Dudley Fields

Dudley Fields, Resident Here Since 1909, Dies of Heart Attack Thursday

Dudley Fields, 87, pioneer resident of this area, died last Thursday afternoon, the apparent victim of a heart attack. Funeral services were held Monday from the Peet Chapel in Lusk with burial in the Lusk Cemetery.

The Rev. James E. Davis of the Congregational Church of Lusk officiated. Mrs. Gerald Bardo, organist accompanied James Willson, Harry Lyon, Mrs. A. F. DeCastro and Mrs. Robert Smith as they sang "In the Garden" and "Beyond the Sunset."

Honorary Bearers were: Rulo Roberts, Lue Osborn, Edmond Cook, Ed Hesco, Bob Scott, Charles Hitshew, Stanley Hoy, Burr Bryant, Russel Thorp and Jesse Hall.

Casket Bearers were: Joe Klemke, John Goddard, George Mill, Harry Fernau Sr., William "Scotty" Jack and Don Olinger.

Resident 58 years

Mr. Fields for the past 58 years had made his home in Lusk and Hat Creek. His death was caused from a heart attack which he suffered while caring for his cattle in the pasture about a mile east of his home. With him at the time of his death was Stanley Hoy, who for the past several years had been assisting Mr. Fields.

The two men were attempting to drive the cattle into shelter, when the pickup they were using became stuck in the mud in a draw where they were driving cattle. Mr. Fields had gotten out of the pickup to try to shovel their way out, and Mr. Hoy drove the pickup out of the mud without any shoveling being done. However, when Mr. Hoy glanced out of the back window he could not see Mr. Fields, so he got out of the pickup and found him lying face down on the ground. Mr. Hoy rushed over to aid Mr. Fields, turning him over on his back, and it was only a matter of a few seconds before he had died, supported in the arms of Mr. Hoy.

Dudley Fields, the youngest of a family of three sons, was born December 10, 1879, in Belleville, W. Va., to Thomas Dudley and Sarah Ellen (Hertzer) Fields. When Dudley was only six weeks old, his father died and his mother moved the family to Reedsville, Ohio, just across the Ohio River from his birthplace. His educational training was received in the schools of Ohio, and for five years he taught school there.
Early Day Teacher

He arrived in Wyoming September 9, 1909, as a school teacher. He taught school in the old homestead house of Ed Arnold's located seven miles southwest of Lusk. He later was employed as a clerk in the Snyder Mercantile and Grocery Store of Lusk.

He was twice elected Niobrara County Treasurer serving in this capacity from 1916 until 1920. September 18, 1916, Mr. Fields and Miss Mary Jane (Mae) Falconer were married in Casper and made their home in Lusk until completion of his term in office as County Treasurer. They were the parents of two daughters, Catherine Mae and Rosalie Ellen.

Mr. and Mrs. Fields moved to Hat Creek where they assisted the latter's father, Andrew Falconer, in the management of his ranch, general merchandise store and post office. Following the death of Mr. Falconer in 1922, Mr. Fields took over the business and became postmaster at Hat Creek, the former site of Old Fort Hat Creek. He served in this capacity for more than a quarter of a century, retiring at the mandatory age of 70 years in 1949. He also served as Niobrara County Commissioner from 1920 until 1922.

His interests were varied, and he was well known for the typical country style store that he had operated from the time he moved to Hat Creek until the time of his death. Mr. Fields handled Texaco Petroleum products in connection with the store, as his father - in-law had before him. His store, besides serving the needs of the Hat Creek community, is one of interest to all who stop as it still contains many antique items. Besides managing the store, Mr. Fields was also engaged in the cattle raising business. His stock brand is the familiar "Reversed F Lazy D."

He was a member of Harmony Masonic Lodge, A.F. & A.M., No. 24 of Lusk, and on February 9, 1965, received a fifty-year membership pin.

His wife, Mary Jane (Mae) Fields, his parents, a half-brother, Raymond, and a full brother, Ernest died previously.

Survivors include his two daughters, Miss Catherine Fields of Lusk and Miss Rosalie Fields of Honolulu, Hawaii; a step-nephew George Fields, Okmulgee, Okla., two great nephews, Ernest Whitehead of Reedsville, Ohio and William Whitehead of Marietta, Ohio, and three cousins, Mrs. Frank (Leona) Chambers, Boulder, Colo., Ray Tuttle, Chester, W. Va., and Mrs. Brooks (Maria) Jordan of Steubenville, Ohio.

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