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Sarah Althea Hill, now Mrs. David S. Terry, along with her attorney-husband, were back on court on September 3, 1888 to hear the decision in one of the appeals. The California Supreme Court had supported the lower state court ruling … Continue reading →

The most famous duel in California history took place in 1859 between David S. Terry, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, and U.S. Senator David C. Broderick. David Smith Terry was born in Kentucky in 1823 and moved with … Continue reading →

The trial came to a conclusion on September 16, 1884 and after due consideration, judgement was rendered by Judge J.F. Sullivan on December 24th. He concluded that under California law a marriage contract such as Sarah Althea Hill claimed she … Continue reading →

Sarah Althea Hill tried potions and charms from an assortment of fortune-tellers – they were numerous in old San Francisco – but she had not secured Senator Sharon’s affections to her satisfaction. Another of the mystic league gave her a … Continue reading →

But wait — it gets better! The counsel for the defense (William Sharon’s side) had a string of strange witnesses and bizarre testimony. Sarah, seemingly desperate to find and keep a sugar daddy, sought help from fortune tellers and charm … Continue reading →

While Sarah Althea Hill’s suit for adultery was still pending, ex-Senator Sharon filed his own civil suit in federal court against her for falsely alleging that they were married. He could sue in federal court because he claimed residency in … Continue reading →

The court dismissed the suit against William Sharon for adultery on a technicality, so Sarah Althea Hill promptly sued for divorce. Of course, in order to obtain a divorce, she first had to prove that they had been married. Her … Continue reading →