The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-07-02
TRIAL IS REMOVED.
The 1illman Case Goes 10 LexingtGn
County
COURT GRANTED CHANGE OF VENUE
In the Case Of the State Agaitst Jas.
TilIman For the Killing of Editor
Gonzales. Removal is Ordered.
First Day.

First Day.
Columbia. S. c., SpeciaL-The Cir
cult Court. Judge d. A. Townsend
presiding, Monday took up the case
Of James H. Tillman, charged with
murder. and a motion for change OF
venue was heard. On January 18th
Tillman, then Lieutenant Governor,
shot aBd killed N. G. Gonzales, editor
Of The State, who had repeatedly de-
nounced him when Tillman was a cam
didate for Governor last year. The de-
Tense produced about 300 afidavits to
show that d fair trial could not be had
in this county because Of prejudice
against the defendant. The majority
Of signers to these afidavitS are not
prominent citizens, and the princtpal
affidavits were made by defendants
counsel and friends, who asserted that
the Columbia newspapers and preach
erS melted feeling against Tlllman
by their reference to the case The
! prosecution presented about four hun-
dred affidayits in reply. Practically all
the ministers Of Columbia asserted
that they have made 10 reference to
the case from their pulpits. that news
paper men, including Messrs. W. T.
and A. E. Gonzales, respectively edl-
tor and publisher Of The State, stated
in afidayits that the Columbia pa
pers had conspicuously and carefully
refrained from inflammatory de
nunciations Of the defendant These
assertions were backed by statements
from bank presidents, lawyers, physl-
clans. college professors, merchants
and men in all lines Of business, In
| Guiding many citizens Of the county
outside OF Columbia. The reading or
these was not concluded when court
adjourned for the day.
Second Day of the Trial
The second day OF the hearing for a
change OF venue in the case OK james
H. Tillman. indicted for murder, ended
with the arguments only fairly begun
Tuesday morning the prosecution
presented additional %affidavits alleging
that a fair trial can be had in this
county. these affidavits being similar
to those presented yesterday. The
afidavits for the prosecution number
400 or more. Then the defense intro
| duced a number in reply, the whole
number of aftidavits On both sides &C.
ing about $50. The defendants attor-
news read numerous articles printed in
The State relating to the killing or
that papers editor. these being for the
most part messages OF sympathy and
appreciatige to Mr.. n. G. Gonzalez
Prayers offered for Mr.. Gonzales re-
co-ery by tie Columbia ministers the
Sunday tcfore he died were also read
as evidence that the preachers as well
as the press had tried to stir up feel
ing against the defendant
The defense desired to Introduce
| some of Mr.. Gonzales editorials De
nouncing Lieutenant Governor TIL
man last year. but Judge Townsend
ruled that these were not competent
and they were excluded.
The argument was begun at .
| o'clock p. m. by Col. George Johnstona
for the defense. Col. tombstone Is one
CT the most eloquent and resourceini
LAWYERS OF the State and he spoke for
| over an holr. criticising and comment
ing on certain of the prosecutions al
tiGavits.
Court adjourned at the conclusion CT
his speech to meet at 9 o'clock We'd
nesday morning when Mr.. Andrew
Crawford will open for the prose-
cution.
There will be five hours argument
| and a decision may be given in the d.
ternoon.
TIE defendant was in court through
| cut the proceedings and participated IN
the several consultations Of his attor-
news. Neither his wife nor mother
were present.