The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-10
JOHN ROBINsON'S ENERGY.
Dan Rice's Description of the Veteran Circus
Proprietor.

Ian Ah'So tAO - shc
Proprietor.
Uncle John Robinson, the veteran bowman.
who died Saturday morning, was in his eighty
second year. His three sons, who have sue
ceeded him In the show business, several grand
children and two or three more distant relatives
stood about his bedside as he breashed 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 advis-
ability OF an operation was discussed, but owing
to the patients extreme age none was attempted.
John Robinson has been q well-known figure
in Cincinnati since men who are now old were
boys. BE had a powerful frame. stood erect.
and was as commanding in speech and manner
as in appearance. He died q millionaire. His
show was always profitable, and by judicious in-
vestmentst the money which it brought him doub-
led and qusdrupled. 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 earn
ed" he would say. "a good house for every year
/ have lived" Fifteen years ago he built Rob-
ins0n's Opera-house, at Ninth and Plum streets.
Il was his intention with this house to perpet-
uate his name IN connection with the show
business. But the location was not we'll chosen,
and only tho cheaper class of thsatricals
has, as a rule, fourished there. "Uncle" John
began life on the towpath Of a New York canal.
His pay was 81 q month. The first circus COM
ing that way he attended, and it interested him
beyond measure. He resolved then and there
TO some Jay Owl y ClrcuS. Luis 6fnOlllOu -
fulfilled sooner than he had any right to expect.
He first visited Cincinnati in 1920. Thirty
years later he built the fine mansion on Seventh
street which he has ever since occupied.
In 1915, Dan Rice, the Snowman, joined the
Robinson circus at Pittsburg. He has ever
since been a close friend of the proprietor. He
gives the following account OF his old associate:
John was from childhood a strong, self-willed
boy, and he was throughout his life of great in
dividuality and force of character. When only
a boy he ran away from home and soon Joined
o circus. He was among the early and success
full circus men OF the United States. Self
reliant. with indomitable perseverance,. like
Gen. jackson he loved his friends and damned
his enemies. He was never hypocritical. and
ever had his eye to wiudward and his circus sails
spread when the breezes were right to watt him
and his show onward. He was q physical mon
arch, with an intellect which. had il been Guilt
waited In his earlier days, would have placed him
upon q level Of any OF the great men of our
time. His generous impulses often prompted
him to deeds of charity OF which the world
knows nothing. He was a legitimate equestrian.
but. as q performer. could turn his hand to
almost anything in the business. A multitude
of people. particularly the negroes of the South,
thought him something superhumsn. His spe-
cialty was his greet four horse act, in the charac-
ter of Bottle Imp a dashine, daredevil repre-
sentation of the reckless rider. His decisions
were quickly made. aud he never hesitated or
retreated. He was the Eoblest Of them ALL"