Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-15
HOW IT BEGAN.
4 Rumpus in Court Over the Notorious
Sharon Case.

sharon Case.
SAN FRANCISCO, August l4th-The beginning
of the tIoubie between Justice Field and the
Terrys occurred here September 8, 1885, when
the former rendered a decision declaring the So
called marriage contract between Sarah Althea
Hill and William Sharon null and void, Az
that time scene took place in the Courtroom
of the United States Circuit Court which was
almost without parable.
A hush came over the room when the four
Judges Game in and took their seats under the
canopy: Judge Field immedistey began in u
low and dis inct tone TO Iead the decision.
Mr.. and Mrs. Terry leaned forward and lis
tened with the utmost attention. She, however
was the center of all eyes in the courtroom
and there seemed to be a Kind of presentiment
hanging over all that something extraordinary
was going TO happen.
Mrs. Terry listened for fully fifteen minuts
without change OF countenance, or the slight.
est indication OF any dissatisfaction on her part
But finally, when the Judges language began
TO indicate that the decision was going against
her she moved Iestlessly in her chair heaved a
deep srgh and was apparently endeavoring to
compose herself 1t was evident. though, that
she was not equal 10 the task. The tears started
to her eyes several times, and then Judge Terry
whispered something to her which seemed TO
esse her somewhat, and she once more settled
down to listen atteutiyely.
MRS TERRY INTERRUPTS THE COURT.
Judge Field had Just reached the point in his
remarks where the necessity of canceiling and
| destroying such q marriage contract as that
| possessed by Mrs Terry was suggested when
4 0ASlln0
| said to the Supreme Justice
Judge Field, do you intend to take the re-
| sponsibiltty OF ordering me 10 surrender my
contract?'
Sit down, madam, . was Justice Fields per.
eInptory order.
Judge Terry took hold Of his wife's arm and
| bade her keep cool and resume her seat
q VIII speak, she cried, breaking away
from her husband. Then, turning to Judge
Field, she screamed
Judge Field. you have been bought How
| much have they paid you?"
" Marshal, take that woman out of the room -
ordered the Judge with a wave of his hand.
In moment every thing was confusion. The
MarSha rushed toward the now thoroughly in
! furiated woman to carry out the order of the
Court, when he was confronted by the massive
| form of Judge Terry.
Don't put Your hand on her" hiSsed the
latter through his clenched teeth. "Do you
hear?'
For moment Marshal Franks hesitated.
Then he darted past the Judge and seized Mrs
Terry in his arms. Terry started after him. tut
before ne had taken three steps he was seized
| on all sides by Deputy MsTshals la "a yers and
miscellaneous spectators The first one to ap-
| proach him received the furious Judges
clinched fst full in tie face and was staggefed.
The next instant, though the crowd had Terry
on the floor he all the time fighting like mad.
man. He was picked up and carried bodily out
OF the Courtroom, but as soon as the corridor
was reached he seemed to be gifted with the
strength of dozeE men, for he shook off his
assailsnts like so many rats.
TERRY DRAWS A KNIFE
The next instant Terry whipped out dagger
about seven inches long ana started in the di-
rection of the Marshafs office, where Mrs
Terry had been carried a Jew minutes before by
Marshal Franks.
The crowd which had followed them out evil
IDENTIFY mistook the knife for g revolver and
weH.knowing Terry's familiarity with that
weapon, stampeded. yelling like a lot of crazy
people.
Terry wss simply boiling over with rage. and
trembled like leaf. With the knife upraised
he rushed into the MarshalS quarters CRYING
out that he would make mince-meat of the psr
son who laid violent hands upon his vie. He
had not gone far however, before five or six Ie-
yolvers were taring him in the face being in
the hands of the Marshal and his deputies But
this only seemed 20 anger him the more for he
ragged and funed like an infuriated lion and
dared them to shoot.
He was seized upon By the deputies and after
terrible struggle. the weapon was finally
wrenched from his hand.
He was then carried into one of the MarshaIs
rooms and locked up, while his wife was put
Ieriy's voice could be heard crying out in the
room that Judge Field had been bought and
was a monster, devil, etc.
As soon as quiet could be restored in the
courtroom Judge Field resumed his reading of
the dec sion without the least show of excite
ment, and read continuously for over an hour
atterwaId. Upon concluding he and his asso-
ciate' lett the bench, to the surprise of every
one, without making any order whatever in the
way of citing the Terrys to appear for contempt
or suggesting anything in the way of punish
ment.
Mrs Terrys bag which WAS before her when
she came TO address Judge Field, was upon be-
ing opened, found to contain a revolver, every
cha ber of which was loaded