The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-20
PASSED AWAY
At PASO ROBES,
Death of DR.. Somerset Rob.
inson, a Retired Officer
of the Navy.
A REMARKABLE MAN.
Became a Spiritualist During the
Declining Years of His
Life.
ONCE he WAS ALMOST STARVED,
But the Surgeon Made a Good Record
While in the Service of
the Nation.

PASO ROBES, CAL, Jan. 19. - DR..
Somerset Robinson, U. S. n. (retired), died
at his residence here to-day. He had been
in poor health for long time and the end
was not unexpected. No man in this sec
ton OF the State was better known than
DR.. Robinson. He was unmarried and
just 60 years of age. He was native of
Maryland and entered the navy in 1861.
He served with distinction during the
Civil War, most of the time being attached
to the gulf squadron. In 1881 he was
feet surgeon of the North Atlantic squad
ron, and from 1884 to 1886 was in charge of
the Naval Hospital at Mare Island. He
was retired in 1887 and soon afterward To-
Gated in this village, where he has since
resided.
While one of the most eccentric charac-
tiers in the State, he always displayed
qualities which won for him the respect
and love of his fellows, and his gentleness
of nature, generosity and hospitality were
proverbial.
Before his retirement he was afflicted
with rheumatic govt, and as inheritances
and lucky investments in Washington real
estate provided him with plenty OF means
he travelled extensively for relief, visiting
famous doctors and famous springs. Hs
iourneyed on his quest for health until he
found his first considera BILE relief in the hot
springs in Paso Robes, and he decided
to spend here the rest of his life. With
this end in view he set about surrounding
himself with all the comforts and luxuries
that his tastes craved.
Securing fifteen acres of land on steep
hill not far back of the Hotel de Paso Robes
he lavished money in its adornment. He
built large brick house of Southern type,
with wide verandas encircling each story.
A highway ran through his grounds, and
the smaller portion across from his house
he made a garden of wonderful beauty,
with flowers, shrubs and trees arranged
with much taste for landscape effects, but
never trimmed, for he believed that tree
was most beautiful when it grew as God
made it grow. In these ornamental grounds
he placed large pond, which was stocked
with goldfish and water-lilies, and under
the roadway he built an expensive tunnel
for a private passageway.
About his house were many flowers and
ornamental trees, and up the hill to the
rear his grounds became vineyards and or
chards, full of variety, in which he took
much pride. Though his life had been
largely passed on salt water, he had in his
quarters on board many ship acquired
wisdom about chickens, fruit-trees, the
most scientific ways of draining wet land,
etc. Perhaps he was born for a pastoral
life, and that streak in his nature asserted
itself when he INDUCED in fancies; but at
any rate the man whose active life had
been devoted to doctoring marines and
Jack tars could give pointers to San Luis
ODispo farmers when he went to Paso Ro-
bles. So it was an expert that superin-
tended the fifteen acres of flowers and
fruits.
His residence he furnished with simple
elegance, but he made it, too, his own ideal
OF comfort. His library was large, and in
his grounds were all sorts of summer
houses fashioned to filter every harshness
from the sun and wind and to afford every
means OF extracting enjoyment that the
hours could bring there. Few people
would build summer house up in a big
live oak tree, but that was what Dr. Rob.
inson did, and he didn't care whether any,
body laughed or not.
By day the Robinson place was always
a gem OF striking beauty seen from the
town below, but at night it was still more
noticeable. The big house was filled with
incandescent lights, while outside and on
a tower rising above the roof arc lights
with colored globes were placed. These
always burned brightly far into the night
and one of the doctors peculiarities was
to always leave his doors wide open at
night through some strange notion that
was nobodys business; the house always
suggested to stranger at midnight that
some great social event must be going on
up there. Many patient, slice pless in the
small hours in the hotel below. has
watched the weird radiance up on the
hill and gone to sleep to let strange night
mares come.
In that place OF beauty DR.. Robinson
lived the life of his choosing for nine
years, and there he INDUCED every wish
that could be INDUCED up to the time
when his health gave way. His house
work and his assistance and service about
his home and place were furnished by two
elderly men. No woman ever set foot on
his property if he could help it. He had
for many years showed an intense dislike
for the society of females, and would al
ways avoid meeting ladies that he well
knew if he could do so. The reasons of
MS are uOt generally
known, and that has been accounted
merely one of his peculiarities.
But though no ties of friendship rooted
him to the hearth, and though woman's
presence was unwelcome. Robinson was no
recluse. When in health he went to the
postoffice downtown daily. and generally
welcomed strangers with a warm hospital
ity. When his naval or other friends came
to see him his hospitality was princeIy,
and his checkbook was always at their dis
posai. He liked to go to Mare Island fire.
quently, and when there would visit q
friend who is butcher and with whom he
liked to discuss the best and most scientific
ways of killing cattle and such practical
questions.
Not less noticeable than his peculiarities
of manner and living was his appearance.
His face much resembled that of Edwin
Booth, fact of which he was proud It
was strong, expressive and intellectual.
His hair was always worn long and he
never touched it with brush or comb He
always dressed his long dark locks by run