The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-01
THE LAFAYETTE SQUARE TRAGEDY.

lhe metropolis was astOunlcu on Sunday afternoon by
the sad tiduss that Philip Barton Key. esq, United States
district attorney, had been SHOT dead by Hon Daniel H.
sickles representative Congress from the city of
New York Mr.. Sckes, since he has been in Congress
has resided in the Woodbury. house. facing the
side Of Lafayette square, and facing the National
Club House. which the conflict took place. and into
which the corpse of Mr. Key carried The Star OF
yesterday evening thus chronicles the circumstances which
provoked the attack
Mrs sckes is the daughter an Italian music master
ia New York city named Bdgoli. She married when
than sixteen under circumstances which
subsequently commented upon BY the pras In this city
het that of tensely fashionable soouncr
Mrs Sicklcs, in appearance, resembles Pccolomin
closely that might easily mistake them for each
other.
According to accounts emanating from the friends OF
Mr. Sicklcs through the exeron OF party whom he
dcyolved the duty Of watching, he learned that Mrs
Sicsles in the habit Of meeting the deceased at
small two-story frame house on Fifteenth and half
street. between x and il, the property of negro
named John Gray, of whom the deceased Is alleged to
have rented IT, aud where he kept servant to
attend TO ii that Thursday evening last woman
az sse like Mrs Sickles by the watcher to 20
and remain in the house for or two hours and
leaving il to 20 the residence of Mr. SicIes and that
saturday morning parties acting for Mr.. Sicklcs carried
Mrs Sckcs's clothing to the neighborhood, where the
articles were identified by females living having
been worn by the who in the habit of visit
ing that house.
According to the most reliable accounts obtain
third party and friend consulted by Sickes
DAYS ago rs to the he had best pursue who adj
vseJ him to do nothing until obtaining positive proof Of
the criminal connexon OF Mrs. Scles and the deceased
that the night before lat Mr. Sickies charged the
with the crminaty with such specifications caused her
To faint. Yesterday she induced to sign write
paper purporting to be a full acknowledgement Of her
inhdelity with the deceased That in it she admitted
that the deceased and herself had signals by which she
could let him know whether she could meet him, and
explained those signals Tint shortly nfter she explain
ed the signals, the deceased from about the
house, where he had been using orgnette to
whether the signal out into Lafayette Square and
in sight thorc in the house. he waved his handkerchief
at the house.
The testimony before the coroner's jury showed that
Mr. Key met Mr.. Sckes the northern side Of Penn
syyania avenue at the Madison Place crossing. Mr.
Key extended his hand saying, ''How are your" Mr.
Sickles pushed back the preferred hand and exclaimed
''You scoundrcl, you have dishonored my house and
ruined my family Mr. Key put his hand into the
breast pocket of bis coat, and drawing something
out whether ii opera-gass pistol there is
some doubt when Mr. Siclles drew pistol and fred at
him. The shot merely grazed the side of Mr. Key, who
retreated behind large tree followed by Mr. Sicklcs
aud tussle ensued Mr. Sickles could olsen
gage his right arm, he fired again, and this time the ball
took effect entering the right thigh directly the
region of the thermornl artery. Mr.. Key sank
knee, crying, dont shoot murder T. Mr. Sickles fired
again, the ball entering the body of Mr. Key the
left side between the alse ribs and passing through
the body. At this tune some gentlemen running
from the Clubhouse by and Mr. SicIles, seeing
that his adversary dead took the of friend
and walked the house OF Judge Black the Attorney
General, where he surrendered himself Officers
summoned, and lie afterwards taken to JAIL
first calling at bis house.
A coroner jury summoned who heard the testi-
mony of the surgeons and several witnesses and return
ed the following verdict
That the said Philip Barton Key TO his death
from the effect OF pistol balls fired by the hands OF Daniel
H. Sckes, while standing the southeast Of
Lafayette Square of the balls entering the left side
of the body passing through TO tho corresponding point
ON the opposite side. lodging under the akin one
through the right thigh the main artery the third
striking the right side, CHANGING from the body and in
hlcting bruse said wounds causing his death in
few moments"
Mr.. sickles has been fully committed for trial by Capt
Goddard and it is understood that he has engaged emil
ncnt counsel
Tsu GEORGETOWN ELgcrioS yesterday for Mayor and
eleven Common Councmen terminated in the reelec-
ton of the present Mayor, A. H. Crawford, esq, by
plurality of 10 votes in ly3 votes cast He bad two
competitors Messrs. Henry Addison and James A. Ma
grudcr. majority Of The Councilmcn elected Of
different politics from the Mayor.