Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16
Two NOTED MEN OF THE WEST
Typical Episodes in the Life Of Stephen
Field and Henry W, Tabor,
SAMPLE CASES Of WESTERN eRI
stirring Adventures of Field In the
EnrlS Days of CnIifornin-Tnbur's
struggle for Fortune aud
His Fall.

Within a few days, and within twenty
four hours OF each other. death closed the
careers OF two men Of distinctively western
character, whose lives typifcd the opportu-
mites that developed the mental and phys
ical strength Of pioneers and made them
leaders in their respective spheres OF ac-
ton. stephen j. Field, ex-associate Justice
Of the United States supreme court, was
cast in a mold far different from that Of
Henry w Tabor, the examining king Of
Colorado. Field inherited talents of a high
order. Study in school and in office gave
them a preliminary polish and hard expert
ence among the argonauts Of California fit
ted him for the august position he filled so
long and honorably. Tabor's sole school was
the harsh one OF experience, but his faith
in the riches Of the west, his grit, his stay
ing qualities. his indifference to hardship
brought him the fortune he sought and made
him for a time the wealthiest miner in the
west.
The lives Of both men. though run in diff
fcrent lines, teach the lesson demonstrated
time and again that pluck and perseverance
will win II the goal is definitely fixed. Field
sought emtnence in his profession and at
tanned 1t by force of will and ability. Ia
Dor wooed fortune from the storehouse of
gold and silver. Years Of experience as a
prospector sharpened his knowledge and his
wits; toll Injured him to frontier hardship.
When the Leadville excitement came he was
htted for the struggle and became a mill
lionaire almost in a day. BY some he was
called lucky" Perhaps there was some
of that element in his makeup, though sub
seGuent events discredit It. The manner in
which he caught on in Leadville, held on
to a good claim and dropped it at the first
indication of "petering" goes to show there
was more mining skill and shrewdness than
luck in his transactions.
Anecdotes of their lives are racy of the
west as well as characteristic of the men
and illustrate phases of western develop
ment that have passed to the domain of
history.
Field as IN ArGonRut.
stephen j. Field was in Paris when he
read the story of CALIFORNIA; gold. He took
ship for New York Immediately and in No
vember, 1S49, sailed for San Francisco. He
arrived in San Francisco December rs of
that year with $40 in his pocket. 1t cost
him 81 to get his trunks ashore. With two
OF his fellow passengers he engaged a small
room at $35 a week and slept on the floor.
He paid 81 more for his breakfast Cthe
cheapest he could fnd) and had 81 left. Then
he went out to look for something to do.
He was attracted by a crowd in front OF a
small wooden building and was told that
1t was the court house. He was surprised
there to find two of his fellow passengers
on the ship acting as jurors. They had
that they We're not eligible, as
had just landed. The sheriff told them
that made no difference. and they received
IS each for their services. But young
Field was not so fortunate. He did not get
on the jury. So he left the temple of jus
and strolled through the streets, Won
1ering where his next meal was coming
Passing down Clay street his atten-
ton was attracted by a sign in large let
-ers: Jonathan d. Stevenson. Gold Dust
and Sold Here"
First Piece of Good Luck.
LAS l stood examining this inscription"
wrote Justice Field, in a book OF reminis-
'ences, entitled Early Days In California"
he published a few years ago, II ex.
claimed. Hello, here is good luck as | re.
the note against Stevenson my
'rother had given me. | had put the paper
n my pocketbook and thought no more OF
t until the sight of the sign brought it to
ny recollection and also reminded me of my
olitary dollar. OF course | Immediately Ell.
cred the office to see the colonel. He had
''' ~ '''s III c lolh anu was
apparently delighted to see me. as he gave
ne a most cordial greeting. After inquiry
bout some friends in New York he COM
nenced talking about the country. All. he
1T is a glorious country. | have
made 100000 This was more than I could
tand. | had already given him a Ions
hake OF the hand, but | could not resist tue
to shake his hand again, thinking l
II the time of my financial condition. So | {
eized his hand again and shook it vlgor.
usly. assuring him that l was delighted to l
of his good luck. We talked over the s
natter and in my enthusiasm ! shook dis I
and a third time, expressing my satisfac- E
ion at his good fortune. We passed a lons !
lme together, he d~ilating all the time upon
he fine country 1t was in which to make
honey, At length l pulled out the note ana t
resented 1t to him. | shall never forger Il
he sudden change from wreaths OF smiles !
, an elongation of physiognomy. expressive r
7 mingled surprise and disgust, which came '
YER his features on seeing the note. He a
ook 1t In his hands and examined 1t care v
lily; he turned 1t over and looked at its c
ack and then at its face again and then as p
were at both sides at once. At last he
aid in a sharp tone: That's my signature
nd | began to calculate the interest; that 4
scertained, he paid Inc the full amount due. b
IL had not been Tor this lucky incident n
should have been penniless before night" $
Fortunate Real Estate Deal. p
But Mr.. Field did not stay long in San C
r~ancisco, His financial sky had soon c
gain become cloudy and he took a steamer n
sail up TO Sacramento and Vernon, Sac 7
lmento was found half under water and p
ernon he discovered to be a solitary house, +
than half submerged in the center OF a
big lake. SO he pushed up with the q
Gamer until the next afternoon, when the 81
)at landed at Nye's Ranch, an adobe hut Il
by a lot OF tents, in which 200 a
srsons were living. In the adobe house a 81
was shouting TO the crowds; a
Come. gentlemen. All you that want 81
IS, put your names down. Come, now 5,
80 for SOX16O feet" Il
But supposing a man puts his name Town al
nd doesn't want the lots?" asked young n
ield. 81
"oh, YOU needn't take EN- was the an.
yer. "
Mr.. Field subscribed for siXty-hve lots, Il
llued at 1920. He had only $50 to his Il
lme. But he had New York papers an II
his departure to the west. These fc
; circulated and was soon mistaken by the OF
ovid for the agent OF eastern capital in bl
ructed to buy California lots. Tue prices tc
ent up, of course, and inside OF ninety ca