Sarah Althea Hill (March 26, 1850 – February 14, 1937) was a California socialite who became a national celebrity when she sued millionaire Senator William Sharon for divorce, citing adultery, in 1883.

[2] In the fall of 1880, at age 30, Hill met millionaire Senator William Sharon, the president of the Bank of California, the owner of the Palace Hotel, and other properties.

His reasons, she testified, were that he was up for re-election and could not afford the scandal that would result when his mistress back east heard about the marriage.

Judge Jeremiah F. Sullivan declared her the legal wife of William Sharon and awarded her alimony and the right to half of his accumulated wealth since the date of their marriage.

Hill's expenses were primarily bankrolled by her friend, Mary Ellen Pleasant, an elderly black entrepreneur.

Sarah Althea Hill suddenly stood up, screamed obscenities at the judge, and fumbled in her handbag for her revolver.

When Marshal John Franks and others attempted to escort her from the courtroom, attorney Terry rose to defend his wife and drew his Bowie knife.

[10][11] While being transported to jail and while serving their sentences, Terry and his wife repeatedly threatened Justice Field.

Both David and Althea were indicted by a federal grand jury on criminal charges arising out of their behavior in the courtroom before Justice Field.

In May 1889, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to review the order that invalidated Althea Terry's marriage contract with Senator Sharon.

[3][12] It is due to the dignity and independence of the court, and the character of its judge, that no effort on the part of the government shall be spared to make them feel entirely safe and free from anxiety in the discharge of their high duties.

On August 14, 1889, they boarded a train in Fresno on which unknown to them Field and Neagle were returning from Los Angeles.

At 7:10 am, all of the passengers disembarked the train to eat breakfast in the railroad station dining room at Lathrop, California.

She quickly exited and returned to her railroad car, apparently to fetch her satchel in which she was known to carry a pistol.

Neagle announced to the 80 to 100 people in the dining room, "I am a United States Marshal and I defy anyone to touch me!"

"[12][17] [18] Althea Hill Terry had been held at the door by one of the dining room proprietors, who had searched the satchel and found a gun within it.

[21] Diagnosed with "dementia praecox," an early term for schizophrenia, she was extremely violent and had to be restrained for years in the asylum.

Despite being termed "our best known patient" by Dr. Asa Clark,[22] the hospital superintendent, Terry received almost no visitors over the years other than a few authors researching her case.

She was not treated except with sedatives and eventually adapted to her life in the institution but was deluded into thinking that she was a rich and grand lady, the hospital was her mansion, and the staff her servants.