The Detroit times., 1910-12-29
pee WEE BEN IS
Gut OFF BY DEATH
Odd Old Character Found Stricken
With Pneumonia in Home and
Soon Iasses Away.
Pee Wee Ben is dead

Nearly everybody in Detroit knew
'PeeWee Ben" by sight nj least, ana
il your curiosity has ever led you To
stare al him you probably have occa'
sion TO remember IL. IL there was
anything this little, weakened old man
disliked It was 20 be stared at or
whistled at by newsboys, and MS
tormentors were sure 10 receive
cursing or a whack over the back with
his cane IL he could catch them.
Ben's real name was Benjamin NJ.
Robinson, though II was unknown 10
most OF those who familiarity called
him "Pee-Wee," title given him by
boys on the street more than a score
Of years ago. He died in Grace nos
tpital, Tuesday morning. or pneumonia.
after several days illness. He had
been sick for several days in his home.
No. 64 Charlotte-ave., where he lived
| alone except for the presence OF one
Ioomer. Mr.. Woodruff. before his con
dition was discovered by neighbors.
who had noticed his failure TO appear
on the streets as usual. DR.. NJ. X.
v Baalen. No. Al Duffield-st.. was
thea called In. He found Mr. Robin.
son suffering from well-developed
case of pneumonia and at once had
him removed TO Grace hospital
That was on Dec. II. AS soon as
| Toe relatives Of the old gentleman.
including several cousins around De-
/ tire It. learned of his condition they en-.
gagged special nurses and did al In
| their power 10 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.
Ii was just month and two days
ago that Benjamin's older brother.
Charles W. Robinson, died after
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 aid their own WORK
and cooked their own meals, and, once
a year. woman was engaged TO give
the place a thorough housekeeping.
After the death of Charles, Benja
min, W IO Huu Dttu TIC uiOIC utIpitSo
OF the two, had no one TO look after
his wants. He contracted cold, and.
through neglect, ii developed into
pneumonia. When DR. Van Baalen's
attention was called TO the case. Ben
jamin was sitting up in 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 CO years old. He
was born in or near Troy, y. y, ana
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 III
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 we'll read and
a frequenter of the public library. He
could converse intelligently, his hob
By being railway matters. The two
brothers were members OF NE West
minister Presbyterian church. but at
tended the First Presbyterian because
il was nearer. Every Sunday night
found them in the gallery.
Mr.. Robinson's mental trouble, as
ALREADY lnulCdleO, lOOh lhe iO' III VI q
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 10
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 matter of fact the income from
, the estate would have been no more
than sufficient TO keep him In fairly
comfortable circumstances had he
filed out his natural span.
Before he met with his injury, Mr..
Robinson was drug clerk in Troy.
He loved to talk OF his native town
and was ever making comparisons be
tween that city and Detroit
49,, a,uI Npd M merry Joke,