A Martyr to Free Speech in South Carolina

The Gonzales monument. “There are not many monuments in the United States to newspaper editors but we have one in Columbia.”

This monument commemorates the life of Narciso Gener Gonzales, a founder and editor of The State newspaper in Columbia, who was murdered by James H. Tillman on January 15, 1903. Tillman, the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina and the nephew of South Carolina’s United States Senator ‘Pitchfork’ Benjamin Tillman, shot and killed Gonzales at the corner of Main and Gervais streets. According to reports, Gonzales walked unarmed down the street when Tillman confronted him and opened fire. Gonzales died a few days later in the hospital. The newspaper speculated that the confrontation stemmed from Gonzales’ severe opposition to Tillman’s policies in many of his editorials in The State, as according to a January 16, 1903 edition of The State, Gonzales had previously called Tillman a ‘criminal candidate’ and a ‘proven liar’ during the previous primary election.

Erected by popular demand
A Tribute
to the aorth and service of N G Gonzales
Born August 5, 1858
Died January 19, 1903

A great editor
An eminent citizen
An honest man

Without fear and without reproach his fellow citizens bear this monument to perpetuate his memory.

[unknown side]

Founder and First Editor of The State
For twelve years he conducted it with signal ability and conspicuous courage a potent voice for civic righteousness. An influential factor in every movement for the welfare of the people.

The measure of success is not what we get out of ilife but what we leave after it.
Editorial Dec 13, 1930