Democratic messenger., 1906-01-20

stant attendance for several days. were
gathered around the deathbed. Those
who were present when the merchant
died were Mrs. Marshall Field, Mrs.
Marshall Field Jr, Augustus n. Eddy.
Catherine Eddy. Mrs. Henry Dibbles,
Robert 7. Lincoln and Mrs. Preston
Gibson.
The ray of hope which came TO the
watchers Monday evening was not
abandoned next morning when the
physicians announced the disease
spread in the lung and Mr.. Fields con-
dition was extremely critical. His con-
dition continued TO become more des-
perate, and death came at 4 o'clock
Tuesday afternoon.
DR.. Frank Billings. Mr. Fields ply
stefan. who came from Chicago. said
that Mr. Field was unconscious for
three hours before his death. and that
his temperature was l07 when he died.
Mr.. Fields body was taken to Chi
cago by special train. No funeral SER
vices were held here.
Marshall Fields Life.
Marshall Field was without question
the greatest and most successful mer-
chant of his generation, and he was
one OF the worlds richest men, his
wealth being estimated at anywhere
from 500. 900. 900 to $1,000 900. He
was a native OF Conway. Mass. whore
he was born in 1888. His father was
farmer. and Mr.. Field obtained his ed
ucation in the public schools OF Con-
way. At the age OF II he became a
clerk In a general country store in
Pittsfeld. Mass, where he remained
for four years. He came TO Chicago
in 1856. and began his career In this
city as a clerk in the wholesale dry
goods establishment of Cooley. Wads-
worth e. Co. During the four years he
remained with this house he showed
marked commercial ability. and in 1860
he was given a partnership. The late
Levi z. Letter was also connected with
the firm, and in 1865 the two young
men withdrew. and, In company with
Potter Palmer they organized the firm
OF Field. Palmer & Letter. which con-
withdrew. and the firm became Field.
Letter & Co. This continued until 1881.
when Mr.. Letter retired, and the firm
became known as Marshall Field & Co..
as II Is today. The house forged TO
the front rapidly. and II is now the
largest enterprise OF It's kind in the
world. having numerous branches
throughout Europe and Asia It's re-
markable success Is attributed almost
entirely to Mr.. Field and his methods
He made II rule never to borrow
money. and never TO issue a note. He
paid cash for everything he bought.
not only In connection with his dry
goods enterprise, but for all of his deal
ings in real estate and in other invest
ments. The great fire of 1871 was the
only reverse ever experienced by the
house OF Marshall Field & Co. Its losses
at that time aggregated over $1,000
600.
Mr.. Field was twice married. his
first wife having died several years
ago Mrs. Field left two children. Ethel.
now married and residing in Leaning
ton. England and Marshall Field. Jr..
who accidentally shot himself at his
home in this city November %. 1906.
and died hve days later September
s. 1905. Mr. Field was married in Lon
dong. England. TO Mrs. Cation. the
widow OF Arthur Cation. OF this city.
slocur's Captain On Trial.
New York. Jan. l7.-Captain VIII
liam H. VanSchaick. who was In com.
mand OF the steamer General Slocum
when that vessel was burned In the