The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-01-17
Editor Gonzales Shot
Down by Jim Iillman.
Now at Point of Death-Desper-
ate Deed Was Totally Unox,
pected and a Surprise
to All.

Columbia, S. c., Jan. Is
N. u. Gonzales, editor of The
State, is at the Columbia Hospi-
tai in critical condition, as a re :
suit of a serious pistol wound in
fiicted by Mr.. James II. Tillman.
Lieutenant Governor of South
Carolina. The Shooting occur
red on Main Street, just at the
intersection of Gervais street. in
full view of the State Capitol. 1t
was an awful tragedy in broad
daylight and on the most frequent
ed street aud corner in Columbia.
The bullet which pierced through
one of the most distinguished edi-
tors of the entire South, may end
that brilliant life, but If the be st
OF surgery, the best of care and
the most ardent of prayers and
wishes avail for aught, that life
ought to be saved 1t was Just a
few moments before 9 o'clock
when the cry was passed along the
streets that "Jim Tillman had
shot n. G.. Gonzales. !" 1t was a
shocking and startling announce
ment. 1t went like thrill through
all Columbia and there was a rush
towards the scene of the tragedy
to learn the facts and condition of
the distinguished editor.
Lieutenant Gov. Tillman was
arrested after the shooting and re-
lieyed of two 3S calibre pistols be-
fore being taken to Jail. The
only cause known for the shoot
ing is the opposition of Editor
Gonzales to Tillman's election as
Governor in the primary last Au-
gust and the expressions used
editorally against him.
There appears to be no conflict
OF testimony rs to the essential
features of the tragedy. Lieut.. :
Gov. Iillman, in company with
Senator'S Tnlbird and Brown, Con-
gresham elect Aiken and former
representative Dominick, on their
way from the State house, met
Mr.. Gonzales, who, was on his
wayeto dinner, jdst atSthe turn 81
Main and Gervais Streets. 8There
was no encounter, no fist fighting,
no laying on of hands. Lieutenant
Governor Tillman, the testimony
now all seems to be, simply drew
his revolver and fired into Editor
Gonzales. Most of those who
saw the affair say there was moth,
ing said until after the shot. One
of Lieutenant Governor Tlllman's
escort says be thinks Mr.. Ti!lman
said: 81 received your message, "
and then fired. He Is not certain
of this, but thinks SO. The other
escort of Mr.. Tillman says he did
not hear anything and did not see
the affair, but thinks he would
have heard any words, as he was
IN the very midst Of the affair.
Two or three others say they heard
nothing until after the firing of
the pistol.
Editor Gonzales and Lieuten-
ant Governor Tillman have pass
cd each other in full view since
the opening of the present session
of the General Assembly on
Tuesday, but there has been no
encounter, no word passed, no
nod or recognition of any kind,
ard today it came like u thunder
clap out of peaceful sky when
the shot was fired. AS to the
shooting, that is simple story.
Lieutenant Governor Tillman
met MIR. Gonzales on the street,
drew his pistol and fired at him,
wiped his pistol on his coat sleeve,
took aim as if to fire again, chang
ed his mind and let his pistol fail
to his side. Lieutenant Cover,
nor Tillman was perfectly cool
and collected, sober and unexcit.
ed to all appearance. Mr.. Con
Zales was unarmed.
The shock from the magazine
pistol paralyzed him and as Mr.,
Gonzales saw the deadly weapon
aimed at him, perhaps for a fatal
bullet, he cried out. "Shoot
again, your coward" If his life
Ia.