The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-08-08
H0NORED CAREER
CLOSED BY DEATH

RIG II ION ID, V A., Special
Logan Sims Robins. for over thirty
years Il member OF the police force OF
inns city and one OF the commissioned
officers OF the Old First Virginia Regi-
ment, died of BTight's disease Monday
morning at O'Clock at his home, 1912
PARK Avenue, after a long illness. For
months and months he had been con-
fined TO his room, and in the last two
, or three weeks his condition was at all
times regarded as critical.
The death of Mr.. Robins marks the
passing OF one of the oldest and most
. respected figures connected with the
local cOnstabulary, though advancing
years and i'll health compelled him to
retire from active work about three
years ago. Unflinching in his dis
charge OF duty and courageous to an
4 unusual degree, Mr.. Robins neverthe-
less was a man of exceptional mOdeSty,
who shranl- from publicity OF all sorts.
and lived strictly within the sphere of
his homelife.
He was born January 81, 1S41, in
King William county, the son of Will
liam Robins, a schoolmaster, who
later made his home in Gloucester.
Mr.. Robins at an early age engaged
/ in business in Richmond, but following
1 the secession of Virginia enlisted in
Company ID of the First Regiment on
| April 21st as private, and served UNI
/ til 1S65-indeed, was confined as n
prisoner until six months after the
surrender.
| 1t soon developed that the quiet, UNI
| assuming youth had in him the max
/ ing of a superb soldier, and he rose
/ rapidly from the ranks. When cap
/ tured in the closing days of the nosti-
| litieS he had the rank of first lieu
! tenant-an honor won by gallantry
and daring on the field of battle.
There was nothing of the spectacu-
u n lanr
record was one of which any man
might be proud. Time and again his
cap and clothing were torn by shot
and shell. yet he escaped severe injury
in any of the fighting. This was little
short of remarkable, as Mr. Robins
! figured in eighteen great battles. He
was at Bull Run, Sharpsburg, Gettys-
| burg, the Crater. Sailors Creek and
other bloody conflicts.
Following his capture he was tenn
porarily confined in the old Capitol at
| Washington. but subsequently, was re-
moved to JOhnSon's Island. The war.
of course, found him without means,
and, returning to Richmond, he en-
gagged in the sash and blind business,
but on July 1, 1873, became connected
with the police force.
AS one of the guardians of the
peace he was jealous and faithful,
though his reticence, which to
strangers seemed almost like timid-
ity, kept him in the background. He
came into prominence. however as
one Of the officers who worked on
the murder case of Thomas J. Cluve-
rus, the slayer of Fannie Lillian Mad
ison. 1t fell to the lot Of Captain
Charles Epps and Mr.. Robins to ar
rest the young lawyer, who subse-
quently died on the gallows
About ten or fifteen years ago Mr.
Robins, while on duty, was severely
injured by a cave-in which occurred
b or A1nI
accident occurred about 10 o'clock at
night following a heavy rain. Officer
McMullen fell into the hole caused
by the cave-in and Mr.. Robins, in
going to his rescue. met a like fate
he was so seriously injured by this
fall that afterwards he was trans
ferred TO less active duty and became
attached to the office of the chief.
Mr.. Robins was a consistent mem
Der of the Christian Church and WIS
active in all good works. He was
quiet and studious In his habits, but
could be counted upon at all times
when bravery and fidelity were re-
quired. His friendship and his affec-
ton were things worth having. for
they counted for much and came from
man pure in heart and high in
character.
Mr.. Robins is survived by his
widow, who, before her marriage. was
Miss Arabella Davis, OF this city; by
one brother, Thomas G. Robins, also
A, of Richmond, and by several nieces
and nephews.
The arrangements for the funeral
: have not yet been completed. but il
viii probably take place tomorrow af-
ternoon about 5 o'clock
piloted by Albert Haiti. landed at New
Berlin, Wis, after covering 425 miles.
Captains Honeywell and Donaldson,
in the Uncle Sam" could have re-
manned i'm the air for another oav.
but for the storm which threatened
to blow them far out into the At
lantlc, and after landing they immedi-
ately wired of their success to George
NJ Meyers, president of the aero club
which they represented. The huge
balloon, measuring $4,000 cubic feet
was at once packed and expressed To
Kansas City.
Leaving Manassas shortly after 1
CLOCK yesterday afternoon. the air
men arrived in Washington at 3
O'Clock, and recounted the story of
their experience since leaving the
earth in Missouri on Saturday last.