The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-17

n1fy feet from the GROUND, anu WlTee
attached to the outside OF the Sill JUST
below and to the opposite corner OF
the building had been broken.# mr.
bunting was man of below medium
height, and very stout. Weighing
something more than zoe pounds. He
pitched down he3dforemost, striking
apparently on the back of his head.
No one saw him in the hallway. and
he might have been missed for some
time before he was found, had not
the elevator boy seen the body in its
fall.
Coupled with other facts ascertain
ed by Sergeant Wiley is the state
ment that Mr.. Bunting had been com
planning for some time of i'll health.
and was in very nervous condition.
He had given, however. no indica-
tons of contemplating suicide, and
there was nothing found among his
private papers and effects, 1t was said,
to lead to the belief that he con-
templated taking his life.
Coroner Taylor said last night that
in making out the death certificate he
would give apparent suicide" as the
cause.
May Have Been Accident.
George J. Hooper. of 207 North
Rowland street, who represents Mr..
Bunting in his large transactions in
Richmond. stated that the presump-
ton was that Mr. Bunting rang for
the elevator, and then sat in the
window to await it's arrival, and fell
out as he attempted to rise on hear
ing the elevator start upwards. He
stated that Mr. Bunting had an en-
eagement with him for this morning
to discuss an important business mat
ter, and that the fact that Mr.. Bunt-
ing had made many important plans
for the future and was even then en-
eaged upon working them out, pre-
ciuded the idea of suicide. Mr.. Bunt-
ing. the attorney stated, was man
of large means, and was engaged in
various enterprises which involved
thousands of dollars. He said the idea
of suicide was ridiculous, and that 1t
was clearly and plainly an accident.
Mr.. Keegan said that he had known
Mr.. Bunting for FIVE years, apd that
they had become fast friends. tie
noticed, however, that Mr.. bunting
was evidently in i'll health though he
had no reason to believe, and saw
no indications in Mr. Bunting's man
ner. that he intended to commit sui
eide He. too. was impressed with the
accident theory. Mr.. Bunting, 1t was
said was heavily insured.
Mfr Rur.inE was almost as Wen
known in Richmond as he was IN
Norfolk For ffteen or twenty wears
he was n member of the Whoiesale
flrm of Montague q Runtne. Nor
folk which was engaged in the run
her business. It was one of the oldeS'
firms in Norfolk Six wears ago ne
retired from this business to enter
real estate business with s. :. Nus
baum and others. who were enEa geo
in deyeloning Ocean View pronertY.
He was secretarS-trea suTer OF the
Punting- McNeal company. treasurer
of the Bunting Realty company ana
secretary Of the Abbey Realty com
many. all real estate firms. win OF
fees in both Norfolk and Richmond
He was largely Interested IN real es-
tate in Richmond. and had recantiy
bought a tract Of land In the far West
End for s5e00o. which he was de-
yelnpinq at the time Of his death,
West End Development.
He was one Of several men who had
much to 90 with the development Of
lee district, from which LARGE DIR
tunes ware realized. Mr.. Bunting, "
was said. had been remarkably sue.
cessful In the real estate business. ana
his acumen and foresight had never
failed him He came often 10 Rich
nond 10 attend to his duties as an
officer In the Abbey Realty COMPANY,
MS East Main street and almost
/ invariably stopped At the Lexington
i hotel He was to have met his attor-
| new, George T. Hoorer. this morn :
| ing to arrange for large real estate
| transa elton.
Mr., B1nting's home was in Colonial
/ avenue. Client. Norfolk. He was a
! deacon IN a Baptist church in Nor
( folk He is survived by his wife. and
! nv four Children-Julius L. Bunting.
/ Jr.. and Mary. Eta and Helen Blunt
/ ing. the Oldest of whom is nineteen
I wears old
/ The BODY was turred over To TN
/ dertaker Kahn last night, and will he
| taken to Norfolk at o'clock TINS
morning.