The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-10-14
TIL: TIILMAN TRIAL.


killing y. G. Gonzales W resumed
on Wednesday morning after the ad
journmcnt Of the court on the pre-
vious Saturday. The proceedings Of
the court were delayed for one day,
owing to the illness Of one of the
jurors, and it seemed at one time that
the trial would have to be suspended
and mistrial ordered for this reason.
The State announced that it rested
it's case, and then the defence began
to introduce its testimony.
Editorials from the State newspaper
were read by the defence Of which
acts Of James II. Tillman formed the
subject matter. One editorial was
read which referred merely to Senator
Tillman, and this aroused Mr. Bellin-
ger, an attorney for the prosecution,
who said that this move was attempt
ed in order TO make it political trial
rather than criminal one. This
statement almost prccipitatcd crash
between Mr.. Bcllinger and Mr.. Mel
son OF the defence, but the misundcr-
standing was afterwards amicably ad-
justcd
Two or three witnesses testified
that they had heard Mr.. Gonzales
make threats against Tillman. II. ID.
Mitchell testified that Gonzales said
to him: "Iic CTillman) is Il cur, and
l am going TO fight him every time he
offers fo.' public Office and a!su if
che ever bats his eye at me, Ill fill
him 30 full Of lead that he'll never
tote it off. In it's reply the prose
oution introduced several witnesses
who swore that they would not be-
lieve Mitchell on his oath. a. j.
Flowers, former street car conduc-
tor of Columbia, also testified that he
heard Gonzales make threats against
Tillmen. His reputation for truth
was also attacked in the reply.
Among the other witnesses the cvi-
dence given by Holzenback attracted
great deal Of attention. He it was
who said that he overheard Gonzales
in the State House say that he had
made Tillman show the white feather
and would do it again. The rcputa-
tion Of this witness for truth and vera
city was impcached 5y the State in it's
reply.
V. B. Cheshire, of Anderson, testi-
fed that w. IL. Geer, travelling rep
resentative Of The State, told him dur
ing the course Of conversation that
Gonzales was carrying gun for Till
man, and that he had told Tillman of
his talk. He said that Gcer had add
ed that Gonzales would shoot Tillman
if Tillman attacked him with stick.
This evidence was objected to on the
ground that it was hearsay, but the
court ruled that it could be admitted.
The defendant, James H. Tillm an,
was put on the stand in his own be-
half on Thursday afternoon, and his
testimony was not concluded until the
close of the next day. He told of the
first clash between Gonzales and him
self down 70 the time of the shoot
ing in Columbia. He was asked as to
the truth OR falsity otan editorial in
The State charging him with embez-
element of certain funds. The
prosecution objected on the ground
that the truth of the editorials
was not in question. A long legal
argument ensued, and Judge Gary
finally ruled that the truth or falsity
of tho editorials was not in question,
but that the defence had a perfect
right to show intense malignity if
possible. Tillman denied the truth
of every editorial that has ever appear
ed in the newspaper against him, and
declared that they showed great bit
teFne6s towards him, that the writer
possessed as much venom as rattle
snake.
Tillman then told of the shooting.
He was walking with Senators Talbird
and Brown, he being in the middle.
Gonzales was coming down the street
towards them, with his hands in his
Overcoat pocket and with his thumbs
prosruding. AS soon as Gonzales cut
diagonally across the sidewalk, tho
defendant said that his thumbs dis
appeared in his pocket. This he took
as sign that Gonzales was reaching
for pistol, and Tillman pulled his
pistol from his pocket and fired. He
said that he had ample time to shoot
again, but did not do SO. The CROSS
examination of the defendant was con-
Quoted by Mr.. Bellingcr, aud lasted
for several hours. The defendant
himself is lawyer, aud his ansscrs
were guarded and deliberate.
A little sensation was created when
the court records Of Richland County
were introduced to prove that Gopza
les had ouce been indicted and plead
guilty 10 carrying concealed weapons.
In an affidavit made at that time Con
zales stated that he had armed him
self for protection against the writer
Of personal newspaper attack This
was in 1886.
Cole l.. Blease, Of Newbcrry, who
was ono Of The lawyers for T.llman,
testified ,hnt the threats made by
Tillman to kill Mr.. Gonzales were
made conditionally, that ls, in case
nir. Gonzales made an attempt upon
the defendant lie 1t was not
denied that Tillmau said in reply TO
AN editorial statement. "YOu may call
it mock thcatrlcula If you WISH, but
I'll make it tho Cd d--t tragedy