Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-09-09
A TALE OF HORROR.
The Terrible Downfall of q
New Jersey Bank.
The Cashier suicides-Thc Presl
dent Kills Himself Crowds or
Angry Depositors Threaten
the Bank Building.
Especial TO the Herald BY A ssocia.ea pressl

Especial TO the Herald by A ssociated Pressl
New YORK, N. j., Sept. s.-Mahlon
Ruayou, President of the National Bank,
cut his throat in the water closet of the
bank. He was implicated in the thievery
OF Cashier Hill. There is great excite
ment.
President Rnnyon, who committed
suicide this morning, was farmer sixty
years old, He leaves four children. He
had been President Of the bank for five
years.
Runyon. the President Of the National
Bank implicated In the theft Of Hill, was
expected to be arrested when he took his
life. The city is wild. Crowds blockade
Church street, where the bank stands.
Acting Cashier Campbell is expected to
be arrested for completely in the con-
spiracy. Other suicides are predicted.
Tho mob threatened to burst open the
bank, bat were subdued by the police.
Walter Carroll. a depositor, cut his
throat on account OF his losses. New
Brunswick Is shaken to its centre. Bank
Examiner Shelley has discovered deficit
Of over $1,000, 600 in the surplus cash
and securities. The town is wild.
Men rush frantically to the doors of the
National Bank only TO be told that the
business OF this institution is suspended
for the present. Runyon, although
quite popular. was Ignorant OF financial
matters and was . willing tool in the
hands of the designing Cashier. At
9:45 A. M. President Runyon drove up
to the bank in his carriage accompanied
by his two young daughters. "Good-by
papa" said Juliet, the eldest, reachlng
out of the carriage as Mr.. Runyon de-
scended to the pavement; Il hope all
will be WE'LL" ssIf you do not see me
before night" he responded, "tell man.
ma will stick to the bank" Twenty
minutes later he sent Chief Fitzgerald,
who was in charge Of the bank, for q
copy OF morning paper in which the
story was told Of his completely in the
banks downfall. Securing the paper
he went into the room occupied by the
organizing directors and began
to read. A deathly pallor spread
over his face and he exciaims d
my God what will my children do"
Passing handkerchief over his brow he
threw the paper into the lap of Director
Stoddard, and excusing himself went
into the toilet room Of the bank. A
minute the sound Of fall was heard,
the Director rushed to the closet and
discovered the bejy Of Runyon on the
floor with blood oozing from a gaping
wound in his throat. Determined on
suicide he had also cut his wrists deep,
and blood was squirting against the wall
and ceiling. The thousands of people
outside were Mortified. "Shall we raid
the bank" was the question which
agitated the agonized depositors.
Farmers from the country joined the
throng and shouted for their money.
The police fanked the street and with
difficulty quieted the rising disturbanco.
At one thirty o'clock one OF the Directors,
johnson Selson, was reported dead, an
investigation revealed the fact that he
had become exhausted en- account Of the
strain on his nerves. He was heavy
stock holder and had deposited trust
funds. Chas. Davis, clerk in the bank,
who has been reported dead was found
ct l AS P. M.
"My whole life was bound in Hill,"
he said, trembling violently, land when
he went off | thought might as we'll
fellow him."
"Did you take strychnine?"
"The ideal"
"Was Hill in your confidence!'
'No-no-" hesitatingly.
"What do you know about this
trouble?" The question startled Davis
and he fell to the pavement in faint.
He was picked up and carried home by
the police.
The scene at the bank beggars de-
scription. Blood has flowed from the
room and out upon the marble floor,
staining it distance Of four feet.
''My God" exclaimed Director Stod-
dard, "the whole city will 60 under.
The city debt is now nearly two millions,
and the bank holds its paper. The
savings banks have gone under and we
have their capital" "Was Mr.. Run
yon about to be arrested?" $50 | have
heard" "Whnt forg" please don't
ask me. am nearly dsad myself
Martin A. Howell. who Withdrew as
director eight years ago, said: ~ saw
it coming Charley Hill wes too liberal.
The Republican party went to him as
banker for funds. He doubtless took
the bsnk's surplus to aid friends. Know
ng the condition of affairs, / quietly
withdrew" "Why did you not let 9TH
ers know" Il was advised not to do
So" 'By whoms" BY Director"
The effect on the town Is crushing. The
widest excitement prevails. The streets
are thronRed with country deposilors.
Fears Of raid on the bank are increas-
ing. A hundred special policemen were
swora in by the Mayor to surround the
Lank property. The Corsnor's jury in
the case of Mahlon Runyon's death,
returned verdict Of wilful suicide.
Acting Cashier Campbell was seen,
What do you know" the reporter ask.
IL am horrifel over the affair"
My hearts blood might have been
split for Charley, but when l see
what is about to occur, the fall of the
whole institution, my heart bleeds. But"
he added, ~ am Innocent. Hill was
never my confidant, though undertook
some OF his gratest missions as messenger
from Hill, Garten 4 Co. to New York.
have taken money for investment to
then. Don't know the result. l have
had years for six months, but kept my
mouth closed, as feared expulsion by
the directors.
Joseph Fisher. Sr,, custodian Of the
VOORHEES, estate, refused to divulge why
he had not signed the release preferred |
by Hill, when the sale Of bonds might
have been effected. mo, sir" he said,
II am not such rascal as TO take the
landed estate from the Voorhies boys,
and you will find me always on the side