Ruth Eileen Robinson

Ruth Robinson

Thon Book No. 3

Note: Ruth Robinson is buried in the Lusk Cemetery under the name Ruth Eileen Immel.

John Irons, 71, and Ruth Robinson, 28, both of Lusk, were discovered suffocated from smoke in the Irons basement home in east Lusk shortly before midnight Saturday night by Gilbert Immel.

The woman's body was badly burned on the bed which had apparently caught fire from her smoking. Irons had been in bed in a separate room.

Immel and Mrs. Robinson had been living here as man and wife, he told officers. Held in the county jail at first, he was released Sunday when officers became convinced of the circumstances concerning the deaths. Immel said he went to the Irons home Friday night, and finding no one returned again Saturday night when he broke in the door window and discovered the tragedy. He immediately reported the incident to Highway Patrolman Gene Curtis.

Officers learned that Irons and Mrs. Robinson had attended a drinking party Thursday night. About 11:30 the two left the party. Both were seen in downtown Lusk Friday and near the Iron residence Friday evening. Officers assume that the couple perished sometime Friday night or early Saturday morning.

NO FOUL PLAY INDICATED

There was no indication of violence. An autopsy was performed here and Dr. S. S. Zuckerman, Wyoming State Pathologist at Cheyenne, confirmed the belief that death was caused from carbon monoxide.

The mattress on which the woman had been lying was completely burned to ashes, but officers explain that the lack of oxygen in the tightly closed house prevented the fire from spreading. She was known to have had the habit of smoking in bed and at least one other time caught bedding afire. It is reasoned that she died of suffocation before the body was burned. There was no sign of a struggle.

Officers investigating the case included Sheriff Ben Brown, County Attorney James E. Barrett, and Patrolmen M. S. Jordan and Gene Curtis. An inquest will be conducted by coroner George Earl Peet.

ROBINSON BURIED TUESDAY

Mrs. Robinson was buried in the Lusk cemetery Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. Jacob Nein conducting a short graveside service. Her mother, finally located in Los Angeles after an extensive telephone search, had had no idea where her daughter was and gave instructions to bury her here. It was learned that she also has a son, John Henry Presley, whose age is unknown.

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RITES FOR MRS. ROBINSON CONDUCTED TUESDAY

Lusk Free Lance, November 5, 1953

Services for Mrs. Ruth Eileen Robinson was held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday afternoon, November 3rd, in the Peet chapel with Rev. Jacob Nein, pastor of the Congregational church in charge.

Burial was made in the Lusk cemetery with Jesse Rice, Matt Bast, V.W. Wingren and Walther Doctor acting as casket-bearers.

The deceased was 30 years of age, and born at Jackson, Ohio in march 1925.

She had made her home in Lusk for the past six months with her common law husband, Gilbert Immel. 

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