The Delta independent., 1889-08-20
A CALIFORNIA TRAGEDY.
Judge Terry Shot Dead by United
States Marshal for an Assault
on Justice Field.
THE DEED COMMENDED.

LATHRoP, Cal, Aug. 14.-Upon the
arrival of the southern overland train here
at o'clock this morning United States Su-
preme Judge Stephen ]. Field and Deputy
Marshal David Nagle walked into the de-
pot dining room for breakfast and sat down
side by side. Soon afterward Judge David
Terry and wife came in. They proceeded
to another table. Mrs. Terry evidently
recognized Justice Field and did not sit
down, but retired to the train for some un-
known purpose Before reaching it, how
ever, and as soon as she had left the din
ing room, Judge Terry approached Justice
Field. STOPPING over him he gently slapped
his face at once. At this iuncture Deputy
Marshal Nagle arose from his seat and
shot Judge Terry, apparently through the
heart. As he was falling the deputy mar
shall shot again, but missed him, the bullet
going through the floor. Both shots were
fired in very quick succession.
Judge Terry had hardly fallen when
Mrs. Terry rushed to the side of the body
and threw herself upon it. Then ensued a
scene of the widest excitement People
rushed from the dining room and others
rushed In.
After shooting, Deputy United States
Marshal backed against the wall OF the
dining room and warned everyone not TO
arrest him, saying that he was United
States of,icer in the discharge of his duty.
There was no semblance of an attempt to
mo.est him At any time.
During this time Justice Field and Dep
uty Marshal Naele rctreatcd to the sleep
ing car. Before the train pulled out, Con
stable Walker entered the sleeper and was
carried away on board the train. He in
formed the spectators that he knew his
duty and would perform IL. He took Dep
uty Magic from the train at Tracy and pro-
ceeded with him TO Stockton, where he is
now in Jail.
SAs FRASorsco, Aug. 1.-THE news of
the shooting of Judge Terry at Lathrcp
caused intense excitement here. Mrs.
Terry was formerly Sarah Althea Hill,
who through long litigation claimed TO be
the wife of cx Senator Sharon. Terry was
her attorney. Judge Field decided that
she was not Sharon's wife. Sarah de-
nounced Field in open court as corrupt and
Field ordered her removed from court
Terry drew knife In her defense and both
were sent TO iail for six months for con-
tempt OF court This was in September
last, and to-day was Terry's first meeting
with Judge Field since that time. That
there would be killing when they met was
generally believed owing to Tcrry's record.
He came to California in lsi9 In 1886 he
stabbed a member of the vigilance commit
tee and came near being strung up. In
1853 he killed Senator Broderick as the re-
suit OF political differences.
Justice Field was seen by an Associated
Press reporter on his arrival here a, noon.
He said that for the last two months all
sorts OF reports have reached him that
Judge Terry had threatened to subject him
TO some form of indignity should he meet
him. This fact caused the United States
Marshal 10 provide such protection he
could during Justice Fields stay in the
State. "At the Lathrop eating house this
morning. said Justice Field, II took u
seat at tho end Of the table, while Naglc
sat on one side of me. Terry and his wife
came in soon after. As soon as Mrs. Terry
saw me she went out OF the room, as af-
terward learned, returning to the car for her
satchcl Judge Terry arose and supposed
that he intended to accompany her. In
stead Of doing so ho walked back of me and
struck mo a heavy slap in the face. / was
completely astonishcd. As he was making
ready to strike again Deputy Marshal
Magic cried Stop, stop, and as he was
raising his arm second time Nagel shot
him, the bullet entcring the heart. That
is all know of the matter" said tho Jus
ticc in conclusion.
Protection was accorded TO Justice Field,
it is claimed, by authority Of Attorney
General Miller, who instructed the mar
shal Of the district TO see that the persons
of Justice Fiold and Circuit Judge Sawyer
were protected. Mrs. Terry, it will be re.
mcmbercd, made personal assault upon
Judge Sawyer last year. The order for
protection was based upon this fact and
upon threats declared to have been made
openly against Justice Field. Tho latter
has not been arrested.