The advocate., 1897-08-25


from the crOsswalks, so that the chill
dren might not get their feet wet.
Aside from all this, Policeman Fields
has a record Of saving the lives OF over
200 children. On May 3, in an article
published in the Sun about the good
Iatured policeman, there appeared an
interview with Thomas DriscOll, busi-
ness man in the upper part Of Brook
lyn. Mr. DriscOll said:
policeman Fields has a wonderful
record as a life saver. Since he has
been on duty at this corner not one
person but himself has been injured.
He has had bruises all over his body,
resulting from being struck by trucks
and trolley cars, while saving the lives
Of the children who have occasion to
pass this crossing three or four times
day."
A Sun reporter was informed last
night at st. Mary's hospital that there
was but little chance Of Policeman
Fieldss recovery. It was stated that
two of his ribs were broken, that one
Of his legs had sustained a compound
fracture, and that his left ankle was
crushed
Policeman Fields received his injury
while on duty at the Gates avenue
crossing shortly before noon on Tues
day. The younger children, who are
released from school few minutes
earlier than the older ones, were cross
ing Broadway, laughing, chatting, and
calling out their familiar cry, Hello,
Mr. Fieldsw when a runaway horse,
dragging a grOCer's wagon, dashed up
Gates avenue. Those Of the children
VINO saw the horse coming fled terror
stricken into the neighboring stores
and dOOrways Of houses. In the road
way at the corner a crowd Of children
swarming, rushing, and pushing each
other in an effort to get across the
street, did not see the horse approach
ing. Policeman Fields, who saw the
horse coming, shouted to several citi-
zens to drag the children on the side
walk and then he ran to catch the
horse He managed to grasp the reins
close to the bit, and minute later the
crowd saw him fall and saw him
trampled on by the runaway. But he
never let go OF the horse. The pro-
prietor Of the grocery store on the cor
ner Of Gates avenue and Broadway just
about that time ran into the street, and
grasped the bride, preventing the
horse from going any further Several
citizens ran to the pOliceman's aid.
He was unconscious They picked him
up and carried him to the sidewalk.
Then an ambulance was summoned.
The surgeon succeeded in bringing the
injured man back to consciousness.
The older children by this time came
in droves from the schools and mingled
in the crowd about the prOstrate police
man.
While two Of Fieldss brother officers
were lifting him into the patrol wagon
he raised his head and looked over the
crowd Of children who had gathered.
Then, apparently forgetting his suffer-
ings, he said to the ambulance surgeon:
For Gods sake, Doctor, take me
away from here before all the children
get out Of school, don't want any
of my little pets to see me in this con-
dition."
When the ambulance departed the
weeping children went to their homes.
They told their parents that "Mr.
Fields was dying" and that is what
they have been saying ever since. At
each session in all of the six schools
the teachers have made reports on the
poliCeman's condition, receiving news
from the hospital twice each day The
pastors Of several churches represent
ing various denominations have sig
nifled their intentions of having SER
vices of prayer on Sunday next for his
recovery. At the school of Our Lady
of Good Counsel on Madison street, yes
terday, the sisters Of the order of st.
Joseph asked the children to offer up
special prayers for Mr.. Fields.