Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-09
RUINANDDOUBLES SUICIDE
PRESIDENT RUNYON FOLLOWS
CASHIER HILLS EXAMPLE.

| NEW BRUNSWICK. n. j., Sept. s.
| President Mahlon Runyon cut his throat
in the water closet of the National Bank.
with a small knife, this morning. He was
implicated in thievery with Cashier Hill.
There is great excitement here.
The excitement over the double suicide of
the President and cashier of the National
Bank of New Jersey become intense. The
statement furnished by these officials in
June OF the current year showed the DaId
up stock to be $250,000, surplus Sl25, 600
ana undivided profits $7S,1S0. There has
been nothing in the public history of the
bank since that date to cause any uneasi-
ness to the stockholders. The suicide of
President RunyOn, while strengthening
the testimony of giant frauds IN the man
agement, causes unbounded astonishment
to the general public.
A DEFICIT OF OVER A MILLION.
New Brunswick is shaken to it's centre.
Bank Examiner Shelly has discovered a
deficit of over $1,000000 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 the Institution is suspended
for the present. Ira Voorhees, estate is
partially ruined. Cashier Hill was left as
custodian of the estate and of the bonds
and sureties. He made away with them
all. Over $4,000 was taken here. In G.
b. Adrian's estate over $30,000 is gone.
PRESIDENT Mahlon Runyon, who committed
suicide, had 100000 in government bonds.
cashier Hill had negotiated for the sale
of these aud cousummated the
same three days before his death.
President &unyOn knew nothing
of Cashier HilPs doings, trusting
him implicitly. The crash in Wall street
in May last took the bulk of Cashier
HIPS stealings. President Runyon.
although quite popular, was ignorant of
the business, the cashier had the run of
the institution.
At 9:15 O'Clock this morning President
Runyon drove up to the bank. He was
accompanied by his two daughters.
'Good-bye, papa" said Julia, the
eldest, reaching out of the carriage as
Mr.. Runyon descended. Il hope all will
be well.''
''If you do not see me before night,v he
responded, ''tell mamma | will stick to
the bank"
DRIVEN TO DESPERATION.
twenty minutes later he sent Chief
Fitzgerald, who was in charge of the
bank, for copy of the New York Times.
in which the story was told of his com, com,
pliclty in the banks downfall. Securing
the paper, he went into a room occupied
Oy tne organizing directors and began to
read. deathly pallOr spread over his
lace, and he exclaimed: ''MY Godi What
Will my children dOP' Passing a hand
kerchief over his brow, he threw the
paper into the lap of Director Stoddard
and, eXcusing himself, went into the tOi-
let room of the bank. A minute later
the sound of fall was heard.
The directors rushed to the closet and
discovered the body of Mr.. Kunyan on the
moor. Blood was oozing from a gaping
wound in his throat. Determined on sui
eide, he had cut his wrist deeply, the
blood squirting against the wall and cell
ing.
Thousands of people outside were
horrifled. 'Shall we raid the bank ~ was
question which agitated the agonized
deposIt0rs. Farmers from the country
joined the throng and shouted for their
money. The police flanked the street and
with difficulty quelled the rising disturb
ance.
OTHERS FALSELY REPORTED DEAD.
At 1:20 O'clock 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 nerves. He was a heavy
stockholder and had deposited trust funds.
Charley Davies, clerk of the bank, who
mad been reported dead, was alive at 1 40
O'Clock.
Martin o. Howell, who withdrew as a
director eight years ago, said: 81 saw it
coming. Charley Hill was too liberal.
The Republican party went to him as a
banker for funds. He doubtless took the
bank suretes to aid friends. Knowing
the condition of affairs l quietly with
drew"
"Why did you not let the public know
your suspicions?'
Il was advised not to do so.D
"By whom?"
'By the directors"
The effect on the town is crushing. The
streets are thronged with country deposi-
tors. Fears of a raid on the bank are in
creasing. One hundred special police
were sworn in by the Mayor to surround
the bank property. The COrOner's jury
in the case of MahlOn Runyon's death re-
turned verdict of ''wilfuI suicide" At
O'Clock this afternoon inside the bank
Acting Cashier Campbell was seen,
''What do you know ?' a reporter asked.
Il am amazed and Mortified over the
affair. My hearts blood might have been
split for Charley, but when | see what is
about to occur-the fall of the whole in
stitution-my heart bleeds."
Give me something tonight, will
youW
ANOIHER WHO KNEW.
''Mr. Hill was never my confidant, al
though l understood some of his greatest
Explain said the reporter.
Gas a messenger to and from Hailgar-
ten & Co., New York, L have taken money
for investment to them. l don't know the
result. l have heard fears of the present
result tor six months, but kept my mouth
closed"
'Why?'
Because feared expulsion by the di-
rectors."
did you think that Mr.. Hill was
crOoked?''
''Perhaps (hesitatlngly), 1 might as
we'll make an open breast of the whole
affair. Well, Mr.. Hill was too much be-
set by politicians. He evidently ruined
himself by tiltering aid to the Republican
party as we'll as in Wall street and races"
''WhaU else?"
''Some time ago he wanted a newspaper.
lie put money in the hands of TIndell and
Hose to start the EUenjnq Star, Repub-
lican paper, TO denOunce the management
of affairs by the Democrats. Hose skip
ped the city owing to a libel suit. Tue
paper went up, and with it MIR, HIPS fu-
ture prospects of popularity.
Joseph Fisher, the senior custodian of
the voorhees, estate, refused to divulge
why ne naQ not signed the release
preferred by Mr.. Hill when sale of
bonds might have been effected.
FELLED sENsELEss BY A QUESTION.
''No, SIR" he said. 81 am not such
rascal as to take landed estate from the
VOORHEES, boys, and you will find me
always on the side of the weak"
''Was Mr.. Hill in your confdence?"
''No, NOT"
"What do you know about the trouble?"
The question startled him and he fell to
the pavement in faint. He was picked
up and carried home by the police. The
scene at the bank beggars description.
my God!' exclaimed Director Stod-
dard. ''the whole city will go under. The
city debt is now nearly $2,000000 and the
bank holds its paper. The savings banks
have gone under and we hold their capi-
tal."
"Was Mahlon Runyon about to be ar
rested?"
$50 have heard"
''What fOrv'
''Please don't ask me. 1 am nearly
dead myself"