The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-04-10

THE LATE STEPHEN j. FIELD.
probable that his remains will be
taken to Stockbrigde. Mass, where are
buried his father and mother and his
brothers Cyrus, Dudley and Jonathan,
two sisters and other members of the
Field family. 1t IS possible, however,
that Mrs. Field may decide to take
his remains to California, where quite
a part of his life was past.
Stephen Johnson Field was born at
Haddam, Conn, Nov. 4, 1916. He was
the son of David Dudley Field, and
one of four brothers who became so
famous-David Dudley, Cyrus w. and
Henry M. Field being the other mem
bers of the great quartet that made
their names known throughout the
world. His early bOyhood was spent
at Stockbridge Mass,
At the age of 13 Stephen ]. Field
went to Smyrna to live with his sister,
the wife of Rev. Josiah Brewer, who
had undertaken an educational mis-
sion to the Greeks, and he there ac-
quired a knowledge of oriental lam
guages. Returning to this country
after two and half years ne later en-
tered Williams college, from which
he was graduated in 1887, at the head
of his class. He then went to New
York, where he entered the law Office
of his brother, David Dudley Field
He was admitted to the bar and be-
came a partner in the firm, remaining
as such for seven years. In 1S4S he
went to Europe and spent some time
there travelling. In November, 1849,
he sailed for San Francisco around
Cape Horn, and entered upon the prac-
tice of law in the Occidental metropo-
lis. After a short time he moved to
MarysYille, a small mining camp, and
became one of the founders of what
afterward grew to be thriving town.
When the little city was organized
Justice Field was elected the alcalde
of the place. This Office carried with
it the dignity of mayor and at the
same time imposed all the duties of
the bench.
He was elected a member of the
first legislature of the state, and was
influential in securing legislation IA
Vorable to miners. He was elected
a Judge of the California supreme court
in 1857, and in 1859 became chief JUS
tice, succeeding Chief Justice David S.
Terry. In 1863 President Lincoln ap-
pointed him associate justice of the
supreme court of the United States,
and he held that position until his re-
tirement on Dec. l, 1897.
During the latter years of his service
on the bench Justice Field was in
feeble health. His term was the long
est in the history of that tribunal.
The great chief justice, John Marshall,
wore the ermine for period extend
ing over "a years. 1t was the ambition
of the late Justice Field to surpass this
record, and he succeeded in doing so
by a few months.
In 1889 one of the most sensational
events OF remarkably active and Wig
orous career, brought Justice Fields
personality vividly before The public.
| Sarah Althea Hill Terry, had brought
a famous suit against ex-senator Shar-
on, a California multi-millionaire,
| Justice Field was on the bench. The
| outcome of the case was unfavorable
! to the plaintiff and she tried to chas-
! tise the Justice in the depot eating
house at Lathrop, Cal Judge Terry,
who had been her attorney in the suit,
and who afterward married her, inter-
fered, and David Nagle, a United
States deputy marshal, drew a revolver
and shot and killed Terry. Nagle was
acquitted.