David Smith Terry, a prominent figure in California's legal and political history, met a tragic end on August 14, 1889, in Lathrop, California. Terry, who had served as the fourth Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, was involved in a series of contentious legal battles and personal conflicts throughout his life. His death was the culmination of a long-standing feud with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen J.
Field.
The conflict between Terry and Field began years earlier when Terry represented Sarah Althea Hill in a sensational case against former U.S. Senator William Sharon. Hill claimed that she was Sharon's wife by contract and sought a divorce and alimony. The case, which became known as the Sharon-Hill case, was highly publicized and contentious. Ultimately, the court ruled against Hill, and Terry blamed Justice Field for the unfavorable outcome. This animosity led to several heated encounters between Terry and Field.
On the fateful day of August 14, 1889, Terry and his wife, Sarah Althea Hill, encountered Justice Field at a train station restaurant in Lathrop. The unarmed Terry approached Field and slapped him twice in the face. In response, Field's bodyguard, Deputy U.S. Marshal David Neagle, immediately shot and killed Terry. Neagle's actions were later deemed justifiable, as he was acting to protect a Supreme Court Justice from an imminent threat.
The aftermath of Terry's death involved significant legal proceedings. Neagle was arrested and charged with murder, but the case quickly escalated to the federal courts. The central issue was whether Neagle, as a federal officer, had the authority to protect Justice Field and use lethal force if necessary. The case, known as In re Neagle, reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled in Neagle's favor. The Court held that federal officers had the authority to protect federal judges and that Neagle's actions were justified under the circumstances.
Terry's death and the subsequent legal battles highlighted the intense personal and political conflicts of the era. His life, marked by his involvement in high-profile duels, legal disputes, and political controversies, came to a dramatic and violent end, leaving a lasting impact on California's legal history.
