New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-20
Death of Hon. Alexander r. Field.


At two O'Clock yesterday afternoon, after
long and painful illness which he bore
with great fortitude, death came to the re-
lief of the Attorney General Of the Sta te of
Louisiana.
For more than twenty years Colonel Field
has held prominent place at the bar Of
Louisiana. At criminal law he stood at the
head of his profession. Whether as prose-
cutting officer or as attorney for the one
accused of crime he has had few peers and
no superiors. He was elected Attorney
General of the State on the Republican
ticket in 1872, and for the first two years
performed q wonderful amount of work.
For more than a year, however, his health
has failed, and latterly bis labor has been
performed mainly by deputy.
Colonel Field has led life full OF events.
He was born in Kentucky about the be-
ginning of the century, when most of that
State was an unsettled wilderness. He &C.
quired an education under many disad :
vantages. He moved early to the new State
of Illinois, and under John Reynolds, it's
fourth Governor, he was elected Secretary Of
State. Governor Reynolds took the field in
the Black Hawk war, and young Field served
actively and efficiently as Q member of his
staff during the whole period. This was
about forty-fve years ago. An ardent
Wing, and an active and eloquent cam
paigner for 'old Tippecanoe," after his
election in 1910 President Harrison appoint
ed him Secretary of the new Territory of
Wisconsin. General Henry Dodge was
then Governor. Mr.. Field shortly after
ward resigned this Office and settled in st.
Louis in the practice Of law, where he i'm.
mediately took high rank in his professio n.
A few year later he removed to New Or
leans, where he has since resided
Always an enemy of human slav cry,
when the slayeholders' rebellion was in
augurated he was pronounced Union m an /.
He was always plain and ontspoken in his
sentiments, and seemed Indifferent to tn g
prevailing public sentiment on this gu es,
ton. His pronounced views some times
made trouble for him in community dis.
loyal and fanatical, but his well-estab lished
reputation for nerve and courage usually
saved him from personal insult.
In 1864, an election of Congressman was
held, under the constitutional govern ment
recently adopted, and he wac elected over
DR.. A. P. Dos tie, in the Second District
but Congress was not prepared to welc ONT
the prodigal son back into the fold o.
States just at that time, and he, with
DR.. NJ. F. Bonzano, who was elected in thu
First District, was not allowed his at.
With his career since, the reader is more
or less familiar. The dead patriot was .
man of many virtues and few wees. HI
was implscable in his dislikes, and could
never be swerved when he was once re
solved upon line OF action.
He leaves living in the West children AMI
grandchildren-a son and two daugh tiers
all married, and q married daughter il
Arkansas. Most Of his family had fortu
nately received warning of his approac him
end, and were enabled to be present at hi
dying bed.
The funeral will take place to day from
the late residence of deceased, on Terp
sichore, near Prytania street, and will b.
largely attended.