Idus Lafayette Fielder (1853-1892)

From the 1881 Arkansas legislative composite portrait.

  During a life that spanned just 39 years, Idus Lafayette Fielder left his mark in public service in two states, Arkansas and the New Mexico Territory. A native of Georgia, Fielder earned his law degree from the University of Georgia and after relocating to Arkansas established himself in practice with his brother. Fielder would be elected to two terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives and after removing to the New Mexico Territory continued in practice in Silver City. In the year of his death Fielder was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago, and died a few months following his service.

  Born in Georgia on February 21, 1853, Idus Lafayette Fielder was the son of Herbert and Mary Talulah Fielder. The son of an attorney, Fielder resided in Cuthbert, Georgia during his youth and would attend the University of Virginia. During his time there he garnered a reputation as a "peculiar, wild chap from one of the South or Southwestern States." In a writeup concerning Fielder's stay in Virginia, a contemporary, Richard T.W. Duke, reflected on Fielder's excelling in Dr. William McGuffey's classes, "having never missed a recitation or class & so stood high in the doctor's favour."

  While studious, Fielder is remarked by Duke as having been "lively" at times, and on one occasion, while residing at a local boarding house, missed out on breakfast eggs. Requesting eggs for breakfast, Fielder proceeded to pull a revolver on his astonished hosts, which he then placed on the table. While his demands were met, this incident nearly got Fielder expelled from the University of Virginia, and after a faculty meeting, William McGuffey intervened in his favor, acknowledging Fielder to be "the best man in my class. He has never been absent or missed a recitation. He will graduate very highly. I cannot permit him to be expelled."

  Duke reports that Fielder apologized for his actions and did graduate with high marks. Following his graduation, he enrolled at the University of Georgia, where he graduated in 1873 with his Bachelor of Laws degree. After graduating Fielder married in June 1875 to Julia Dubose Tombs (1857-1938). The couple later separated, but not before having one daughter, Margaret (1876-1946). He began the practice of law in Cuthbert, partnering with his father in the firm of Fielder and Fielder, which continued until Idus Fielder's removal to Arkansas in 1877. Settling in the town of Ozark, he established a law firm with L.L. Wittich, and was "especially successful in criminal practice." Fielder's 1892 obituary further notes that he practiced with his brother Clarry "C.C." Fielder, their dates of operation being unknown at this time. 

  Idus Fielder made his first foray into Arkansas politics in 1880 when he announced his candidacy for the Arkansas House of Representatives. Hoping to become Franklin County's representative, Fielder won the election that September and took his seat at the start of the January 1881 session. This term saw him named to the committee on the Judiciary and in September 1881 remarried to Maude Clegg (1853-1933). The couple had one son, Herbert Austin (born 1883). Reelected in 1882, Fielder was named to the committee on Public Buildings for the 1883 term and would introduce an important piece of legislation in the form of an early anti-pornography bill, which was passed by the legislature in February 1883. Following the bill's passage, the Russellville Democrat lauded Fielder on his efforts, noting:

"The bill introduced by Mr. Fielder and passed by the present legislature, prohibiting the sale or circulation of obscene literature is a magnanimous step in a magnanimous cause...Mr. Fielder ought to be tendered the unanimous thanks of all the fathers and mothers, and the lovers of peace and morality in the state."

From the Russellville Democrat, March 1, 1883.

  In 1883 Fielder developed bronchial problems and out of concern for his health resigned his seat and removed to Deming in the New Mexico Territory. Within a year of his resettlement he had become active in Democratic circles, and in August 1884 was elected as a delegate from Grant County to the Democratic territorial convention. Fielder was later joined by his father Herbert in the practice of law in Deming, but their partnership proved to be short-lived. Around 1885 he removed his practice to Silver City in the territory, with his father remaining in Deming. 

   After his removal to Silver City Fielder continued to be politically active, and in March 1888 chaired a meeting of Sierra County delegates that advocated New Mexico statehood. At the 1892 Democratic Territorial Convention Fielder was elected as a delegate to that year's Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where Grover Cleveland was nominated for the presidency. As a delegate Fielder "wrote the silver plank that was submitted to the convention", and pressed hard for a "free silver plank in the National platform." 

  Two months following his return to New Mexico Fielder narrowly escaped death when a friend, James Patterson, was accosted and killed by a Mexican citizen. In an August 9, 1892 write-up concerning the incident, it is revealed that Fielder and Patterson, being interested in purchasing mining property in the Gold Hill region, were accosted by a Mexican native, who believed Patterson owed him money. After attempting to diffuse the situation by buying the man whiskey at a local saloon, the pair were followed by the man, who became more belligerent. He continued to pursue the pair until they reached home, and after forcibly removing him from the property, Fielder made note of the possibility that the man may attempt to steal his horses. After arming himself with a pistol, Fielder gave the weapon to Patterson, and following a check of their horses, returned home. There the pair were met by the Mexican man climbing through one of the windows, and after a warning, Patterson was fired upon by the man. Receiving a fatal wound to the abdomen, Patterson returned fire and killed the intruder with a shot through the heart. Witnessing his friend's shooting, Fielder sent for a medical help, but Patterson succumbed to his injuries the following day.

  Idus Fielder would continue his law practice in Silver City until shortly before his death, and after attending a court session experienced numb hands and a paralyzing feeling in his side. He died at his home on December 5, 1892, aged 39, his body being discovered by a servant the following morning. While this manner of death was published in the Southwest Sentinel, an alternate chain of invents was published in the Santa Fe Daily New Mexican, involving intoxication, spousal abuse, and possible suicide. While the reader is left to his or her own conclusions as to the manner of Fielder's death, it should be noted that the Southwest Sentinel published an update on December 15 (shown below), reporting the Fielder family was "very much aggrieved" over the reports of marital trouble and suicide. This same paper reports that Fielder was "devotedly nursed in his last hours by his wife" and that the cause of death was heart failure attributed to "uremea" (uremia). A burial location for Fielder remains unknown at this time.

From the Southwest Sentinel, December 15, 1892.