The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-01-23
SHOCKING TRAGEDY.
] Editor Gonzales, Unarmed, Shot Down
on the Street BY
LIEUT. GOV. JAS. H. TILLMAN.

LlEUI.-GOV. JAS. ii. TILI.MAN.
The Two aicn Ieot. nnti as Gonzales
WAS about t., Pass, TiiIman
80 Pulls n Pistol and
shoots Him.
Mr.. n. G.. Gonzllcs, Editor OF The
State, was shot down on Main Street
in Columbia, at ha.f-pust one O'Clock
4 Thursday, by MIR. james II. Tillman,
Lieulerlatt-Govern Of South Caro-
lima. Mr.. Gonzales was unarmcd, and.
as he lad passed Mr.. Tillman several
Times OH the street since the LegiSla-
"A ture met, was not expecting trouble.
When they met Thursday with the
suddenness OF Il thundcrclap from a
cloudlcss sky N1r. Tillman drew his
weapon and sent the bullet on it's
deadly mission. When shot Mr.. Con
zalez was within few feet Of Mr..
Tillman and was in the act of walk
ing around him and two other gentle
men who we're with him. The follow
ing Is the story OF the terrible tragedy
as furnished The News and Courier
by its, Columbia correspondent:
The shooting occurred on Main
Street, just at the intersection Of Ger
vaiS Street, In full view or the State
Capitol. It was an awful tragedy in
broad daylight and upon the most
freQuented street and corner in Coluln-
bia. The bullet which pierced through
one Of the most distinguished editors
OF the entire South may end that
brilliant life but If the best Of surgery
the best Of care and the nloSt ardent
OF prayers and wishes avail for aught.
that life ought to be sd we'd.
a SHOCK.
1t was just Il few moments before 2
o'clcek when the cry was passed along
the streets that Jim TiIman had
shot n. G. Gonzales" " 1t was Il shock
ing and startling announcements. 1t
went like a thrill through all Colum-
hfa and there was a rush towards the
scene Of the tragedy to learn the facts
and the condition Of the distinguished
editor The Office Of The State is or
the same block as tile scene OF tho
shooting and 1t took but IL few mo-
inents for Il great tllrong to assemble
in front Of the newspaper Office.
TWO PISTOLS.
The excitement and the indrnatiou
on the streets was intense. Policeman
Roland Immediately after the shoot
ing arrested Lieut.. Gov Tillman and
took him to police headquarters where
he was relieved Of two piStolS-thC
Il. one with which he shot Editor Coma.
59.9 les and q second large revolver OF IS
!, s. cali bre. SS, from the police station nc
was taken to the county Jail where he
is tonight in full protection OF the Of.
ficerS, There was no conflict and the
only attributed cause for the shooting
by Lieut.. Gov. 'rillman is that during
tho recent primary election Editor
Gonzales opposed Lieut.. Gov, Til!m.an
~ his race for governor and in that
editorial opposition Editor Gonzales
had beel severe in his opposition.
TitE PROBABLE CAUSE.
During the progress Of that cam
paign Editor Gonzales in his fight to
defeat Dir. Tillman had cditorially
called him debauchcc, "blackguard'
and In fact denounced him as a
criminal candidatc' and a proven
liar" 1t was this and other such
editorial expressions it is supposed
that goaded Mr.. Tillman to the des.
perate deed Of Thursday. This was in
August last and since the first prima-
ry. August rs. 1902, Editor Gonzales
has had nothing to say about Mr..
Tillman, except To comment on the
result Of the primary.
Editor Gonzales and Lieut., Gov.
rHuman have passed each other in full
EieW since the opening Of the present
session OF the general assembly on
Tuesday but there had been no en-
counter, no word passed, no nod or re-
,cognitlOn of any kind and THURSDAY
it came like thnnderclap out or /,
peaceful sky when the shot was fired.
1t was absolutely unexpected and all
ttOught that whatever soreness there
was as Il result Of the primary Of last
August had passed away, but it seems
otherwise.
THE STORY.
as TO the shooting that is a simple
story. Lieut.. Coy. Tillman met Mr..
Gonzales on the street, drew his pistol
and fired into him, There was no fuss
or feathers but when at close range
Mr. Tillman opened fire, wiped his
pistol on his coat-slcevc, took aim us
If to fire q second time changed his
mind and let bis pistol fall to his side.
Lieut.. Gov. Tilman was perfectly
cool and collected, sober and uncxcited
to all appearances. Mr.. GONZALES was
unarjncd. The shock from the maga-
zinc pistol paralyZed him and as ktr,
Gonzales saw the deadly weapon aim
ed at him, perhaps for fatal bullet,
Lc cried out Shoot again. you COW
ard" Mr.. Gonzales WAS in no way
armed and had no pistol. II his life
be spared, perhaps that expression
which may have spared the second
bullet was the magic Of the occasion.
Mr.. Gonzales is a man of robust
health, strong physique, and active,
all Of which are in his favor.
AS he fell against the nearby trans
1cK station to steady himself Mr..
.JaIn&s Sims and Mr.. Gamewell La
Motto came rushing up and gave Mr.
Gonzales support, and helped him'to
the business Office of the newspaper
which MIR. Gonzales had labored 81
hard and SO faithfully to establish and
make Il leading factor in the affairs Of
his State. There with his head rest
ing on Il bundle Of newspapers he re-