The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-11
TnE NEW BRUNsw1cK TRAGEDY.
The Suicide of President Runyen-A CHASTITY
Scene in Water Closet.

The NEW BRUNSSV1Ck TRAGEDY.
The Suicide of President Runyen-A CHASTITY
Scene in Water Closet.
New York Tribune
The bright sunlight which streamed down
Church street at o'clock ia the morning and
caused dancing shadows to fall on the white
tomDstones IN the graveyard Of Christ Church,
inferred into the rooms Of the bank opposite only
through the jealousy shattered windows. The
large entrance-door was closed. It was about
$3.50 when carriage drove up ana an elderly
man OF commanding appearance, whose grey
mustache and side whiskers were thickly dashed
With white, stepped oHt ana gave up the reins to
one OF the two ladies who were with him It
was President Runyon with his wife and young
est daughter Mr.. Runyon, whose dark eyes
were sunken deeply in his head, and whose
whole manner betokened nervous prostration,
walked into the bank after the door was opened
~ stout bald headed Andrew Wes.ler, the bank
messenger.
Don't be alarmed i'll am not home early
said the president TO his wife as she drove up
late
Once inside the bank he went straight to the
directors room, where he found Director Will.
lam q. Stoddard They were soon after Joined
by directors w. I. Howell and johnson Letson.
How do you feel this mornfngr was Mr. Stod-
dards first greeting to the president as he noticed
his pallor. Il feel just as bad as a man can
feel Feel as though I had rather die than
live was the answer
Shortly after this Mr.. Runyon asked Mr..
Stoddard to send for his old friend Captain Van
Wickle, coal merchant and highly respected
and honoFed citizen A messenger was sent for
Van Wickle, and in the meantime Mr. Stoddard
exchanged few casual remarks with
were given in hstless manner and
that he betrayed singular lack
of interest in everything mentioned. Captain
Van Wickle. tall spare, kindly looking man,
with gray hair and whiskers, entered and en-
gagged IN a confidential chat with Mr.. Runyon
during which he seemed to be speaking cheerily
and endeayoring to raise the depressed spirits Of
his friend. Hesoon went out, and MI. Runvon's
attention was nextattracted by Bank Examiner
Shelley, who had arrived to investigate the
banks affairs. AS he shook hands with Mr.
Runyon, he observed: This is the last bank in
| New Jersey expected this off, His listener
shook his head mournfully, ard, after word Or
two with director St0ddard, walked out of the
directors, room, The others did not notice his
absence, and continued their conversation abont
the hanks affairs. In the course of this men
ton was made Of and comment passed upon, the
fact discovered the day after Cashier Hills sui
eide, that Mr.. Runyon had oyerlrawn his ac-
count some $50 900 or $40, 000
Meanwhile Mr.. Runyon had Slipped into q
small room between the directors room and the
bank room, closing the door after him and lock
ing it. Some fifteen inmates Rfterward Messen-
ger Wesner went to the door and found it locked.
After an interval of about ten minutes he tried
the handle AGAIN with the same rasnlt H h..
came alarmed and goinp intn The dirsctors,
room. where he found Direetnes HIVE StaflSsr5
and Letson. be asked where Mr. Rnnyon was
They replied that thew did mt tnoyr .srhen
vshv is that door 1acska59s h 49,, .ut 10,
been locked for the last half.bonr . The I,f,s
directors now shared Washers Alarm ana tsi5
him 10 % 10 tha baex yard and looi- i, ~
the window. He ala so and hastily retnrn-
ing with o scared EXPRESSION told t6em saat
something was wrong. Every one nresant a.
once iuInped TO the same cnnclus;on ana
when al their order Nesnrr hroe man tha
door single glance was enoupk ~ TAI then,
what had bappenea vhiis sthey haa heer, that
ting toeether Mahlon R.sTan laT hefora thao
III pool of blood. His coat was off. his shirt
sleeves were rolled M, and ~ was scattered WIN
blood He gave q SINGLE GASP as the door was
onened his head feIl fo1 s II ana 10 Voc 5eoJ
He had throW his coat mon the win ma IN
drarr, ! common ,,ocE a. sT,,ifa fsor b;s ,l.at
opened one az the small sharp blades and chi,
deep cash on each side Of his Throat after saw
ering the veins al his elbow Joints Then he had
laid the knife down on the side Of the window
sill farthest from him. and DRAWING his watch
from his pocket with his bloody fingers, sef II
near him on the sin and watched the hands
measuring off the last minutes Of MS ebbinp life
There were but thirty Of those ,nin1ltes from tba
the time he entered the room e the time fine door
round the door, but none Of them entered the