Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-01-07
Aged Couple Recognize
Banker Robin as Son.
Dramatic Scene as He and
His Sister Deny Them.
Both Claim Parents Are In Russia
Robins Sanity Undecided.

New York. Jan. 6.-"Wllat's tile mat
ter with you any way" What do You
think you're trying to do?" asked Jo-
seph G. Robin. the fallen banker
Thursday afternoon of the gray
haired couple. who say they are
his parents. Annoyed. i'll at ease.
by turns. smiling and scrowling,
he absolutely refused to have any
that his parents were in this country
In his denials. his sister, DR.. Louise
Rabinovitch. who has been constantly
besile him, took the same firm stand.
No more dramatic confrontment is
remembered by the Oldest retainer of
the district attorneys Office. Robin $
antecedents have been as cloudy as
his Sudden rise from poverty to wealth
and power was dazzling and the dis
trict attorney desired more details OF
the man, where he came from ana
what people he sprang from. III Brook
I'm a newspaper reporter found a
humble, bowed old couple named Rob-
inovitch, who thought Robin might be
their sou. bet octives brought them to
the criminal courts building Thursday
afternoon. questioned them about their
family history and then had them
meet Robin
No" said lie; II don't want to see
them and nobody can make me.
They're nothing to me-
SO it was necessary to lead him to
the district attorneys office with as
saranees that he need only answer a
few questions. Once there. Mr. and
Mrs. Herman Rabnovitch were
brought into the room. The woman had
the quicker eyes.
MY son, My SOM" she cried. half in
Yaddish. half in English. This is my
son." and made as if to embrace him.
Robin smiled and turned his shoulder,
ASK him if he is not my son." she pro-
tested to the district attorney. 1t was
then that Robin startled the room with
his abrupt assertion The woman who
says she is his mother shrank as If she
had beer struck and broke out into la
mentations.
Her husband, whose sight is not of the
best and who understands no English,
had been peering anxiously at Robin dur
ing this dialogue. An interpreter trans
lated Robins answer. The old man took
step closer looked him narrowly be-
tween the eyes, and affirmed positively:
This is my son. I know him.
Again Robin denied that his parents
were In this country. and at this fresh
denial the husband joined with the wife
in appraised hands and means of GRIEF
that could be heard clearly through the
outer corridors. Stenographers took down
each word. and about the little group
stood alienists for the state noting each
gesture and shade of expression.
The sister received similar affirmations
with similar denials.
Il probably have seen these old people
in Brooklyn" she said. but l do not
know them. My brothers parents and
mine are in Russia"
Previous TO the conformation. neither
of the two pairs knew that the other
was in the building. Robins answers to
questions gave the same birthplace and
the sane names of sisters and brothers.
with one exception. as those given by Mr..
and Mrs Herman Rabinovitch.
4 mental examination of the prisoner
was concluded THURSDAY BY alienists
for tie state. bu. their findings were
withheld.