The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-09

Capt. RObt. Robertson, Pioneer
Sailor. Passes Away.
YIELDS TO A PARALYTlC STROKE
He Had Iraversed Every Sea-A Pro-
moter or Commerce on the Great
Lakes-His Last Days.

Capt Robert Robertson. who has sailed
the seas over as far as the waters reach
in any direction. and who is widely known
in Chicago as one Of the pioneer ship
owners and masters Of the Great Lakes.
died al his residence 1011 Lake View
street, in this city, yesterday morning at
1:20 o'clock, from a stroke OF paralysis.
He suffered the first stroke about seven
years ago, and since then has lived a re-
tired life. having come TO Seattle from
Chicago in 1890.
The eliminating stroke occurred four
days ago, and il deprived him Of his power
of speech and control OF his right side Il
was in the evening that it happened. and
under peculiar circumstances. Mrs. Rob
ertson had gone up stairs 10 bed, and the
captain was preparing for the morning
fire. Mrs. Robertson thought he was de-
tanned unusually long. but heard him
coming up the stairs. He came very slow
~. and as he entered the room she saw
that something had happened 1t was
then that she learned that he had lost his
power OF speech. and that his right side
was paralyzed. He fingered on until yes
terday morning, when death came TO his
relief
Capt. Robertson was a remarkable man
In many ways, and every one acquainted
with him held his friendship in high es-
TEEN. He was born at Yell. on the north
ermost Of the Shetland islands August
%. 1875, and at the age of IA began his
career as a sailor, in which calling. both
before the mast and as officer he Visited
nearly every part Of the known world.
and his fund of information regarding for
e.gn lands in his sea-going days was SEEM
ingly inexhaustible. He was one of the
pioneer miners both in Australia and
South Africa, and forty-niner in Cali
fornia. In 1857 he settled in Efingham
county ILL.,. and embarked in the grocery
business. but afterward removed to Chi
cago There he was married to Mrs Jes-
sic Fleming.
Capt. Robertsons love for the spars and
sails soon led him into traffic on the Great
Lakes, and he became owner and master
OF several vessels Among them Will be re-
called the schooners Lookout and Ostrich.
each in her day the fastest sailing vessel
on the lakes. He also owned and sailed
the schooner j. A. Moss and the brig Low
ell, both Of which vessels will be famll-
lar TO the memory of old-time Chicago
men. The captain was widely known both
in Chicago and the whole lake country
He continued in the lake marine traffic
until partially disabled by paralysis in
November, seven years ago.
In the spring of 1890 Capt. Robertson
came to Seattle, since which time he has
resided a 101l Lake View street. He was
made Mason in Cleveland Lodge, A F.
& 4. NJ. in Chicago. and was ever SIN
cere and earnest member of that order
He was 4 man OF great general Informal
ton, of strong convictions, and bold to
maintain them, ever true to his friends.
thoroughly honest, and a bitter enemy 10
anything savoring Of dishonesty or
treachery. either in social, religious or po-
lt!cal affairs. He leaves a widow. a son,
Daniel ]. Robertson, of Chicago, a daugh-
ter, Mrs. f. Y. Jeffery, of this city. a
step-sonsT. r. Fleming, and a niece. Mrs.
Samuel + Holmes
The funeral services Will be under the
auspices OF ST. Johns Lodge. A. f. & A. VI.