The morning times., 1896-08-12
He SAVED SCENARIOS LIFE
Major George Robinson About
to Be Retired.
WENT UP FROM THE RANKS
Was With the Secretary Of State
When the Attempt Was Made to
Assassinate Him-was Rapidly Pro
NOTED and Finally Received His
Commission as Major.

The next regular retirement in the army
will be that OF MAJOR George Foster Rob-
inson, a nd it will take plac today
when he reaches the age of sixty-four
years.
He is living quietly at his home in Po-
mona, Cal, ON waiting orders, having been
relieved from duty as paynaster in the
army several months ago while stationed
at Denver. 1t is the usual custom in the
army to allow an officer several weeks
waiting orders preceding his retirement.
The career OF Major Robinson Is an in
teresting one. He enjoys the unique dis
t,nction of having been promoted from
the grade of nurse to the grade OF MAJOR
in the Pay Department. His record also
won for him for Congress- a goli medal for
especially meiitorious services.
This medal is one OF the largest and hand
somest ever given an army officer. 1t was
awarded him for his actions in disarin-
ing Paine, who sought To take the life of
Secretary Seward while the latter was i'll
1.-THE oil Blaine house on Lafayette Square.
HOW HE SAVED SEWARD.
Major Robinson came TO Washington as
a messenger in the War Department, but
at the time of the attack on Secretary
Seward he was an cu.isted man, having
served from 1868 with regiment from
Maine, his native State. Early in 1855
he came to Washington, and when Secre-
tary Seward was thrown from his car
rage and confined to his bed. Robinson
was detailed to act as his nurse.
TIE night that Lincoln was shot Paine
entered the trout door OF the house where
f@r ht fha
steps, where he attempted TO get into the
room occupied by the Secretary or War
Major Seward, son of Secretary Seward,
WAS then enjoying the same rank and po-
sition now held by Major Robinson he
was present at the time OF the assault,
and, together with Robinson, saved Secre
tary Stewards life
II was this service which won for Ma Ior
Robinson the handsome medal. He liz
modest man md never speaks OF the occur
renee unless the subject Is thrust upon bin'
he was further remembered by the secre-
tary OF War and given promotion in the
OWL department
when Johnson became President. Rob
inson was given an appointment as pay
master in the army with the rank OF
MAJOR, and he has filled that office until
the pres ent time His first station was in
Texas, and all during these years he has
rarely been East.
The appointment OF Major Robinson re-
calls an interesting factin connection with
this branch of the service. The pa ymaster
corps is the only department where ap-
pointments can be made direct from civil
life 1t is rot necessary to have worked
ones way through the ranks to achieve the
rank of major in the army.
CHANCE FOR CIVILIANS.
The president has the appointing power
and he can select either from the ranks or
from his friends in civil life. President
johnson was liberal to civilians and one OF
his Appointments was that OF Major Moore,
at the head ofthe police departne Mt OF this
city Major Moore gets his title Of major
by reason of service as paymaster, but he
is also entitled to it as the head OF the
police force.
When Harrison was President he appoint
ed Major Halford, his private secretary, to
the office OF pa VIZ ster, but the rank anl
file are grateful to President Cleveland for
his apparent preference for selections from
the army.
There has been much speculation as to
who will be prom oted to Till the vacancy
caused by the retirement of Major Robinson
and in army circles 1T is announced that
President Cleveland will select an army
man.