The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-01-26
sUMTER s. G.. WEDNESDAY. JANUARY g. 1910


washing OF alleged soiied linen from
prominent family wardrobes and un-
loosing Of family skeletons, and the
whole State has been preparing Itself
for scandal and gossip. But 1t seems
that the gossips are to be disappoint-
ed in measure, for the Tillmans
have sent word that they will not at
tack Mrs. Lucy Dugas Tillman's
character. tr-
mo, I wouldn't challenge Senator
Tillman." said a male relative Of the
younger Mrs. Tillman today contempt
uously: that would be to acknowl.
edge him on the same social plane
as myself, which would be ridiculous
II do anything it will be to take a
hickory stick and frail hell! out of
him. But I am going to try and re-
strain myself.
Whether the decision not to attack
Mrs. Tillman is due to the alleged
threat of her brother -in-law to hold
the person 80 attacking her "person-
ally accountable" is not made clear,
but is ia clear that serious trouble
would follow such attacks.
Mr.. and Mrs. Tillman's domestic
troubles appear to date from the
time he came home to Edgefield and
found Ex-Aeutenant Governor Jas.
H. Tillman. the slayer of Editor N.
G. Gonzales Of the Columbia State.
at his home. but though he insulted
his wife on this occasion he apologi-
zed and acknowledged he had
wronged her. Col Tillman, it Is
said, was at his kinswoman's inno-
Gently playing with one OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Tillman's children at the time
Mr.. Tillman came in in a rage.
In an affidavit submitted to the
court today Mrs. Tillman says that
on previous occasion she was forc-
ed by her hus.a and's drunken de-
bauches and cruel treatment to sep
arate from him, but not until de-
ponents husband under the influence
of excessive drink made a most OUT
rageous, false and degraded attack
upon deponent's character; that de-
ponent, 80 outraged and insulted,
few through the night time with her
two infantS children from deponent's
home at "Edgewood" to her sisters
home in Edgefield for protection,
where she remained for several
months"
1t would seem from the number
aid character of the afidavits read
today In support of Mrs. T1llman's
right to the children. that practically
every man and woman. of standing
taso,ysn essan Qn1s . sissrtn
arms against Senator and Mrs. Till
man and their son. Among the sign
ers Of these afiidavits are several rel
atives Of Justice Gary. himself a
member Of the Supreme bench. There
are over 80 affidavits, practically all
of them signed by two or more, and
several having from 25 to so sigma
lures.
The signers include the following,
all testifying that they have known
Mrs. Tillman either several years or
from infancy, and that she is a wo-
man Of irreproachable character.
modest, refined, cultured and pecu-
liarly fitted and amply financially
able to care for and educate her own
children.
Or. j. Tompkins, her family physi-
clan; Judge ]. w. DeVore. MEM
'be- Of the circuit bench; the Rev.
&C. T. Burts, pastor Of the Baptist
church at Edgefield; VIM. F. Cal
houn, a descendant Of John C. CAL
houn; Wigfall Cheatham, editor OF
the local newspaper; over a hundred
of Edgefield's most prominent mar
ried women, including the wife of
Gov. Sheppard.
Finally. this afternoon, on the
third appearance of Mrs. Tillman's
attorneys, the Supreme Court issued
writ returnable next Monday.
RAILWAY DISASTER IN CANADA.