New-York daily tribune., 1858-02-01
SUICIDE AT THE SNITHSONIAN HOTEL

The Smithsonian Hotel, corner OF HOUSTON street
ard Broadway was the Of bloody self-murder
on Saturday afternoon. The victim was William B.
Robinson, young man of fine personal appearance,
who had been boarding at that place for several
weeks. For some days past Mr.. Robinson had been
drinking to excess which, added to some trouble that
was weighing heavily upon his mind caused him to be-
come deranged. While in that condition and alone in
his room he placed loaded pistol to the right side of
his head, and dscharging it drove bullet into his
brain. He expired in few minutes afterward. Mr..
Bennett friend who had been watching Robinson in
his ROOM unfortunately just before the fatal occurrence
had left the and standing outsde the door in
conversation with the chambermaid when the pistol
was discharged.
The unfortunate man was native Of New -Hamp-
SHIRE but has lived in this city for nearly eighteen
years. For time he was partner with firm in the
liquor business the store being in Hanover street. but
dissolution took place, and he withdrew from the
firm Since that time he has acted as an agentfor his
father, al extensive dealer in grain in Portsmouth,
n. H. and at the same time ehectng sales OF cigars
and liquors on his own account
Mr.. Robson was married man, and lived with his
wife and child at No. 95 Grand street up to about the
23d of November last when intending to go South for
length of time Mrs. Robson concluded to visit her
relatives in Lynn, Mass, till her husbands return
The house was accordingly let to ex-Aderman King
who took possession at once, and still retains the prem
ses After the bloody act was perpetrated, Coroner
Ccpnery was notified, examined the body, and took
charge of what property belonged to Mr.. Robson.
Among his effects were gold watch, with two gold
chans attached a diamond breast-pn and gold cham,
another breast-pfn handbook on the Pachc Dark,
showing deposit Of $40 i6 to the credit OF Lydia
A. Whtehouse, beside which was another bank-10ok
on the Grocers Bank in which is balance OF So2 ~
deposited in the name of the same woman. An lnVen-
tory Of the household goods in the premises No. 70
Grand street together with other papers and letters
were found in his possession. Previous TO taking his
| life Mr.. Robson had packed most OF bis clothes
| carefully away in his trunk, and left but lew
articles exposed. On Friday Mr.. Robson caued
upon Mr.. Brevoor attached to General super
| intendent Talmadges Office who is an o"
| friend, and delivered TO him for saiekeeping
all bis private papers and other articles, which were
consigned to his safe. Mr.. Robinson then expressed
fears that he should not live long and at suose
| quent interview the following evening he exnoNed
evident symptoms of insanity, but made use OF no ex
pressions which would indicate that he ntended 10
| commit suicide Mr. Brevoor, however, hsvlpg
fears that Robinson would make an attempt on his
life went in search of him, but was unsuccessful a.
| he had mistaken the house where Mr. Robinson tol8
| him he boarded. Below will be found copy oil tue
| testimony in the case taken before the Coroner:
| Samuel f. Mead, being duly sworn deposes anu
says-I reside in the Smithsonian House am the
inew The deoesscd he ia. lived here one nohn 70 M.
little mental arrangement for DAY or tWo ,hsre ,gss
no Il the room at the time Of the occurrence know he
had no enems; believe his ncoheence arose nom 'H'e
| Lawrence L. Bennett, being duly sworn, depo-es 70
and sysI reside No 81 Prince street; have KNOW an b
has lived in this city for great many he vas Ps
about two years age with the estabbne J a. he used
lsiey go duosins Of cissrs and qof 90 .b1nt
half mnn4 bore h. .ho, himself called hy the 'ev
,r tchambermsd), who informed me hat M j of bs
Eear The rrport of shot opened the door srd
b. had shot himself he ed n aboa, ten mns
lying in the bed waited ill ssssace cam Wa.
that ke had shot himself through the sh. ss. o.sIed the
sent fcrshn he came M Robinson was aaa nd he powder
on the barrel from my conversation with ME Roen.on s an
paved he IN deous state nothing about 9l 9'
sasI. whether he had money or no. 70 be e' % l in
one which he bad cat 70 Mr. Robinson father Of decreased on
| Saturday sftenoon.J n..,,o,-,u Ian 80 1859.
Nj l. l.: body yYsnssy SsRs' S S1
snd; Vi. fS%s on, q with ss
take Of al property articles belonging 70 n'H
'ait with the body tomorrow aernS9n ROBINSON SON"
Samuel Brevoort special aid to supeIn.enaeYn' Yn
Tsmadse being duly sworn deposes and 80 ~ a. men
as Hudson street hsve known the E6day morina
this city, he called si my oee ue to looI
be brought with him all hi, private psps .n oe on
N. over: found in Of them sn nsup ,nd
property in Grand street which he took and Lao ~ a.,
brought it me placed in the trunk ~ Ss.h which b.
.uee s,s AGO; be- said that In OIL rs
TO think would soop tes IL. one of wbch
hi, .aec.. hs Lao ,oot from MS pocket two 49, 60 ~ -
b s uss 70 ~, t.iher and other oHs tsinh he SAD
be hsd loaned money he oked m he cI With hi
own sesI which besrs his initials; the io ~. hsh- I'D
my house and showed me s .,t.rs: he aid tha
.,L.d M 10 rad II II referred 70 bgnsss ~
he had h. sre.; deal OF domestic 0ub so' bs b Mn
SssSp.s .S1s, ras hos he emd 70 me- %os
he time to be perfectly :s.: .ass' be opasd .naa
box .ad ssd be tousd knife snd ios N ~ .o IN Rrosdv.y