The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-01-22
AN EDITOR SHOT
BY JAS. TILLMAN
M Gonzales, Editor of the State,
Stricken Down.
NO PR0Y0CATlON WAS SHOWN.
Met on the Street When Lieutenant
Governor Drew Pistol and Shot
Hlm-ProbabIe Cause.

Columbia, s. c.. Specially. G.
{. Gonzales, editorSef the State. was
shot and seriously wounded Thursday
afternoon.
It was just few moments before 2
o'clock when the cry was passed
along the streets that Jim Tiliman
had shot n. G. Gonzales" 1t was a
shocking and startling announce.
ment. It went like thrill through all
Columbia and there was a rush to-
wards the scene of the tragedy 20
learn the facts and the condition OF
the distinguished editor. The office o.
The State Is on the same block as the
scene Of the shooting and 1t took but
a few moments for a great throng TO
assemble in front of the newspaper Of
fee.
The excitement and the indignation
on the streets was intense. Policeman
Boiand Immediately after the shoot
ing arrested Lieut.. Gov. Tiliman and
took him to police headquarters where
he was relieved Of two pistols-the
one with which he shot Editor Con
zaies and a second large revolver OF
So calibre. From the police station he
was taken to the county Jail where he
Is tonight In full protection Of the
officers
There was no conflict and the only
attributed cause for the shooting Dy
Lieut.. Gov. Tillman Is that during the
recent primary election Editor Con
zales opposed Lieut.. Gov. Tillman in
his race for governor and in that edi-
torial opposing Editor Gonzales had
been severe in his opposition ',,,.",
During the progress OF that cam
paign Editor Gonzales in his fight to
defeat Mr.. Tillman had editoriaily
called bim q debauchee, "blackguard,' =
and In fact denounced him as a "crimi-
nal candidate" and q proven liar It
vas this and other such editorial eY.
pressions It is supposed that goaded
Mr. Tllnan to the desperate deed of
today. This was in August last and
since the fi-st primary, August &c,
1902. Editor Gonzales has had notn.
ing to say about Mr.. Tillman. except
to comment on the result Of the pri-
mary.
Editor Gonzales and Lieut.. Gov.
udSE PdSSCu CdSu OluCl III
full view since the opening Of the
present session Of the general as
scmbly on Tuesday but there had been
TO encounter, no word passed. no nod
or recognition of any kind and today
1t came like q thunderclap out Of q
peaceful sky when the shot was fired.
II was absolutely unexpected and all
thought that whatever soreness there
was as q result OF the primary Of last
August had passed away, but it seems
otherwise.
AS to the shootinf tha: is a simple
story. Lieut.. Gov. Tillman met Mr..
Gonzales on the street. drew his pistol
and fred into him. There was no fuss
or feathers but when at close range
Mr.. Tslman opened fire. wiped his
pistol on his coat sleeve, took aim as
IL to fire second time changed his
mind and let his pistol fall to his
side. Lieut.. Gov. Tillman was perfect.
ly cool and collected. sober and uneX-
cited to all appearances. Mr.. Gonzales
was unarmed. The shock frsm the
magazine pistol paralyZed him anu as
Mr.. Gonzales saw the deadly wearnn
aimed at him, perhaps for fatal bull
let, he cried Os1t Shoot again, you
coward" Mr. Gonzales was in nc way
armed and had no pistol. If his life be
spared, perhaps that expression which
may bave spared the second bullet
was the magic OF the occasion. Mr..
Gonzales Is q man of robust health,
strong physique. and active. all uf
. which are in his favor.
AS he fen against the nearby trans
fer station to steady himself Mr..
James Sims and Mr.. Gamewell La
Motto came rushing up and gave Mr..
Gonzales support. and helped him to
the business Office Of the newspaper
which Mr.. Gonzales had Iabored so
nard AMI so faithfully to establish AMI
make leading factor in the affairs
Of his State. There with his head rest
ing on a buBdle of newspapers he re-
quested that his wife he sent for and
to stricken friends. most Of whom,
were in tears. he told the story of the
tragedy. Dr.. B. W. Taylor, DR.. F. D.
Kendall. DR.. Philpot and DR.. J. W.
Babcock were soon at his side and in
few moments there were half a
dozen or nore physicians doing all
they could to save life 1t was promptly
decided that The only hope was to per.
form an operation and get the true
course Of the bullet ard try to repair
the serious but then unknown dam
age.
=. The last message from the Columbia
correspondent Of the Associated Press
early Saturday morning reported Mr..
Gonzales as still living, with little
hopes, however. Of recovery.
The following is appended:
Then there is the other figure in the
awful tragedy-Lieutenant Governo.
Jas. H. Tillman. He is taking things
quietly and calmly IN the county jail.
During the day he had visitors and
three of his lawyers. Congressman
George w. Croft. former Judge 0. w.