The San Francisco call., 1896-08-05
THE KILLING OF TERRY.
The Tragedy That Gave Neagle His
Unenviable Fame.

The Tragedy That Gave Neagle His
Unenviable Fame.
The killing of David S. Terry, once CHIEF
Justice of the State Supreme Court, by
Dave Neagle, then United States Mar
shall, took place on August Is, 1889.
The tragedy occurred in the depot din
ing-room at Lathrop. 1t was the culmin-
alton of long-standing feud.
The Southern Pacific overland train had
just arrived at Lathrop about 7:20 A. NJ,
and the dining room was scene of hustle
and animation. One hundred and twenty
FIVE passengers had rushed off the train
eager for breakfast and were seated at the
tables around the room.
At table near the door sat Justice
Stephen ]. Field. Beside him was Neagle
in the capacity of bodyguard.
Five minutes later David S. Terry en-
tered the room, followed by his wife. L.
M. Stackpole, proprietor of the establish
ment, stood near the desk and whispered
"Field is there" Both husband and wife
glanced in the direction indicated, and the
latter bled, then ran out of the door
toward the sleeper. On her return Terry
said to Stackpole. Look out for my wife, I"
and proceeded down the aisle toward table
some distance from that where Field sat.
HIS movements attracted no particular
attention. A few, to whom his remarkable
face and figure were known. looked up; the
rest were too busy eating to think of any
thing else. Terry was very pale. He
fdgeted nervously in his seat. Several
times he half rose; at last he rose and
diu fou I'd ioIA a
was about TO strike the Chief Justice when
Neagle's hand was thrust out, there was a
slight scuffle, two shots were fired in quick
succession and Judge Terry fell to the
floor with bullet in his heart, dead.
The whole affair occurred in the space
of thirty seconds. Instantly there was a
wild rush for the door, tables were pushed
aside and chairs overthrown.
A few of the boldest made for Neagle,
who stood with his revolver in his hand,
over the prostrate form of the ex-Judge.
| He cried: II am United States officer
| in the discharge of my duty; don't touch
me-"
Then Justice Field arose, and taking the
Marshal by the arm, slipped through the
crowd into the car.
NcdRlc ID IdtASI 1OuQ Va OCbCIlUluB tuls
affair. In doing so he says: "Justice Field
and myself were at breakfast. 1 saw Terry
coming. He approached Justice Field
from behind. AS he stood over him with
clenched fists, as though about to strike
him, or apparently 10 fall upon him in the
excitement and anger, sprang up and
forward, and with my right hand grasped
him by the coat, while l drew my revolver
with my left. AS he turned toward me l
had him just right. I thrust the revolver
forward and pulled twice. 1t was self
actor and he fell"
Neagle is employed by the railroad COM
pany as sort of bodyguard to the officials
at times and at others as detective and
agent to get evidence for the defense of
railroad suits. He is OF slight figure,
about five feet eight inches in height, of
sailow complexion, light hair and eyes
and rather shambling gait.
There is feud of long standing between
Neagle and Wyatt carp. Neagle once
made the public declaration that he had
driven carp out OF Tucson. carp, when
he subsequently met Neagle on the streets
of San Francisco, quietly advised him, so
the story goes, that he had better go into
the country whenever he. carp, came to
town. 1t is said that Neagle took and
always followed the advice.