The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-10-22
Closing Scene in q Famous Trlnl-
Judge and Jurors Thanked James
II. TiIiman Released.

bia trial was postponed on account OF
absence of witnesses.
Chang OF venue to Lexington county
granted at same term Of court
Defendant arranged in Lexington
September 21, 1903.
Date of trial fixed for September 28,
1903
Tillman plead not guilty September
%, 1903.
Jupry secured and taking OF tesh-
mony begun September %. 1903.
Prosecution clcsrd October 3, 1903.
Defense begun, out court adjourned
on account OF legal public sales Mon
day, October 5th.
Another adjournment necessitated on
account of illness Of Juror Sharpe
Tuesday, October 9Th.
Defense begun its testimony Wed
nesday, October 7. 1903.
Tillman on stand October Sth and
9Th, 1903.
Defense closed on afternoon October
9, 1903.
Rebuttal witnesses for both sides
heard October 10. 1903.
Argument begun October II, 1903.
Jury charged October IA. 1903.
Tillman acquitted October Is, 1903.
Lexington, S. c., Special.-The trial
Of James H. Tillman for the murder OF
N. G. Gonzales, has come to an END.
resulting in an acQuittal. The jury be-
fore which he has been on trial since
the 2Sth of September, Thursday
brought in verdict OF not
guilty, thus ending a judicial hearing
which has engrossed the attention OF
the public Of South Carolina as none
ether has in quarter OF century.
The jury was out for "a hours before
arriving at a verdict. Never was q
case in South Carolina courts more
vigorously contested than this. The
solicitor was assisted in the prosecu-
! ton by four other lawyers, while the
accused was defended by seven law
yers. an exceptional array OF counsel.
More than a hundred witnesses gave
testimony, about as many on one sloe
as on the other, and nine lawyers ar
gued before the jury.
Not a sound had emanated from the
/ fury room when Judge Gary convened
court at nine o'clock this morning 10
indicate that an agreement had been
reached. Civil bushes was taken up,
and more than an hour had elapsed De-
fore a knock was heard OH the door
leading into the jury room. The Daliln
announced that the jury desired to
come into court, but the deep signih-
cance of the sound had already been
appreciated and all eyes turned toward
the the Jury room. Judge Gary d.
| rected the bailiR to ascertain II an
agreement had been reached, when the
word came from within that the jury
was returning with a verdict. Except
for the court officials, members OF the
local bar and the newspaper men VINO
have followed the trial throughout, the
court room was practically deserted.
Summonses was sent for the attorneys
| In the case, and the sherin was ol-
rected to bring the accused into court
The word SOON spread up and down the
street that the jury was about to re-
port. bringing in others. The jurors
filed in and took the seats they had
occupied for So many days, but as all
the attorneys had not arrived, there
was a delay Of few moments BEFORE
their decision was announced. The rev
minutes elapsing between the coming
In OF the jury and the announcement
of its verdict were anxious ones. Inc
defendant occupied his customary po
sition among his lawyers. facing the
jury. Not all the attorneys had come
in when the court inquired II there
would be any objection to having the
verdict announced without waiting,
calling attention to the strain so ap-
parent throughout the room, no oo1ec-
tion was Offered.
gentlemen, have you agreed upon
verdict?" was the time-worn inquiry
made by the clerk Of the court, the
foreman replying in the affirmative.
and at the same time hading the YER
dict to the clerk. 1t took but an in
slant to read it and when the words
Not guilty" were read some Of the
friends Of the defendant gave vent TO
their feelings In shout The preVl-
ous admonition Of the court did not
prevent the demonstration.
The motion OF counsel for the de-
Tense for the dismissal Of the defen-
dant was Immediately signed by Judge
Gary, the solicitor asserting. when Mr..
Tillman was at liberty to walk from
the court room and go where he pleas
ed. When the legal formalities had
been gone through with. Mr.. Tillman
walked up to the bench and shook
hands with the judge. after winch he
shook the hand OF each o. the jurors.
and later was surrounded by his
friends who extended their congratula-
tions. He left the court room In COM
pany with his attorneys, but left them
at the front door to go across the street
! to the Jail, visiting that institution for
the last time. Gathering up his effects
at that place which had been his abode
for many weeks. he bade 1t goodbye.
He has been in custody since January
Is. his application for bail having been
refused.
James H. Tillman. after his acquit-
tai made the following statement TO
the Associated Press: II feel very
grateful at the result Of the verdict,
but at no time did apprehend any Sc
rious consequences. l, OF course, deep
ly regret the death Of Gonzales, but