Although the following news article is transcribed as it appeared in the newspaper, we should remember to take it in the context of human lives at the time: the height of the Depression, and an elderly man struggling to support family. No excuses are offered for any party.
Another paper indicated Fielding
was only 70 (b. 1860).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Castle News
Tuesday, January 6, 1931
page 22
OFFICER WOUNDED, BEAVER
MAN THEN COMMITS SUICIDE
Robert Fielding, 74, Resists
Arrest With Bullets, Kills Self
Had Threatened Constable Harm
Beaver, Pa., Jan. 6 - Because of his oft-repeated threat that "next time" he would shoot to kill, Robert Fielding, 74-year-old former British trooper and twice-convicted bootlegger, lay dead of a self-inflicted bullet wound today while Charles Wyke, 52, South Heights constable, was fighting for life in the Valley hospital at Sewickley, the result of a second attempt by Wyke to take Fielding into custody for alleged liquor law violations.
Once before Wyke had arrested Fielding for infractions of the prohibition law. Fielding was convicted twice on liquor charges and had issued an ultimatum that the next raid would be resisted with bullets.
Yesterday Wyke decided to raid again. He refused the proffered aid of Beaver county detectives and took along only his deputy, John Haggerty.
Pleads in Vain
Fielding was on the back porch when the officers arrived. His wife, alarmed because of her husband's threats, met the raiders and pleaded with them to leave. Wyke reiterated his intention of carrying out the raid.
The porch door was suddenly thrown open and Fielding appeared with an automatic pistol in his hand. Wyke had half-turned as the door was flung open and Fielding fired twice in rapid succession.
One bullet crumpled Wyke to the porch floor. The other ploughed harmlessly through Haggerty's clothing. Fielding then raised the gun to his temple and fired a third shot. He died instantly.
Wyke was rushed to the hospital where surgeons said the bullet had coursed through his back and had come to rest in his abdomen. An operation will be necessary to remove the bullet.
The wounded officer's condition is considered critical (he died on Jan. 10).
******
Suicide Ends Feud as British Veteran, 72 Keeps Vow
Pittsburgh Press
January 6, 1931
Aliquippa , PA- 5 shots from an automatic pistol yesterday ended a 2 year feud between Constable Charley Wyke 53, and 72 year old "Old Bob Fielding." Each walked grimly into the jaws of death yesterday afternoon. Each fulfilled his oath of honor according to his lights.
"Old Bob," British Army Veteran turned moonshiner when other means of livelihood failed, had been arrested twice by his neighbor of 5 years. According to Fielding's wife Sarah, "we had to make liquor or starve to death."
It seems Old Bob had been running a still in his basement. Charlie Wyke found out about it and was determined to take him down. Warned by Dan Mitchell not to go to Fielding's house, Wyke laughed in his face and said I can take care of myself. Wyke took his friend John W. Haggerty with him to stand outside. Haggerty had no official standing. Wyke walked over to Fieldings home to serve the third Snyder Act warrant. Wyke's wife stood on the front porch of her home as her husband walked into the Fielding home. As Wyke stood talking to Mrs. Fielding, Old Bob walked in the front door. A few minutes later she heard the shots. She then called for an ambulance. He had sworn to kill Wyke if the constable ever raided his home again. Without a word, the elderly man raised the revolver, his hands trembling, to his own head and took his life.
If you follow the story, the Chief of Police pictured and mentioned in those articles, Dan Mitchell was later that year dismissed for corruption.
******
He married first to Elizabeth Ann Knowles in Oct 1883 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. They were the parents of two sons, George Stewart and Richard Lincoln Fielding. The family came to the United States, and Elizabeth passed away in 1920. Robert remarried to Lucy.
There is an infant, possibly named Thomas, buried 5 Sep 1931 in the same vicinity.
Another paper indicated Fielding
was only 70 (b. 1860).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Castle News
Tuesday, January 6, 1931
page 22
OFFICER WOUNDED, BEAVER
MAN THEN COMMITS SUICIDE
Robert Fielding, 74, Resists
Arrest With Bullets, Kills Self
Had Threatened Constable Harm
Beaver, Pa., Jan. 6 - Because of his oft-repeated threat that "next time" he would shoot to kill, Robert Fielding, 74-year-old former British trooper and twice-convicted bootlegger, lay dead of a self-inflicted bullet wound today while Charles Wyke, 52, South Heights constable, was fighting for life in the Valley hospital at Sewickley, the result of a second attempt by Wyke to take Fielding into custody for alleged liquor law violations.
Once before Wyke had arrested Fielding for infractions of the prohibition law. Fielding was convicted twice on liquor charges and had issued an ultimatum that the next raid would be resisted with bullets.
Yesterday Wyke decided to raid again. He refused the proffered aid of Beaver county detectives and took along only his deputy, John Haggerty.
Pleads in Vain
Fielding was on the back porch when the officers arrived. His wife, alarmed because of her husband's threats, met the raiders and pleaded with them to leave. Wyke reiterated his intention of carrying out the raid.
The porch door was suddenly thrown open and Fielding appeared with an automatic pistol in his hand. Wyke had half-turned as the door was flung open and Fielding fired twice in rapid succession.
One bullet crumpled Wyke to the porch floor. The other ploughed harmlessly through Haggerty's clothing. Fielding then raised the gun to his temple and fired a third shot. He died instantly.
Wyke was rushed to the hospital where surgeons said the bullet had coursed through his back and had come to rest in his abdomen. An operation will be necessary to remove the bullet.
The wounded officer's condition is considered critical (he died on Jan. 10).
******
Suicide Ends Feud as British Veteran, 72 Keeps Vow
Pittsburgh Press
January 6, 1931
Aliquippa , PA- 5 shots from an automatic pistol yesterday ended a 2 year feud between Constable Charley Wyke 53, and 72 year old "Old Bob Fielding." Each walked grimly into the jaws of death yesterday afternoon. Each fulfilled his oath of honor according to his lights.
"Old Bob," British Army Veteran turned moonshiner when other means of livelihood failed, had been arrested twice by his neighbor of 5 years. According to Fielding's wife Sarah, "we had to make liquor or starve to death."
It seems Old Bob had been running a still in his basement. Charlie Wyke found out about it and was determined to take him down. Warned by Dan Mitchell not to go to Fielding's house, Wyke laughed in his face and said I can take care of myself. Wyke took his friend John W. Haggerty with him to stand outside. Haggerty had no official standing. Wyke walked over to Fieldings home to serve the third Snyder Act warrant. Wyke's wife stood on the front porch of her home as her husband walked into the Fielding home. As Wyke stood talking to Mrs. Fielding, Old Bob walked in the front door. A few minutes later she heard the shots. She then called for an ambulance. He had sworn to kill Wyke if the constable ever raided his home again. Without a word, the elderly man raised the revolver, his hands trembling, to his own head and took his life.
If you follow the story, the Chief of Police pictured and mentioned in those articles, Dan Mitchell was later that year dismissed for corruption.
******
He married first to Elizabeth Ann Knowles in Oct 1883 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. They were the parents of two sons, George Stewart and Richard Lincoln Fielding. The family came to the United States, and Elizabeth passed away in 1920. Robert remarried to Lucy.
There is an infant, possibly named Thomas, buried 5 Sep 1931 in the same vicinity.
Although the following news article is transcribed as it appeared in the newspaper, we should remember to take it in the context of human lives at the time: the height of the Depression, and an elderly man struggling to support family. No excuses are offered for any party.
Another paper indicated Fielding
was only 70 (b. 1860).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Castle News
Tuesday, January 6, 1931
page 22
OFFICER WOUNDED, BEAVER
MAN THEN COMMITS SUICIDE
Robert Fielding, 74, Resists
Arrest With Bullets, Kills Self
Had Threatened Constable Harm
Beaver, Pa., Jan. 6 - Because of his oft-repeated threat that "next time" he would shoot to kill, Robert Fielding, 74-year-old former British trooper and twice-convicted bootlegger, lay dead of a self-inflicted bullet wound today while Charles Wyke, 52, South Heights constable, was fighting for life in the Valley hospital at Sewickley, the result of a second attempt by Wyke to take Fielding into custody for alleged liquor law violations.
Once before Wyke had arrested Fielding for infractions of the prohibition law. Fielding was convicted twice on liquor charges and had issued an ultimatum that the next raid would be resisted with bullets.
Yesterday Wyke decided to raid again. He refused the proffered aid of Beaver county detectives and took along only his deputy, John Haggerty.
Pleads in Vain
Fielding was on the back porch when the officers arrived. His wife, alarmed because of her husband's threats, met the raiders and pleaded with them to leave. Wyke reiterated his intention of carrying out the raid.
The porch door was suddenly thrown open and Fielding appeared with an automatic pistol in his hand. Wyke had half-turned as the door was flung open and Fielding fired twice in rapid succession.
One bullet crumpled Wyke to the porch floor. The other ploughed harmlessly through Haggerty's clothing. Fielding then raised the gun to his temple and fired a third shot. He died instantly.
Wyke was rushed to the hospital where surgeons said the bullet had coursed through his back and had come to rest in his abdomen. An operation will be necessary to remove the bullet.
The wounded officer's condition is considered critical (he died on Jan. 10).
******
Suicide Ends Feud as British Veteran, 72 Keeps Vow
Pittsburgh Press
January 6, 1931
Aliquippa , PA- 5 shots from an automatic pistol yesterday ended a 2 year feud between Constable Charley Wyke 53, and 72 year old "Old Bob Fielding." Each walked grimly into the jaws of death yesterday afternoon. Each fulfilled his oath of honor according to his lights.
"Old Bob," British Army Veteran turned moonshiner when other means of livelihood failed, had been arrested twice by his neighbor of 5 years. According to Fielding's wife Sarah, "we had to make liquor or starve to death."
It seems Old Bob had been running a still in his basement. Charlie Wyke found out about it and was determined to take him down. Warned by Dan Mitchell not to go to Fielding's house, Wyke laughed in his face and said I can take care of myself. Wyke took his friend John W. Haggerty with him to stand outside. Haggerty had no official standing. Wyke walked over to Fieldings home to serve the third Snyder Act warrant. Wyke's wife stood on the front porch of her home as her husband walked into the Fielding home. As Wyke stood talking to Mrs. Fielding, Old Bob walked in the front door. A few minutes later she heard the shots. She then called for an ambulance. He had sworn to kill Wyke if the constable ever raided his home again. Without a word, the elderly man raised the revolver, his hands trembling, to his own head and took his life.
If you follow the story, the Chief of Police pictured and mentioned in those articles, Dan Mitchell was later that year dismissed for corruption.
******
He married first to Elizabeth Ann Knowles in Oct 1883 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. They were the parents of two sons, George Stewart and Richard Lincoln Fielding. The family came to the United States, and Elizabeth passed away in 1920. Robert remarried to Lucy.
There is an infant, possibly named Thomas, buried 5 Sep 1931 in the same vicinity.
Another paper indicated Fielding
was only 70 (b. 1860).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Castle News
Tuesday, January 6, 1931
page 22
OFFICER WOUNDED, BEAVER
MAN THEN COMMITS SUICIDE
Robert Fielding, 74, Resists
Arrest With Bullets, Kills Self
Had Threatened Constable Harm
Beaver, Pa., Jan. 6 - Because of his oft-repeated threat that "next time" he would shoot to kill, Robert Fielding, 74-year-old former British trooper and twice-convicted bootlegger, lay dead of a self-inflicted bullet wound today while Charles Wyke, 52, South Heights constable, was fighting for life in the Valley hospital at Sewickley, the result of a second attempt by Wyke to take Fielding into custody for alleged liquor law violations.
Once before Wyke had arrested Fielding for infractions of the prohibition law. Fielding was convicted twice on liquor charges and had issued an ultimatum that the next raid would be resisted with bullets.
Yesterday Wyke decided to raid again. He refused the proffered aid of Beaver county detectives and took along only his deputy, John Haggerty.
Pleads in Vain
Fielding was on the back porch when the officers arrived. His wife, alarmed because of her husband's threats, met the raiders and pleaded with them to leave. Wyke reiterated his intention of carrying out the raid.
The porch door was suddenly thrown open and Fielding appeared with an automatic pistol in his hand. Wyke had half-turned as the door was flung open and Fielding fired twice in rapid succession.
One bullet crumpled Wyke to the porch floor. The other ploughed harmlessly through Haggerty's clothing. Fielding then raised the gun to his temple and fired a third shot. He died instantly.
Wyke was rushed to the hospital where surgeons said the bullet had coursed through his back and had come to rest in his abdomen. An operation will be necessary to remove the bullet.
The wounded officer's condition is considered critical (he died on Jan. 10).
******
Suicide Ends Feud as British Veteran, 72 Keeps Vow
Pittsburgh Press
January 6, 1931
Aliquippa , PA- 5 shots from an automatic pistol yesterday ended a 2 year feud between Constable Charley Wyke 53, and 72 year old "Old Bob Fielding." Each walked grimly into the jaws of death yesterday afternoon. Each fulfilled his oath of honor according to his lights.
"Old Bob," British Army Veteran turned moonshiner when other means of livelihood failed, had been arrested twice by his neighbor of 5 years. According to Fielding's wife Sarah, "we had to make liquor or starve to death."
It seems Old Bob had been running a still in his basement. Charlie Wyke found out about it and was determined to take him down. Warned by Dan Mitchell not to go to Fielding's house, Wyke laughed in his face and said I can take care of myself. Wyke took his friend John W. Haggerty with him to stand outside. Haggerty had no official standing. Wyke walked over to Fieldings home to serve the third Snyder Act warrant. Wyke's wife stood on the front porch of her home as her husband walked into the Fielding home. As Wyke stood talking to Mrs. Fielding, Old Bob walked in the front door. A few minutes later she heard the shots. She then called for an ambulance. He had sworn to kill Wyke if the constable ever raided his home again. Without a word, the elderly man raised the revolver, his hands trembling, to his own head and took his life.
If you follow the story, the Chief of Police pictured and mentioned in those articles, Dan Mitchell was later that year dismissed for corruption.
******
He married first to Elizabeth Ann Knowles in Oct 1883 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. They were the parents of two sons, George Stewart and Richard Lincoln Fielding. The family came to the United States, and Elizabeth passed away in 1920. Robert remarried to Lucy.
There is an infant, possibly named Thomas, buried 5 Sep 1931 in the same vicinity.
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