The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-01-16
EDITOR GONZALES SHOT
DOWN IN COLUMBIA, S. C.
lieuleudut Governor TiIIman Walked Up to His
Victim and Attacked Him Without Warning
Tragedy is the Sequel of Bitter Contest For the Democratic
Nomination For Governor.

COLUMBIA, S. c., Jan. 15.-Narciso
Gener Gonzales, editor of the State,
is at the Columbia hospital in a
critical condition from a pistol wound
inflicted by James H. Tillman. lieuten-
ant governor Of South Carolina and a
nephew of United States Senator Ben
jamin Tillman.
The shooting occurred at Main and
Gervais streets. III full view of the state
capitol the most frequented corner in
Columbia.
1t was Just q few moments before 2
O'Clock when the cry was passed along
the streets that Jim Tillman has shot
n. G. Gonzales" Immediately there
was a rush toward the scene of the
tragedy.
The offices of the State are on the
same block as the scene of the shooting
and it took but few moments for
great throng to assemble in front of the
newspaper offices The excitement and
Indignation on the streets was intense.
MI Gonzales was taken to the Office
of the State, where physician pro-
nounced his wound probably fatal.
Tillman Arrested.
Policeman Bofand Immediately after
NAS oAtootAuS arrested Lieutenant Gov
ernor Tillman and took him to the po-
lice headquarters. where he was re-
HeVed of two pistols. the one with
which he shot Mr.. Gonzales and sec
ond large revolver of IS caliber. From
the police station he was taken to the
county jail, where he is tonight under
protection of the officers The only
attributed cause for the shooting is
tfat during the recent primary cleo
ton, Mr.. Gonzales bitterly opposed
Lieutenant Governor Tiilman in his
ACE for governor.
During the progress of that campaign
Mt. Gonzales. in his fight to defeat Mr.
Itllman had editorially called him a
uepauchee and BLACKBOARD and had de-
houneed him as a criminal candidate
ana proven liar" This and other
such editorials are supposed to have
goaded Mr.. Tillman to shoot Gonzales
today. Since the first primary. Aug.
~ lse-, Mr.. Gonzales has had nothing
70 say about Mr.. Tillman. EXCEPT to
mary.
AZ 10 O'Clock tonight Mr. Gonzales
S0hoition continued very serious. b,ft
showed no Important change from that
OF several hours earlier.
Mr Gonzales is a man of robust
Pnyslque and was in the best of health
Al the time Of the shooting, So that his
friends hope he may pull through. not
outstanding the severe wound from
which he is suffering
Assault Was Unprovoked.
There appears to be no conflict of
testimony as to the essential features
OF the tragedy. Mr.. Gonzales was 90
ing home alone from his office to his
Iunch, his route leading him down
Main street 20 Gervais, thence east
as : s usual, Mr.. Gonzales was walking.
hieutenaat Governor Tillman had pre-
SIDED at the Senate's session and 70
NAMED around the senate chamber for
a snort time after adjournment. AS he
caf1e from the state house he was ac- |
Scmpanled by Senator Talbaird and /
Sepator Brown. and he was Joined on /
MS way uptown by Congressman-elect /
wyatt Aiken and former Deputy Sher /
IN Domlnick. The Lieutenant governor /
and the editor of the State met ar tho /
corner of Main and Gervais streets !
just at the street car tracks. There \
was no encounter. no fist fighting no !
laying on of hands Tfllman- SO far &c
the evidence disclOses, simply drew his
revolver and fired at Gonzales. Most
OF those who saw the affair say there 1
vas nothing said until after the shot /
one of Tillman's escorts saws he thinks
Tillman said:
fired. anu li'eii
No Words Spoken.
He is not certain of this. but thinks
So The other companion of Mr.. Till
man says he did not hear ANYTHING
out thinks he would have heard anv
words II they had been spoken. Two or
three others say they heard nothing
untll after the firing of the pistol.
Gonzales himself gave an explicit ex-
PLANTATION of the affair He was very
emphatic in saving that he had not
ssnt any message to Tillman at any
liIie, ana mat Tillman said nothing
until after he had fired. and after he
mad shot ne said something about TAX
ing him tGonzales) at his word. Con
zales took this 10 mean that TilIman
told him that he was settling old issues
race 10 face with him. Gonzales is
certain that nothing was said until
aiter the shot was fired. when he tot
tered to the street car transfer station
where he leaned. Mr.. Tiliman was stilI
pointing his pistol at him. whereupon