THE ENQUIRER, CINCINNATI, SUNDAY, MAY 1, 1921

News
scans from newspaper collection of
Ruth Adams-Battle

transcribed by Tina Hursh

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Thrills In Life Recalled As Word of J. F. Robinson's Death is Flashed.
"Governor" Dies at His Home in Florida.
Famed Circus Owner is Victim of Bronchitis.
Seventy Years Under "Big Tent" Is Record of Noted Cincinnati Show Owner and Performer

 "Governor" John F. ROBINSON, 78 years old, noted Cincinnati circus owner, died at 5 o'clock last night of bronchitis at his winter home, at Miami, Fla.  Mr. ROBINSON was stricken two weeks ago, and his physician had little hope for his recovery on account of his age.
 Relatives in Cincinnati said last night the body is to be forwarded to Cincinnati for burial as soon as arrangements can be made.
 In the death of "Governor" Robinson there is closed a career of 70 years in the sawdust ring, a career that began with the first real circus that America ever has known, and which closes with the knowledge that during a{?)the time he was at the helm it was an amusement institution that never lost money.
 "Governor" Robinson was born in close proximity to teh circus ring.  Within a few hours after his mother had appeared at an afternoon performance of the old Robinson & Eldridge Shows at Noonan, Ala., November 4, 1843, John ROBINSON II. was born.  Six months later he appeared in the ring as a bona fide part of the circus.

 "Governor" was the son of John ROBINSON, who started the first wagon show in the country.  His mother, before her marriage, was Miss Elizabeth BLOOMER.
 At the time of the arrival of "Governor," John ROBINSON was conducting his circus and at the same time doing a riding act called the "Courier of St. Petersburg."  In this he devised the plan of having a large pouch handed to hims as he circled the ring.  From this pouch was teken a bunch of papers made to represent valentines.
 When "Governor" was only six months old, his father conceived the idea of having a live valentine in the pouch.  "Governor" was pressed into service.  Twice daily he was placed in the pouch in the dressing rooms, and twice daily brought from his prison by his father when mounted on galloping horses.
 "Governor" continued to play his part in the "Courier of St. Petersburg" act utnil two yeary old.  Then he was trained as a rider.  When still a child he appeared mounted on a pony in the ring.  A few years later he rode two ponies, then four and at the age of 14 years he was one of the features with his four-pony riding act.
 Those years were the times of the old wagon circus.  John ROBINSON was the general manager.  The caravan traveled in from 20 to 25 wagons overland.  Playing almost entirely in the South, the circus knew but few closed days prior to the Civil War.  The entire company only numbered a few more than a hundred.  The show was given in a single ring, and features and thrillers of the circus of to-day were unknown.

 At the outbreak of the war "Governor" became a member of the Union Army gunboat squadron. He joined this soon after the memorable experience of the circus at Lexington, Kentucky.
 Playing in the South for years, the ROBINSON circus started for Lexington in the summer of 1861 to give a performance.  Soon after the tents wre pitched the cry of "Yankees" was raised.  The Northern flag  was pulled from the circus poles, the "Stars and Bars" of the South was hoisted and employees, wagons and all other property of the show were chased across the Ohio River into Northern territory.  NOt until 1867 did the John ROBINSON show muster up enough courage to venture south of the Mason and Dixon line.
 Although with war clouds every-where and with battles raging through-out the Southern countyr, the ROBINSON Show did not discontinue performances during the Civil War.  It shifted its playing dates to Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois, and went ahead without missing a season.
 "Governor" was enlisted for gunboat service.  He participated in several Mississippi River battles and in the siege of Vicksburg, Miss.
 Returning from the battle area in 1865, it was but a short time until "Governor" met, wooed and won Miss Caroline F. HAYWARD, of New York.  They were married April 4, 1866.  Six children were born, only two of whom survive.  These are John G. ROBINSON and Mrs. Caroline ROBINSON STEPHENS.  Mrs. STEPHENS made her home with her father in Florida each winter, but joined her husband with the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus during the summer seasons.

 The John ROBINSON circus still is on the road, but no longer does it carry the interests of the ROBINSON estate.  Many years ago after having rounded out his 70 years with the show, "Governor" gave the outfit, now equipped with fine show trains and every known device in the modern show workd, to his son.  Young John G. managed it for a few seasons, but later it again reverted to the "Governor."  He then sold the name and good will for $70,000 to Jerry MUGAVIN.
 Stories of circus life in the early days, both humourous and with a dash of pathos, could be told by "Governor" for hours, each incident calling to mind others.  With him in many of his adventures and in the days of hard work in the ring was "Johnny" WILSON, who now lives in Cincinnati at the Hotel Savoy.  Mr. WILSON passed several months last year with the "Governor," and it was at that time that the old days of the ROBINSON and ELDRIDGE circus again were lived over.
 Known throughout the country as the "Governor," it is interesting to know how he acquired the title.  When John II. was but a slip of a lad a rider was brought to the show from England. This rider took the name of Jimmie ROBINSON.  He brought a groom with him and previous to the conclusion of John's trainig performed the four-pony riding act.  The Groom always called Jimmie "Governor."  When the youngster began his career on four ponies the groom stuck; so did the title for the young rider.  It was soon taken up by circus folk and in the years that followed "Governor" became famous throughout the country.

 Down in Texan there still is talk of the "Battle" of Jacksonville,  It was here that "Governor" and his outfit played their most thrilling gun battle.  After having emerged from several weeks of quarantine against yellow fever in Indian Territory the show broke across the Texas line and pitched tents in Jacksonville.
 A gang of town rowdies began hanging around after the afternoon show, and finally became involved in a quarrel with one of the canvasmen.  This was the cue for a "Hey Rube" call.  It was responded to with a shout and scores of shots.  Having guns they had been using when hunting during the Indian Territory layoff, the circus people banded together for a pitched battle.  The town gang was repulsed.
 An inspection of the battlefield showed four town men killed and sixteen wounded, while the circus casualties were one killed and six wounded.  This incident brought a quick changing of route, and, for several years, the circus never again entered the state of Texas.
 Getting the "Up E[?]at" fever, "Governor" undertook on tour of the New England States.  This was the biggest year for receipts ever known, but was a year when the profits just offset the heavy expenses.  It was on this trip that the most disastrous train wreck in its history befell the Robbinson show.  Near Hartford, Conn., the train was derailed and an overhanging bridge took the roofs off nine animal cages and the ticket wagon.  It was a scramble to again corral the animals and was a set-back to the show.
 To-day one of the most important adjuncts to any circus is the cook tent.  It is the first up and the last tent down at a stand.  To John F. ROBINSON goes the credit for introducing the first cook tent in the show business.  Before that it was a case of rustle for meals anywhere.

 To the ROBINSON family also belongs the credit for the making of the dirt ring of to-day.  In early circus days it always was a large dooden ring.  Necessity often is the mother of invention, and it was a case of this kind that brought forward the dirt ring.  While traveling in one of the Southern states, the wooden ring wagon broke down.  It was thrown away and the troupe went ahead and tried out a dirt ring under necessity, until a new wooden one could be provided.  It proved far better than wood and still is in use.
 John ROBINSON's circus is known over America.  Its first appearance in Cincinnati was in 1856, when it occupied the site at Fifth and Vine streets.  The animals were kept in a livery stable that stood where the Palace Theatrer now stands.  It was in the winter of 1861 at Sixth and Vine, playing at the old Woods' Theater.  Since then it has been back many times.
 Only onie in the old days did "Governor" turn his back to the sawdust ring.  This was many years ago, when, at the close of one season of the Robinson & Eldridge shows, he sold his interests to Eldridge.  He settled in Cincinnati and resided at Seventh and College streets.  The children were sent to school.  Just three months from the date of the sale "Governor" again heard the call, and, buying a new circus, started anew.
 With "Governor" in the show business after the death of the founder were his brother, but "Governor" always was "boss" and he always was the chief manager.  The others were in monor positions, and, although they held an interest, it was due to the foresight and the showmanship of "Governor" that the John ROBINSON Circus made its enviable record.

 Retiring several years ago, the beginning of the end of "Governor's" great career came in the death of his second wife, formerly Miss Maud LOGAN.  This woman, whom he married more than a dozen years after the death of his first wife, figures much in the success of the John  ROBINSON show.  She was a nurse for many years and guarded the health of "Governor" when in his later years he was managing a modern circus.
 After his marriage there was a bond of affection betwen the two which seldom is equaled.  Mrs. ROBINSON's deth in Cincinnati last October marked the beginning of a rapid decline in "Governor."  Seeking health in Florida and away from worrries and old scenes in Cincinnati the veteran showman steadily failed until death came.
 "Governor" ROBINSON was a stock-holder in the Russell-Morgan Printing Company and in the United States Playing Card Company.  He was a member of several clubs and organizations in Cincinnati.  His investments and his revenue from the circus has been well guarded and he leaves a large estate.