The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1889-08-22
A Startling Tragedy.


TIlE ENp OF 4 NOTORIOUS CAREER,
| The shooting of David S. Terry by
Deputy L. s. Marshall Nesgle on Wed
nesday of last week, was startling ailaii
even FOR the Pacific coast 1t occurred III
Lathrop Cal. Upon the arrival of the
southern overland train, United States
Supreme Judge Stephen J. Field and Dep
uty United States Marshal David Maggie
walked into the depot dining room fol
breakfast and sat down side by side.
| Soon after Judge David S. Terry and wife
came in also. They were proceeding to
another table, when Mrs. Terry, evidently
recognizing Justice Field did not sit
down but retired to the train for some un-
known purpose. Before she reached it
however, and as soon as she had left the
dining room, Judge Terry approached
Justice Field and STOPPING over him slap
ped his face. At this juncture Deputy
Marshal Nagle arose from his seat and
shot Judge Terry through the heart. As
he WAS falling the Deputy Marshal shot
again, but missed him, the bullet going
through the floor Both shots were Tired
in quick succession.
The Judge never uttered sound after
being shot. He 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. Dur.
ing this time Justice Field and Deputy
Marshall Maggie retreated to sleeping
car, where they were securely locked
within. Before the train pulled out Cons
table Walker entered the sleeper, but pre-
vious to his entrance Maggie was arrested
by the sheriff and one of his deputies.
The prominence of the actors in the
tragedy gives it national interest. When
member of the supreme court of the
United States is assaulted by a notorious
tire-eater like Terry and the assailant is
killed for his temerity the affair becomes
one OF thrilling concern. The motive of
Terry's attack on Justice Field appears to
have been revenge for the action of the
latter in the Hill-Sharon case.
1t will be remembered that Sarah Althea
Hill brought suit against the estate of the
late Senator Sharon Of California, on the
ground that she was his wife. The case
was stubbornly contested and went
through all the courts until it finally came
before the United States circuit court,
Justice Field presiding. The Judge de-
MED the claim. During the reading Of
the decision the plaintitt-who in mean
time had married her counsel, ex-Judge
Terry-beCame abusive and was removed
from court by order Of the presiding
judge. Terry interfered, but was dis
armed and, with his wife, was committed
to Jail in contempt The sequel to all
this was Wednesdays episode.
1t was thirty years ago, on the 18th OF
next month, that Terry shot David c,
Broderick dead In a duel. Broderick had
represented California in the United
States Senate, and had stoutly opposed
the extension Of slavery, and in 1858 haC
ceased to act with the Democratic party
which elected him. Terry was q leader
OF the pro-slavery wing, and on this issu,
he quarrelled with Broderick and sho
him. 1t was not the hrst time that TER!
had killed his man, for while holding tn,
position Of justice on the State suprem,
bench he had three years before Stable,
member Of the vigilance committee whit
attempted to arrest one of his friends.
Terry was forceful character, and hi
ready pistol was doubtless often IN efieC