The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-10

conscious since Saturday morning and
death came painlessly.
Ever since Justice Fields retirement
from the supreme court bench in De-
cember, 1897, he had enjoyed compare
lively good health, and, being relieved
from the responsibilities which he mad
borne for so many years, he became
more cheerful than formerly and seemed
to enjoy the society of his friends and
acquaintance more than ever before
All during the winter when the weather
was fair it was his custom to take daily
drives about the city or through the
grounds of the soldiers home and he
has always returned refreshed. About
two weeks ago. however, he took a
longer ride than usual. and contracted
a severe cold which rapidly developed
the kidney troubles from which he had
suffered, though but slightly. for some
time
The disease yielded readily to treat
ment and on Thursday last he sat up
for a time and seemed quite himself
again, but on Saturday morning a
change for the worse took place and
about noon he lost consciousness. From
that time he sank rapidly until he ex-
pired.
1t is probable that his remains will
be taken to Stockbridge, Mass, where
are buried his father and mother and
his brothers, Cyrus. Dudley and Jona-
than, two sisters and other members of
the Field family 1t is possible, how
ever. that Mrs Field may decide to
take his remains to California, where a
considerable part of his active life was
passed before President Lincoln ap-
pointed him a member Of the supreme
bench. Justice and Mrs. Field never
had any children and the only sur
viving members of his fathers family
is the Justices youngest brother. Dr.
Henry Field, the editor of the EVangel-
iSt. During several years prior to his
retirement from the bench the Justices
health a t times seemed on the point of
breaking, but he usually recovered
promptly and in a few days would again
resume his judicial duties. For the
past year or more those most intimate
with him knew that his mental powers
were becoming somewhat impaired. The
results of his long career of mental &C
tivity were beginning to show them
selves in failing memory after his re-
tirement from the bench though his
physical health seemed to improve a
little.
APPOINTED BY LINCOLN.
Justice Fields retirement from the
supreme bench occurred on December
1, 1897, and Attorney General McKenna
of California shortly afterward was
nominated to succeed him He rendered
his resignation in April. 1897. to take
effect December L The president in his
letter of acceptance Of the resignat ton
said.
Upon your retirement both the
bench and the country will sustain a
great loss. but the high character and
great ability OF your work will live long
and be remembered not only by your
colleagues, but by your grateful fellow
country
The dead justice made the formal an
nOuncement of his RESIGNATION TO his
colleagues on the bench in a long letter
sketch1ng his own and the courts his
tory during his extended service. In
one part he said.
Tt IS a pleasant thing in my memory
that my appointment came from Presi-
dent Lincoln. of whose appointees am
the last survivor Z p TO that time there
mad been no representative here of the
Pacific coast A new empire had arisen
IN the west whose laws were those of
another country the land titles from
SP4nlsh ana Mexican grants. both of
which were often overlaid bv the claims
OF the nrst settlers To bring order out
OF TINS confusion, congress passed an
dSt providing for another seat on this
oehcn- with the intention that it should
De nAed by someone familiar with these