OBIT: John T. ROBISON, 1916, Blair Township, Blair County, PA

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YOUNG MAN SHOOTS HIMSELF IN HEAD
John T. Robison, of Reservoir Station, Victim of Melancholia, Dead
THE BODY FOUND BY HIS FATHER

  During a fit of melancholia resulting from poor health interfering 
with his working steadily, John T. Robison, son of William Robison, a 
farmer of Blair township, residing on the Martinsburg branch, a short 
distance from Reservoir station, ended his life shortly after 6 o'clock 
yesterday morning at his home by shooting himself in the head with a 
shotgun, the charge of shot tearing off the top of the head.  No one 
was present to witness the act and his body was discovered a short time 
later in his bedroom by his father, who made the gruesome discovery 
when he went to call his son to breakfast, as he received no answer in 
calling to him from the foot of the stairs.
  The young man, who was aged 23 years, was found lying in a corner of 
the room in a pool of blood, with a shotgun by his side.  The top and 
one side of his head had been shot away and pieces of his skull and 
brains scattered about, the bed, dresser and carpet being covered with 
blood.
  He was clothed only in his underclothing and was lying on his face.  
The manner in which he used the gun is not known, but it has a short 
barrel and no trouble would be experienced in discharging it 
effectively.
  Very strangely, the report made by the gun was not heard, but Miss 
Isabel Walter, the housekeeper, who had gone downstairs shortly before, 
heard a sound which she knows now was made by the weapon, it not being 
clearly heard on account of a passing train and at the time she mistook 
it for a railroad cap.  Both barrels were loaded but only one was used.
  The day previous John had taken the gun and gone for rabbits and when 
returning said to his father: "Dad, I was near fixing myself today," 
and would give no further explanation; but his father attached no 
significance to the remarks at the time.  To his brother Charles he 
said on Thursday, "I'll do well if I'm living next Monday."
  John had been in bad health for some time, complaining frequently 
about his head, and was not able to do much work.  He brooded much over 
his condition and was very despondent when his brother Charles told him 
he was going to Altoona next week to get employment.  It is believed 
the young man's mind was affected by his brooding.  He had acted 
queerly of late, securing employment in a barber shop at Altoona, 
although having never worked in a barber shop before.  He badly cut the 
first man he tried to shave and was discharged when he admitted he was 
not a barber.
  Coroner W. T. Blackburn went to the Robison home upon being notified 
of the suicide and decided an inquest unnecessary.  The body was 
prepared for burial by Funeral Director Thomas B. McFarlane, of 
Hollidaysburg.
  The young man did nothing the evening before committing the rash act 
to indicate his intentions and spent the evening at home lying on a 
couch before retiring.  He was in a room by himself and no one else was 
on the second floor when he shot himself.
  During the summer he was at home most of the time, helping his father 
and brother with the farm work when able to do so.  Some years ago he 
worked at the Altoona shops for a time, but most of his lifetime was 
spent at home.  He often came to Hollidaysburg and had a large 
acquaintance among the young men of the town and bore a good character.
  Deceased was born in the same house in which his life was snuffed out 
so suddenly, on February 21, 1893.  His mother died several years ago.  
Besides his father, he is survived by three brothers - Merrill, of 
Altoona; Homer, of Loop Station, and Charles, at home; also by these 
sisters: Mrs. Maud Brassington and Mrs. Lilly Sharbaugh, of Llyswen, 
and Mrs. Ernest Robison, of Hollidaysburg.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Saturday Morning, December 2, 1916