New-York tribune., 1907-08-30
SHE MADE ME" RUNYAN
HE BLAMES MRS. CARTER.
Euerything Done by Defaulter Was
Dine to Woman.

Chester B. Runyan the defaultins "hosoi
Trus+ Comnany teller continued yesterday TO
Mace the blame of his theft of $4,000 on MIS-
Laura NJ Carter who is accused OF having re-
ceived $4,000 of the stolen money Inc Woni-
ans counsel went over the whole OF the oireoe
testimony of the day before. She pro'hpteu
many of the questions herself and did not dp-
pear to feel any particular emotion beyond van
itv at the attention she was receiving as NUN
yam told of her part in his downfall
Runyan's testimony was that he had no plan
not Suggested n him by the woman. that any
move he made to keep himself safe was Oh her
devising He says that she turned him over 10
the police because she wanted SlVooo more
and he would not give ii to her tie mas d
forgiving nature for he swore yesterday uhal
he bore her no i'll will. This statement PROVOKED
Judge Whitman to ask a question himself
have not the slightest feeling against her.
Runyan answered.
He had asked if any of his testimony had
been inspired by any promise of clernency-
None whatever" he answered, but DO
hope that clemency will be shown to me. am
trying to right wrong If they do extend
cIemency I shall be very pleased"
When his cross-examination began yesterday
he said that he met Mrs Carter For the first
tirro June Is. and had spent less than twelve
hours in her company before he displayed Si9,-
500 to her When they went finally to the up
town fiat he put the money in a fimsy chff-
fonier. That they move uptown was the wom-
ans suggestion. he said which prompted her
counsel to ask: THE woman MADE pretty nearly
all and every valuable suggestion that came
along. didn't she Runyan? In other words.
she was YOUR counsellor and adviser-kept
watch you?'
Runyan. he whispered yes" slipped so far
do7-n into the witness chair that 1t seemed as
though he would go TO the floor. He was one
OF the weakest and most Insignificant figures
ever seen In the court. That he was the man
who had stolen close to 100000 seemed almost
incredible. Runyan finally said that one or two
suggestions came from himself such as shaving
his nustache. Another suggestion which he
made himself was that he blordned himself and
put on woman's apparel.
on redirect examination Runyan said that he
had given SO 500 in all. Replying to Mr. Mar
shall he said he had been IabOring under-a Sc
we're mental strain for three months up TO June
IS and had been drinking heavily. Reverting to
his manner Of stealing the money he said:
Il had on two or three occasions, after bank
ing hours on the 2Gth. cashed some checks and
every time I went to the vault for money l
would take out Of the vault more money than
needed This 7 put in TIE dress suit case It
was loose money. that Is. il was not wrapped
up"
Fx-Corrres. nan Goldforle. counsel for Mrs.
Carter on the subject Of Runyan.s mental strain
for three months previous to the theft asked
him if the loss Of 500 by =peculation had wor-
rfed him. and Runyan said his shortage IN Feb
rrarv was $500 and il was this which worried
him.
Runvan said in February he had in his own
name specu'ated with the firm of Buckley
Johnson hut did not know the exact amount oi
his transactions in February and March lie
was asked by Mt Godfoge If he had told the
truth in saving all his speculation was III
amounts of $50 to $50 and replied that ne mad
not Intentionally told an untruth and said II
answer 70 n direct question that there were
many cases of greater amount
Judge Whitman refused 10 allow questions az
n foreeries directing the lawyer 10 refrain troIf
continuing on that line OF questioning. and re-
marking that the decision was final
Gilbert G. McLuff. a juror, asked Ruhyah
after both the prosecution and defence cioset
with him whether he gave Mrs. Carter S>V
o,,t of the SI95 500 he had in the dress suit case
Runvan said he did not. Runyan said he ha'
S7OO over and above that money III the dFts'
suit case when he gave the woman @ooo i,dh
van insisted that ne committed only three for
geres and told how he did it one or theS
was the check he testified to on Wednesday
4 o'clock Judge Whitman announced the cas-
,rouId go over until next morning. as the Angus
term of Part 3 would have to be extended int
September It is probable that Mrs Carter VII
take the witness stand before the trial closes
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