Lathrop in San Joaquin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

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The Shooting of David S. Terry

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, August 29, 2021

1. The Shooting of David S. Terry Marker

Inscription. David S. Terry, former Chief Justice of the California State Supreme Court and duelist was shot to death by David Neagle on August 14, 1889 in the old railroad restaurant across the street. Neagle had been hired to protect US Supreme Court Justice Stephen J. Field who feared Terry. Field had recently ruled against the suit of Sarah Althea Hill, Terry's new wife, in which she claimed to have been the wife of William Sharon. Neagle was later acquitted of all charges.

Erected by Tulburgh Chapter, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 14, 1889.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 37° 49.291′ N, 121° 16.535′ W. Marker was in Lathrop, California, in San Joaquin County. Marker was at the intersection of 7th Street and K Street, on the right when traveling south on 7th Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 15499 7th Street, Lathrop CA 95330, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Lathrop (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lathrop Veteran’s Memorial (approx. ¼

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mile away); America's First Coast-to-Coast Road (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Comet – 1846 – First Sail Launch (approx. 2.9 miles away); Finley’s Bar and Grill (approx. 3.2 miles away); California Chicory Works (approx. 3.7 miles away); Liberty Plot (approx. 4 miles away); William Campbell (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lathrop.

More about this marker. The plaque is mounted to a boulder in front of the building.

Regarding The Shooting of David S. Terry. The marker does not mention David Neagle was a Deputy US Marshal, present when Justice Field ruled against David Terry's wife, Sarah Althea Hill, in an appeals case. Upon hearing the ruling, Ms. Hill jumped up yelling obscenities and tried to pull a revolver from her purse. When another marshal tried to escort her out of the courtroom David Terry drew his Bowie knife, then hit the marshal, knocking out a tooth. The husband and wife were arrested and sentenced to jail for contempt of court. They received six months and one month, respectively.

The couple

Missing Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 3, 2022

2. Missing Marker

repeatedly threatened Justice Field while being transported to the jail. They were later indicted by a federal grand jury on criminal charges for their behavior in the courtroom.

David Terry, Justice Field, and Deputy Neagle happened to be on the same train when it stopped in Lathrop for breakfast on the morning the shooting happened. Deputy Neagle saw Terry reach into his jacket where he was known to carry a Bowie knife. That is when he shot Terry.

Additional commentary.
1. The marker was stolen
The bronze marker was stolen. Thieves took it to a salvage yard where it was confiscated and returned to the Clampers. It will possibly be replaced with an engraved granite marker.

— Submitted May 4, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 324 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on May 4, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. Photos: 1. submitted on March 24, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2. submitted on May 4, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.