Civil War Veteran. Com K 13th and 30th Maine vol.∼Biddeford Daily Journal Obit 6/3/1908 File #49 P8C2
SUICIDE WAS PREMEDITATED
Jas. H. Robbins Had Been Watched For Days
Woman Who Recently Came Here Left The Robbins Home Monday Noon
There is no doubt that James H Robbins, who committed suicide between four and 5 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at his greenhouse, located near his residence at 262 Hill St., and planed for several days to take his own life. This is the opinion of his relatives and friends, his relatives have gone so far as to have him watched as closely as possible. His actions during the last four days was sufficient evidence to show that Mr. Robbins' mind was affected. His threats to take his life go to show that he was despond and and only castle watching on the path of members of his family, and his help, no doubt, prevented him from doing the rash act sooner.
His first attempt to do himself harm, as far is can be learned, was Tuesday afternoon, when, after a little conversation with his hired man, Alonzo Kendrick, he started to go toward the reservoir which supplied the hothouse with water. Mr. Kendrick had been watching his employer, as he well knew the man was in a condition to do almost anything desperate.
Mr. Robbins, so Mr. Kendrick says, new he was being watched, as he turned around to see just where the hired man was.
"Where are you going" asked Mr. Kendrick.
The man made no reply, but changed his course and walked away from the reservoir. It is believed that he intended at that time to drown himself.. The hired man kept close to Mr. Robbins until the latter went out on Hill Street and stood on the sidewalk looking down towards the Pprospect Park ball grounds.if you are standing in the same position when Harry H. Goodwin,, assistant treasurer of the York County Savings Bank, drove along in his buggy, to get some lettuce and radishes. It was about 4:15 o'clock, and Mr. Robbins did not seem to notice Mr. Goodwin. He continued to appear as if dazed and stared down the street.
"What's the trouble, Jim?" inquired Mr. Goodwin.
There was no reply, and again Mr. Goodwin spoke, telling Mr. Robins that he wanted to get some radishes and a head of lettuce for supper.
Mr. Robbins turned as though he was going towards is hot house and then stopped for a few seconds, and again turned towards the hothouse. He deliberated some time before he finally went on the errand. Once inside where the lettuce was he took much care to select a good head. He handed it to Mr. Goodwin and received pay for the same, putting the money in his pocket.
The radishes that Mr. Goodwin wanted were in another part of the bins, and the site that met their eyes was a ghastly one.
Mr. Robbins lay on the floor, of what he called the boiler room of the hot house, while blood flowed freely from an ugly wound in his throat.
"You've done it at last"said the hired man as he bent over his employer to see if he were alive.
Mr. Kendrick says he thought Mr. Robbins said "Yes" in reply.
A pocket knife, which he had been in the habit of using lay nearby the man. It is a $.25 knife and has one blade pointed like a dagger. The knife was covered with blood.
From all appearances Mr. Robbins stood up against a rail and faced the pit where the boiler is. He then committed the deed and fell backwards. He was lying on his back when discovered. The hired man put a chair cushion under his head and the alarm was given.
Mr. Goodwin immediately drove downtown and returned with Officer Hayes, and at the same time a call was sent out for physicians..
Dr. McNally told a Journal reporter that when he first saw Mr. Robbins there was a slight twitching of the muscles but that was all. The doctor said that both the windpipe and the jugular vein and been severed and the man bled to death.
Coroner W. I. Dennett was summoned by telephone, and went to the Robbins home. After hearing the facts of the case decided an inquiry unnecessary. He took charge of the body, and after dressing the wound repair the body for burial.
Friday Mr. Robbins did not appear like himself and up to the time that he committed suicide he had caused members of his family much alive. Friday he met Andrew J. Roberts, who lives on the Old Orchard Road and sells produce about the two cities and asked him if he wanted to buy his hens.
"I'm going to sell out everything I've got and get out of this world just as quick as I can" was the startling announcement made by Mr. Robbins to Mr. Roberts.
Anything that it was thought Mr. Robbins could use to do himself harm with was kept out of his way but he kept his jackknife.
Monday morning he complained to the hired man that the knife was Dell and he wanted a shop adage of the blade. The hired man took the knife, but did not make much of an attempt to sharpen it as he mistrusted what Mr. Robbins at on his mind.. When the knife was handed back to Mr. Robbins he examined it, appeared satisfied and put the knife in his pocket. It was the same night that he cut his throat with.
There have been all kinds of stories afloat as to the reason of Mr. Robbins departure. He was going to marry her. Mrs. Higgins came out to Biddeford and has been stopping at the Robbins home on Hill St., Monday morning she sent for Tom drew, the Hackman, and told him to take her and her baggage to the Boston and Maine passenger station and left on the 11:30 train for Portland.
The departure of Mrs. Higgins, it is claimed, had a great deal to do with a man hastening his death, as he was looking forward with great pleasure to their marriage early and the fall. What caused Mrs. Higgins to leave after staying at the house so long, is only known to herself, as far as the Journal can learn. She refused to make any statement before leaving Biddeford, except to tell the Hackman that she would not stand for being slandered by the newspapers. This would indicate that there was some unpleasantness that she did not want made public.
It is stated that some members of the Robbins family liked her while others did not.
Speaking in regard to the financial condition of Mr. Robbins, one of their sons said his father had no need to worry on that account. The sun stood ready to do all in their power to help him out.
Another story in circulazion was that Mrs. Higgins and brought suit for $5000 against Mr. Robbins. This was emphatically denied at the Robbins home
James H. Robbins was born in Waterboro, July 9, 1845, so that he was almost 60 years old at the time of his death. His parents moved from Waterboro to Biddeford when he was a boy. He went to school in Waterboro and also in Biddeford. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade but he enlisted in Company K. 13th Maine Regiment as a drummer when he was only 16 years old. He served during the war and came home and took up his trade.
Later he gave this up and went into the produce business, his firearm being located on the Guinea road. He lived there for many years and later sold the farm to the Chasse brothers and went to live on L St. where he had since resided. He built up a fine business in selling garden produce and had customers all over the city among the storekeepers and the private families. He also did a good deal of business in Saco and Old Orchard Beach. Some years ago he built a fine barn an afterward told a friend that his crop of cabbages that year paid for the barn. The barn could have cost no less than $1000 which shows that the crop must have been a successful and remunerative one.
He was square in all his dealings and this was how he built up a large trade. His produce was the best quality. He had a fine greenhouse in connection with his place on Hill Street he was very widely known all through this section as his business brought him in contact with so many different people..
Mr. Robbins was greatly interested in politics. He was a Republican for a number of years and later changed over to the Democratic party. He was identified with the Citizen party during the days when he was a Republican. He was at one time the road commissioner in Ward 1. His most recent political aspirations were with the Biddeford police commissioners for the candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Sheriff of York County.he got out a petition for the appointment as a member of the police commission which was signed by his friends and was then forwarded to the to Governor Cobb.
At this time he said if he was not here in the appointment he wished to be the Democratic nominee to share he was a strict temperance man and said if he was nominated and elected he should rigidly enforce the prohibition law in York County. At the time he announced his candidacy for these two positions he also signified a desire to get married. This was noted in the newspapers at the time and he was swamped with letters relative to matrimony from all over New England. He got S1 letters in one week following the announcement of his desire to correspond with the right woman with a view of marrying he finally selected the woman above-named and brought her to his home after a visit at her home in Westbrook.
The news of his unfortunate death is caused great regret all over the city and in other places where he was known.
Tuesday noon Mr. Robbins disposed of two pieces of his land to his sons, Freeman and Frank Robbins he sold a woodlot to Freeman and the other lot called the upper field to Frank. One daughter Florence Robbins and four sons, Ernest, Frank, Freeman, and Walter Robbins and one sister, Mrs. Lucy Inman of New York survived him
. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at his late home and will be private friends may call between the hours of 12 and 1.
SUICIDE WAS PREMEDITATED
Jas. H. Robbins Had Been Watched For Days
Woman Who Recently Came Here Left The Robbins Home Monday Noon
There is no doubt that James H Robbins, who committed suicide between four and 5 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at his greenhouse, located near his residence at 262 Hill St., and planed for several days to take his own life. This is the opinion of his relatives and friends, his relatives have gone so far as to have him watched as closely as possible. His actions during the last four days was sufficient evidence to show that Mr. Robbins' mind was affected. His threats to take his life go to show that he was despond and and only castle watching on the path of members of his family, and his help, no doubt, prevented him from doing the rash act sooner.
His first attempt to do himself harm, as far is can be learned, was Tuesday afternoon, when, after a little conversation with his hired man, Alonzo Kendrick, he started to go toward the reservoir which supplied the hothouse with water. Mr. Kendrick had been watching his employer, as he well knew the man was in a condition to do almost anything desperate.
Mr. Robbins, so Mr. Kendrick says, new he was being watched, as he turned around to see just where the hired man was.
"Where are you going" asked Mr. Kendrick.
The man made no reply, but changed his course and walked away from the reservoir. It is believed that he intended at that time to drown himself.. The hired man kept close to Mr. Robbins until the latter went out on Hill Street and stood on the sidewalk looking down towards the Pprospect Park ball grounds.if you are standing in the same position when Harry H. Goodwin,, assistant treasurer of the York County Savings Bank, drove along in his buggy, to get some lettuce and radishes. It was about 4:15 o'clock, and Mr. Robbins did not seem to notice Mr. Goodwin. He continued to appear as if dazed and stared down the street.
"What's the trouble, Jim?" inquired Mr. Goodwin.
There was no reply, and again Mr. Goodwin spoke, telling Mr. Robins that he wanted to get some radishes and a head of lettuce for supper.
Mr. Robbins turned as though he was going towards is hot house and then stopped for a few seconds, and again turned towards the hothouse. He deliberated some time before he finally went on the errand. Once inside where the lettuce was he took much care to select a good head. He handed it to Mr. Goodwin and received pay for the same, putting the money in his pocket.
The radishes that Mr. Goodwin wanted were in another part of the bins, and the site that met their eyes was a ghastly one.
Mr. Robbins lay on the floor, of what he called the boiler room of the hot house, while blood flowed freely from an ugly wound in his throat.
"You've done it at last"said the hired man as he bent over his employer to see if he were alive.
Mr. Kendrick says he thought Mr. Robbins said "Yes" in reply.
A pocket knife, which he had been in the habit of using lay nearby the man. It is a $.25 knife and has one blade pointed like a dagger. The knife was covered with blood.
From all appearances Mr. Robbins stood up against a rail and faced the pit where the boiler is. He then committed the deed and fell backwards. He was lying on his back when discovered. The hired man put a chair cushion under his head and the alarm was given.
Mr. Goodwin immediately drove downtown and returned with Officer Hayes, and at the same time a call was sent out for physicians..
Dr. McNally told a Journal reporter that when he first saw Mr. Robbins there was a slight twitching of the muscles but that was all. The doctor said that both the windpipe and the jugular vein and been severed and the man bled to death.
Coroner W. I. Dennett was summoned by telephone, and went to the Robbins home. After hearing the facts of the case decided an inquiry unnecessary. He took charge of the body, and after dressing the wound repair the body for burial.
Friday Mr. Robbins did not appear like himself and up to the time that he committed suicide he had caused members of his family much alive. Friday he met Andrew J. Roberts, who lives on the Old Orchard Road and sells produce about the two cities and asked him if he wanted to buy his hens.
"I'm going to sell out everything I've got and get out of this world just as quick as I can" was the startling announcement made by Mr. Robbins to Mr. Roberts.
Anything that it was thought Mr. Robbins could use to do himself harm with was kept out of his way but he kept his jackknife.
Monday morning he complained to the hired man that the knife was Dell and he wanted a shop adage of the blade. The hired man took the knife, but did not make much of an attempt to sharpen it as he mistrusted what Mr. Robbins at on his mind.. When the knife was handed back to Mr. Robbins he examined it, appeared satisfied and put the knife in his pocket. It was the same night that he cut his throat with.
There have been all kinds of stories afloat as to the reason of Mr. Robbins departure. He was going to marry her. Mrs. Higgins came out to Biddeford and has been stopping at the Robbins home on Hill St., Monday morning she sent for Tom drew, the Hackman, and told him to take her and her baggage to the Boston and Maine passenger station and left on the 11:30 train for Portland.
The departure of Mrs. Higgins, it is claimed, had a great deal to do with a man hastening his death, as he was looking forward with great pleasure to their marriage early and the fall. What caused Mrs. Higgins to leave after staying at the house so long, is only known to herself, as far as the Journal can learn. She refused to make any statement before leaving Biddeford, except to tell the Hackman that she would not stand for being slandered by the newspapers. This would indicate that there was some unpleasantness that she did not want made public.
It is stated that some members of the Robbins family liked her while others did not.
Speaking in regard to the financial condition of Mr. Robbins, one of their sons said his father had no need to worry on that account. The sun stood ready to do all in their power to help him out.
Another story in circulazion was that Mrs. Higgins and brought suit for $5000 against Mr. Robbins. This was emphatically denied at the Robbins home
James H. Robbins was born in Waterboro, July 9, 1845, so that he was almost 60 years old at the time of his death. His parents moved from Waterboro to Biddeford when he was a boy. He went to school in Waterboro and also in Biddeford. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade but he enlisted in Company K. 13th Maine Regiment as a drummer when he was only 16 years old. He served during the war and came home and took up his trade.
Later he gave this up and went into the produce business, his firearm being located on the Guinea road. He lived there for many years and later sold the farm to the Chasse brothers and went to live on L St. where he had since resided. He built up a fine business in selling garden produce and had customers all over the city among the storekeepers and the private families. He also did a good deal of business in Saco and Old Orchard Beach. Some years ago he built a fine barn an afterward told a friend that his crop of cabbages that year paid for the barn. The barn could have cost no less than $1000 which shows that the crop must have been a successful and remunerative one.
He was square in all his dealings and this was how he built up a large trade. His produce was the best quality. He had a fine greenhouse in connection with his place on Hill Street he was very widely known all through this section as his business brought him in contact with so many different people..
Mr. Robbins was greatly interested in politics. He was a Republican for a number of years and later changed over to the Democratic party. He was identified with the Citizen party during the days when he was a Republican. He was at one time the road commissioner in Ward 1. His most recent political aspirations were with the Biddeford police commissioners for the candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Sheriff of York County.he got out a petition for the appointment as a member of the police commission which was signed by his friends and was then forwarded to the to Governor Cobb.
At this time he said if he was not here in the appointment he wished to be the Democratic nominee to share he was a strict temperance man and said if he was nominated and elected he should rigidly enforce the prohibition law in York County. At the time he announced his candidacy for these two positions he also signified a desire to get married. This was noted in the newspapers at the time and he was swamped with letters relative to matrimony from all over New England. He got S1 letters in one week following the announcement of his desire to correspond with the right woman with a view of marrying he finally selected the woman above-named and brought her to his home after a visit at her home in Westbrook.
The news of his unfortunate death is caused great regret all over the city and in other places where he was known.
Tuesday noon Mr. Robbins disposed of two pieces of his land to his sons, Freeman and Frank Robbins he sold a woodlot to Freeman and the other lot called the upper field to Frank. One daughter Florence Robbins and four sons, Ernest, Frank, Freeman, and Walter Robbins and one sister, Mrs. Lucy Inman of New York survived him
. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at his late home and will be private friends may call between the hours of 12 and 1.
Civil War Veteran. Com K 13th and 30th Maine vol.∼Biddeford Daily Journal Obit 6/3/1908 File #49 P8C2
SUICIDE WAS PREMEDITATED
Jas. H. Robbins Had Been Watched For Days
Woman Who Recently Came Here Left The Robbins Home Monday Noon
There is no doubt that James H Robbins, who committed suicide between four and 5 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at his greenhouse, located near his residence at 262 Hill St., and planed for several days to take his own life. This is the opinion of his relatives and friends, his relatives have gone so far as to have him watched as closely as possible. His actions during the last four days was sufficient evidence to show that Mr. Robbins' mind was affected. His threats to take his life go to show that he was despond and and only castle watching on the path of members of his family, and his help, no doubt, prevented him from doing the rash act sooner.
His first attempt to do himself harm, as far is can be learned, was Tuesday afternoon, when, after a little conversation with his hired man, Alonzo Kendrick, he started to go toward the reservoir which supplied the hothouse with water. Mr. Kendrick had been watching his employer, as he well knew the man was in a condition to do almost anything desperate.
Mr. Robbins, so Mr. Kendrick says, new he was being watched, as he turned around to see just where the hired man was.
"Where are you going" asked Mr. Kendrick.
The man made no reply, but changed his course and walked away from the reservoir. It is believed that he intended at that time to drown himself.. The hired man kept close to Mr. Robbins until the latter went out on Hill Street and stood on the sidewalk looking down towards the Pprospect Park ball grounds.if you are standing in the same position when Harry H. Goodwin,, assistant treasurer of the York County Savings Bank, drove along in his buggy, to get some lettuce and radishes. It was about 4:15 o'clock, and Mr. Robbins did not seem to notice Mr. Goodwin. He continued to appear as if dazed and stared down the street.
"What's the trouble, Jim?" inquired Mr. Goodwin.
There was no reply, and again Mr. Goodwin spoke, telling Mr. Robins that he wanted to get some radishes and a head of lettuce for supper.
Mr. Robbins turned as though he was going towards is hot house and then stopped for a few seconds, and again turned towards the hothouse. He deliberated some time before he finally went on the errand. Once inside where the lettuce was he took much care to select a good head. He handed it to Mr. Goodwin and received pay for the same, putting the money in his pocket.
The radishes that Mr. Goodwin wanted were in another part of the bins, and the site that met their eyes was a ghastly one.
Mr. Robbins lay on the floor, of what he called the boiler room of the hot house, while blood flowed freely from an ugly wound in his throat.
"You've done it at last"said the hired man as he bent over his employer to see if he were alive.
Mr. Kendrick says he thought Mr. Robbins said "Yes" in reply.
A pocket knife, which he had been in the habit of using lay nearby the man. It is a $.25 knife and has one blade pointed like a dagger. The knife was covered with blood.
From all appearances Mr. Robbins stood up against a rail and faced the pit where the boiler is. He then committed the deed and fell backwards. He was lying on his back when discovered. The hired man put a chair cushion under his head and the alarm was given.
Mr. Goodwin immediately drove downtown and returned with Officer Hayes, and at the same time a call was sent out for physicians..
Dr. McNally told a Journal reporter that when he first saw Mr. Robbins there was a slight twitching of the muscles but that was all. The doctor said that both the windpipe and the jugular vein and been severed and the man bled to death.
Coroner W. I. Dennett was summoned by telephone, and went to the Robbins home. After hearing the facts of the case decided an inquiry unnecessary. He took charge of the body, and after dressing the wound repair the body for burial.
Friday Mr. Robbins did not appear like himself and up to the time that he committed suicide he had caused members of his family much alive. Friday he met Andrew J. Roberts, who lives on the Old Orchard Road and sells produce about the two cities and asked him if he wanted to buy his hens.
"I'm going to sell out everything I've got and get out of this world just as quick as I can" was the startling announcement made by Mr. Robbins to Mr. Roberts.
Anything that it was thought Mr. Robbins could use to do himself harm with was kept out of his way but he kept his jackknife.
Monday morning he complained to the hired man that the knife was Dell and he wanted a shop adage of the blade. The hired man took the knife, but did not make much of an attempt to sharpen it as he mistrusted what Mr. Robbins at on his mind.. When the knife was handed back to Mr. Robbins he examined it, appeared satisfied and put the knife in his pocket. It was the same night that he cut his throat with.
There have been all kinds of stories afloat as to the reason of Mr. Robbins departure. He was going to marry her. Mrs. Higgins came out to Biddeford and has been stopping at the Robbins home on Hill St., Monday morning she sent for Tom drew, the Hackman, and told him to take her and her baggage to the Boston and Maine passenger station and left on the 11:30 train for Portland.
The departure of Mrs. Higgins, it is claimed, had a great deal to do with a man hastening his death, as he was looking forward with great pleasure to their marriage early and the fall. What caused Mrs. Higgins to leave after staying at the house so long, is only known to herself, as far as the Journal can learn. She refused to make any statement before leaving Biddeford, except to tell the Hackman that she would not stand for being slandered by the newspapers. This would indicate that there was some unpleasantness that she did not want made public.
It is stated that some members of the Robbins family liked her while others did not.
Speaking in regard to the financial condition of Mr. Robbins, one of their sons said his father had no need to worry on that account. The sun stood ready to do all in their power to help him out.
Another story in circulazion was that Mrs. Higgins and brought suit for $5000 against Mr. Robbins. This was emphatically denied at the Robbins home
James H. Robbins was born in Waterboro, July 9, 1845, so that he was almost 60 years old at the time of his death. His parents moved from Waterboro to Biddeford when he was a boy. He went to school in Waterboro and also in Biddeford. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade but he enlisted in Company K. 13th Maine Regiment as a drummer when he was only 16 years old. He served during the war and came home and took up his trade.
Later he gave this up and went into the produce business, his firearm being located on the Guinea road. He lived there for many years and later sold the farm to the Chasse brothers and went to live on L St. where he had since resided. He built up a fine business in selling garden produce and had customers all over the city among the storekeepers and the private families. He also did a good deal of business in Saco and Old Orchard Beach. Some years ago he built a fine barn an afterward told a friend that his crop of cabbages that year paid for the barn. The barn could have cost no less than $1000 which shows that the crop must have been a successful and remunerative one.
He was square in all his dealings and this was how he built up a large trade. His produce was the best quality. He had a fine greenhouse in connection with his place on Hill Street he was very widely known all through this section as his business brought him in contact with so many different people..
Mr. Robbins was greatly interested in politics. He was a Republican for a number of years and later changed over to the Democratic party. He was identified with the Citizen party during the days when he was a Republican. He was at one time the road commissioner in Ward 1. His most recent political aspirations were with the Biddeford police commissioners for the candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Sheriff of York County.he got out a petition for the appointment as a member of the police commission which was signed by his friends and was then forwarded to the to Governor Cobb.
At this time he said if he was not here in the appointment he wished to be the Democratic nominee to share he was a strict temperance man and said if he was nominated and elected he should rigidly enforce the prohibition law in York County. At the time he announced his candidacy for these two positions he also signified a desire to get married. This was noted in the newspapers at the time and he was swamped with letters relative to matrimony from all over New England. He got S1 letters in one week following the announcement of his desire to correspond with the right woman with a view of marrying he finally selected the woman above-named and brought her to his home after a visit at her home in Westbrook.
The news of his unfortunate death is caused great regret all over the city and in other places where he was known.
Tuesday noon Mr. Robbins disposed of two pieces of his land to his sons, Freeman and Frank Robbins he sold a woodlot to Freeman and the other lot called the upper field to Frank. One daughter Florence Robbins and four sons, Ernest, Frank, Freeman, and Walter Robbins and one sister, Mrs. Lucy Inman of New York survived him
. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at his late home and will be private friends may call between the hours of 12 and 1.
SUICIDE WAS PREMEDITATED
Jas. H. Robbins Had Been Watched For Days
Woman Who Recently Came Here Left The Robbins Home Monday Noon
There is no doubt that James H Robbins, who committed suicide between four and 5 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at his greenhouse, located near his residence at 262 Hill St., and planed for several days to take his own life. This is the opinion of his relatives and friends, his relatives have gone so far as to have him watched as closely as possible. His actions during the last four days was sufficient evidence to show that Mr. Robbins' mind was affected. His threats to take his life go to show that he was despond and and only castle watching on the path of members of his family, and his help, no doubt, prevented him from doing the rash act sooner.
His first attempt to do himself harm, as far is can be learned, was Tuesday afternoon, when, after a little conversation with his hired man, Alonzo Kendrick, he started to go toward the reservoir which supplied the hothouse with water. Mr. Kendrick had been watching his employer, as he well knew the man was in a condition to do almost anything desperate.
Mr. Robbins, so Mr. Kendrick says, new he was being watched, as he turned around to see just where the hired man was.
"Where are you going" asked Mr. Kendrick.
The man made no reply, but changed his course and walked away from the reservoir. It is believed that he intended at that time to drown himself.. The hired man kept close to Mr. Robbins until the latter went out on Hill Street and stood on the sidewalk looking down towards the Pprospect Park ball grounds.if you are standing in the same position when Harry H. Goodwin,, assistant treasurer of the York County Savings Bank, drove along in his buggy, to get some lettuce and radishes. It was about 4:15 o'clock, and Mr. Robbins did not seem to notice Mr. Goodwin. He continued to appear as if dazed and stared down the street.
"What's the trouble, Jim?" inquired Mr. Goodwin.
There was no reply, and again Mr. Goodwin spoke, telling Mr. Robins that he wanted to get some radishes and a head of lettuce for supper.
Mr. Robbins turned as though he was going towards is hot house and then stopped for a few seconds, and again turned towards the hothouse. He deliberated some time before he finally went on the errand. Once inside where the lettuce was he took much care to select a good head. He handed it to Mr. Goodwin and received pay for the same, putting the money in his pocket.
The radishes that Mr. Goodwin wanted were in another part of the bins, and the site that met their eyes was a ghastly one.
Mr. Robbins lay on the floor, of what he called the boiler room of the hot house, while blood flowed freely from an ugly wound in his throat.
"You've done it at last"said the hired man as he bent over his employer to see if he were alive.
Mr. Kendrick says he thought Mr. Robbins said "Yes" in reply.
A pocket knife, which he had been in the habit of using lay nearby the man. It is a $.25 knife and has one blade pointed like a dagger. The knife was covered with blood.
From all appearances Mr. Robbins stood up against a rail and faced the pit where the boiler is. He then committed the deed and fell backwards. He was lying on his back when discovered. The hired man put a chair cushion under his head and the alarm was given.
Mr. Goodwin immediately drove downtown and returned with Officer Hayes, and at the same time a call was sent out for physicians..
Dr. McNally told a Journal reporter that when he first saw Mr. Robbins there was a slight twitching of the muscles but that was all. The doctor said that both the windpipe and the jugular vein and been severed and the man bled to death.
Coroner W. I. Dennett was summoned by telephone, and went to the Robbins home. After hearing the facts of the case decided an inquiry unnecessary. He took charge of the body, and after dressing the wound repair the body for burial.
Friday Mr. Robbins did not appear like himself and up to the time that he committed suicide he had caused members of his family much alive. Friday he met Andrew J. Roberts, who lives on the Old Orchard Road and sells produce about the two cities and asked him if he wanted to buy his hens.
"I'm going to sell out everything I've got and get out of this world just as quick as I can" was the startling announcement made by Mr. Robbins to Mr. Roberts.
Anything that it was thought Mr. Robbins could use to do himself harm with was kept out of his way but he kept his jackknife.
Monday morning he complained to the hired man that the knife was Dell and he wanted a shop adage of the blade. The hired man took the knife, but did not make much of an attempt to sharpen it as he mistrusted what Mr. Robbins at on his mind.. When the knife was handed back to Mr. Robbins he examined it, appeared satisfied and put the knife in his pocket. It was the same night that he cut his throat with.
There have been all kinds of stories afloat as to the reason of Mr. Robbins departure. He was going to marry her. Mrs. Higgins came out to Biddeford and has been stopping at the Robbins home on Hill St., Monday morning she sent for Tom drew, the Hackman, and told him to take her and her baggage to the Boston and Maine passenger station and left on the 11:30 train for Portland.
The departure of Mrs. Higgins, it is claimed, had a great deal to do with a man hastening his death, as he was looking forward with great pleasure to their marriage early and the fall. What caused Mrs. Higgins to leave after staying at the house so long, is only known to herself, as far as the Journal can learn. She refused to make any statement before leaving Biddeford, except to tell the Hackman that she would not stand for being slandered by the newspapers. This would indicate that there was some unpleasantness that she did not want made public.
It is stated that some members of the Robbins family liked her while others did not.
Speaking in regard to the financial condition of Mr. Robbins, one of their sons said his father had no need to worry on that account. The sun stood ready to do all in their power to help him out.
Another story in circulazion was that Mrs. Higgins and brought suit for $5000 against Mr. Robbins. This was emphatically denied at the Robbins home
James H. Robbins was born in Waterboro, July 9, 1845, so that he was almost 60 years old at the time of his death. His parents moved from Waterboro to Biddeford when he was a boy. He went to school in Waterboro and also in Biddeford. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade but he enlisted in Company K. 13th Maine Regiment as a drummer when he was only 16 years old. He served during the war and came home and took up his trade.
Later he gave this up and went into the produce business, his firearm being located on the Guinea road. He lived there for many years and later sold the farm to the Chasse brothers and went to live on L St. where he had since resided. He built up a fine business in selling garden produce and had customers all over the city among the storekeepers and the private families. He also did a good deal of business in Saco and Old Orchard Beach. Some years ago he built a fine barn an afterward told a friend that his crop of cabbages that year paid for the barn. The barn could have cost no less than $1000 which shows that the crop must have been a successful and remunerative one.
He was square in all his dealings and this was how he built up a large trade. His produce was the best quality. He had a fine greenhouse in connection with his place on Hill Street he was very widely known all through this section as his business brought him in contact with so many different people..
Mr. Robbins was greatly interested in politics. He was a Republican for a number of years and later changed over to the Democratic party. He was identified with the Citizen party during the days when he was a Republican. He was at one time the road commissioner in Ward 1. His most recent political aspirations were with the Biddeford police commissioners for the candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Sheriff of York County.he got out a petition for the appointment as a member of the police commission which was signed by his friends and was then forwarded to the to Governor Cobb.
At this time he said if he was not here in the appointment he wished to be the Democratic nominee to share he was a strict temperance man and said if he was nominated and elected he should rigidly enforce the prohibition law in York County. At the time he announced his candidacy for these two positions he also signified a desire to get married. This was noted in the newspapers at the time and he was swamped with letters relative to matrimony from all over New England. He got S1 letters in one week following the announcement of his desire to correspond with the right woman with a view of marrying he finally selected the woman above-named and brought her to his home after a visit at her home in Westbrook.
The news of his unfortunate death is caused great regret all over the city and in other places where he was known.
Tuesday noon Mr. Robbins disposed of two pieces of his land to his sons, Freeman and Frank Robbins he sold a woodlot to Freeman and the other lot called the upper field to Frank. One daughter Florence Robbins and four sons, Ernest, Frank, Freeman, and Walter Robbins and one sister, Mrs. Lucy Inman of New York survived him
. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at his late home and will be private friends may call between the hours of 12 and 1.
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