James H. Tillman

James Hammond Tillman (June 27, 1869 – April 1, 1911) was an American politician. A Democrat, he was the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, under Miles Benjamin McSweeney.

Tillman was the son of George D. Tillman and the nephew of Benjamin Tillman. He studied law, later being elected Lieutenant Governor. In 1903, he murdered journalist Narciso Gener Gonzales for criticizing him, and the ensuing trial was subject of mass coverage by newspapers.

Early life and education Tillman was born on June 27, 1869, in Clarks Hill, South Carolina (then part of Edgefield County), the son of politician George D. Tillman and Margaret (née Jones) Tillman. His uncle was politician Benjamin Tillman.

Tillman was educated at the Curryton Academy. He studied at the Emerson Preparatory School, Georgetown University Law Center, and the Virginia Military Institute. and in 1891, was admitted to the bar. He drew his pistol on Gonzales, who was unarmed, and shot him once in the abdomen; he died from his injuries on January 19. He was then arrested. Before his murder trial began, on September 28, where the people were more favorable of Tillman. His lawyers argued that Gonzales moved his hands threateningly while they were in his pockets, therefore Tillman acted in self-defense, and that Gonzales' criticisms were justification. and the solicitor was John William Thurmond, the father of Strom Thurmond. On October 15, he was found not guilty, In February of the same year, a bill was introduced to Congress to give Tillman a pension of $30 per month; Benjamin Tillman refused to comment his stance on the bill. He died on April 1, 1911, aged 41, in Asheville, North Carolina, presumably from tuberculosis. He was buried in Edgefield.