The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-04-10
JUSTICE FIELDS CAREER.
One of Four Brothers Famous
Throughout the World.

One OF Four brothers Famous
Throughout the World.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 9.-Ste-
phen johnson Field was born at Had
dam Connecticut, November |, - 1916.
He was the son of David Field, and one
of four brothers who became so famous,
David Dudley, Cyrus W. and Henry NJ.
Field. being the other members OF the
great quartette that made their names
known throughout the world. His early
boyhood was spent at Lockbridge, Mass,
At the age OF thirteen Stephen ]. Field
went to Smyrna, where his sister had
married missionary, the Rev. Josiah
Brewer, wo had undertaken an educa-
tional mission TO the Greeks, and he
there acquired knowledge of Orienta!
languages. Returning to this county
after two and Il half years. he 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 became 4 part
ner In the firm remaining us such for
seven years. In lSiS he went to Europe
and spent some time there travelling. In
November, 1919, he sailed for San
Francisco around Cape Horn and enter
ed upon the practice OF the law In the
occidental metropolis. After a shor.
time he maved to MarysvIlle, 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 alcade Of that place. This office
carried with 1t the dignity OF mayor and
at the same time imposed oil the duties
OF the bench. Here the future jurst
dispensed Justice and made his name
widely known throughout the length
and breadth OF the growing common
wealth. He was fond of talking of his
early days In California and often said
that the happiest days OF his life were
when he dealt out Justice In Marysyllle
behind dry goods box.
Justice Field In sketch prepared by
himself for the congressional directory,
gave this brief outline OF the duties of
his office Of alcade:
Az un Alcadc.
"Under Mexican law the alcade was
an officer of limited Jurisdiction, but In
the anomalous condition of affairs he
was called upon to administer Justice.
punish crime and to enforce police reg
ulations until relieved by officers under
the new constitution. He was elected n
member OF the first legislature OF the
state and was made member of that
body. He was influential In SECURING
legislation favorable TO the miners md
aided In the passage OF laws regulating
the civil and criminal procedure of the
state. At the close of the session he re-
turned to MarSsville and devoted six
years to the practice Of his profession.
He was elected n Judge OF the supreme
court OF California, In 1857. for the term
or SIX years. In 1859 he became chief
Justice, succeeding Chief Justice David
S. Terry. In 1863 President Lincoln ap-
pointed him associate Justice Of tho s,,-
pretnc court Of the United States and he
held that position until his retirement
on December ]. 1897.
During the latter years Of his service
on the bench he was IN very feeble
health. His term was the longest In the
history of that tribunal. The great
chief justice. John Marshall. wore tho
ermlnc for period extending over
thirty-four years. 1t was the ambition
of the late Justice Field to surpnss thIs
record, and he succeeded In doing so
by = few months. His friends. fearing
that the strnn of hard work would
shorten his useful life. advised him 10
retire from his nrduous duties But
with indefatlgabc perseverance, bc
clung TO his task until the latter pnrt of
1897, when he had the satisfaction OF
having fulfilled the ambition of his life.
During that term Of more than n third
OF n century he wns concerned In somc
OF the most Important cases ever passed
upon by tho supreme court. Among tho
prominent decisions was the famous
tcst.oath case. In which he gave the
casting vote. and wrote the opinion OF
the court. nnnulling the VALIDITY OF tho
Iron Glad" oath. His. dissenting opin-
ions In the conflscatinE cases. ihe Icuo,