The Portland daily press., 1891-12-03
NOW IT'S POVERTY.
Cyrus w. Field Robbed
by His Insane Son.
The Latter Has Been Put.
Under Confinement,
But Not to Shield Him
From the Law.

NEW YORK, December 2.-Edward NJ.
Field, who wrecked the firm OF Field,
Lindley, Wiechers & Co.; who has stripped
his father. Cyrus W. Field. OF all posses
sions, house and lands and securities, and
upon whose life there Is an insurance Of
100000, has attempted suicide. In what
manner be sought to kill himself Is not re-
cited In the papers on which he was CON-
mltted yesterday to Vernon House, at
Mount Vernon. as a dangerous madman.
Vernon House is private Insane asy-
lum established about year and a half
| ago by DR.. William d. Granger. who still
directs It. The asylum Is large country
dwelling, two miles from the Mount Yer
non station, and Is surrounded by beauti-
full grounds. DR.. Granger. his family. and
an assistant live in the place. The asylum
has accommodations for about 10 patients
Only wealthy persons are treated there.
1t was learned authoritatlvely that this
commitment Is but a temporary resort
pending public proceedings 10 determine
judielally whether Mr.. Field Is a lunatic or
not.
"The family have decided to take Ed
jury at once" said gentleman last night
who Is well informed. "They are deter
mined to have everything open and above
board; and know that the family lawyers
are drawing up the necessary papers now.
The family want to have Mr.. Fields sanity
passed on publicly so that 1t cannot be said
that his insanity Is being used as a pre-
tenee tor saving nlm from the results OF his
financial wrongdolngS. The physicians
who have examined him will go upon the
stand and testify fully and freely In regard
to Mr.. Fields condition. No one will be
able to say then that the family are trying
to make out case Of insanity that does
not exist"
Cyrus w. Field, who was IA years old
Yesterday, has been reduced TO poverty.
He has been completely ruined by his un-
gcateful son.
II am as poor as the day came into the
world" said Mr. Field yesterday
called TO see him in his double affection.
Then the whole dreadful story came out
a recital showing such flial fngratltude as
to be almost Incredible. Edward was a.
ways his fathers fayorite son. His father
had always advised him and assisted him
In mis- business. and tried 20 ensure hls
prosperity. And so when Edward came
| TO his father not "a any days ago and told
| him that he and his firm were threatened
| with ruin, and that he himself was 10 dan
ger Of disgrace, Mr.. Field at once offered
| to help him.
Edward did not-tell his father the Shols
| miserable st0ry-how he had systematical-
| ly deceived his partners, re-hypOthecated
securities aud used money entrusted to the
| firm. He did not tell his father that his
| house was wrecked and ruined beyond
help, nor did be tell him Of his own dis
honest dOings. He appears merely 10
/ have disclosed enough to arouse the sym
pathy OF his generous father, and to work
upon his pity sufficiently 70 get his offer Of
| help.
Cyrus Field, led to suppose that CON-
paratively moderate sum would save hts
| sons hrm, and that the use Of hts securi-
ties would enable him TO borrow money
enough 10 tide over the disastrous results
OF unfortunate bnt not criminal specula
tions, gave his son the key OF his strong
box at the safe deposit vaults. and told
| him 90 help himself to what he needed tG
carry his hrm through the period Of storm
and stress.
At this time Mrs. Cyrus Field, the be
loved wife Of the stricken man, and the
| mother OF the fav0rite son, was IN with
| the mortal disease which was soon TO carry
her of. Mr.. Field was almost prostrated
with grief, and In this new trouble he
| scarcely knew what he did. But he gave
his son the key OF the strong box where all
his securities were, and told him to take
| what be wished. Edward Field already
held his fathers power OF attorney, so that
he was authorized to sign away property
fJr his father.
Instead OF taking q portion OF the stocks
and bonds belonging TO his father. Edward
took every single paper. He emptle0
the box. 1t was the act, 1t Is charlEabls
| TO suppose, Of a madman. Any sane man
would have known that IL was like pouring
water into a sieve to try and save FIELD.
| Lindiey, Wiechers q Co.
How much was In Cyrus Fields strong
box could not be learned dehnitely yester~
day. There was possibly not more thar
two or three hundred thousand dollars
/ worth.
DIR. Fuller said tonight: "Mr. Field Is
resting quietly. He will, 10 my opinion.
live at least a week; he may recover"