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Silas Robbins, the First Colored Man Admitted to Practice in State Shoots Himself. Was Temporarily Deranged. Had Gone Operation for Cancer on the Brain Which Only Checked Malady.
The community was shocked Monday by the news that Silas Robbins, the well known and highly respected attorney, had shot himself at his home 2883 Miami street, dying instantly from a self-inflicted wound in the temple.
Mr. Robbins some months ago underwent an operation at St. Joseph's hospital for cancer on the brain from which he received only temporary relief. The malignant growth continued and it was known that his case was hopeless. Still he maintained his usual cheerful disposition until Thursday of last week when he seemed to become somewhat gloomy and morose.
Monday morning he got up and dressed as usual and came downstairs for breakfast. After breakfast he held a brief conversation with his son, Guy, who later left for his office, but missing his car, decided to return to the house and wait for the next one. In the meanwhile his father had gone up the stairs. Soon after a shot was heard and Guy went up to the bathroom and found Mr. Robbins seated in a chair with blood oozing from his temple. Dr. J.H. Hutten was summoned by life was extinct.
Silas Robbins was a native of Ohio, where he was born in 1859. He taught school in Ohio, Indiana and Mississippi, where he was admitted to the bar. He came to Nebraska in 1889, being the first member of his race to be admitted to the bar in this state. He stood high in the estimation of all who knew him, among both races.
He is survived by a widow, two sons, Guy and Clifford, one daughter, Freeda, Mrs. William Penn, all of Omaha, a stepson and other relatives. The funeral was held from the family residence Thursday afternoon at two o'clock, the Rev. John Albert Williams officiating. Interment was in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Jones and Chiles had charge of the funeral. The pall bearers were M.F. Singleton, Joseph Carr, James G. Jewell, Chas G. Galloway, Alfred Jones and John Logan.
There were many beautiful floral offerings, a notable one among many being a large pillow of roses given by several members of the local bar. |
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