
thinks he would have heard any words
IL they were spoken
Two or three others say they heard
nothing until after the firing Of the
pistol.
Gonzales himself gave an explicit
statement of the affair prior to being
put under anaesthetics He was EN-
phatic In saying that he had not sent
any message to Tillman at any time
and that Tillman said nothing until
after he had fired. and then after the
shot he said something about taking
him iGonzaIes) at his word
Gonzales said Tillman told him he
was settling old issues face to face
with him. Gonzales was certain moth
ing was said until after the shot was
fired when he tottered to the street.
Mr.. Tillman was still pointing mis- pis-
toll at him whereupon Gonzales said:
Shoot again, you coward. =
Lieutenant Governor Tillman lower.
ed his pistol and walked away.
There was only one shot fired and
that entered the right side between
the eighth and ninth ribs and passed
through the body, coming ont just
above the free border of the ribs. The
bullet was picked up on the pave
ment
Gonzales and Til1man have passed
each other in full view since the open
ing or the present session OF the legls.
lature on last Tuesday out there has
been no encounter, no word passed. and
no recognition OF ans kind before this
affair.
Condemned by The Governor.
Solumbia. s. Ct. Jan. I6.- Governor
McSweeney was asked for an expires
-. rtsex