New-York tribune., 1909-03-31
DREW $1,OOO,OOO CHECK
IN EXHIBIT IN ROBINSON
SANITY CASE.
Has Payable to John ID. Rockefeller
Partner Tells Ho5c Broker
Used to Raise Money.

A check for S.. 100000 drawn by George Hyatt
Robinson the young banker and broker. whom
Mrs Marion Hall Robinson, his wife, is trying
70 have declared insane on account of habituaI
drunkenness. in favor Of John D. Rockefeller.
figured among the exhibits '.st evening in the
inquiry into his sanity before a commission ap-
pointed by the Supreme Court and sheriffs
jury. It did not appear that the check was
ever forwarded 10 Mr.. Rockefeller. Frederick
J Chipnlan. Rohinson's partner, identified the
Rockefeller check and about one thousand
others. all OF which. he swore. Robinson had
drawn on the firm Of Robinson & Chipman since
September last although he had no money to
his credit in the concern
Chapman explained that Robinson used to give
checks 10 butchec-, tradesmen, druggists and
others. ard get cash for them. He would re-
peat the process the next day and raise enough
money to pay the checks issued by him the
previous day. which arrived protested at the
firms Office in the afternoon Of the day follow
ing their Issue.
Robinsor's mother, Mrs Agnes Hyatt Robin
son. left an estate Of about So45.000, Of which
her son was to receive the income of one-half
until he reached the age Of twenty-five He is
now twenty-three. The interest Of the other
half goes for life to Charles a. Robinson, Mrs
Robinsons husband, the principal go to
son is to receive the principal of his half when
he becomes twenty-five. but the testimony
showed that he had mortgaged his reversionary
interest in both his share and his fathers for
about $4,000, most Of which, according to his
wife. had been wasted within the last two years
in dissipation and foolish speculation.
Mrs Robinson alleges that her husband kept
two automobiles. which have been seized for
rent at the garage where he kept them; that he
insisted riding about daily in taXicabs despite
his ownership Of these cars: that he pawned
and got rid Of her jewelry TO the value Of about
s2.oco. and acted similarly with regard to his
own jeVelry: that he borrowed $4,000 from her
which he has never repaid; and that he has
been .habitually drunk for two years, his liquor
bill in one week reaching $500,
Ex-Judge Timothy J. Grifing. Of Suffolk
County, and Frederick G. Fischer, Of NO. Il
William street. appeared for Robinson. Leroy
Bah and ex-Congressmau Waldo represented
Mrs. Robinson. who occupied a seat in the court
room behind her husband. when not on the wit
ness stand Robinson kept his eyes carefully
averted from her and ignored her when leaving
the courtroom During the testimony Of Chip
man Mrs. Robinson was continually in tears.
Chiprnan, in describing the trouble the firm
had with Robinsons checks said that Robin
son drew out all the money he had put in the
-rn, some $4,000, by June last This included
$4,000 which was his contribution TO the part
uership two years ago. Of which $1,000 went
l. buy a mine in Montana, which stiu belongs
70 the firm. and one in Nevada.
Chapman said he and Robinson. with an en-
g.neer. visited TIL mines in Montana and Ne
vada in 1907. and that he then first noticed that
Robinson's behavior was peculiar. He used
10 write half dozen letters every day and
send kilograms" Chipman said, Ito The Merry
Wid9E.'"
Chfpnlan said that Robinson. when they went
% visit mine about twenty miles from Helena,
Mont. refused to go by train saying he had
engaged d man to drive them there
'On reaching the mine ] asked the driver how
much / owed him. said Chipman, and ne told
M Mr Robinson had engaged him for three
DAYS I managed the next day. however, 10
COMPROMISE with him. Robinson then refused
u visit another mine ON the way back he
turned up intoxicated at the station with
revolver. and I got the porter to take 1t and
keep il until we reached New York
= told him last October his checks Were
coming in and that he had no balance to his
credit. and that he should not draw them He
replied that he knew what he was doing and
did not want any advice
The checks would begin TO come in from the
hanks in the morning The bank runners would
keep coming all day with notices that our
checks had been dishonored, and about 2:+5
O'Clock Robinson would bring in amount Of
money about equal 20 meet the protested checks
Then there would be d scamper to get the
raonsy TO the different banks"
Mrs Robinson said her husband acted queerly
when sober as well when drunk. and that
last December in the worst blizzard" Of the
year. he had insisted. about 1870 O'Clock at
night. on their driving 10 MontcIair. on another
bitter cold night he compelled ner to go with
him TO Pleasantville. and they were almost
frozen before they reached their destination
Robinson she said. took the receiver off three
relenhones he had in the house, and allowed
the bells to ring all night