Note: Images of the original pages are available through Internet

C
 W. F
.
There are few people living who have not heard of Cyrus W. Field. Few
people, however, have taken the trouble to learn more of him other than the
fact that to him are we indebted for the Atlantic Cable, and 
information
has been forced upon them.
One often hears the old saying, "blood tells," and when we review the
Field family we are constrained to admit its truth. David Dudly Field, Sr.,
the father, was a noted Divine. He had a family of seven sons, the oldest of
which, David Dudly, Jr., is a most conspicuous lawyer. Stephen Johnson,
has held some of the most exalted positions as a jurist within the gift of the
nation and his adopted State, California. Henry Martyn, is a renowned
editor and Doctor of Divinity. Matthew D. is an expert engineer, and in this
capacity did much to aid the success of the cable which has made famous
for all time the subject of this narrative. Matthew is also a somewhat noted
and successful politician. Another brother, Timothy, entered the navy, and
we doubt not would have become equally distinguished but for his untimely
death. Cyrus West, was born at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, November
30th, 1819. Unlike the Appletons, Harpers and numerous other noted
families, the Fields seemed to discard the idea "in union is there strength,"
each selecting his own calling, to become individually singled out and
honored.
As heretofore shown, almost the entire Field family have made history,
but upon Cyrus does the world bestow the greatest distinction. He was the
only brother choosing a mercantile life, and at the age of fifteen, nearly
sixteen, he was apprenticed to the great A. T. Stewart. After his
apprenticeship he returned to Massachusetts and started a small paper-mill,
and still later came to New York again, this time to open a paper warehouse,
but for some reason failed. One feature of the great success which has
attended Mr. Field was his stick-to-it-iveness which enabled him to 'fight it
out on that line if it took all summer.' He accordingly compromised the

---

matter with his creditors, re-established the business, profited by his past
mistakes, and in the course of eleven or twelve years had amassed an ample
fortune. Accordingly, about 1853, he decided to retire, and spent six months
traveling in South America, not, however, until he had enclosed a check to
each of his old creditors, thereby discharging a moral obligation, although
not legally bound.
In the meantime, a Mr. Gibson had enlisted the sympathy of his brother
Matthew, the engineer, in a transatlantic telegraph company, which was to
be carried on by a co-operation of the telegraph, and a system of fast ocean
steamers. Although adverse to all thought of resuming 
any
business this
brother obtained for Mr. Gibson an audience, and he presented to Mr. Field
his scheme which involved a telegraphic communication between New
York and St. John; hence, by fast ocean steamers, Mr. Gibson left without
gaining his object, but upon reflection Mr. Field suddenly exclaimed: "Why
not run a wire through the ocean itself, instead of ending it at St. John?"
Although it is claimed that Field had never heard of such an idea, yet it did
not originate with him. In fact, a cable was then in operation between Dover
and Calais, connecting England and France. Having become imbued with
this plan he at once consulted his brother David as to what legal obstacles
might possibly arise, and being satisfied on that score, he set about the
accomplishment of his purpose.
He saw Peter Cooper and several other moneyed men and solicited their
aid, forming a company, with Peter Cooper as president. Matthew was now
interested as chief engineer, and David as counsel. These will be
remembered as two of the famous brothers. The burden of the work,
however, fell upon our hero. He seemed to be everywhere. First in
Newfoundland, where he bought the rights of a rival company then before
the Provincial Government, where his influence secured the consent of the
legislature of Newfoundland. Then he is over in England, where he is
successful in not only securing the necessary rights and privileges to occupy
British territory, but the special favor of the Queen and the capital stock of
about $1,680,000, which it was hoped could be placed in England, was
taken in a few weeks, and not only this but the British government agreed to

---

pay an annual subsidy of about $68,000, for the use of the cable by that
government and ships, not only for surveying but to help lay the cable.
Mr. Field now ordered the cable made, and again set sail for America, and
is soon at the national capitol trying to enlist the sympathy and aid of our
country. The lobby and other influences seemed to be against him, and he
met with the cold shoulder at every turn, but nothing dismayed this man. At
last the bill passed the Senate by the majority of but one vote, and in the
Lower House by an absolutely small majority, but after a hard fight it
became a fixed thing, and received the signature of President Buchanan.
Reader, look back upon the trials of Cyrus Field as you have followed
them thus far; imagine if you can the trouble, vexation and disappointments
which have thus far attended him, and when you think that he had all this
trouble to get 
to lay the cable, and that while he had already
passed through much; yet his disappointments were destined to be tenfold
greater ere success attended him; will you say he is undeserving of that
success? The rights are secure; the stock taken; the cable is done and all
seems fair sailing.
The Agamemnon of the Royal Mary and the Niagara, furnished by the
United States government, started with their precious burden. The paying
out machine kept up its steady revolutions. Slowly, but surely, the cable
slips over the side and into the briny deep. Many eminent men were eagerly
watching with Mr. Field on the Niagara; a gradual solemnity took
possession of the entire ship's company. Who would not be interested? Who
would not feel the powerful pressure of responsibility, and when at last the
too sudden application of a break parted the cable, and it wholly
disappeared from view, the shock was too much for the stoutest nerves. All
appeared to feel that a dear friend had just slipped the cable of life, and had
gone to make his grave beneath the deep waters.
But of all that sad company, Mr. Field is the least dismayed. He
recognized that a most expensive and disastrous accident had happened; but
the belief was firmly fixed in his mind that the plan was practicable. He was
now offered the position of General Manager, at a salary of $5,000 per year.
The position he accepted, but declined the salary.

---

In 1858 the second attempt was begun, but when about two hundred miles
had been laid, the cable parted, and the result of months of labor and large
capital was remorsefully swallowed up by the mighty deep. But while all
seemed ready to give up, Cyrus Field seemed to be everywhere. His activity
seemed to exceed the bounds of human endurance. Many were the
successive twenty-four hours in which he had no sleep, and his friends were
alarmed lest he and the new enterprise should break together.
By his assiduousness the work was recommenced this same year, and on
the 5th of August, 1858, was completed. Messages were exchanged
between Queen Victoria and President Buchanan, and for about a month the
cable worked perfectly, amid great rejoicing, when all at once it stopped;
the cable refused to respond. Few thought the project would be prosecuted
further, but they miscalculated the power of endurance, the possession of
which has brought the success of that man whom they now envy, "because
fortune has smiled upon him more especially than them."
How often do we find ourselves wishing we were as rich as some person,
or as influential as another; when we have but to follow their example, do
as they have done, endure what they have endured to acquire the coveted
success.
If we would stop to consider that seventy-three per cent. of our great men
were poor boys, we would readily see that those we now envy are only
enjoying the fruit of their own toil.
The civil war broke out and all work was suspended, but in 1863 a new
cable was ordered of Gloss, Elliot & Company in London, and a capital of
$3,000,000 was raised by the indomitable energy of Mr. Field. The Great
Eastern was employed to lay it, and on the 23rd day of July, 1865, that
leviathan of the deep, started on her momentous journey, successfully
traversing about three-fourths of the entire distance, when the cable once
more parted, carrying with it to the bottom of the ocean every fond hope
cherished by so many. But once more arose Cyrus West Field, and an
entirely new company is formed, and $3,000,000 more is raised. On Friday,
July 13th, 1866, the Great Eastern once more starts, and on Friday, the 27th
of July, the following cablegram is received.

---

"H
C
, July 27th.
"We arrived here at nine o'clock this morning. All well,
thank God. The Cable is laid, and is in perfect working
order.
"Signed, C
W. F
."
To make the victory more complete, the Great Eastern again put to sea,
raised the cable which was lost the preceding year, spliced it, and the two
have since been in constant use.
Who dares deny that Cyrus W. Field is not deserving of enduring fame?
For thirteen years he had borne the brunt of all the ridicule and sneers
directed at this greatest enterprise of modern history. He has been bitterly
denounced by many as a capitalist, a monopolist, and the like; but if the
world has been benefited so many millions by the Ocean Telegraph, it
seems to us that the 
is inadequate as a reward to its proprietor.

---