The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-09-06
THE SHARON SUIT.
The Late ex Senator SharOn's Al
legged Widow Sent to Jail.
Her Present Husband, Judge Terry.
Gets Six Months.
She Tells the Court that Justice is
DEALT Out for Doodle.
Terry Humps a Marshal While At
tempting 10 Take Her Away.

SAN Francisco, Sept. 1.-The cele-
brated Sharon divorce case, which has
occupied the attention of the Pacific
coast for a number of years, yesterday
eliminated in a sensational incident
which resulted in placing Sarah Althea
ShaBon, now Mrs. David 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, sustaining the decision OF
the state superior court, which de-
clared that Mrs. Terry had been legally
married to the late ex-senator William
Sharon, and that she was entitled to
portion of Sharon'S estate.
A short time after the announce
ment OF this decision by the state SUI
preme court. the executors of the Will
of the late William Sharon made appll-
cation to the United States circuit
court for bill to revive and carry into
execution the decree of the circuit
court entered September, 1885, in the
suit of William Sharon against Sarah
Althea Hill to obtain its decree ad-
Judging certain papers In her posses
sion, purporting to be marriage con-
tract between them, to be a forgery,
and directing its cancellation and en-
Joining it's 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 a forgery, but in the
meantime the Sharon divorce suit was
pending in the state courts, and VIII
| liam Sharon had died.
When the executors recently APP
piled to the circuit court for bill of
revision Sarah Althea Hill, who has
since become Mrs. Terry, entered
demurrer and the decision yesterday
was rendered upon that demurrer
which the court overruled. The decis-
| ion 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, and Judge Sabin of the district
| court. The former decision of Judge
Sawyer declaring the alleged marriage
contract forgery, and ordering the
defendant to deliver it up for cancella-
tion is sustained, and the executors
are given the right to handle the
Sharon property untrammeled by any
action on the part of Mrs. Terry.
The announcement made several
DAYS ago that a decision in the Sharon
case would be rendered yesterday drew
a large crowd to the United states
court room. About two hundred law
yers beside all parties directly inter
ested in the case occupied the enclo-
sure Immediately in front OF the judge
Judge David Terry, who has been the
chief counsel for his wife during the
entire litigation, sat alongside his wife
yesterday 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 agitation increased. Finally WheI
Judge Field was about half through
reading Mrs. Terry jumped to her feet
and asked the judge if he was going tt
order her to give up her marriage con
tract.
The Judge quietly told hel to sit
down, and Mrs. Terry's face turned
white with passion and she cried, Jus
tice Field, we hear that you have beer
bought; we would like to know if thai
is so, and what figures you hold your
self at? It seems that no person car
get justice in this court unless he ha!
a sack"
Justice Field turned to Marsha
Franks and said: Marshal, remov'
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 Rulgal
language. Franks grasped her by thu
arm and in an instant Judge Terry
arose and exclaimed that no living
man should touch his wife. With THU
he dealt Franks terrible blow on TIT
neck with his fist which sent the mar
> shall rolling across the floor, Franks
regained himself and with seyera
7 deputies and bystanders rushed upOI
: Terry and quickly removed him. Mrs
r Terry was also taken fIOm the rOOn
: and locked up in the marshal's Office
A deputy was placed at the door ant
} when Terry and his followers advanced
! upon him and demanded admission tn
) deputy refused.
Terry put his hand in his pocket ant
, drew forth a dangerous looking dir
with a blade eight inches long ant
with curse held it above his head ant
declared he would stab any man VIII
5 tried to keep him away. Several per
sons at once jumped upon him ant
tried to take the knife away. A des
perate struggle followed. All the mel
: fell to the floor and the knife wa
finally taken away from Terry withou
, any one being injured. Terry wa
, then locked in the room With his wife
A satehel which Mrs Terry had drop
, ped in the court room during the ex
element was found to contain al
English bull dog revolver with all ST
chambers loaded. Marshal Frank
states she was trying to open tn
: satchel just before she was put out o
the court room.
Marshal Franks entered the roon
where the two were confined and Mrs
D Terry at once made violent attack o.
) him and beat him about the face an
) head. She was soon quoted, however
and a strong guard placed in the room
The widest excitement had prevaile
in the court room and corridors duriD
: the disturbance, but as soon as quie
l was restored, Judge Field resumed tn
reading of the decision. When he ha
. concluded the court took q recess an
: the Judges retired to their chamber
: Two hours later they again appeare
: in the court room and announced til
penalty they had to infiict upon Judg
Terry and his wife. Neither of tn
parties were allowed in court while ser
tence was pronounced.
c Judge Field ordered that Terry b
imprisoned in the county jail of Ala
:. media for six months, and that Mr.
> Terry be imprisoned thirty days. N
; alternative in the way of fine wa
> allowed and the prisoners were take
:, TO jail.
David S. Terry was formerly judp
y of the supreme court of this state, an
u while holding that position, in 1855, b
came involved in q quarrel with Davi
G.. BrOderick, who was then Unite
States senator for California. A du
a followed and Broderick was killed.
Canadian Cabinet.