The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-04-15
The Case Continued.
TiIlman Will Not be Tried at This
Term of the Court.

The case against j. 81. Tillman has
been continued until the next term OF
the court on account of the absence
Of two important witnesses for the
defense, j. a. White who, according
80 the affidavits submitted, is sick in
Edgefeld and Miss Julia Roper, of
Spsrtanburg who is absent from the
State and who is believed to be in
the German Memorial hospital in New
York. The proceedings and argu-
menss lasted considerable time this
morning and the court room was
crowded with interested spectators.
The prisoner was brought up from
the Jail in a close carriage by Sheriff
Coleman and came into court accom-
panied by his uncle, Senator Tillman.
The two seated themselves just back
of the Solicitor, and few minutes
lister Messrs. Nelson and Croft came
in and took seats by Mr.. Tillman. MIR.
George Johnstone. the leading coun-
sci for the defense, was on the other
side of the court room beside Mr..
William Elliot Jr., who is employed
by the State.
For the State Mr.. Crawford was
with the Solicitor, Mr.. Bellinger be-
ing absent. The prisoner looked cool
and unconcerned, but the effect of
the three months confinement could
be seen.
Immediately upon the calling of
the case Col. Croft asked for a con.
tinuance OF the case upon the ground
that two Of the most important wit.
ness were absent. Capt. J. A. White,
of Edgefeld, was suffering with par.
tisl paralysis aud diabetes and that
upon the statement of two physicians
of Edgefeld, he would not be able
to be present. The other witness,
Miss Julia Roper, had been served
with warrant at Spartanburg, but
was unavoidably absent from the
State, but could not be reached, but
she could be present at the next term
of the court. Owing to her absence
the attorneys for the defense had not
had an opportunity of talking with
her.
Solicitor Thurmond and Mr.. Craw-
ford both objected at the same time
upon the ground that the rule OF
court in regard to asking for con-
tinuance, had not been complied
with. The State had not been furn-
ished with copies of the afidavits
and if the afidavits is submitted
should set forth what facts there
were that would be testified to that
would materially aid the defense.
The defense at once submitted an.
other affidavit from Col. Croft, stating
that Miss Roper would testify to fur
ther threats that had been made
against the defendant by Mr.. Con
zales, and that MIR. White had other
facts to bring out as to the converse
ton of MIR. Gonzales.
MIR. Nelson then stated that they
had tried in every way possible to &C.
cure these witnesses and their ab-
sencs was unavoidable. He also
thought that the State had been ad-
vised as to what the testimony OF
these two witnesses would be, they
having seen copies Of the aAidavits
when the application for bail wes
made.
The copies Of Whites a6ida7its
were sent for, upon the objection Of
the State, and read. It has beer
published and is to the effect that be
saw a man, whom he was informed
was Mr.. Gonzales, talking to Richard
Holzenbach, and after few minutes
conversation with him abruptly turn
ed off. The affidavit further con
tanned the statement Of the converse
tion Holzenbach states that he hae
with Mr.. Gonzales on the day before
the shooting, and describes the posi-
ton of the men at the time of tht