Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1895-11-09
remarkable merit.

Opie Read, the well-known writer OF
fiction, was an intimate friend of Eu-
gene Field, and when informed Of the
poets death was overcome with grief.
lie said
eugene Field was the best writer
on books, ancient and modern, not
only in the west, but in the United
States. His lullabys have never been
equalled He loved children, and has
spent thousands of dollars in dolls for
them.
II remember once we were at a
watering place among a gay and bril-.
liant company, and Mr.. Field picked
out lame girl and paid more atten-
tion to her than to any one else.
"He was the keenest of jokers, but
with it all most serious man. His
friendship was not easily won, but
when once gained it was enduring.
I'm his death the literature of Amer
ica sustains serious loss"
Friday night the condition of Mr.,
Field was such that he was obliged to
tdhc W MS uCu, WHelC hC IchdiACu
during the greater portion of Satur-
day and Sunday.
Sunday night G. Ii. Yenowine, an
old-time friend and manager for the
poet in connection with the latter's
readings, came to Chicago The two
men expected to leave Chicago Sunday
night for Kansas City, where Mr..
Field had been engaged to give a
reading last night. Mr.. Yenowine re-
mained in his friends room until
midnight chatting on various topics.
The invalid appeared to have some
fever, but otherwise was very COM
Portable. lie was in more tLan
usually cheerful mood and laughed
and talked with great spirit, consid-
ering his two days illness. About
midnight Mr.. Yenowine left him. 1t
seemed to him that he had been asleep
but short time when Fred, the IA
year old son of Mr.. Field, rushed into
Mr.. Yenowine's sleeping apartments
and hastily aroused him.
81 think my father is dead" the boy
said, exctedly.
Mr.. Yenowine hurried to the cham
Der occupied by the poet and found
that his sons fears were realized. Eu-
gene Field was dead.
Eugene Field, poet and journalist,
was born in 1850 in st. Louis, of New
England ancestry. His father, Judge
Roswell NJ. Field, distinguished law
yer, was one of the counsel of Dred
Scott in the celebrated slave case.
Ills mother died when he was very
young, and his childhood was passed
in the care of his cousin, Miss French
at Amherst, Mass. At Is he entered
Williams college, but his father dying
soon after, his guardian placed him in
Knox college at Galesburg, Ill.,, where
he remained for eighteen months,
spending some time later at the Uni
versity of Missouri, which he regarded
as his alma mater.
In 1871 he visited Europe and trav
eled for six months on the continent
In 1873 he married Julia S. Com
stock, of st. Joseph, Mo. The SAM
year he became reporter on the s.
Louis Evening Journal, and in shor
time was advanced to city editor. IL
next found employment on the st
Joseph Gazette; was from 1876 to lss
editorial writer on the St Louis Times
journal, and then became managing
editor of the Kansas City Times. Il
1881 he removed to Denver, Col, wher
he became managing editor OF tn
Tribune.
lie had already gained recognition
as capable and painstaking writer
and during his residence in Denver Ii
attained wide reputation, not onl
, as an exceedingly droll and quain
, humorist, but also us writer of del
, cate verse.
In 1853 he accepted position on tn
, staff of the Chicago Daily News, an
had since been associated with tha
paper and its morning issue.
A lover of books, Mr.. Field had co
lected a large library, which contain
many rare and costly volumes. Ina:
much as he was careful and con
scientious writer. all that he has wri,
i len possesses real merit.
! "His prose is filed with delicat
= sentiment and rare humor, whicI
/ often lies very close TO tears" re
, marked one OF his critics. His poem
, have been widely copied, several vo
. umes OF them having been collecte
!. and published, notably Cultures Ga
, land" and "A Little Book OF Wsster
$ Verse"
, All are marked by daintiness an
pathetic beauty.