Arizona republican., 1903-01-17
PRAYER TO GOD
 FOR GONZALES The Victim of the Assault by the COWardIy TiII-
 man.
He May Live or Die-The Only De fense of Tillman Is That He Thought the Unarmed Editor Was Armed.

Columbia, s. C.. January 16.-Editor N. G. Gonzales, who was shot and seriously wounded by Lieutenant Gov ernor Tillman on the most travelled street in the capital of South Carolina, was holding his own at o'clock to- night There had been no change for either the better nor the worse since last night. The crisis is yet to come The best doctors in this part of the state are in attendance and are doing all they can to save his life, but hold out little hope of his recovery. At the same time he is making a plucky fight for his life. As he has strong consti- tuition, excellent habits and a resolute will, it is thought there Is a chance that he may pull through notwith- standing his critical condition and the very serious nature of the wound. No one, not even the members of his fam fly, are allowed to see the patient.
 This morning the city schools as- sembled and prayers were said. They included an appeal to God for the re- covery of Gonzales. At the South Carolina college prayers were offered up for the recovery of the stricken edi- tor, and even in the senate chamber. where Lieutenant Governor Tillman had presided shortly before the shoot ing, the chaplain prayed that the Al mighty would save the life of Gonzales. While there is a great deal of feeling over the affair it can be stated with pOsitiveness that there is absolutely no thought of violence against Tillman on the part of Gonzales friends. All sen satiOnal reports of threats against Tilf- mans life in the event that the stricken editor should die are absolutely base less. It is the wish of MT. Gonzales and his closest friends that the matter should be left for the courts to settle.
 Lieutenant Governor James H. Till man, who did the shooting, took things quietly and calmly during the day in the county jail, where he had a com fortable room on the second floor H. had some new furniture brought to his place of confinement and made himself comfortable. Some visitors called or him. but most of the day he spent if | consultation with lawyers.
 Two of Lis counsel gave to the Asso- ciated Press. with the request that it be published. the following statement prepared by Tillman himself in re- sponse to a telegram from a New York newspaper:
 ''I can only say that when the truth of the unfortunate affair is known my friends as well as the people, will know how thoroughly l was justified in doing as l did. The statements already pub- iished in the newspapers are untrue
 as at the proper time I will be ready to show. Beyond this I do not care tc
 make any further statement.
 | (Signed) JAMES H. TILLMAN' . ! It is understood here that Tillman's line Oi defense will be that he thought | MT. Gonzales was armed and that he | had weapon in his coat pocket and
 that he had his hands in his coat pock. ct. He is said to contend that he hac every reason to believe that Gonzales
 was armed. Gonzales friends state | that he was not armed. MT Tillmar also will claim that when he aimed hi.
 pistol the second time at Gonzales ht did so expecting Gonzales to defend himself and that he lowered his weap. on because there was no response anC not because of anything Mir GonZale.
 said. MT. Tillman, it is understood
 also will contend that he had not me l Gonzales before.
 This is denied by Gonzales friends
 who say MT. Gonzales and MT. Till
 man were in the senate chamber of tn, state capitol together