The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-08-08
HAD A LOVE AFFAIR
Herbert Robbins, the Suicide,
Is Identified.
He WORKED IN TOPEKA
Was Adopted Son of Banker
William Kennedy.

The young man who committed suicide
al the Hamilton hotel Monday night
was the adopted son Of William Kennedy.
a wealthy banker Of Hope. Ind. His iden-
tity has been fully established. It is
thought that the direct cause OF his IN
fortunate act was disappointment IN a
love affair. No word has yet been re-
ceived from the young mans relatives
OF friends directing what shan be done
with the body. Undertaken Dunbar VIII
write today 70 his brotherinlaw, who IS
the brother OF Banker kennedy, for ad-
vice in the matter. He VIII keep the
body for week. ard If provisions are not
made by that time for the burial. Mr..
Dunbar viii bury the body at public ez-
pense. The Identification OF the deceased
was contained in an article published
in the Topeka Capital yesterday morn
ing IS follows:
Disappointed in boyhood love. Her
bert Robbins, q years q age, committed
suicide ia a Wichita hotel Monday night
after wandering absence Of several
months from his home at Hope, Ind.
During his stay from home, he lived for
Two months Just previous to his death in
this city. working a part of the time for
DIT IS. C. Hamilton and later with Geo.
D. Palmer, the undertaken. Young Rob
bins wanted to become an undertaken
himself and up % his departure last sun
DAY night. had given every satisfaction
10 his employer. He left Topeka very sud-
denly. without even notifying Mr. Palmer
and from subsequent Developments must
have had the plan Of self-destruction al
ready 10 his mind.
Herbert Robbins was Of a poor family,
but for nine years had lived as member
OF the family of William kennedy,
bsnAer Of Hope, IND. He being an or
phan. Mr. Kennedy who is wealthy man.
clothed. fed and educated him. sending
him 10 the college at Franklin Ind.
Further than this. little has been learned
about his past life lie came TO Topeka
as near as can be remem oerd. about two
and ole-half months ago. He first went
TO the National hotel He seemed I'll and
his condition aroused the attention Of
3Irs. Charles Woods, whose husband Is
the proprietor
Late the first ngiht after his arrival.
some Of the other guests were aroused
by the 0dor OF escaping gas The gas
was traced to young Robbins room. He
had not fallen under the influence Of it,
but was appearenty in severe pain. The
eas was turned of and the hotel porters
and bell boys instructed to watch for the
gas again. Four times during the night
the sas was found escaping and was turn
Cd of. For two days after, Robbins was
iu and refused TO eat, but finally, at the
solicitation o. Airs. Woods. he accepted a
breakfast the morning of the third day.
TO Mrs Woods he told q little az his
story. from which she discovered that he
was from her old home or near it, and
that they were acquainted with the same
people in Indiana.
From that time her interest ia the boy
Increased and she succeeded in securing
for him a place where he might earn his
room and board at the home OF Dr. Ham
utou. From his acquaintauce with Rob-
bins during the few weeks he gave him
q home. Dr. Hamilton did not receive
a favorable impression Of the young
mans character. Last night he described
him as indolent or even worse. After
about a month time, Robbins went TO
work for AIr. Palmer. Mr.. Palmer gave
him room at the undertaking depart
ment and came to trust him in the ham
ding of money in the Office. The boy
wanted 10 learn the business and was apt
and willing lie was of a cheerful dispo-
bal
account he gave as his reason for leav-
ing home did not agree altogether with
that told Mrs Wood. but Mr.. Palmer
wrote to the address Of William Ken
nedv and received in reply che highest
recommendation OF the young mans char
acter
There was one popularity about the boy
his incessaut writing OF letters and dis
matches. What they were about and ID
whom addressed 40 one seems 10 konw-
He was not communicatiye about his pri-
waite AFFAIRS bat the finding Of the draft
of a single dispatch. which ras adar1ss7l
II a young lady In small Indiana town.
gave ar Palmer an ink-irg ~ the young
mans trouble The exact wording ~ the
telegram IS not remembered. but IL vas
apparently % q sweetheart asking u
her refusal was positive.
The Telegram Yves to,-nd but few dayz
ago. where il had been forsotten upon a
showcase IN the oa5ce- Apparently ha
was a rejected lover pleading FOR rec
oncHlation. lhe reply. whatever II nav
have been. must have been uafavora3le
for Robbins disappeared suddenly Lass
SUNDAY night lie had very little IN me
way of baggage but he rook ah he had
lie aid not modest anything belonging 90
his employer and there was even o teW
days wages due 20 him. Up TO The time
Of reading dispatch I'm an evening paper
1fr. Palmer had no notion Of his where