The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-25
MAN WHO SAVED SEWARD.
MAYOR RoB1EsONs DETxILBD AC-
O0UNT OF TINE ATTACK.
Ne ns LivinR IN California, and for Thirty
Years ne HAS Avoidea Interviewer About
the Might OF TorFor-Consented at Last.

ho - hhNtuH n OhIhhufhhas b8u y Thirty
Years ne mas Avoidea Interviewer About
the Wight OF Terror-Consented at Last.
Prom the Bosfon Advertiser.
POMONA, Cal, July 2O.-Major @. +. Robin.
son, tho only person on the Pacific coast who
has had q vote OF thanks from Congress for a
moritorious act, ono Of tho very few persons
who has q gold medal given by Congress for
bravery, and ono Of but two men who were
ever romotod at once from private to Major
in:the United States Army, lives quietly here
with his family among the orange groves and on
an avenue Of palms.
At the same moment that Abraham lincoln
was shot to death in Ford's Theatre in WASH
ington, on April IA, 1865, and when. but for q
change OF plans, Gen. U. s. Grant would doubt
less also have boon killed, Major Robinson, UNI
armed and unprcpared, grapplcd with the
armed and desperate assassin, Lewis Payne, In
tho darkcnod sick room Of Secretary Seward.
Major Robinson has studiously avoided
through some thirty years interviews by news
paper and magazine writer's. Last week, how
ever, he permitted an interview by a fellow
townsman and a personal friend. IT have
never KNOWN" said Major Robinson. 'how
came to DO detailed to act as nurse at the homo
Of Secretary Seward In April, 1865. I had
been confined to the hospital for several months
by q gunshot wound in my leg.
"The evening Of April IA was beautiful
and clear. At q little before 10 p. NJ. whom
the Secretary was sleeping easily, the house
was closed for tho night. Mrs. Seward had
gone to her sleeping room. Frederick Seward,
second son Of the Secretary, had retired. Miss
Fannie Seward, a daughter. and l sat In tho
sick chamber on tho third floor. Miss Seward
was near the bed. Her father lay propped up
In bed. Just before 10 the sound OF a man was
heard down In tho hall. 1t was afterward
learned that the porter saw a tall young man
on horseback dash up to the stone curling.
He claimed to be DR.. verdis's assistant, and
pushed his way into the house. The first that
1 knew Of the assassin in the house was when
the front door closed. Miss Seward heard the
sound Of some one coming heavily up the front
stairs, and remarked upon the carclessness of
any one who would so noisily approach o sick
chamber. At the top Of the stairway Freder-
lex Seward met the supposed messenger.
What Is it, asked Mr.. Seward. in q low
"'Dr verdis sent me with this medicine for
Secretary Seward was the mans reply. 10
students t. t and m 1m@'s sei NJ. seward ! S% thf h dSet SnS
when to take the medicine
frederick answered that he would see IL his
father was awake. Then he opened the door
the be bed s shsas Ks i fSI% f iaS. tiRRs s vent Sys S.s (
the patient tSa at a. that thst hour; As he spoke 10
sprang from my chair, threw open. the Rail doo1
man about to 70 open ne L himself ian; RoS Sed back Gea az hi%
F EOnndt K, Seward v covered with blood from
7 ' ,r& s stranger nigs Jumped through the door at ma.
head. " I i fell aT back% 8a1G ON n fas 'fbSl oppd fn sta ,9Esi
down my face and beard. The stranger. wear
.ns C ea leaf ns Besssl ssra q MR. ssx : sES Ssss SSssss
TAKEN alarm and started to call for help Q
t thrust sed that thT rev her aside; Re pounocd upon
knife In his right He leaned over and across
Stewards chest, struck madly and frantically al
the head and neck; ! saw, q thousand times
strike at the Secretary's head. and Law open q
cash in ,hisright cheek and In the side ofhis neck.
the rear. caught. his arm as his right hand
Gripped the knife for Q surer and more power
Knife vent into nao the mu see a1seI1s9 t meek o on tSs , Iss
to US as 1 pulled him from the bed.
Then began q terrific h~and-to-hand Rrapplo.
shoulder as I pulled him bapckWard from fhS
bed. A second later he gave me another cut.
ty, Of, an enrased tiger. while secretar rYe se tsFoSa
rolled on the further side Of the bed. The as
a slash in the % left shouide amef I e Ihe 6 hsadT1 mS
arms about him with my utmost strength, while
nse WAS a. trying Tying I e force 81 me away e 50 that he could
with his big pistol Meanwhile Miss
room and i had su scream %e ' .%u M = Murd tai ai Hi.
though weak from my hospital experience and
my antasonist Ssinly tried to raise his
his pistol and tried to push me from him Or to
me; clqng to the man with even great
and ID that ) tax Eni Ess blade %ls ae'Psf srasp ssdS
me ne assassin's right wrist. He ceased for q
IlTOw me. Then 6unlmpninD all N Gtpar 9th
tried to throw, him. My wounded leg gave
way and partially staggered. The assassjn
made a vain snatch at my throat
The despair Of the moment brought back my
what IIn st os H. is sad l WHIP sFfiipP : d.. the s,T Villain L. some
tho hall door. When we were about
half way across the room and in fierce grappl0
II flashed into my mind that here was an
a~ccompliSe Of the murderer, Then 1 saw in
he had heard his sisters shrieks, had sprung
fo s OF bed and nc had had come into his fathers room
II called 70 him; Hold that mans hand;
from behind and got his hands on the
s sSsaSaR ,s ssoq hsh sd SO as to push him along
against the woodwork Of the door. and thereby
ser fnssd s ai%sslf a f5Sm my aSo gfa 4: and Fays MsajSf
Hansel, a messenger In the State Department
fellow overlook Mr.. Hansel: and gave him .
slash down the back. Then the assassin went
out OF the front door like q rocket, leaped into
his saddle. and, striking his spurs into his
hanks, Was of in the darkness
three minutes. When the assassin was gone.
l turned to find Secretary Seward on the carpet
al the farther side Of the bed. His daughter
bleeding ,profusely. The pool OF blood In which
ne lay. the gaping cash in his cheek. the wound
2 dreadful sis hit, We lifted the patient to his
bed, and found that his heart still beat, e.
though he seemed to be pulselcss."