The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-15
WHY NAGLE WAS THERE.
The Deputy Marshal Was Officially Charged

The Deputy Marshal Was Officially Charged
to Protect the Person of Justice Field.
Attorneygeneral Miller had retired
when a representative of the Journal
called at his residence last night,
to ascertain the truth concerning the
statement telegraphed from San Francisco,
that Deputy Marshal Nagle was accom-
panying Justice Field, by direc-
tion of the Department of just
ice, for the purpose of protecting
him from violence at the hands of Terry.
Mr.. Miller soon appeared in his library, and
upon reading the statement referred TO,
said:
"Before Justice Field went Yves. it was
brought to my attention that there was
reason to apprehend an assault upon him,
as we'll as upon Judge Sawyer, of the
United States Court for tbs Pacific slope
circuit, and that there was necessity
for precautions being taken. Several
persons spoke to me about it. and
Justice Field himself said that he
thought such an assault was not
unlikely to occur. l wrote to the United
States marshal of that district, telling him
of the suggestions and saying in substance
that it was due to the court and to the
country that its judges should be able to
hold their courts without menace or dan
ger, and that it was his duty to employ and
have present such force Of deputi es
as might be necessary for the
protection of the courts and judges
in the performance of their duties.
l think my direction was for him to consult
the United States attorney and judges in
reference to what was necessary to be done
in the matter. / am not now positive
whether these directions were given by
letter or telegraph. 1t my impression that
they were given some time during the
month of June. 1t is customary for the
Justices of the Supreme Court to visit, at
stated intervals. the circuits to which they
are respectively assigned and Justice Field
was out there at this time in the discharge
of his judicial duties
Justice Field said in his conversation
that Judge Terry was desperate. man;
that his temper was exceedingly violent,
and that while he did not feel any sense of
fear, he did expect that it was more than
likely Terry would make a deadly assault
upon him when the case in
vais which n he .Gp;n Gerry was vas as interested
pected to during the summer. Justice
Field said he should go out there and
should do his duty, as Judge Sawyer would
in the usual way. OF course / deemed it
my duty TO see tnaJ SO 1ar as the OfncerS or
my department were concerned the peace
should be maintained and the courts pro-
tected."
''Were you surprised when you heard of
the affair of this morning"
''Yes, was surprised, because. while
had been warned of the danger had hoped
it was not SO great as had been represented.
Moreover, / had expected that if any
trouble occurred it would be in or about
the courts.
There is one thing further should say
in justice to Justice Field. He said to me
that he had been advised by his friends to
defend himself, as an attack was probable,
but that he would not do so; first, because
he did not carry firearms, and was opposed
to the custom, and also because he did not
think such course would be consistent
with the dignity Of judicial officer"
Mr.. Miller did not care to say anything
concerning the legal aspect of yesterday g
affair, and the interview was at an end.