The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-04
A WHITE ROSE OF SHARON
ANOTHER SENSATION IN THE FA-
NOUS LAW SUIT.

Associate Justice Field Sustains the
Decision Declaring the Marriage
Certificate o Forgery-Mrs. Terry
Charges tho Judge With Corruption,
and is Jailed for Thirty Days
Her Husband Sentenced to Six
Months.
SAN Francisco, Sept. 3--The celebrated
Sharon divorce case. which has occupied
the attention of the Pacific coast for num-
ber of years, eliminated to-day in sensa-
tional incident which resulted in placing
Sarah Althea Sharon, now Mrs. David s.
Terry, in jail for thirty days. and her hus-
band, Judge Terry, for six months.
The supreme court of California few
months ago announced its decision in the
case, sustaining the decision of the state
superior court, which declared that Mrs.
Terry had been legally married to the late
ex-United States Senator William Sharon,
and that she was entitled to portion Of
Mr.. Sharon's estate.
THE ALLEGED FORGED CERTIFICATES
A short time after the announcement Of
this decision by the state supreme court, the
executors of the will of the late William
Sharon made application to the Uaited
States circuit court for bill to revive and
carry into execution the decree of the cir
cult court, entered in September, 1885. in
the suit Of William Sharon against
Sarah Althea Hill to obtain its
decree, adjudging certain papers
In her possession purporting to be n mar
riage contract between them to be forgery
and directing its cancellation and enjoining
its uss In any manner. The decree entered
1.x1 fh.. <,ir in thtO in.
favor of the plaintiff and declared that the
alleged marriage contract was a forgery;
but in the meantime the Sharon divorce
suit was pending In the state courts and
Mr.. Sharon had died.
DECISION AGAINST MRS. TERRY.
When the executors recently applied to
the circuit court for the bill of revision,
Sarah Althea Hill, who has since become
Mrs. Terry, entered demurrer, and the
decision to-day was rendered upon that de-
murrer, which the court overruled. The de-
cision, which was very lengthy, was read by
Associate Justice Field of the United States
supreme court, aud was concurred in by
Judge Sawyer of the circuit court and
Judge Sabin of the district co1rt, the
former decision Of Judge Sawyer declaring
the alleged marriage contract forgery
and ordering the defendant to deliver it up
for cancellation, is sustained, and the execn-
JuiS Hft klNtn bilo fiBtb w uluulc ktld-
ron's property untrammelled by any action
on the part of Mrs. Terry.
INTENSE INTEREST
The announcement made several days ago
that the decision in the Sharon case would
be rendered to-day drew a large crowd to
the United States court room. About 300
lawyers, besides all the parties directly in
terested in the case, occupied the enclosure
Immediately In front of the judge.
Judge David T. Terry, who has
been the chief cour sci for his
sat alongside Of her to-day, and both paid
close attention TO the reading of the de-
cision. Mrs. Terry appeared very nervous
at the outset, and as the reading progressed
her agitation increased. Finally. when
Judge Field was about half through read
ing, Mrs. Terry jumped TO her feet and
asked tho judge II ho was going to order her
TO give up her marriage contract
AN ExolgIs0 SCENE.
The Judge told her to sit down and
Mrs. Terr, Is face turned white with passion,
and she cried: "Justice Field, we hear that
you have been bought We would like to
know if that Is so, and what figures you
hold yourself at. 1t seems that a person
can't get Justice in this court unless he has
a sack.n
Judge Field turned TO Marshal Franks,
and said: Marshal, remove that woman
from this court room"
The marshal advanced toward Mrs.
Terry, but she took no notice of HIM, but
broke out with oaths and vulgar language.
Marshal Franks grasped her by the arm,
and in an instant Judge Terry arose, and ex-
claiming that no living man should touch
his wife, dealt the marshal a terrible blow
on the neck with his fist which sent the
marshal reeling across the floor.
TERRY DRAWS A DIRK.
Marshal Franks regained his feet and
with several deputies and bystanders
rushed upon Judge Terry and quickly re-
from the room and locked in the marshal's
office. A deputy was placed at the door
when Judge Terry advanced upon him aud
demanded admission, which the deputy
refused. Judge Terry drew from his
pocket dangerous looking dirk with
blade inches long, and with
curse held 1t above bis
head aud declared that he would stab any
man who tried 10 keep him away. Several
persons at once jumped upon him and tried
to take the knife away. A desperate strug-
gle followed. All the men fell to the floor,
and the knife was finally taken from the
Judge without any one being injured. He
was then locked In the room with his wife.
HER LOADED REVOLVER FOUND.
A satchel which Mrs. Terry had dropped
In the court room during the excitement
was found to contain an English bulldog
revolver, with all six chambers loaded.
Marshal Franks states that she was trying
to open tho satchel just before she was put
out Of the court room. The marshal en-
tered the room where the two were
confined and Mrs. Terry at once made
a violent attack upon him and
beat him about the face and head She
was soon quoted and a strong guard was
placed in tue room. The widest excite
! ment had prevailed In tho court room and
corridors during the disturbance, but as
soon as quiet was restored Judge Field re-
sumed tue reading of his decision. When
he had concluded the court took recess
and the judges retired to their chambers.
BOTH SENT TO JAIL.
Two hours later they again appeared in
| the court room and announced the penalty
they had TO infict upon Judge Terry and
| his wife Neither of the parties were
| allowed in the court room while sentence
was pronounced. Justice Field ordered that
Judge Terry bo imprisoned In the county
| jail OF Almeda for six months and
that Mrs. Terry be imprisoned thirty
days. No alternative in the way OF a fine
was allowed and the prisoners were taken
| TO Jail this afternoon.
| David s. Terry was formerly judge OF
| tho supreme court of this state, and while
holding that position in 1856 became in
volved In a quarrel with David @. Broder-
| ick rTnitad STATES senator from California.