The Washington herald., 1909-03-18
CHkLONER FEARS
ENEMIES MOVE
Afraid Tragedy VIII Be Used
Against Him.
BROCHURES OFFICIAL EVIDENCE
Eccentric Millionaire Proposes to
Meet Any Movement TO Use shoot
ing TO InJure His Struggle 20 Be
Declared Sane-Win Take Care
OF the GiIIard Family.

Charlottesville. Va. March 17.-John
Armstrong ChaIoner. granddaughter Of
Mrs. William Astor. and brother Of Lewis
StUyvesant Chanler, former lieutenant
governor OF New York. was about his
estate. at Gotham, to-day. as usual. hav-
ing been honorably exonerated- for the
killing Of John GHlard. whom he shot
in struggle to save the wife Of Gillard
from violence.
Chaloner CURLY refused to-day to be-
come reconciled to his brother and sister.
Robert W. Chanler. Of Poughkeepsie, and
Mrs. John J. Chapman, OF New York.
Mr.. Chanler and Mrs. Chapman had
hurried from New York on nearing Of
the shooting TO assist their brother. On
arrival here to-day and hearing that
Chaloner was not only bIameless. but had
defended the helpless wife of Gillard. the
brother, sweeping aside estrangement.
sent Chaloner this note:
Dear Archie: Congratulate you on the maguif-
cent courage you have shown. We are proud Of
you. Elizabeth and ! cane to help if you needed.
cut the compliment paid you b. the Jury relieves
ycu of any need Of il. Can l see yCuI Please
allow me the pleasure. AfeCtionataly
ROBERT
But the breach in this branch of the
Astor family was not healed by this.
ChalOner replied
Robert .. Chanlcr. Charlottesville.
] regret II. but il wiz b. impossible 10 see YOU
JOHN ARMSTRONG CHAJONER.
Chaloner is troubled because he be-
leves his enemies in New York may try
10 take advantage Of this latest episode
10 urge their contention that he is still
insane. Because Of this fact, he has had
a transcript made Of the coroner's in
quest which declared him in no way 10
blame for the killing.
Expresses Regret.
Chaloner to-day expressed deep regret
because he had to kill Gmard. but in
sisted that If he had not done so. and
the drink crazed man had secured pos
session OF the revolver, he would have
killed not only his wife, but also ChaI-
oner and his secretary. He will make
provision for the widow OF the dead man,
who was employed by him, and also the
children.
In an interview Chaloner made the fol-
lowing statement regarding the shooting:
soon after he was cast into the world
Gillard, who had moved into a house
three miles distant from my place. came
10 me for help. He showed his shrewd-
ness in bringing two OF his children with
him TO play upon my sympathy I was
touched 10 see a man with bravery writ
ten all over his face without a dollar In
the world and I asked him his needs
His reply was that he had not paid HIS
house rent and that his furniture had
been bought on the installment plan I
agreed to assume responsibility for both,
and since that day, nearly a year ago, I
have paid house rent and virtually fur
nished support for the entire family.
I regret as much as any man could do
the death OF a brave man. who despite
this virtue, was a brute, who had at
tempted 20 beat a plUcky woman into
submission, she having retaliated in
asking my assistance in procuring a di-
vOrce. This I had promised 70 do. and,
more. I had promised 10 furnish trans
portstion for herself and children to Corn
wall, England. where she claims rela-
tives viii furnish them support"
Kept Guard over Victim.
The room in which the crime was COM
mitted was left undisturbed until the
arrival OF the officers. The body was not
touched, and all through the night Mr..
Chaloner sat as guard over the body of
his victim. There was no other person
in the house
ITO test my nerves. SAYS Chaloner.
and 10 see whether I am the insane
man the New York courts regard me I
went several times 10 look at the dis
torted figure. I realized fully the cir
cumstances. and knew how CHASTITY
such scene would appear to the outside
world. did not feel that ! was a
murderer. although 1 expected yesterday
70 be taken 20 the Charlottesville Jail.
and there 10 be tried for a crime. in which
conviction leads to the electric chair"
Roanoke DistiIIers Forced to Assign.
Special 10 The Washington Herald
Roanoke. Va. March 17.-Arenhinle &,
Bro. whisky distillers and wholesale and
retail liquOr dealers were TO-DAY fo-cad