The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-05-08
RUNNEL'S LIFE ROMANCE
Citizen of Levy County VIII Return tn
Texas to stand Trial for killing
Man Thirty Years Ago
Gainesville sun. 1th)

John Brown. who was arrested in
this city Wednesday shortly after his
release by the United States court un-
der a warrant sworn out by W. . Don
nella, charging that his true name i
Jesse Runnels and that he is a fugitive
from justice, being charged with alleg-
ed murder in Texas. was arraigned
before County Judge Mason Saturday
morning at 1890 o'clock for preIimi-
nary hearing. but the arraignment was
a mere formaIity. since the man ad-
mitted his identity AMI stated that he
would return to the Lone Star STATE
without the customary requiSttiOn pa
pers.
1t i said that the unfortunate mans
action was prompted by advice Of Dr..
McArtin of Lakeland. a strong per
sonal friend Of many years standing
DR. McArtin had been in communica-
tfon with relatives Of Runnels in Texas
and they advised that he surrender.
! believing that he would he cNoneratel
Of all blame in connection with the al
IL ged murder.
The sun reporter was requested 10
call at the county jail 10 see RunnclS
and found him in rather talkarive
mood.
1T would take some time TO tell all
there is TO this story" said the man.
Il was not surprised in the least at
being arrested. and I am glad things
have turned out a they have. for I
have beene worried for years by this
shadow hanging over me-"
When asked if he had anything to
do with the alleged killing in Texas.
/ Runnels said: Il am not guilty Of the
charge: what I did was justifable and
7 will I'M
ed nearly thirty years ago. when | was
a very young man. Shortly after lis
occurrence a man by the name Of Mott
arrested on suspicion of having
committed the murder. but was releaS-
ed. | remained in the neigh bOrh Ood
for nearly a year ! knew the officers
suspicioned me. but as | had done alb
sOlutely nothing wrong. remained
quietly out of their reach But my
people became worried and wanted me
to leave. 50 finally ! did leave and
came to Florida. | did not come on
the train, either. but | walked here
half naked and half starved. going to
Gulf Hammock in 1884. The alleged
murder occurred in 80 l split rails
when | first got 10 Gulf Hammock in
1884, afterwards accepting a steady po-
sition at $15 per month. and was later
have been broken up four or five
times since coming to Florida by This
Texas trouble. Several times. when |
had amassed little fortune Of $1,000
or $1,000. some one would come alon"
and start talking about my having had
some trouble out in Texas and then it
was all off with me. So YOU see | am
glad things haves turned out a they
have.
about nine years ago my wife left
me. returning to Texas with our SON
have three children buried in Flor
ida-and I Immediately sold out. or
gave my property away. and followed
her We later went to Honduras.
where l purchased a banana grove NV
wife was not satisfied. however. We
returned TO Florida But my wife
finally returned TO Texas for good.
have never made any move 10 secure Z
divorce, and don't intend To. Why she
left me | don't know
1 During my residence in Florida
i have made many thousands Of dollars
1 and the average citizen of the section
/ where / lived-IngIis-wou a. leave
1 a any mans. When | get out Of this
I which l am sure | will am coming
/ back here to live. for the people dowl
4 there love me and l expect 10 make my
i home with them. l did not want a
preliminary trial. because there wa.
/ no use Of it am perfectly willing e
/ return to Texas without any sort o
i pa perS