Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-04-02
Note Left to Sons Shows Acute
Insomnia Had Driven Him
to Deed
ADMIRED AND RESPECTED,
HIS DEATH GENERAL SHOCK
Iona Life of Business Achieve
ment Had Also Been Filled
With Usefulness and Quiet
BenevoIence - His Home
Happy and Leisure Hours
Spent Amid Beloved Books

Spent Amid Beloved BOOKS
Leaving q brief note to his sons
clearly indicating that suffering from
acute insomnia had temporarily de-
ranged his mind, Mark P. Robinson,
one of the bestknown bankers and
capitalists in the territory, took MS
own life at an early hour this morn
ing at his residence, 22l1 Nuuanu
avenue.
After losing rest and sleep for
weeks, he left the house sometime be-
fore 8 o'clock this morning and walk
ed a few steps into the rear lot There.
under the spreading branches OF
large bread-fruit tree 100 feet from
the house, he shot himself with 81
caliber Colts revolver. The bullet
passed into his left breast directly un-
der the heart. The single shot was
sufficient.
When members of the family came
downstairs short time later, they
found a short note pencilled on
sheet OF yellow paper, addressed to
the three sons and notifying them
where his body was to be found
Hnrrying into the rear lot. they found
their father lying under the tree with
life extinct A physician was called
but could do nothing.
& The note says in effect that from
lack of rest and sleep he was impeli-
ed to end. his life and that his reason
could no longer Withstand the rayages
of insomnia. His only request In the
note Is that his body shall be c-emat-
ed as soon as possible and the ashes
buried under the tree where the body
was lying, -->..
seated IN his spacious library. sur
rounded by thousands of books which
represent probably the most valuable
collection in the Hawaiian islands.
Mr.. Robinson talked with his sons be-
tween 10 and IL o'clock last night. He
complained or suffering from lack OF,
sleep, but gave them no intimation OF
an intention TO end his life. He had
returned from business late yesterday
afternoon and left the house for the
city early in the evening saying that
he intended TO attend meeting OF
the Masonic lodge to which he belong
ed, Hawaiian Lodge No. 21.
At the lodge meeting. one feature of
which was dinner, he appeared to
be perfectly well and his intimate
friends saw no indication to alarm
them. .6
He remained at lodge meeting some
hours. reaching the home on Nuuanu
avenue little after 10 o'clock. The
sons, ]. L. p, Marcus r. and Allen c.
Robinson were home at that time.
They were invited to come into the
large library that adjoins the sleep
ing apartment OF Mr.. Robinson. Faith
er and sons sat there for some min
utes discussing topics of the day. At
no time did the parent give out the
slightest hint of his intention to take
his life.
Needed Rest and Sleep.
II was said this morning that Mr..
Robinson had been ailing for a num-
ber OF months. He had complained
of feeling the effects of loss of rest
and sleep. The trouble, however, did
not prevent him from taking an active
part in affairs connected with his ex'
tensive business interests.
I'VE had repeatedly urged that
father take q vacation and seek rest
and recreation" said member OF the
family today. "He always said that
he did not want to leave his anairs
without personal supervision"
Members Of the family can account
in no other way for the act of their
father than that it was due to acute
insomnia. Business troubles and wor-
ries were never brought into the fam
fly circle, they say, and in any event
his business career has been notably
successful.
Happy Home Life.
He loved his home and his books.
Much of his time when away from
business was spent in his library. His
home life has always been said to be
peaceful and happy.
Born in the islands in 1852. Mr..
Robinson has continuously resided
here. He accumulated valuable hold
ings in a number of big business in
terests. In addition to being first
iyfce-president of the National Bank
of Hawaii, he was also vtce-preSldent
OF Oahu Sugar Company and was
heavily interested in Wailuku Sugar
Company and other sugar-producing
estates. He was prominently identi-
fed with the Oahu Railway & Land
Company. He was one of the original
founders OF the lumber importing firm
of Allen & Robinson.
He had a long and honorable record
in the local Masonic Hawaiian Blue
Lodge 81, Of which he was trustee.