St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-09
SUICIDE OF A BANKER.
President RunyOn, President of
the New Brunswick, n. j.,
Bank, Commits Suicide.
Walter Carroll, one of the DepOsitors,
Cut His Throat. OH Account of
Losses in the Bank.
6reat Excitement Among the DepOsitOrs, and
a Raid on the Bank Stopped
by the Police.

throat in the water closet or the Oank. lie
is implicated in the thievery of Cashier Hill
There is great excitement.
The excitement over the double suicide of
the president and cashier of the National
Bank of New Jersey, has become intense
The statement furnished by these officials in
June Of the current year showed a paid up
capital of S2O5, 600, and surplus of S125,-
600; undivided profits, SIS, $50. There has
been nothing in the public history of the
bank since that date to cause any uneasiness
on the part of the stockholders. The suicide
Of President Runyon, while strengthening
the testimony in regard to the affairs Of the
management, causes unbounded astonish-
nent to the public generally.
President Runyon was a farmer, sixty
years old. He leaves wife and four chill
dren. He has been president of the bank
i've years, but was not generally regarded as
much of financier, the late cashier, Hill,
being considered as running the institution
pretty much his own way and Runyon not
appearing Of much consequence. In Wall
street not much can be CLEANED concerning
the late president. He appears to have been
known by but few operators in Wall street.
The bank is in chaos Over a million was
stolen by Hill. Mahlou Runyon, the presi-
dent, was implicated in the theft of Hill,
and expected to be arrested when he took
his life. The city is wild. Crowds blockade
Burch street where the bank stands. Acting
Gas hier Campbell is expected to be arrested
for completely in the conspiracy. Million
aires are trembling and more than two sui
IT. L
burst open the bank, but were subdued by
:he police.
Walter Carroll, depositor, cut his throat
IN account Of losses in the bank.
THE TOWN SHAKEN.
New Brunswick is shaken to its center.
Bank Examiner Shelley has discovered de-
Gcit of over one million dollars of surplus
and securities. The town is wild. Men
rush frantically 10 the door of the National
bank, only to be told that the business of
this Institution Is suspended. The Voorhees,
estate is partially ruined. Cashier Hill was
lett as custodian OF this estate, and of the
bonds and securities. He made away with
gl. Over S19, 900 were taken here. In G. B.
Adrian's estate over $50, 900 are gone.
Mahlon Runyon, who committed suicide,
has 500 600 in government bonds. Hill had
negotiated for the sale of these and consum-
mated the same two days before his death.
6 uyon knew nothing of Hills dongs,
trusting him implicitly. Runyon, although
quite popular, was ignorant of financial
matters and was willing
tool in the hands of the
designing cashier. At 9:45 a. IN. President
Runyon drove up to the bank in his carriage.
He was accompanied by his two young daugh-
ters. Good bye, papa" said Julia, the
eldest, reaching out of the carriage as Mr..
Runyon descended to the pavement. Il
nope all will be we'll" ''If YOU do not see
me before night he responded, tell mama
I will stick to the bank" Twenty minutes
later he sent Chief Fitzgerald, who was in
charge of the bank, for a copy of the paper
in which the story is told of his completely
in the banks downfall. Securing the paper
he went into the room occupied by the organ
iziug directors and began 10 read. A deathly
paor spread over his face and he exclaimed,
my God, what will my children do.'' Pass
ing his handkerchief over his brow he threw
the paper into the lap of Director Stoddard,
and eXcusug himself went into the toilet
room of the bank. \ minute later the
sound of fall was heard. The directors
rushed to the closet and discovered the body
of Runyon on the floor, blood oozing from a
gaping wound in the throat. Determined
on suicide he had cut his wrists deep. The
blood was squirting against the wall and
ceiling Thousands of people outside were
Mortified. ''Shall we raid the bank" was
the question which agitated agonized depos
itors. Farmers from the country joined the
throng and shouted for their money. The
police hanked the street, and with difficulty
Quieted the rising disturbance. At 1:10,
one of the directors, Johnson Letson, was
reported dead. An investigation revealed
the fact that he had become exhausted on
account of the strain on his erves. He was
heavy stockholder and had deposited trust
funds.
CLERK DAVIS.
Charley Davis, cerk of the bank,
who had been reported dead, was found
alive at l :45 p. N.
My whole life was bound up in Hill,' be
said. trembling violently, land when he
vent l thought might as well follow him.
did you take strychninel"
''The idea"
''Was Hill in your contidence?'
NO. no. hesitatingly.
''What do you know about this trouble'''
The question startled Davis, and he fell to
the pavement in 4 faint. He was picked up
and carried home by the police. The scene
at the bank cannot be described. Blood had
flowed from the room out upon the marble
floor, staining it for distance of four feet.
MY God" exclaimed Director Stoddard,
''the whole city will go under. The city debt
is now nearly two millions and the bank
holds the paper. The savings banks have
gone under and we have their capital.''
"Was Mr.. Runyon about to be arresteda'
$50 l have heard.''
''What for!''
''Please do not ask me, I am nearly dead
myself"
HILL's PARTY LIBERALITY.
Martin \. Harile, who withdrew as direc-
5or some eight years ago, said:
Il saw it coming. Charley Hill was toe
liberal The Republican party went to him
as banker for funds He doubtless took
the bank surplus to aid his friends. Know.
ing the condition of affairs l quietly with.
drew
why did you not let the public know Of
your suspicion!'
81 was advised not to do so."
''By whom:'
''By the directors
The effect on the town is crushing. The
Kildest excitement prevails. The streets art
thronged with country depositOrs and fear:
of u raid on the bank are increasing.
hundred special policemen were sworn in by
the mayor TO surround the bank property
The coroner's jury in the case of Mahlor
Runyon's death returned verdict of willfu
vuicide. Acting Cashier Campbell was seen
NOT CONFEDERATEs.
'eWhat do vou know" the reporter asked
81 am amazed aud horrifed over III
affair Ny hearts blood might have beer
split for charity, but when I see what i