St. Paul daily globe., 1888-09-04
Sharon's Old Sweetheart,
Scored by Justice, Raises
a Rumpus.
She and Her Husband Con-
vert a Court Into a
Prize Ring.
After Insulting the Judges,
They Floor Uncle Sans
SubordinateS.
Finally Subdued, They Are
Both Sentenced to Impris-
onment in Jail.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 3.-The cele-
brated Sharon divorce case, which has
occupied the attention of the Pacific
coast for number of years, eliminated
to-day in sensational incident, which
resulted in the placing of Sarah Althea
Sharon, now Mrs. David S. Terry, in jail
for thirty days, and her husband, Judge
Terry, for six months. The supreme
court of California few months ago
announced its decision in the case Sus-
tanning 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 por-
ton Of SharOn's estate. A short
time after the announcement
of this decision by the state su-
preme court, the executors of the will
of the late William Sharon made appli-
cation to the United States circuit court
for bill to revive and carry into exc
cution the decree of the circuit 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 mar
riage contract between them to be
forgery. and directing its cancellation
and enjoining its use in any manner.
The decree entered by the circuit court
in this case was in favor of the plaintiff,
and declared that the alleged marriage
contract was forgery, but in the mean
time
THE SHARON DIVORCE SUIT
was pending in the state courts, and
William Sharon had died. When the
executors recently applied to the circuit
court for bill of revision, Sarah Althea
Hill, who has since become Mrs. Terry,
entered demurrer, which the court
Overruled. The decision, which
was very lengthy, was read by
Associate Justice Field of the United
States supreme court and was concurred
in by Judge Sawyer of the circuit court,
and Judge Sabin of the district court.
The former decision ,of Judge Sawyer.
declaring the alleged marriage contract
forgery, and ordering the defend
ant to deliver it up for cancellation
is sustained, and the executors are
given the right t. handle Mr.. Sharon'S
property uutrammeled by any action on
thejpart of Mrs. Terry. The announce
ment made several days ago that de-
cisi0n in the Sharon case would be rem
dered to-day drew large crowd to the
United States court room. About
200 lawyers, besides all parties di-
rectly interested in the case, oc-
cupied the enclosure Immediately in
front of the judge. Judge David L.
Terry, who has been the chief counsel
for his wife during the entire litigation,
sat along side his wife to-day, and both
paid close attention to the reading of
the decision. Mrs. Terry appeared very
nervous at the outset, and as
the reading progressed her agita-
ton increased. Finally when Judge
Field was about half through reading,
Mrs. Terry jumped to her feet and
asked the judge if he was going to or
der her to give up her marriage con-
down, and Mrs. Terry's face turned
white with passion, and she cried:
"Justice Field, we hear that
YOU HAVE BEEN BOUGHT.
ave would like to know If that is so
and what figures you hold yourself at.
1t seems that no person can get justice
in this court unless he has sack.''
Judge Field turned to Marshal Franks
and said: Marshal, remove that woman
from this court room."
The marshal advanced towards Mrs.
Terry, but she took no notice of him,
but broke out with Oaths and vulgar
language. Franks grasped her by the
arm, and in an instant Judge Terry
arose and exclaimed that no living man
should touch his wife. With this he dealt
l. IL l. Xl,O l.
with his fist, which sent the
marshal rolling across the floor.
Franks regained himself and with sew
eral deputies and byStanderS rushed
upon Terry and quickly removed him.
Mrs. Terry was also taken from the
room and locked in the marShaPs Of
flee. A deputy was placed at the door
when Terry advanced upon him and de
manded admission, which the deputy
refused. Terry put his hand in his
pocket and drew forth
DANGEROUS LOOKING DIRK,
with a blade eight inches long, and
with curse held it above his head and
declared he would stab any man who
tried to keep him away. Several per-
sons at once jumped upon him and tried
to take the knife away. A des-
perate struggle followed, all the
men fell to the floor, and
the knife was finally taken away
| fIom Terry without any one being i'll
| iured. Terry was then locked in the
room with his wife. A satchel which
Mrs. Terry had dropped in the court
room during the excitement was found
to contain an English Bulldog re-
volver, with all six chambers loaded.
| Marshal Franks states she was trying to
open the satchel just before she was
put out of the court room. Marshal
| Franks entered the room where the two
were confined and Mrs. Terry at once
made violent attack upon him and beat
him about the face and head. She was
soon quieted, however, and strong
| guard placed in the room. The wild
est excitement had prevailed in the
court room and corridors during the
disturbance, but as soon as quiet
was restored Judge Field resumed
the reading of the decision. When he
had concluded the court took recess
| and the judges retired to their cham
! bers. Two hours later they again ap-
| peared in the court room and
I. ANNOUNCED THE PENALTY
/ they had to infiict upon Judge Terry
! and his wife. Neither of the parties
was allowed in court while sentence
was pronounced. Judge Field ordered
that Terry be imprisoned in the county
| Jail of Alameda for six months, and
that Mrs. Terry be imprisoned thirty
| days. No alternative in the way
of a fine was allowed and the prison
ers were taken to jail this afternoon.
/ David S. Terry, formerly judge OF the
/ supreme court of this state, and while
holding that position in 1856, became
involved in quarrel with David c..
| Broderick, who was then United States
senator from California. A duel fol-
| lowed and BrOderiek was killed.
| No Washee Washee.