The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-17
PoLIoHmAx rIEIDs AT H1s fosr
williamsburg school Chiiaren wsruiy wei
couas Their FRIEND.

William Fields, the Brooklyn policeman who
IL known as the children's TREND" and who
was stationed on the trolley crossing at Broad
way and Gates avenue, In williamsburg. re-
turned to duty there yesterday, after staying
three months in St. Mary's Hospital.
Fields was in The habit OF shaking hands daily
with several thousand children who had occa-
sion to cross the trolley tracks at the place
where he was stationed, which Is near half q
dozen schools. On many occasions he had dis
PLAYED bravery by saving the lives of his friends,
the children. and when he stopped a runaway
horse one day in June last and was knocked
down and rampled on. fully 10000 children
worried oves his condition.
The doctors at the hospital belle red that
Fields had been mortally wounded. One arm
and several ribs had been broken and he had
sustained o fracture OF the right leg. When
this news reached the public schools in the
upper part OF Williamsburg there was a great
deal OF sorrow among the pupils. At different
times during the school vacation many OF the
scholars visited the hospital and we're permitted
so see and talk with their injured friend. They
brought him fruits and flowers daily and offered
prayers for his recovery.
When his little friends on their way to school
yesterday saw Fields back at his post they ran
kissed him. Boys and girls gathered Ia a line
that extended half a block and waited their turn
10 greet hlm Win a sQake OF the AAli or an Al
fectionate kiss. The motorinen and conductors
on the Broadway and Gates avenue lines
seemed as much delighted over the poltcemans
return as did the chi dren. The motormen
stopped their cars az the crossing and greeted
him with handshakes shd Kindly words Con-
ductors did likewise. Many drivers OF trucks
stopped their vehicles on the corner and got
down TO welcome the policeman. some OF the
storekeepers in the netghooChOod left their
places OF business TO Join in the reception. In
the afternoon many OF the children brought
bunches OF flowers for their friend. So many, OF
them did this that when ! o'clock came Fields
had sufficient toral tokens TO Ill q wagon.
These he left in a nelEhboriuS store for safe
keeping, and it is his intention 20 send the aow'
ers TO the patients OF ST. Mary Hospital to-day.
At the Catholic schools in the neishoorhood
the children were requested 10 offer prayers of
OF the class rooms OF the public schools the
teachers devoted an hour TO talks on bravery,
and they cited Policeman Fields last act OF
courage as an example.
Policeman Fields. In conversation with a Sun
reporter later in the day, said;
q only wish there was 4 hall in this city large
enough TO cputatn all the people OF Brpo> lyu
and that l had a voice loud enough 10 thank
them for the kindnesseS which riley bestowed
upon me, both before ant after 1 wa, injured.
simply did my duty as a police officer when
stopped the runaway horse that was about tC
trample down a crowd OF children. | simply did
my duty as \ human being when l saved The
has a heart in his body would have done what
did to protect little innocent children from in
jury. may have marks all over my body from
previous eXperten noes In cases OF this sort, but / Il
proud To bear these marks. have always heei
a lover Of children. for | have seven Of my own
But one thing l shall never forget. the kindness
OF the children toward me while | lay on the co
in st Nary's Hospital. The scenes enacted Their
will be pictured In my mind forever: and tod az
like yesterday and every other day. am wtlltni
TO lay down my life 10 save that OF a child. Il /
every u an duty. However. no one but mysel
knows how glad | am 20 De back among my iittl
friends. all OF whom l md so atfect!onate."