River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-09-06
sARnn MAS ANGRY

The Alleged widow Of the Late senator
sharon Creates Scene in Justice
fisid's Court She Accuses the .Turist OF
Corruption and He Orders Her Elected
The Marshal, in Attempting 10 Carry
Out the Order. Is Fioored by Her Hus-
band. who Afterward Flourishes a
Dirk. aud Makes Sanguinary Threats
Terry and sarah Locked Up tor Con
tempt Of Court.
SAN FRAScIsco, Cal. Sept. 4 Il The
celebrated Sharon divorce case cul-
minated yesterday in a sensational at
tack upon Justice Field in coart, which re-
suited in placing Sarah Althea sharon,
now Mrs. David l. Terry. in jail for thirty
days, and her husband, Judge Terry, IN
Jail for six months.
The Supreme Court Of California a few
months ago announced a decision in the
case sustaining the decision of the State
Superior Court which declared that Mrs.
Terry had been legally married 70 the
late ex-United States Senator William
Sharon and that she was entitled 70
a portion Of Sharon's estate. A short
time after the announcement Of this de-
cision the executors Of the viii Of sharon
applied 70 the United States Circuit Court
for bill TO revive and carry into execu-
ton a decree Of the Circuit Court
entered in September 1850, declar-
ing the alleged marriage contract
20 be a forgery and directing its can
collation. and eujoininr its use in any man
ncr. Mrs Terry entered "a demurrer, and
yesterday the demurrer was ovCrruied
The decision was read 10y United States
Justice Fold, and was Concurred I'm by
Judge Sawyer, of the Circuit Court, and
Sabin, Of the district court
The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS faada epvoraf dave
ago that the decision would be rendered
drew large crowd 20 the United States
courtroom. aud about 30 lawyers, be
sides all PARTIES directly interested
in the case, occupied the Enclosure
Immediately in front of the Judges.
Judge David : Terry. who has been
chief counsel for his wife during the en-
tire litigation, sat by the side Of his wife
and both paid close attention 10 the read
ing Of the decision Mrs. Terry APP
peared very nervous at the outset,
and as the reading progressel her aEiia-
tion increased Finally, hen Judge
Field was about half throu "a reading,
Mrs. Terry jumped 10 her feet aud asked the
Judge if he was going TO order her 20 give
up her marriage contract Judge Field
quietly toll herto sit down. Mrs. Tcrry's
face turned white with passion and sha
cried;
Justice Fisld we hear that you have
been bought. We would like 20 know if
that IS so, and what figures you held your
self at. II seems that no person can get
justice in this court unless he has a Sack
Judge Field turned to Marshal Franks
and said:
" Marshal, remove that woman from the
courtroom"
The marshal advanced toward Mrs. Ter
Of lint Hretrr
out with oaths and vulgar language Franks
graspcd her arm, and in an instant Judge
Terry arose and, exclaimibg that no
living man should tou ,h his wife, struck
Franks terrible blow on tho neck
with his fist which sent the marshal roll
iug across the floor. Franks regalned
himself aud with several deputies aud by
stauders rushed upon Terry. He WAS
Iuickly removed. Mrs. Terry was also
7 taken from the room and locked u}
I i'm the marshals office a deputy
/ was placed at the door. upon whom Terry
advanced aud demanded admission. The
I ieputy refused the request Terry
+ drawing from his pocket a dangerous
/ ooKing dirk eight inches long with a
,urse held il above his head and declared
hat he would stab any man who tried
/ 20 keep him away The deputy and sew
/ sral others jumped upon him. A desperate
I struggle followed, and all the men fell 20
he floor. The knife was finally tu6cn
AWAY from Terry without any one being
injured Terry was locked up in the room
with his wife
A sachol which Mrs Terry had dropped
I the courtroom during the excitement
vas found to contain an English bulldog
revolver with all its six chambers loaded.
Marshal Frank said that she was
/ ~ lan
fore she was put out Of the court
-oom Marshal franks entered later tho
room where Terry aad his wife were con
fined and Mrs Terry at once made VIC
lent attack upon him and beat HIM about
the face and head. She was soon qui1ted,
and a strong guard was placed ~ the
room.
The widest excitement had pre' allied in
he courtroom aad corridors during tho
disturbance As soon as quiet was restored
Judge Field resumed the reading "a See
decision When he had concluded the
Judges retired 20 their chambers Two
hours late- they again appeared in the
courtroom and announced the penalty
hey he'd u infIict upon Judge Terry
and las wife Neither Of the parties were
allowed in court while the sentence was
,roaounced Judge FIeld ordered that
FERRY De imprisoned ia the county jail Of
Alameda for six months and 3lrs Terry be
imprisoned foI th rty days. No Alternative
IN the way Of fine was allowed. and the
prisoners were taken 20 jail.
David Terry was formerly Judge OF
he Suprer.e Court Of this State. While
holding that position in 1856 he became in
yolve d in a quarrel with David G. Broder
ok, who was then United States Senator
from California. A duel followed, aud
/ urndnrinL. tuaa l-tIIaH