The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-10
DEATH OF JUSTICE FIELD.
LIFE OF THE DISTINGUISHED JUR-
IST FINALLY ENDED.

Experience in the West-FamOns
From Old Age Brought ON HIS
Fatal Illness.
Washington, April s.--Justce Stephen J.
Field of the United States Supreme Court.
retired, died at his home, on Capitol Hill,
in this city at $50 o'clock this evening
of kidney complications. About his bed
side were his wife and her sister, Mrs. J.
Condit Smith; MIR. Justice David j. Brew
er, his nephew Mrs. Edgerton of Califor-
MIA, MIR. Linton, his private secretary; tie
Rev Edward NJ. Mott, rector of the
Church of the Advent. and the family
servants
He had been unconscious since Saturday
morning and death came painlessly. About
two weeks ago he took a longer ride than
usual in an open carriage and contracted
a severe cold, which rapidly developed
kidney troubles, with which old age
brought on the end.
NO arrangements have yet taken place
for the funeral, nor is II now known where
he will be buried Il is probable that his
Mass where are buried his father and
mother and his brothers, Cyrus. Dudley
and Jonathan, two sister and others mem.
bers of the Field family.
It Is possible, however, that Mrs. Field
may decide to take his remains to Call
fornia. where a considerable part of his ac
tive life was passed before President Lin
Ii
preme Court.
Justice and Mrs Field never had anv
children, and the only surviving member
OF his fathers family is the Justices
youngest brother, DR.. Henry Field, the
editor of the Evangelist
Justice Fields EARLY Life.
stephen johnson Field was born at Hal
dam Conn, Nov 4. 1876 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 members of the great quar-
tette that made their names known
throughout the world
His early boyhood was spent at Stock
bridge. Mass. At the age OF 10 Stephen
J. Field went TO Smyrna, where his sister
had married missionary, the Rev. Joseph
Brewer. who had undertaken an educa-
tIonal mission TO the Greeks and he there
acquired a knowledge OF Oriental Ian
| guages
Returning after two and half years to
| this country he later entered Williams
College, from which he was graduated in
! 1887 at the head of his class. He then
| went 10 New York where he entered the
| law Office Of his brother, David Dudley
Field He was admitted to the bar and
became a partner in the firm, remaining
as such for seven years
Experience in the West.
In 1s4s he went to Europe and spent some
| time there travelling. In November 1sl9
he sailed for San Francisco around Cape
| Horn, and entered upon the practice Of the
law In the Occidental metropolis. After
short time he moved TO Marysvnle,
small mining camp, and became one OF
the founders Of what afterward grew into
a thriving town. When the little city was
organized, Justice Field was elected the
| alcalde of the place. This Office carried
| with 1t the dignity of Mayor and at the
| same time imposed all the duties of the
bench. Here the future jurlst dispensed
| justice, and made his name widely known
| growing commonwealth. 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 Marysvlle behind a 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 alcalde:
Under Mexican law the alcaide was
| -,,f1 al l.t,t ~.
anomalous condition of affairs he was
called upon to administer justice, punish
crime and 10 enforce police regulations un-
I'll relieved by officers under the new con-
stitution."
Up to the supreme Bench.
He was elected a member of the first
legislature of the state, and was made a
member OF the judiciary committee Of that
body He was influential In securing leg
islation favorable to the miners and aided
I'm the passage OF laws regulating the civil
and criminal procedure OF the state.
At the close of the session he returned
TO Marysville and devoted six years 20
the practice Of his profession. He was
elected judge OF the Supreme Court OF
California In 1857 for the term of six years
In 1859 he became chief Justice, succeed
ing Chief Justice David 8. Terry. In
1868 President Lincoln appointed him as
sociate justice or the supreme Court OF
the United States, and he held that posi-
ton until his retirement in December, 1897
During the latter years OF his service on
the bench ne was In very feeble health.
His term was the longest In the history
OF that tribunal. The great chief Justice
John Marshall, wore the ermine for A
period extending over thirty-four years
II was the ambition OF the late Justice
Field 10 surpass this record and he sue.
ceeded in doing 50 by a few months. Ifls
friends fearing that the strain Of hard
work would shorten his useful life. nd-
vised him 70 retire from his arduous duties.
But with interchangeable perseverance. he
clung to his task until the latter part OF
1897. when he had the satisfaction OF hav-
Ing fulfilled the ambition Of his life.
Had Many Important Cases.
During. that term Of more than third
OF century he was concerned In some Of
The most important cases ever passed upon
by the Supreme Court.
Among the prominent decisions was the
famous test oath case, In which he gave