Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06

Of GONZALES
RECALLS FEUD
Brother of New Minister to Cuba
Was Slain on Street by
James H. TiIIman.

When William Elliott Gonzales goes
to Cuba. to which country he has
been appointed as Minister by Presi-
dent Wilson. he will be returning to
the land OF his ancestors. Born in
the United States, he is intensely
American in his point Of view, but
this has not prevented him from TAX
| ing a deep interest in the develop
ment OF Cuba.
His name is a link between the two
countries. His father. a native of
| Matanzas, Cuba, married into the old
/ Elliott family Of South Carolina, and
| the new Minister to Cuba was named
| for his uncle, William Elliott, a one
time Representative in Congress. The
| Elliotts had been for generations
prominent in the social and political
| life Of the Palmetto State, and Cen
| eral Ambrosio Jose Gonzales, the IA
| Their of William Elliott Gonzales, was
a greater politician than any of them
and brought up his boys to take
vital interest in politics, for his par
| ticipatiOn in which one son paid with
| his life. The members of the Con
zales family have always had decided
/ opinions on every public question and
have always expressed their feelings
| forcibly.
Headed Fight for Liberty.
General Gonzales, with Narisco Lo-
PEE, headed the struggle for independ-
| ence of Cuba in 1874, being one Of the
| junta of five members who signed the
| declaration of independence, adopted
| the present flag and organized the
| first hlibusterng expedition under
Lopez, he being second in command,
with the rank OF brigadier general.
| He was the first Cuban wounded In
| the battle for independence at Carde-
mas May 20, 1850. The expedition
| failed and a sentence Of death was
| pronounced upon Gonzales, but he
| escaped to the United States and set
| tied in South CAROLINA, where he
| married a daughter Of William Ell
! lott. a prominent citizen OF Beaufort.
| When the Civil War broke out the
| Cuban general offered his services to
| the Confederates and served as colo
mel and chief OF artillery with
! General Beauregard. surrendering
| with Johnston army at Green's
| boro in 1865. His two sons have
followed in his footsteps. both having
| been soldiers, having proved their de-
votion to the United States and to
| Cuba.
He Opposed Tillman.
The feud which ended in the fatal
| shooting of Narisco G.. Gonzales by
Lieutenant Governor James H. Till
man in 1903 was partly political and
partly personal. The two families
had been on bad terms for years, and
during the campaign which resulted
in the election of Tillman as Lieu
tenant Governor, Gonzales through
his paper, The State had fought him
bitterly. In his editorials he had
called him names that Tillman could
not forgive or forget. He challenged
the editor to a duel but Gonzales
treated the proposal with contempt.
This In no way impugned his cour-
age, for the entire Gonzales family
was noted for its bravery and nerve
| and Narisco Gonzales, who was
named for old Narisco Lopez, had
acted as a scout for Gomez before
| the Spanish American war and had
! served in the American army after
! war was declared, doing valiant SER
vice.
| He was shot when walking I'M
| armed in the public street by Tillman
| At the first shot he called out Cow
ard" and then shoot again." as he
| sank to the ground He died a few
! days afterward and feeling ran so
, high that Tillman, insisting that he
| could not get fair trial in that coun-
| ty obtained a change Of venue and
was acquitted after a sensational
trial.
Is a Spanish War Veteran.
William Elliott Gonzales succeeded
| his brother as the editor OF The State
Like him, he had been a soldier in the
war with Spain, having served as
captain in the Second South Caro-
| lima regiment and having gone to
| Cuba with the army Of pacihcation
| Mr.. Gonzales Is a close personal and
| political friend of the Secretary Of
| state, and in his paper warmly sup
| ported him in his candidacy for the
| Presidency in all of his campaigns
He is also a good friend Of President
| Wilson and was one Of the first men
| to suggest his name for the office
which he now holds. The State led
the fight in securing a delegation
| favorable to him, and Il was largely
owing to his efforts that the Palmetto
| delegation stood by Woodrow Wilson
| from first to last at the National Con
| vention. After the nomination Mr..
Gonzales returned home and work.
ed for his election, raising a large
popular subscription through the
State to help defray the expenses of
the campaign.
| President Wilson and Secretary
| Bryan at hos home in Columbia, and
II Is understood that the appointment
| was rendered him out of personal re-
| gard by the President and because
of his belief in his fitness for the
place.
Senator TilIman Passive.
Notwithstanding the feeling be-
tween the Gonzales and Tillman fam
lilies, IT is understood that Senator
Tillman, recognizing Mr. Gonzales
splendid work for President Wilson,
will not oppose his confirmation. One
Of the most outspoken enemies Of the
newly appointed Minister to Cuba is
Governor Blease who was one Of the
counsel for James Tillman at the
time of his trial Not long ago the
Governor was reported to have criti-
cised Mr.. Daniels, Secretary OF the
Navy, very bitterly because Of his
friendship for Mr.. Gonzales.