from The Republican (Danville, Indiana)--issue of Thursday, March 13, 1902—page 1, column 5:
A CHARACTER GONE
William L. Robbins, an Eccentric Farmer Found Dead
Thursday afternoon, “Bill” Robbins and wife and Mrs. Samuel Barber found William L. Robbins, commonly known as “Hartman Will” Robbins, dead in a chair in the kitchen of his home near North Salem. The citizens of North Salem were soon aware of his death, the first report stating that he was murdered. There was no foundation for the statement. Coroner Curtis was notified. When he arrived he examined the remains thoroughly. The verdict of his inquest was that death was caused by old age. All appearances pointed to the fact that the deceased had been dead for two or three days when found. Two sisters, Mrs. Samuel Barber and Mrs. Henry, of North Salem, and two nephews and two nieces survive. The funeral was Saturday with interment in the cemetery two miles west of North Salem.
Mr. Robbins was one of the wealthiest men in the county and one of the largest land owners in the state. He owned 1260 acres in this county and nearly 300 acres in Putnam county. Mr. Robbins was very eccentric. He kept part of his money in the North Salem bank and part around his home. Since his death nearly $3,000 in gold have been found in tin cans and boxes around the house. It is supposed that the deceased had a large sum buried in the ground around the house. Mr. Robbins was never married and lived by himself. His home was scantily furnished and to a stranger he always appeared as a poor man.