Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-13
REMOVED TO A HIGHER SPHERE,
One of Americas ImmOrtals
Passes Away.
Cyrus w. Field Gone to Fame's Eter-
nal Camping Ground.
He IL Dead but His Work VIII Endure TO
the End of Time - The Gloomy
Ending OF Brilliant
Career.
nv the Associated Press. !

BY the Associated Press.l
New YORK, July 12.-Cyrus W. Field
died at Dobbs' Ferry at 9 80 this morn
ing.
Field was attacked early this morning
by violent spell of delirium. His ply
eician was summoned and administered
an anodyne to induce sleep. This proved
to be of no avail, and in less than three
hours the aged financier was dead.
His death was not unexpected. He
had been in a critical condition for ten
days past. He had been suffering from
physical and mental exhaustion, and by
the financial troubles of his son during
the past year.
Arrangements are almost completed
for the funeral of Field, which will take
place at Stockbridge on Friday at 8 p.
m. The services will be simple, only
members of the family and the most in
innate relatives and friends of the de-
ceased will be present.
[Cyrus West Field was born in Stock
bridge, Mass, November 80, 1919. He
was q son of David Dudley Field, an
eminent New England clergyman whose
four sons became famous in as many
different callings-David Dudley, as a
lawyer; Stephen j., as a jurist; Cyrus
W., as merchant and inventor, and
Henry M, as aclergyman. Perhaps in
no other instance have so many men,
bers of the same family attained so great
adistinction. Cyrus W. Field received
his education in his native village, and
at the age of 15 came to New York and
obtained position as clerk with A. 7.
Stewart & Co. Before attaining his ma
j0rity he began the manufacture and
sale Of paper, and in the course OF a
dozen years was at the head of pros
porous business. In 1853 he partially
retired and spent Elk months in travel
ing in South America. The project
of carrying telegraph line across the
Atlantic ocean suggested iteelf to him
during conversation with his brother
Matthew. The matter was presented
ibs him to Peter Cooper, Moses Taylor,
Marshall o. Roberts and Chandler
White, who, with Mr.. Field, agreed to
contribute large amounts of money to
this enterprise, which was at once or
ganized under the title of the New York,
Newfoundland and London Telegraph
company. The exclusive right for fifty
years to establish a telegraph from the
continent of America across New
foundland and thence to Europe
was secured without delay from
the local legislature of the island.
Hr. Field thenceforth devoted his time
entirely for the next thirteen years to
the accomplishment of this purpose.
He visited England more than twenty
times, soliciting financial aid, and ct
the formation of the Atlantic telegraph
company subscribed in his own name
for one-fourth of the capital stock. Af-
ter several unsuccessful efforts were
made to lay the cable, communication
was finally established in 1858. For
few weeks messages were sent from one
continent to the other, and then the
cable ceased to act. During the civil
war it was found impossible to proceed
further with the enterprise. Meanwhile
Mr.. Field attended in 1854 the opening
OF the Suez canal as the representative
of the New York chamber Of commerce
and public interest in the telegraph
scheme was kept alive in Europe and
America by his efforts. He made re-
peated visits to England, and delivered
addresses on the subject on both sides
of the Atlantic. Finally, in 1865, active
measures were renewed. and the steanl-
ship, Great Eastern, began the paving
out of the cable. After 12GC miles had
been laid the cable parted and the yes
sci returned to England. In 1866, an
other expedition started with q new
cable, and on the. 9th of July tele-
graphic communication was established
between the two continents, and has not
since been interrupted. Congress voted
unanimously to present Ma. Field gold
medal and the thanks of the nation,
while the prime minister of England de-
ciared that only the fact that he was a
citizen OF another country prevented his
receiving high honors from the British
government. John Bright pronounced
him ''the Columbus of modern times,
who, by his cable had moored the New
World alongside of the DID," TheParis
exposition universelle of 1867 gave him
The Grand medal, the highest prize it
had to bestow. He also received
many other marks of appreciation
OF his great services from different parts
Of the world. He became interested~in
1870 in the development of the system |
Of elevated railways in New York city, |
and devoted much time and capital to |
their successful establishment. In |
1901 he made tour around the world, |
and after his return obtained eonces-
sions from the Sandwich islands for the 1
laying of cable between San Francisco
and those islands, with view towards
ItH ultimate extension across the Pacific.
ocean. He failed in carrying out the
project, for lack of interest by the
United States government. Interest in
the scheme has, however, lately been
revived, and the iaying of the Hawaiian
cable is now considered only question |.
of time. Although several times q mill
lonaire, Mr.. Fields fortune was during
she past year swept away through the
anancial mismanagement Of his son.
Henry NJ. field, now confined in
. New York insane asylum. The
ieath OF his wife. last fall, the
prolonged illness of his daughter, and
'he financial ruin and disgrace brought
,pon the family by his son, quite pros
rated Field, and it was only his won
ierfui recuperative physical powers that
prevented his demise many months ago.
1