The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-12-08
Nothing to Do With Your Friends Good ForunePehap He Waa
WELLS LAFLIN FIELD
Had Been Summer Resident Of Ben
nngton Since 1902

| Had Been Summer Resident Of Ben
nington Since 1902
Rear Admiral Wells Lain Field.
whose death occurred suddenly in
Washington on November q was
born in St Louis, Missouri. January
81, 1876 His father, Matthew Dick.
inson Field, a civil engineer, was en-
gagged at the time in building bridges
throughout the South His mother
was Clarissa Latin OF Southwick,
Massachusetts.
Their third son, Wells entered the
naval academy at Newport n 1862
and graduated at Annapolis just af-
ter the close of the civil war. His
service covered almost 22 years at
sea, and over IS of shore duty. One
of his classmates writes of him that
few. If any. of the young men who
graduated in 81. made finer record
in the service than he. and not one
of them has been accorded by his
classmates greater respect and warm
CT affection"
While on duty in the Pacific in 1891
he. met Miss Ruth Dunning Clark,
who was travelling with friends. in
Honolulu and they were married in
the old church in Bennington Center.
November 9Th, 1894 They had two
children, a daughter Sally Blackwell,
and son, Wells Latin, both born in
Bennington.
After 40 years OF service, Admiral
Field was retired upon his own re-
quest, November 1902. since which
time he has spent his winters in
Washington, and the summers at
The Moorings, his pleasant home UNI
der the shadow of the monument
here.
Although the condition Of his heart
had given cause for grave anxiety dur
ing the last two years, he had seem
ed rather better than usual since his
return to the city last month.
He attended service on Thanksgiy-
ing morning and spent the day happi-
ly with his family and friends. and
was i'll only for a short time in the
night, and apparently entirely relive.
ed. The end came quite peacefully
at about in the morning
On Monday morning Dr. George
Williamson Smith. who had been
chaplain Of the naval academy when
Admiral Field was a midshpman read
a few prayers at the house. and DR..
Charles Wood, pastor of the Church
OF the Covenant, conducted the ser.
vices there and also at Arlington.
In a very beautiful prayer DR.. Wood
spoke of his courage and consistency
of his devotion to his family and his
friends. TO his country and his God;
of the largeness Of his heart and the
gentleness and helpfulness of his
hand"
The simplicity and dignity Of the
military honors which followed were
wonderfully touching and impressive.
To the sound OF minute guns the proc
ession wound up the Virginia Hills TO
Arlington, a company of marines in
front. the caisson with It's fiag.draped
burden and escort OF blue Jackets,
loving relatives and friends following
A volley OF guns over the grave gave
last tribute TO the brave and pat
riotic spirit The bugler sounded
Taps as they left him to rest under
magnificent old trees on the hillside
near many OF his old friends. who had
also spent their lives in the service
of their country.
Admiral Field had pre-eminently
the gift of friendship. and his loyal
true heart had made him the centre
OF a very large circle. All who had
come in contact with his buoyant hap
by nature. whether in the market,
the club, the Offices where he had oc-
casional business. the old sailors who
had served unde- him. as well as his
more intimate circle, truly mourned
for him.
II was fitting that one who loved
life and all that il meant in happy
homo ties and companionship, who
radiated good fellowship and genial
ity. should have gathered up his life's
essence, and having given thanks for
all the blessings and good things OF
this world on Thanksgiving Day.
that festival OF home rejoicing.
should pass on to deeper joys of