The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-03-29
"reminiscences Of the Key Family
Duel. &c.

Inc Washington corresponding Of the Chi
oago Tribune gives the following Interesting
rem lnlscence Of the Key family, and of the
earlier part of the life Of Philip Barton Kew.
VINO, 1t appears, persuaded Miss Swami Of
May: - -
The Keys are family unfortunate in
their personal differences. | have referred
to the case Of an elder brother Of MIR Kew.
who was killed in duel about twenty years
ago 1t has been enormously stated, in
Washington print, the quarrel was about
whman 1t was q boyish caprice, and yet
canse and course of it were characteristic on
both sides. Sherburne and Key were young
mldshipmen together. They sailed in the
same ship on one Of the long and fruitless
cruises prescribed for the exercise Of our ma
w. Mr.. Sherburne was from New Hamp-
shire, qui ct and unobtrusive Mr.. Kew was
Marylander, connected with the most ar
lstocratic families Of that State and Virginia
lie took dislike to Mr. Sherburne, and
pursued him with ceaseless insults on board
ship A party Of young midshipmen attend
co an evening arty given by Congression.
al mess, at fashionable boarding house
here in Washington. The middies took
wine together, but MIR. Key was observed to
cave his wine untasted He was called up
on Tor en- explanation, and gave it bluntly
by saying that Sherburn was a coward for
not resenting the indignities he had before
inflicted upon him, and he could not drink
with him. The poor young man was at last
aroused de looked steadily ut Mr. Kew,
also setting his glass down and said 81 un--
derstand you; you have made mistake;
you ought to have known me better will
correct your mistake" He then bowed to
his companionions excepting Key, drank to
them and retired The next morning Sher-
burne sent message, which produced a |
meeting at Bladensburg Key was shot thro' |
the kidneys, and fingered two days in intol-
cradle anguish.
Aey marriage was aise attended and and |
preceded by evidence Of the same strong ana |
erratic temperament Col Charles Nav, Of |
Palo Alto celebrity had courted the beautiful |
MISS Swami, of Baltimore, and had been ac-
cepted by her. He introduced her to Kew as |
his intended bride. The two fell in love at |
hrst sight, and the gallant captain Of dra- |
goons was left to mourn the Inconsistency Of |
the female heart He, Of course, challenged |
Key The affair produced an awful tumult |
10 Washington. Key and May were pursued |
by the police. They barricaded themselves |
n separate apartments, and civil power; but
u course the deed was prevented The cap
.ain went to the wars, where he achieved
lame on the field, and Key, having married
he beauty, was appointed, through family
influence to the Office which he held at his
ieath. The lady, one of the loyeliest ever
Jaw, died two or three years ago, and it is
bought by some that Key, from the oddly
II his dress and the singularity of his be-
lavior afterwards, became partially deran-
led ny the bereavement But this was an
anfounded conjecture. His friends had
'nown him always to possess an unbalanced
md extravagant mind, in which violent anger
md passionate tenderness alternated.