New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-08-18
GIL ROBINSON OF
CIRCUS fame DIES
Snowman Passes Away at
Age Of 81 Years

Cincinnati. Aug. is R-Gilbert
James Robinson the congenial
snowman who used to sell tickets.
dispense concessions and superintend
the care OF animals for the famous
circus troupe that bore his family
name, is dead. at his home here in
his saith year.
Gll Robinson left behind him
Inc memories OF one of the most
familiar figures. OF the show world
IN his day. He had taken to author
snip after his retirement from the
Dig top some years ago. had writ
/ ten one book on the history of the
circus in the United States and had
an but completed another when
death INTERVIEWED
- ne youngest son of John G. Rob-
lnson, who founded the show, was
born in the environment of sawdust
rings. of swinging acrobats and dar-
ing bareback liders. He was rear
ed IN the same environment. learned
the business with John G., finally
fellnqulshed to his sons and remain
cd with it until he was prompted to
retire and settle here.
Like the general handy man that
ne was, Gilbert learned the whole
Dag OF tricks and he probably per-
lolMed more functions than any
other person in the troupe.
he arranged the lot rentals, and
awarded the concessions in advance
"hen the outt,t. had reached its des-
tlnation and. in the midst Of the
curious on-lookers. the animals un-
der his care had been unloaded, Gil
scanned the sky. shifted the air. and
took stock of the weather. In fact
the whole outfit depended on him
entirely for that. If he said "up
with the big top the big top went
up. Or, If he had fear that the
WIND might wreck the great canvas
canopy he advised against raising it,
and his advice was followed.
But once the good Gil.
pert was outWltted by the elements
ana storm of sizeable proportions
pie" up. The wind tore down the
tent IN which the animals were
sheltered and the frightened menas-
erie. led by an elephant, started
from under the fallen canvas to
stampede the circus grounds Rob-
lhson went after the herd. Waving
an umbrella IN the face Of the eIe,
phant'that was leading the pack. he
brought them to halt and Luieted !
them.
Years after when his advancing
age had brought him here To seek a
nome. he visited a training school
Tor circus riders in Cincinnati. He
noticed that the pupils were saved
from many fall by swinging arm
or crane with rope attached
which Unanswered over the horses
He looked at the contra ption in
disgust and remarked;
My old man made US ride with.
out continuance of that sort. And
he had boards laid all over the r,ns
so that he would know it when We
fell"
Roblnson's 'peregrinations took
him to every country of the globe.
He boosted he had visited . every
town, city and village claiming a
population of 500 persons or more.
from Portland. Ore, to Portland
Maine, and from the Gulf of Mexico
TO the Great Lakes. He chuckled
gleefully every time he related 70
some new-found friend that his Ave
brothers and sisters and himself
were all born in different states be-
cause the circus always was on the
move. He was born in Virginia.
The Robinson family was noted
Tor. its elopements. John G.. the
founder ran away and married. So
lid John F.. brother OF Gilbert, and
Johnny" Robinson, third of the
1irect line. 49,.
Gilbert made It unanimous by
sloping with Emma Lake, who was
famous equestrienne with the Rob
nsOn cirrus ,