The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-10
JOHN ROBINSON'S ENERGY.
Dan Rice's Description of the Veteran
Circus Proprietor.
No,
From the Ne,o York Times.

From The NeU orr times.
CINCINNATI, Aug. 5.--"Uncls" John Rob
inson, the veteran Snowman, who died Sat
urday morning, was in his SGD year. His
three sons, who have succeeded him in the
show business, several grandchildren, and
two or three more distant relatives, stood
about bis bedside as he breathed his last.
His maladies were dropsy and cirrhosis of
the liver. His vitality was wonderful. On
Friday a council of physicians was held
and the ACCESSIBILITY of an operation was
discussed, but owing to the patients ex-
treme age none was attempted.
John Robinson has been a well-known
figure in Cincinnati since men who are now
old were boys. He had a powerful frame,
stood erect, and was as commanding in
speech and manner as in appearance. He
died a millionaire His show was always
profitable, and by judicious investments the
money which it brought him doubled and
quadrupled. 1t is invested largely in real
estate in this city. The pride which he felt
in his accumulation Of property was always
manifested by the same remark. II have
earned, he would say, "a good house for
every year / have lived" Fifteen years
ago he built Robinson's opera house, at
Ninth and Plum streets. 1t was his inten-
ton with this house to perpetuate his name
in connection with the show business.
But the location was not well chosen, and
only the cheaper class rs of theatricals
has, as rule, fourished there. "Uncle"
John began life on the towpath of New
York canal His pay was 81 a month The
first circus coming that way he attended,
and it interested him beyond measure He
resolved then and there to some day own
circus. This ambition was fulfilled sooner
than he had any right to expect. He first
visited Cincinnati in 1920. Thirty years
later he built the fine mansion in Seventh
street which he has ever since occupied
In 1S45 Dan Rice, the Snowman, Joined
the Robinson circus at Pittsburg. he has
ever since been a close friend of the pro-
prietor. He gives the following account of
his old associate: John was from child
hood a sJrong, self-willed boy. and he was
throughout his life of great in .ividuality
and force of character. When only boy
he ran away from home and soon joined a
circus He was among the early and sue
cessful circus men of the United States
Self-reliant. with indomitable persever-
ance, like Gen. jackson, he loved his friends
and damned his enemies. He was never
hypocritical, and ever had his eve to wind
ward and his circus sails spread when the
breezes were right to watt him and
his show onward. He was a physical
monarch, with an intellect which, had
it been cultivated in his earlier days. would
have placed him upon level of any of the
great men of our time. His generous i'm
pulses often prompted him to deeds of
charity of which tho world knows nothing.
He was a legitimate equestrian, bat, as a
performer, could turn his hand to almost
anything in the business. A multitude of
people, particularly the negroes of the
south, thought him something superhuman.
His speciality was his great four-horse act, in
the character of Bottle Imp dashing,
daredevil representation of tho reckless
rider. His decisions were quickly made,
and he never hesitated or reiterated. He
was the noblest of them ALL"