The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-31
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JONATHAN d. STEVENSON.
Cold Dust Bought and Sold
Here.

The sign reminded him that he had n
promissory note Of 500. bearing the sig
nature OF Mr.. Stevenson. in his pocket.
10 had been given HIM by his oldest broth
or, David Dudley Field, when the two
parted In New York just before Steph-
en- j. sailed. Here was a possible way to
get the next meal, and the new conner
decided 10 call on Mr. Stevenson at once.
A SURPRISE FOR STEVENSON.
Stevenson recognized young Field.
whom ne had known quite well in New
York, and the two were soon in the midst
OF an animated conversation. Stevenson
declared California 10 be the greatest
country under the sun. He was himself
getting rich fast. and had already cleared
UP $4,000 Field thought Of the prom
issory note and shook hands again with
Stevenson Then the latter brancheo out
In his talk. telling the new conner how
easy II was 10 make money in San Fran
cisco and how glad he was 10 see an old
friend Again and again with increased
servor the two men shook hands. Then
Field produced the promissory note.
According 10 Justice Field, who has
told the story himself In a little book
OF "reminiscences printed for private cir
culation only. the sight Of the note pro-
duced a queer change in the feelings OF
Mr.. Stevenson His face, which had been
pained surprise and HIS voice. which had
been musical with Joy became discordant
with disgust But he paid the note, and
Field had money enough to buy his din
ner and treat his fellow roommates be-
sides II he wished. Whether they were as
short OF funds as Field that morning
does not appear. but they had money
that night. for they had been pressed into
jury duty by the sheriff In spite OF their
recent arrival in San Francisco, receiving
IS each for their services.
SELLING PAPERS AND CHAMDlS.
With $500 and more In hand. for the
note had drawn interest. young Field
could AFFORD 20 look about a bit in search
OF ways to make money, though there
was no time TO waste. either when the
cost Of living was kept in mind.
While walking about town that first
day he noticed that New York news
pepers were decidedly at a premium,
81 piece being the ruling quotation. re-
CARELESS OF age or previous perusal. Field
had a bundle OF such papers In one OF
his trunks. He got this bundle out at
once and intrusted the sale of the papers
to one Of his fellow dodgers, who was to
divide the gross proceeds with their own
err There were sixty-four papers in the
bundle, and on the third day Field re-
celved S22 from his friend, every copy
selling at the regular price.
Then Field got out a dozen chamois
skins. which he hgd been persuaded to
buy bv friend In New York. These skins
were In great demand, and the dealer
10 whom Field showed them offered IAN
ounce apiece" or from SIG to $40 each.
Field nearly choked with astonishment.
but accepted the offer with alacrity.
The purchaser made the skins up into
bags. 10 hold gold dust and his profits
amounted to at least 50 a skin.
Field opened a law Office at once, hang
ing out his shingle as conspicuously as
possible. but he succeeded in attracting
few clients. One man had deed drawn,
and the young lawyer charged an ounce
for the service. But the man kicked, and
there was a compromise on half an ounce.
The s. In dust thus earned was about
tho sum OF Fields intake as lawyer
In Frisco, and he determined to go else
where. though not until he had used up
nearly the proceeds Of the Stevenson note
the channels skins, and the New York
newspapers.
FIELD AS AN AICALDE.
Some one suggested that he might find
an opening for the practice Of law In
the then new town OF Vernon at the
junction OF the Sacramento and Yuba
rivers Justice Field remembers of that
trip that Il was in the spring Of 1880, that
the Sacramento river was very high and
that the steamer was so crowded that
the passengers were asked not 10 move
about any more than was necessary.
When ne reached Vernon. Field found
that the town contained only one house.
lie could see little chance for law BUSH
ness there. and so proceeded at once TO
Nye's ranch, where the Feather ana
Yuha rivers came together.
houses there. and the population of the
place seemed at least / 600 In one OF the
houses lots S0xf6o feet in size were being
sold at $3.50 each-that is. men were sign
ing agreements TO buy. and the names
were going down about as fast as their
owners could write them Field had only
about so in cash. all told. but after a little
parry he put his name down for sixty-five
lots the aggregate price of which was
sie ss0. This made him the hero Of the
town at once: he was hailed as a San
Francisco capitalist. and every one paid
him great attention.
Field then suggested 20 the owners
OF the site that a town government ough'
20 be organized at once. They agreed
and got him TO draw up the papers. the
town being named Marysville. after the
wife OF one OF the site owners. A mass
meeting was held the next day. and Field
announced Hitintll "a Ndnhludtt lpt dtNoitc
or mayor. Strong objections were made
In some quarters on the ground that the
candidate had been only three days In the
place. and an opposition candidate and
old resident OF six days standing. was
also put in nomination. The contest was
close and exciting. but Field won.
Thus began the real career OF Stephen
Johnson Field, whose life since then
has been one Of continued success the
more interesting because OF the really
thrilling passages therein that have fol-
lowed one another. at irregular inter
vais--such as the Frederick episode. and
the shooting Of Terry by the Judges
bodyguarc.
Justice Field win be eighty-one years
old next Thursday. and on December
will have been on the Supreme Bench
OF the United States thirty-four years
HIS service viii then have extended
over mere years than that OF any Other
member OF the nations greatest tri
bunai Chief Justice Marshalls beina
next in length. Though man Of un.
usual vigor for his years. Justice Fselt
now shows many signs Of age. His figure
bas shrunk. his beard and hair are snow
white. his complexion has darkened hi
features have sharpened, and he walks
psrforce with star But his intellect Il