New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-24
The SHARoN DIVORCE CASE RECALLED.
THREATENED PUBLICATION OF LETTERS SAID
TO REFLECT ON JUSTICE FIELD.

TO REFLECT ON JUSTICE FIELD
San Francisco July % (SpeciaD-The notorious
sharon divorce case around which many scandals are
wound was revived to-day by the publication OF the
attempt of Mrs Sarah Mitchell to secure $4,000 for
letters which she says seriously compromise the sharon
heirs as well as Justice stephen J. Field Of the United
States Supreme Court Mrs. Mitchell is the widow of
a mining man, but for the last ten years she has been
the intimate friend OF Charles II. Livingstone manager
of the Palace Hotel and close friend OF Senator
Sharon and his sonn-lnw, Francis Newlands some OK
these letters were addressed by Livingstone to New
lands and Others interested in the sharon estate the
writer demanding reward for his services in aiding in
bringing about result favorable to the opponents OF
Sarah Althea Terry. In them Livingstone fixes the
compensation which he thinks is his due at 100000.
The letters addressed TO Livingstone chiefly appeals
10 him to intercede with Boss" Buckley in behalf OF
the writer's who seeking political preferment or
favors 1t is known that Justice Field wrote sew
eral letters to Livingstone, declaring that he would see
that Newlands did the right thing by Livingstone
Some ausons IN these letters show that the associate
Justice knew something Of the inside history of the
sharon case Mr. Field wrote these letters because
Livingstone his strong personal friend. These
letters fell into Mrs Mitches hands several months
ago. when Livingstone suddenly died at her house.
She has also copies of all his correspondence, much OF
which she wrote herself The Sharon heirs, as well
as Justice Field, say that Mrs. Mitchell is mistaken
about the value OF these letters They declare they
willing TO have them printed as there is nothing In
them which is discreditable.
Those familiar with the Sharon case, however. say
that some of the letters probably deal with the attack
made by the Sharon estate Judge sullivan, who dc
cared III favor Of Sarah Atea, though this opinion
was aftcrward overruled and Sarah never gained
pennv from the estate. Sharon on his deah-bcd made
his heirs swear that they would never pay her one
cent and that they would defeat sullivan il he
ever ran for office again Sarah was completely dc
feated in the state and Federal courts and lost not
ONLY all her money, but also Judge Terrys, who was
her only true ficnd.
When sullivan ran Tor Justice Of the State supreme
Court the sharon influence used against him
cessflly that he showed under. lie is practs
ing law here Many believe that Livingstone had hand
in that fight and that it mainly for his services in
that affair that he demanded 100000 The threat OF
Mrs Mitchell chat she will turn these letters 10
sarah Althca is idle because no earthly power
oDcu the sharon case. IL is settled definitely and no
amount of new evidence could bring into court again.
sarah Athea is living the Terry ranch. near FMsnO,
the last piece OF property left OF the wreck Of the Terry
estate she has neither money nor friends, and even
il the courts had not debarred her she would be unable
TO carry tho fight against the rich Sharon estate