The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-02-13
EXPOSES HIS HAND
JIM TILLMAN MAKES FIRST PUB
Lie STATEMENT OF THE CON-
zALES HOMICIDE.
FEARED STATES EDITOR
FRIENDS HAD ADVISED HIM TO BE
ON GUARD.

Tillman's Affidavit Charges That He
Was Abused and MaIigned by Con
zales-Had Heard Rumors OF
Threats and Was Told That News
paper Man Had Declared He
Would Yet Have to Show the
White Feather Believed That
Gonzales Was About to Shoot
When He Fired.
Columbia, S. c., Feb. III. H. Till
mans application for bail was made
to-day before Chief Justice Pope al
Newberry. but because the defense
had failed to give the prosecution
copies of their affidavits, the judge
decided a continuance until next
Thursday.
The importance of to-days proceed
ings was that in the affidavits read in
court Tillman's defense is revealed.
Richard Holtzenbach of Edgefield
swore that he was in Columbia Jan
II to II, trying to get position OF
doorkeeper in the Legislature. A day
or two before the shooting he was
talking to Doorkeeper White, in the
asked where Tillman was, saying, 81
suppose he is neglecting his duty as
usual, 1 made him show the white
feather on several occasions, and will
make him show it again."
Holtzenbach said he soon after saw
Tillman with Senators Talbird and
Brown going up the street. He then
noticed Editor Gonzales coming down
towards these men. He had his hands
in his overcoat pockets, his thumbs or
the outside. AS he got near Tillmar
he cut across in front and put his
whole right hand into his pocket
About this time the deponent heard
Gov. Tillman say: "Mr. Gonzales, ]
got your message then he heard the
shot. The deponent did not see where
Col. Tillman got his pistol from.
j. A. White, to whom Holtzenba Oh
refers, substantiates the part about
the conversation in the State House;
only he could not say it was Mr.. Con-
zales, as he did not know him.
Had ViIIihed Tillman.
Col Tillman's affidavit says in part:
For more than a year N. G. Con-
zales has villified deponent pursuing
him unrelentlessly, and, although in
nocent, he had to endure these things
because he was a. public officer
'DepOnenJ naQ Deen INFORMED Ina
during the campaign there was a ru-
NOR that Gonzales said that if Till
man said the same things about hin
in Columbia, as he did elsewhere
there would be a personal encounter
in which one would die. Deponent
was repeatedly urged and warned tC
look out for his safety.
He was informed that Gonzales
came to the State House, inquired fol-
him, and said he was going to make
him show the white feather. Deponent
wished to avoid an alteration AS
he was about to retire from office he
was removing from the presidents
room, in the State House, some per-
sonal belongings, among them two
pistols.
while carrying these up the street
he met Gonzales, who was glaring
straight at deponent, and pushed his
hand into his pocket. Believing his
life in danger, deponent hurriedly said
L got your message and fired. De-
ponent fired to save himself"
1t is upon these affidavits that bail
is asked. The prosecution will not sub
NIT affidavits till next Thursday.
The belief has generally prevailed
that Tillman would get bail. Since
the presentation of affidavits revealing
his case, there is a change among
some lawyers, and the contrary opin-
ion prevails among a great many to-
night.