The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-10
A DISTINGUISHED FAMILY
WHOSE MEMBERS ARE ALL PROMI.
NEWT IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
story of the Attempt on His Life by
Judge Terry, Who Was shot
Down by Marshal Maggie.
WASHINGTON, April s.-Justice Stephen


preme Court, retired, died at his
home on Capitol Hill in this city at
$50 o'clock this evening of kidney compl-
cations. About his bedside were his wife
and her sister, Mrs. j. Condit Smith, Mr..
Justice David j. Brewer, his nephew; Mrs.
Edgerton, Of California; Mr.. Linton, his
private secretary; the Rev. Edward NJ.
Mott, rector of the Church of the Advent,
and the family servants. He had been un-
conscious since Saturday morning and death
came painlessly. Ever since Justice Fields
retirement from the Supreme Court bench
en- Dec. l, 1897, he had enjoyed comparative
ly good health, and being relieved from the
responsibilities which he had borne for so
many years, he became more cheerful than
formerly and seemed to enjoy the society
of his friends and acquaintances more than
ever before. All during the winter when the
weather was fair ii was his custom to take
daily drives about the city or through the
grounds of the Soldiers Home and always
returned refreshed. About two weeks ago,
however, he took longer ride than usual
in an open carriage and contracted d severe
cold which rapidly developed the kidney
troubles from which he had suffered, though
but slightly. for some time. The disease
readily yielded TO treatment and on Thurs
day last he sat up for time and seemed
quite himself again. but on Saturday morn
ing a change for the worse took place and
about noon he lost consciousness. From
that time he sank rapidly and expired at
$50 o'clock.
No arrangements have yet been made for
the funeral, nor is it now known where he
will be buried. 1T is probable that his re-
mains 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, however, that
Mrs. Field may decide to take his remains to
California, where considerable part of his
active life was passed before President
Lincoln appointed him a member of the
Supreme Bench. Justice and Mrs. Field
lever had any children, and the only sur
viving member of his fathers family is the
Justices youngest brother DIR. Henry Field
editor of the Evangelist.
During several years prior to his retire.
ment from the bench the justices health at
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 and more. those most in
innate with him knew that his mental
powers were becoming somewhat impaired.
The result of his long career of great mental
activity were beginning to show themselves
in failing memory after his retirement
from the bench, though his physical health
seemed TO improve little
After Justice Field retired from the Su-
preme Court bench Attorney General Nc
Kenna, of California, shortly afterwards
was nominated to succeed him. He rendered
IL
Dec. l. The President in his letter of ac-
ceptlnce of the resignation wrote: 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 and long be remembered not
only by your colleagues. but by your CRATE
full fellow-countrymen."
The dead justice made the formal an
nouncement of his resignation to his COL
| leagues on the bench in long letter sketch
| ing his own and the courts history during
| his extended service In one part he said:
| 1t is pleasant thing in my memory that
my appointment came from President Lin
| co!n of whose appointees l am the last sur
| viyor. Up to that time there had 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 came from Spanish and Mexf-
| can grants, both of which were often over
| laid by the claims of the first settlers To
| bring order out of this confusion Congress
| passed an act providing for another seat on
| this bench with the intention that il should
| be filed by some one familiar with these
| conflicting titles and with the mining laws
| or the coast, and as IL so happened that
| had framed the principal of these laws and
was, moreover, chief justice of California
ii was the wish of the senators and repre-
| sentatives of that State. as we'll as those
| from Oregon, tfat l should succeed TO the
new position. AT their request Mr.. Lincoln
sent my name 10 the Senate and the nomi-
| nation was unanimously confirmed"
During his incumbency. he said. he alone
| had written go opinions. which. with fifty
| seven in the Circuit Court and 500 in the
| California Supreme Court. made up total
of 1.O42 cases decided by him il. his life. He
| took issue with the styling of the court as
an aristocratic feature of republican gov
ernment and said il is the NEST democratic
| OF all. 1t carries" he wrote. neither the
| purse nor the sword. but IL possesses the
| power of declaring the law ard in that is
! found the safeguard which keeps the whole
mighty fabric of government from rushing
to destruction.
Since his retirement he lived in his old
home facing the east end of Capitol grounds.
t
JUSTICE FIELDS CAREER.
He Retired from the Bench After over