Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1889 — JUSTICE FIELD TESTIFIES. [ARTICLE]

JUSTICE FIELD TESTIFIES.

He Tills of Hls Relations With Terry— The Mentor of Terry. When the case of Deputy Marshal Nagle was resumed in toe Federal Court at San Francisco, Friday, several witnesses who had known Judge Terry lor years were examined, and their general statements wWe to the effect that Terry had never been in the habit of making idle threats, and was regarded as a dangerous man when his passion was aroused. Justice Field was examined briefly. He detailed a number of occurrences previous to the killing of Judge Tetry, including toedecision he had rendered against Mrs. Terry a year ago and the. affair in the court room at toe time, which resulted in Terry and his wife being imprisoned for contempt

In relation to the tragedy at Lathrop last month he said: ‘‘Deputy Marshal Nagle and myself entered toe dining room at Latnrop for breakfast and soon after taking our seats, Judge Terry and his wife, who were on the some train, also entered the room, and as they passed down the aisle Mrs. Terry glanced at me a moment, and then turned about and left the place. Judge Terry seated himself, but arose immediately and came toward me. Before realizing what he intended to do, I felt a powerful blow on my neck. I turned around and saw Terry’s giant form towering over me, with hiscHnched fist uparised. I then heard Nagle say: ‘Stop that, I am an officer-’ I then heard two pistol shots in quick succession, and saw Terry fall to the floor. I was dazed for a monlent, but soon realized that Terry had received his death wound, and arose and left the room.” Justice Fields, in responserto questions, expressed an opinion that if Nagle had not shot Terry, he (Field) would have been dead within the next five seconds. He said the expression of Terry’s face when he raised his hand to strike a second time could not be mistaken. It was full of malice and murder. Justice Field declared that he had never had any difficulty with Terry of any nature whatever prior to the rendering of judgment in the Sharon case a year ago. In fact, they had always been on the most friendly terms. Terry had often tried cases before him, and on entering court he always spoke to him pleasantly. During the last year or two, however, he seemed entirely changed and to have lost the respect which he formerly had for the courts. Justice Field added that the story of his having Terry to support him for President a few years ago was pure fiction.

Deputy Marshal David Nagle was ex amined and related the details of the tragedy in the Lathrop dining-room last month. He said that when Judge Terry approached Justice Field he had no idea he was going to make an attack, but before he could interfere Terry slapped the justice on the face with his right hand and repeated the blow with his left hand, striking the justice a second time on the back of the head. Nagle continued: “I was on my feet in an Instant, and, throwing out my right hand to keep Terry off, I shouted: ‘Stop that; lam aU. S. officer.’ Terry then directed his attention to me. He has his right arm in position as if about to deliver .another blow, and as he turned his glance upon me he looked like an infuriated beast. His elenched fist immediately sought his bosom. Believing my life was in danger, I immediately drew my pistol with my left hand, and; catching it with my right, fired two shots in quick succession, and Terry fell to the floor. I believe Terry would have cut me to pieces, and perhaps Justice Field, if I had not acted promptly. He looked like a maddened giant. I knew he had always carried a knife, and I believed lie had one on him then. I knew him to be a giant in strength, and proposed to take no chances with him. For that reason I Held my pistol iu both hands, so that he could uol take it away from me. After the shooting was over and I had got Justice Field on the train again, I told the conductor to look out for Mrs. Terry, for I did not like to injure a woman, but would surely protect Justice Field.”