The Detroit times., 1910-12-28
PEE WEE BEN" IS
Gut OFF BY DEATH
Odd Old Character Found Stricken
With Pneumonia in Home and
Soon Passes Away.
Pee Wee Ben" Is dead.

roe wee ben Is ueau.
Nearly verybody In Detroit knew
"Pee-Wee Ben" by sight at least, and
il your curiosity has ever led you to
stare at him you probably have occa-
sion to remember 1t. II there was
anything this little, weakened old man
disliked IL was to be stared at or
whistled at by newsboys, and his
tormentors were sure to receive a
cursing or q whack over the back with
his cane II he could catch them.
Ben's real name was Benjamin NJ.
Robinson, though 1t was unknown TO
most OF those who Familiarity called
him "Pee-Wee," a title given him by
boys on the street more than score
OF years ago He died In Grace hos
pital, Tuesday morning, OF pneumonia,
after several days illness. He had
been sick for several days in his home,
No. ga Charlotte-ave., where he lived
alone except for the presence OF one
roomer, Mr.. Woodruff, before his con-
dition was discovered by neighbors,
who had noticed his failure to appear
on the streets as usual. DR.. M. X.
VI Baalen. No. Al ,Duffield-st., was
then called in. He found Mr.. Robin
son suffering from a well-developed
case OF pneumonia and at once had
him removed to Grace hospital.
That was on Dec. 81. AS soon as
the relatives OF the old gentleman,
including several cousins around De-
gagged special nurses and did All in
their power to make him comfortable.
but the disease had gained too great
an advantage, which, together with
his advanced age, initiated against
recovery. He sank rapidly and for
"a hours preceding his death was un.
conscious
1t was just a month and two days
ago that Benjamin's older brother,
Charles w. Robinson. died after a
short illness. For years the two
brothers, both bachelors, had kept
house in the Charlotte-ave. residence.
The income from the real estate they
owned was sufficient to keep them In
comfort. They did their own work
and cooked their own meals. and, once
a year. a woman was engaged to give
the place a thorough housekeeping.
Aust Tic ucdtu VI IhdiiSc, bChJo-
min, who had been the more helpless
OF the two, had no one to look after
his wants. He contracted a cold, and,
through neglect, 1t developed into
pneumonia When DR.. Van Baalen's
attention was called to the case, Ben
jamin was sitting up in q chair. scarce
ly able to move. He had not been in
bed for several days, and had had
very little to eat.
Mr.. Robinson was 81 years old. He
was born in or near Troy, N. Y. and
came to Detroit with his mother. sis
ter and brother, some 20 years ago.
He had never been just right, men,
tally, since a brick fell on his head in
Troy, previous to the family's re-
moval here, injuring the base OF his
brain.
His mind, however, was clear on
many subjects. He was well read and
a frequenter of the public library. He
could converse intelligently, his hob
by being railway matters. The two
brothers were members OF the West
minister Presbyterian church, but at
tended the First Presbyterian because
it was nearer. Every Sunday night
found them in the gallery.
Mr.. Robinson's mental trouble, as
already indicated, took the form or
marked aversion for being stared or
whistled at. Knowing this. the news
boys on the downtown streets al
ways hailed his appearance with de-
light. In former years, when he was
more agile, he frequently used to
catch his tormentors and chastise
them soundly. After he became feeble,
however. he could only stand still and
paw the air with his cane. which he
always carried.
Since the brothers death, month
ago. f. Burnham Smith, cousin OF
the deceased, had acted as guardian
for Benjamin., and John j. Mitchell,
druggist, at No. 80 John R.-st., was
associated with Mr.. Smith in the set
Element of the estate. Benjamin was
popularly supposed to be wealthy. but
AS a matter of fact the income from
the estate would have been no more
than sufficient TO keep him In fairly
comfortable circumstances had he
Allied out his natural span.
Before he met with his injury, Mr.
Robinson was a drug clerk in Troy
He loved to talk Of his native town
and was ever making comparisons De
tween that city and Detroit.