New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-23
A QUAKER FRATRICIDE.
TRAGEDY IN A CONNECTICUT VILLAGE.
THOMAS FfTID FATALLY WOUNDS HIs BROTHER
AN ATTEMPT TO SHOOT HIS FATHER.


THOMAS F1r1D FATALLY WOUNDS HIs BRoTHER-
AN ATTEMPT TO SHOOT HIS FATHER.
Purchase Fairfield county. Conn, Is struggling
hamlet Of about one hundred houses situated near
Rye Lake. II summer time 10 Is the resort Tor the
young people of Port Chester, y, Y, who on Sun
day afternoons wander out in pairs to the Quaker
meeting houses of the Friends settlement at Pur-
chase. Tho Quakers came to Purchase over 100
years ago. and buying farms worked them to such
good result that thrift and plenty have been with
them ever since. Among the families of Friends
Of the weath!est is that Of the Fields, who have
lived in farmhouse Kng-st. road. as the turn
pike is called for many generations, At present
John Field is the head Of the family. He is strict
Quaker and is disposed to look with something of
dsdan on the numerous Hicksites who have sprung
mp about him. He has family Of two sons and one
daughter who until recently, lived together IN the
old homestead and have the farm. About two
years ago Thomas Fields. theedest son. age twenty
FIVE. married a wcll-to-dO young Quakeress anu
rented farm Of seventy-fye acres from Elizabeth
Sutton. The farm situated about mile from
the homestead. When Tom" Field married he
had quarrel with his younger brother William,
and in consequence the two boys did not speak to
one another FOR year The quarrel was finally
made up. however, and the brothers for year ap-
parenty have been the best OF friends.
INVITED TO A soCIABLE.
On Thursday the lads AMI their father were
threshing gram in the bern of their fathers farm.
After the work was finished. and William was
going home to his family he turned 10 his brother
and father and said:
We're going to have a sewing sociabe down at
our house tonight; come down. and wei have
good time"
Old Mr.. Field said that he would be sure to come.
A.. L
And thee Tom T.
ayes" was the reply. g III surely be down"
William then went home where he found his
young wife entertaining some Quakeresses who had
assembled for the sociable.
At dusk M Yield and his son drove into vii
lians yard with a horse and wagon. Tom
leaped ont and ran into the house and told his
brother that his father without with the horse
William walked p distance Of 500 feet from his
1oor-step and was leading hi, father 10 shed some
distance away. intending 10 show his father where
90 leave lis horse. when Mr. Field heard shot and
saw ms son fall 90 the ground without UtteTmg
sound Before bending over TO discover what his
sons injuries were. he turned on ls heel and
craspcd his son Tom by the collar. Quick as a
Thought Tom cyeled his still smoking pistol at his
fathers head and snapped it, but ne cap Oh tie old
fashioned Colt, revolver was Wet, and II did NOT
ignite The powder.
The noise of the report Of the pistol and the angry
word, of thffather and son startled the horse, and
hc trotted towards the gate. Mr. Field followed the
horse. and the ASSASSIN, thinking that his Gather
was chasing him. broke into run and went home
When Dec arrived there he burst into bis mother b
room a4u throwing the revolver in 'FRONT.' Of tie old
ii'l.' '-c''-'.i'A'
GIVE killed VIII, and ln g'ad I've done it,"
- tie meantime t.- pi,.oi-slor had broken mp
4r,. .....tf. ID, ,r.. ..-.J r..,,- b,r..e and tb.
.. 81
women tru 10y TIC N"u.- "-."' nus ' ".' ~ '-'
scene of tt" shooting. ~ soon a~ SITS. Flrld sd"
la- Lu.naul living on tine ground rnutIonlrss. she
-f,,,. l.,ff ,. Cha. I.,,. and f.caul. I.ll .oi,c
'-ii'" ".'''-i "'''' '' ''.'t '-iN '''''
"No. Al'rI some li',' tAe ir iAd" Y" DIS 'A-eu lnl"
DIS house. physician WAS called, and 90 was found
chat .f .}1-.,i..- h,r.,t had r..1srr.teI his right
- -. .t.- ~
--i-- ANA "''.' '',- -.i -' H ''" .'
made 90 probe thr wound as the injured mans Pc
,,,-r,- WIS REGARDED "a, almost hopeless. He has,
hmm ,,r,IIe IN Id, ,,,lr .,.i oil, amy kind since.