The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-22
TOM FIELDS WIFE.

AND HER PROPERTY BEING EXHAUSTED, SHE
is PLACED IN THE CARE OF THE PoUGH-
KEEps1E ALMsHoUsE COMMISSIONERS
PoUGHKEEpsIE, July 81, 1872
The case of Mary G. Fields, wife of the fugitive
Tom Fields, of Tammany Ring notoriety. came up
before the County Court Judge Carpenter) to-day.
1t will be recollected that in October last she
taken suddenly insane and sent to the Hudson
River State Hospital After her departure her apart
ments where she resided were examined and
siderable amount Of property found in them. incud-
ing handsome furniture Saratoga trunk full of fine
clothing. hamper and chest and some trunks
filed with silver and plated ware rolls of silver
spoons from Tifany's in original wrappings.
goblets, wine cooler. pitchers &C.. and.
besides quantity Of jewery. elegant
ball dress and cancels hair shawl. SAID to have
$500. Her sister. Florence M. Todd. wife of New
York policeman, appointed by the Supreme
Court to take charge of Mrs. Fields effects and to-
day she appeared before Judge b. Plat Carpenter.
and through her counsel, William /. Thorne. asked
to be relieved from further and expense in the
matter as Mrs. Fields property is all gone and she
must necessarily become charge on the city.
The Board Of Almshouse Commissioners
present in the persons of President Alison Ward and
Superintendent L. d. butcher. their counsel being
City Attorney w. Morgan Lee.
testified, among other things. that she Mrs.
Fields two weeks ago. and she nervous. At
times she is better in some respects, but her
dition is not encouraging. About two weeks ago DR..
Cleveland discharged her, but she became violent
and was Immediately returned. The witness
shown an inventory OF Mrs Fields property. and in
reply question thought if it was all sold it would
not bring $780, This was important. because when
it was found In her rooms its value roughly
estimated ut $4,000 $4,000 put down at probable
cost price, AS to Mrs Fields debts, witness ran
over some items, including board. rent. &C.. in
ranging from SO to SIP, all footing up nearly
$1,000. Witness said she had paid S75 for Mrs.
Fields boys schooling at Yonkers The boy is
now eight years old and very promising; she paid
New York lawyer. named Gruhnett. $3.50 tor bills
came insane. Witness also testified she had bought
500 worth of clothing for Mrs. Fields, and that
really the furniture belonged to herself and Mrs.
Fields together, they are sisters and it was left
them by her mother.
NO VALUABLE DIAMONDS.
On her ss-eXamination she said the cancels hair
shawl referred to would bring 800 and the gold watch
mentioned in the inventory not over S25; it had
been said that Mrs. Fields had number Of dia-
monds; all the diamonds of hers that witness had
were in two seevebuttons, and they were small and
not valuable; there We're two diamond rings and
able to find them when Mrs Fields was taken
insane. although week before they in Mrs.
clothing to the asylum for Mrs. Fields to wear. but
the managers sent all back, saying they would not
out altogether for Mrs. Fields about $527 and had
received no money from any estate; she knew Mrs.
Fields had not an inch OF real estate. When asked
how Mrs. Fields lived before she became insane she
said she did not know, but she knew she received
$50 month from somewhere; it came through a
lawyer from somewhere. probably from the sale of
some property.
AN ESTATE COMING.
Here the witness hestated little and added. 81
might as well say that in seventeen months Mr..
Fields will probably give her the Dykman estate;
him short time ago and he told mo about it,
fwArr fha uitnaas fhn
sleepy spectators from q warm afternoons ethargy,
and reply to questions she said that the estate
gets will transfer it to Mrs. Fields for her
care and maintenance. She was asked why MIR.
Fields did not take his wife with him when he went
away. when she replied, He left her, but they are
Judge Carpenter-where is he
Witness-He is in St. Andrews, and other people
have property real estate) held in trust tor him she
has property or real estate in the world, nor is
any held in trust for her; know she sold da-
mond ring for $3.50. and silverware. linen aud
jewelry; she has wardrobe in Now York that cost
Judge Carpenter-what property she may have
ought to be converted into money as soon as pos
sble.
erty sold-things she had been getting long time
for If she she will feel terribly IT. il
me to be perfectly willing. he will protect the Aims
house commissioners; he was my guardian and
have lost money by him. but it he gets hold of the
property held i'll trusta for him he would be too
proud to let things go as they are.
Counsellor Thorne--Where do you say he is, Mrs.
Todd?
witness-He is in st. Andrews, Canada, about
sixty-tive miles from Montreal; he is q broken down
man; he is about fifty-four years of age. but he
looks old man OF seventy; his hair is white
snow; he was even larger than you, Mr.. Thorne,
for he weighed 300 pounds, but now he Is thin and
has very old look; he has farm very line place,
but-(aughing)--I guess he don't farm much
himselt him and talked with him
only short time ago; they say this trouble
broke him down more than anything else;
l wrote him all the particulars when she became in
him, but found him; he didn't know things were
bad they here he has no property in his
name; all his property in New York is In the name
of Harriet Kerr she is between nineteen and twenty
one years OF age; she was brought up by the family
and is living with him and she is In every way
a nice girl; she will be twenty-one years of age in
about seventeen months.
President Ward-Who that stylish woman that
here last fall?
Witness-She the woman that went away with
Fields, and she is living with him now. but she
doesn't know anything about this; the woman
referred to appeared here suddenly last fall and
attracted general attention on the street. because
of her fine attire, and she dazzling with
diamonds; she called to Mrs. Fields, but tho
latter out. and she left town without seeing
her. when Mrs. Fields returned the hcusekeeper
related the story of the call and described the
woman, which greatly excited Mrs. Fields. and
after she became insane.
After hearing Nil the testimony to-day Judge Car
pener has deciGed to transfer the and respon-
sbiity of maintaining Mrs. Fields to the Aims.
house Commissioners and she will remain the
AS.t. II .rtal