New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-08
TIE SCAPFOLD.
EXECUTION OF JOHN FIELDS AT wILLIAMSPoRT,
PA, YESTERDAY-HIS HISTORY, CRIME, TRIAL,
AND EXECUTION.

EXECUTION OF JOHN FIELDS AT WILLIAMSPORT,
Pa YEsTERDAY-HIs HISTORY, CRIME, TRIAL,
AND EXECUTION.
WuLIAMsPORT, Pa, Dec. John Fields, an
Englishman was executed at wiliamsport. Pa to-day,
for the murder OF his brothernaw, George Matthews,
on the 18th of May, 1869 In 1857 ho purchased small
tract of land in Lycomlng County, and commenced
farming His farm located near Bonneville, sta
ton on the Northern Central Railroad. twenty miles
north Of Wiamsport George Matthews the nniOrtu-
nate Victim and the brother OF his wife, resided near
him. He was also Euglishman and was an industTl-
Ous man. Fields left widow aud seven chhdTen-iour
girls aud three boys.
THE MURDER AND ITS CAUSE.
Early In the Spring OF 1862 Fields and Matthews had
contract TO supply the railroad company with ties, for
which they to receive certain price. Fields ala
the hauling aud Matthews collected the money. Near
the middle of May Fields sent his wife to collect his por
ton OF the proceeds from his brothernaw. Matthews
sent word that he would and settle with
him. On the afternoon of the 18th OF May he came.
agreeable TO promise They met apparently IN lIehuy
manner, and commenced talking over their business.
Tie conversation had continued but short time when
Fields suddenly became terribly enraged ana instantly
s ad snd feed him 10 the sFonnd Mrs Fields sec
ing her brother wounded, called Mr. Batesnan neigh
bOr who at work 10 an adjoining field TO come 10
her brothers assistance On repairing 20 the house,
Batesman found Matthews lying on his face bleeding
prcpaTihg potatoes for planting Mr. Bateslnan said to
him: ION, John, what did you DO this forf Fields
savagely replied that he would serve him u me same
manner. wagon was then procured, aud Matthew hens
WAS taken home, Mrs. Fields accompanying him. inc
wounded fingered TIL the Slst OF May, when ho died
ARREST FIELDS.
The OF the crime soon spread and Samuel Bodne
Justice OF the Peace, ordered Charles Gray a
constable to arrest him. The officer accompanied by Dr.
g. Lyon and the Justice repaired TO Fiedss house the
morning after the murder On entering Fields was found
seated on low stool, looking and savage. Tue
officer approached, and gently tapping him on the
shoulder, said I" You are my prisoner Fields sud-
denly seized the AK and struck him on the head pro
5tqiu AT Olf nj
the brain u inches. As the constable attempted to rush
out OF the door, Desperate struck him again on the
shoulder cutting Into the bone. Fields then rushed
toward the doctor, and compelled linn TO retreat as ho
was unarmed. Constable Gray managed to reach the
road. when lie was taken home by his companions Be-
fore the close OF the day another party composed OF six
men, all armed were dispatched Fields, but he
had ned to the woods lie remained concealed until the
3Oth Of May when information given tho officers that
he had been seen near his home. Early next morning
the house was surrounded by party OF armed citizens
when Fields surrendered himself and lie was placed In
Jail at this place to await his trial.
HIS TRIAL AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
Field remained in the Jail until the Goth Of August
1862 when his trial Off His counsel labored hard
In his defense, but it appeared from the evidence
that he guilty and deserved the soverest punish
ment known TO the law The criminal became convinced
that there was hope for his acquittal, and the
night OF the 2Gh OF August he attempted to commit sui
eide WTenchIng small iron staple from the wall. he
improyised q weapon and attempted TO open o vein In
his wrist laceraed wound was made from which the
blood flowed freely, and as his life was slowly ebbing
away he moved about the cell bespaterng the floor aud
walls with his blood About break Of day the aor heard
peculiar noise IN his cell, aud investigating the
cause found him lying In pool OF blood apparently quite
exhausted The alarm given and assistance
procured The wound in his wrist was bound up restOra
lives were administered 10 him. and he soon revived On
the opening OF the Court the next day. he was able 10 DO
present though very weak, and looking emacated from
the loss OF blood during the night On tho JO OF August
lie made desperate attempt 10 escape ny breaking
away from his guards while OH his way from the Court
TO the JAIL but was soon recapured Ihat night ne
ATTEMPTED srangle himself by twisting towel around
his neck but prevented by the jallOr The trial was
concluded the st OF August aud the jury brought In
verdict OF Guilty and the 4h OF September he was
sentenced TO be hanged on the 9TH OF December. lie
received his sentence calmly and has since been heartily
engaged in religious exercises with his spiritual ADVISER
the Rev. DIR. Paret, an EpiscOpalian clergyman.
THE EXECUTION
The weather today was cold aud clear. Fields spent
almost the entire night walking his cell and praying In
company with Drs. Paret and steck, Epscopalian minis
ters who conducted the religious exercises AT 1885 the
ready to execute the law and the latter ngnined his
readiness to follow him. Fields was cool, calm and col
ected At o'clock tbs procession started and they
death warrant read 10 him by the Sheriff. when his spir
fual advisers resumed the religious exercises Fields co.
casionaly responding. When the word amen" was
pronounced tho Sheriff touched the DROP and Fields
died easily, his neck being broken In the fall At the
body was cut down, placed In coin and delivered to
his friends f0r interment.
AN EXECUTION IN CANADA.
GODERICH, Dec L. Nicholas Nj. Melady,
who murdered his father and stepmother about niue
months ago. was hung this morning ut 81 o'clock 1t Is
said he left q written confession Of his crime.
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