Wayne County, NC - Miscellaneous

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Lori Price Cobb <jhcobb@iquest.net>.

William & Emmet Robinson Collection
Johnston County Heritage Center
Reference Box, P.C.1.1.
George Ragsdale Collection

Sept. 1877

DEATH OF WILLIAM ROBINSON, ESQ.

     Wm. Robinson died at his residence in Goldsboro, N.C., Thursday
night last, the 6th inst., at 12 o'clock, of consumption, aged 62
years.  Mr. Robinson had been in failing health for a considerable
time, but within the last few months the ravages of the disease had
become so visbily manifest in his appearance as to cause apprehension
and solicitude.  For the past two or three months he has been confined
to the house and was rapidly declining, so that his death was generally
anticipated, and he himself was aware of its near approach and
expressed himself fully resigned to it.  His remains were followed
to their last resting place on Saturday morning by a large concourse
of sorrowing relatives and friends.

     Mr. Robinson was born the year 1815, in the parish of Aghadoey,
Londonderry county, Ireland, but came to North Carolina when quite a 
young man and has spent here nearly two-thirds of this life, and was
therefore fully identified with North Carolina interests and her people.
His profession was that of law, but he had abandoned it and turned his
attention to teaching and newspaper editing.  As an instructor he enjoyed
a fine, we might say enviable reputation, and many a young man in our
midst, and throughout the adjacent counties, are numbered among his former
pupils and point with satisfaction to the fact.  In the capacity of 
editor he has also won considerable reputation all over the State.  The
journals edited by him were the Tribune, the Patriot, the New Era, the
Republican, and the Rough Notes, all of these published in Goldsboro
in anti bellum days.  At the outbreak of the war and during the year 
of 1861, he was the editor of the State Journal published at Raliegh,
and his vigorous, cutting pen "hewed straight to the mark," and it was
there that his capacity as an able, forcible writer was fully displayed
and recognized.

     In 1867, and during the eventful, stirring political campaigns of
1867-'68, Mr. Robinson was the editor of this paper, then published as
the Rough Notes, and it was then that the writer of this served his
editorial apprenticeship under him, and had every opportunity to learn
to know and esteem him.  Ever plain, unpretending and always courteous;
he was also gifted with fine social qualities, and above all, a large,
noble heart, all of which go to make the true friend and companion,
indeed a most exemplary man and citizen.  He had a fine, well-balanced
mind, and was ever quick to grasp and comprehend what was brought before
it.  Kindly and charitable by nature, himself the slave of one fault,
no man had more compassion for the failings of his fellow man.

     Though a life-long Democrat, and always a leader in politics, he
had no aspirations for office until in 1870 when hew was elected Mayor
of Goldsboro, which position he filled to the entire satisfaction of our
people.  During the Greeley campaign of 1872 he was nominated as one of 
the Democratic nominees for the Legislature, but failed to get elected.
Being a fluent speaker, he engaged actively in every political canvass,
and never was he at a loss for words to express his ideas; they always
seemed to be ready and waiting for his use, which gave him that ready
and elegant diction that but few of our public men possess.

     As a Mason, too, Mr. Robinson was well known to the fraternity all
over the State, both, in the Blue Lodge and Chapter, of which for many
year, he was a bright, faithful and zealous member.  The family have our
warmest sympathy in their bereavement.

     Peace to his ashes.

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