The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-08-15
THE SLAYER OF BROOERICK SLAIN.
Notorious Judge Terry Of California
shot Dead.
He was Assaultlng United States su-
preme Court Judge Field.
A Long story In Which Sarah AIthea
Hill Plays a Part

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, August 14-Cali-
fornia has seen the last days of the man who
killed Senator Broderick in 1859 in a duel
that ranks second only to that between Ham
ilton and Burr in the sensation which 1t ere
ated in the country and the influence which
it had upon the political balance of the coun-
try. Broderick was the leader Of the loyal
wing Of the Democratic party in California
in those days; and Judge David S. Terry
was in those days fire eating sympathizer
Of the South. He challenged Broderlck to a
duel and killed him at the first fire, thereby
creating a popular adherence of himself and
his party that materially helped to carry
California for Lincoln in 1860. Today In the
railroad station at Lathrop this man, who,
according to the old figure, has lived by the
sword perished by the sword. Judge Terry
Stephen J. Field of the, United States Su-
preme Court. Deputy United States
Marshal Nagle did the shooting. There is a
long story to this affair.
David >. Terry, at one time q
California, and prominent figure
in the political history Of the State, was
married to the famous Sarah Althea Hill,
who claimed to be the wife Of ex-senator
Sharon; while prosecuting her cleim against
OudlOn . cotdL6. Ills DTOuRlL HiIn luLO a
resentful attitude toward Justice Field, who
last year rendered decision In the u. S.
Circuit Court in this city, denying Sarah Al
len HilPs Tor rather Mrs. Terry's, as she
then was), claim to have been the wife Of
Senator Sharon. Mrs. Terry created a
decision, charging Justice Field with being
corrupt, and on her refusal to remain quiet,
Justice Field directed that she be removed
from the court When the deputy attempted
to carry out the order, she became involved
In personal quarrel with that official.
dagger from his vest. He was disarmed,
however, before he did any harm. Both
Terry and his wife were adjudged in con-
tempt, and committed to jail.
Justice Field went to Washington to re-
sumo his duties on the bench. When he re-
turned to this city, six weeks ago, newspa-
per articles were printed, intimating that 1t
would be dangerous for Justice Field and
Judge Terry to meet personally, as IL was
thought that the latter might insult the for
, mer. The fact was recognized that Justice
Field would be quick to resent an attack
from Terry, knowing that 1t could only re-
suit fatally to one or the other, in view Of
the latter's record.
David 5. Terry was born in Kentucky in
1923. He served in the Texan army and
came to California In 1S49 In 1856 he stabbed
a man who attempted to arrest a friend of
his. Terry was held by the Vigi-
lantes, but afterwards released.
He killed Senator Broderick In 1859.
September s, 1888, he was sent to Jail for six
Field.
After shooting Terry. at Lathrop, today,
Nagle backed up against the wall in the
dining room, and warned every one not to
arrest him, saying he was a United States
semblance of an attempt to molest him was
made. Constable Walker took Deputy
Nagle from the train at Tracy and proceeded
with him to Stockton, where he Is now in
Jail.
The Southern overland train arrived atSix-
teenth street station, Oakland, shortly after
IL O'Clock this morning. Justice Field main
tained quiet demeanor as he narrated the
particulars Of the shooting
Justice Fields story.
"For the last few months" he said, "all
manner Of reports, public and personal, have
reached me, that Judge Terry threatened to
subject me to some form of indgnity If he
should happen to meet me. This fact caused
the United States Marshal to provide
such protection as he could during
my stay in the State. When / started for
Los Angles TO hold court, Deputy Nagle ac-
companied me. He seemed quiet, gentle
manly official. We heard this morning that
Judge Terry and wife were on the train.
paid no attention to the fact, and when we
arrived at Lathrop. entered the eating sta
tion to get breakfast. l took seat at the
end of the table, and Nagle sat one side of
me. Judge Terry and wife came into the
room soon after. AS soon as Mrs. Terry
saw me she went out of the room,
returning only from the car for
satchel. Judge Terry walked back of me,
and struek me heavy slap in the face. See
ing he was making ready to strike again,
Nagle cried out: "Stopi Stopl" Terry did
not desist, and as he was raising his arm a
second time Nagle shot. The bullet enter
ing Terry's heart, he fell to the floor"
The deputy marshal is said to have had
orders from the attorney general to protect
Judge Field at any hazard.
Justice Field left the Overland train at
Oakland Ferry. and was driven at once to
the Palace Hotel, where he was Joined by
his wife. He was not arrested.