Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-27
J. Hancock Robinson Found on
Couch in Office Building.
MANY YEARS IN SERVICE
Had Been Secretary to Four Mis-
sissippi Senators.
HEART DISEASE THE CAUSE
Evidently Had Been Dead for Hours
Before Body Was Found-Ap-
peared in Good Health.

Stretched on a couch in his room in the
Senate office building. the body Of j.
Hancock Robinson, siXtythree years old,
private secretary to four United States
senators from Mississippi. formerly ap-
pointment clerk of the Post Office Depart
ment and prominent in Washington and
Mississippi. was found this morning by
D. c. Purche, an attache of the office
building. Mr.. Robinson had been dead.
it is thought, at least twelve hours. He
is believed to have passed away from
heart affliction while he slept as a heavy
overcoat was carefully thrown over his
chest and his head rested on a pillow
On a chair beside the couch was a
physicians prescription. signed by DR.
Jesse Shoup The latter had treated Mr..
Robinson several times and was not sur
prised when notified Of his sudden death.
Mr.. Robinson is survived by his wife,
who is now spending the winter with rel
atives in Mississippi, and daughter.
whose marriage to William \. Hallock Of
Bath. n. Y, was celebrated ir this city
last October. Mrs. Hallock is living in
Bath. Both she and her mother 0ere
notified this morning of Mr.. Robinson's 8
death.
Friends Not Forewarned.
Although his attending physicians re-
allied that Mr.. Robinsop's health was
bad. his friends received no inkling of
the danger. For the last three months.
while his wife has been away, Mr.. Rob-
inson had occupied a furnished room at
10 I'd street northeast. He took his
meals at the Senate restaurant in the
Capitol or at the Congressional Hotel.
Mrs. Johnson. from whom he had rented
a room, says that wher Mr.. Robinson
left the house with Merry Christmas
on his lips Sunday morning he was the
picture Of health
Mr.. Robinson passed away Sunday
evening, so far as can be judged. Last
night janitOr entered the room where
he was found. but. thinking Mr.. Robin
c. Purche found him about $50 o'clock
this morning.
Mr.. Robinson first came to Washington
about twenty years ago as private secre-
thall Of Mississippi. He had lived here
since that time.
Born in Louisville, KY, in May 1S47,
Mr.. Robinson moved with his parents to
Mississippi at an early age. He was ed
,icated in the schools of his state and
at the age of fourteen years enlisted
with one of his state regiments for the
civil war. sbOllOwing the reconstruction
period Mr. Robinson took a prominent
part in state politics and at one time was
Springs, where he made his home for
years and where he married a Miss
Scruggs, daughter Of prominent Mis-
sissippi family.
Served in Justice Department.
About 1885 MIR Robinson resigned as
clerk of the court and accepted a COM
mission as special attorney of the De-
partment of Justice, travelling extensively
through the south. adjusting war claims
Of railroads and transportation companies
When Senator Walthall was elected to
the Senate for the term which expired
i'm March, 1895. he selected Mr.. Robinson
as private secretary and assistant clerk
to the committee on military affairs of
the Senate.
Mr.. Robinson held his position with
Senator Walthal until he was appointed
appointment clerk Of the Post Office De-
partment, in June. 1894. This position he
held for eight years. until, in October,
1902. he was transferred to the office of
the first assistant postmaster general.
In March. 1909. Mr. Robinson returned
to the Capitol as private secretary to the
late Senator A. j. McI.aurin
When Senator McI-aurin died last De-
cember. and Gov Noel of Mississippi ap-
pointed Col. James Gordon to fill the tenn
porary vacancy, there was no change in
the secretaryship. and when Col Gordon
was, in turn, succeeded by Senator Ie-
Roy Percy. MIR. Robinson retained his
position.
Mr. Robinson was we'll known, socially,
in Washington, and until his wife left
to spend the winter in the south. had
always retained apartments at the Wood
ley, Mintwood place and Columbia road.
where he and Mrs. Robinson entertained
quietly for their daughter up to the time
of her marriage.
The funeral arrangements have not
been made pending the arrival of rela-
tives 1t is believed burial will be In
Holly Springs. Miss.