The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-30
JOHN ROBSON is GONE.
The British Columbia Premier
Lies Dead in London.
A MAN OF GREAT ABILITY.
The BODY OF Colonel Trotter Escorted to
Vancouver BY Militia and Membsrs
Of the Governors stan.

VICTORIA, June GA cable-ran was received
this afternoon by J. Hunter, son-in-lsw of Hon
John Robson, premier OF British Columbia,
stating that the latter was dangerously i'll in
London. A later dispatch announced his death
at oclock in the evening. The premier was in
poor health when he left Victoria for London
on business connected with the crofter coioniz-
alton scheme, by which parliament was 10 loan
British Columbia money at low interest to pay
the passage of crofters TO the province. 1t was
thought the trip would be beneficial, but proved
otherwise. He was taken III in London two days
ago, and his weakness was aggravated by
slight accident TO a finger. This fastened
dissolution. General regret IL felt hero at his
untimely death, and his loss at the present time
will be severely felt. several important matters
being concerned in his present visit 70 England.
The body will be brought 10 Victor.s and prob
ably public funeral given.
M Robson left an estate valued at 10000,
besides heavy insurance. He will probably be
succeeded by Hon. C. L. Poo!ey, president OF the
executive council.
VANCOUVER, B. c., June 2a-lspeciaLl -Flags
are at half-mast over the city. Deep regret is
expressed on all sides over the cabled news OF
the death of Hon. John Robson, premier OF
British Columbus, in London.
John Robson was born in 1884 at1Perth. Ont,
OF scotch parents, who emlgratei 10 Canada
early IN the present century. He WAS educated
at Perth, and married susan Longworth, OF
Goierich. He engaged In commercial pursuits
until 1853, when he went TO British Columbia,
attracted by the gold discoveries vigorous
writer and forcible public speaker, he soon came
to the front aud took a leading part in the
struggles of the then crown colony for
representative government. He was editor and
proprietor of the British Columbian q, established
at New Westminster in ls6l He was elected
mayor of New Westminster in 1865: represented
the important district of New Westminster in
the legislative council of the united colonies of
British Columbia and Vancouver island from
1857 to 1870, and took q prominent part IN
bringing about confederation with Canada,
the terms OF which Were formulated
and adopted by the legislature of
which he was a member. He removed to Vic
toria IN 1862 and was editor OF the Cot0nist Tor
Nanairno in the provincial legislature in 1871,
and sat Tor that constituency TIL the spring of
ls15 when he accepted the federal appointment
OF paymaster and commissary of the Canadian
Pacific railway surveys west of the Rocky
mountains, which position he continued 10
hold until it was abolished in 1879.
resumed publication of the Columbian in 1850,
and at the general election of lSS2 was elected
to represent the district of New Westminster in
the provincial legislature. Upon the defeat OF
the Beaver administration, January 26, 1883,
aud the formation of the smithe adminis;ra-
ton. he was appointed provincial sec:
minister of finance and agriculture. In 1889 he
became prime minister. Mr.. Robson was a
handsome man, OF splendid address. and
eloquent public speaker. He was an ardent
liberal, and an advocate of all temperance and
moral reforms. Besides, he was the best poll
tieian British Columbia ever saw. He would
probably have become lieutenant gov
ernor in few months, and If he
had lived short time longer he would have
been knighted by the queen. He lived in a
handsome residence on James bay, Victoria In
February, 1891. MI Robson took leading part
in the celebration attending the driving on the
boundary at Blaine OF the last spike in the
New Westminster Southern and Fasrhaven &
southern railroads. He made an able aud witty
speech and answered the hints at annexation
which came from speakers from this side of the
line so skillfuily as TO avoid all danger
OF ill-feeiing over the friendly discussion.
Mr.. Robson visited Seattle last fall His only
son, John, died in California, and the father
passed through this city his return
from that state. While here ne called
on the family of Richard Winsor, the
lawyer. Mrs. Winsor, the mother Of Richard
Winsor, is an elder sister of Premier Robson's
wife, and the deepest affection has always
existed between them. Mr.. Winsor said last
night that the people OF British Columbia
called Mr.. Robson 'Honest JOHN" on account
of his rigid integrity and the high character of
his private and official life.