Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-03-05

requested his friend. Mr.. George Wool
bridge. of New York. TO watch the place
from the window of house just oPpo-
site.
On Saturday, no meeting took place.
and the woman in charge seems TO have
stated that none had occurred since We'd
nesdav.
On Saturday evening, Mr.. Sickles, re.
solved no longer to play spy upon his
honor, determined III confront his wife d.
reclly with his terrible suspicious. At
frs, Mrs. Sickles denied her guilt; bnt on
her husbands asking her whether. on The
Wednesday previous, she had not entered
the house on Fifteenth street, in certain
particular dress, and concealed by hood,
she cried out, 81 am betrayed and lost i"
and swooned away.
On recovering her senses che admitted
her guilt,and besoughl mercy and pardon.
Mr.. Sckles calmly said that he would not
iniure her; since he believed her tho VIC
tim of scoundrel. but that he had right
10 full confession. Two ladies in The
house were sent for as witnesses, and in
their presence, Mrs. Sickles made jul
confession in writing, stating tina! her
connection with Mr.. Key had commenced
in April under Mr.. Sickles' roof, but that
Mr.. Key had since hired the house in
Fifteenth street, in which they had con-
stan,ly met. Mrs. Sickles' confession
was made in the midst OF the biuerest con-
triton and misery. Her husband simply
asked her to give him back her wedding
ring land desired her 10 write TO her moth
er 10 come and take her from his house
forever. Mrs. Sickles made no objections,
admitting the justice of her punishment
in The most affecting language. Her
mother arrived yesterday TO remove her
from This fearful scene of guilt, remorse
and blood.
Once having quilted the presence Of his
wife. Mr.. Sickles gave way 10 The most
terrible emotions, and passed the night IN
a state bordering on destraction-a feeling
which was worked into madness this NOR
ming on seeing the cause Of his misery.
Mr.. Key, with gay audacity pass oPPo.
site The window of his wle's room and
wave his handkerchiel-the usual signal
for designation.
Asking Mr.. Butlerworth, who was at
his house, 10 follow Key and engaged
him in conversation so that he would not
get out of sight, and rushed up stairs for
his pistols, and quickly following, found
Bulierworlh and Key together, at the cor
ner of Sixteenth street, when the tragedy
took place.
The parties involved in this sad story
all lived within the immediate circle of
our daily Washington life two al least
of them being also as well known in New
York as in the Federal Metropolis. Key
was about AZ years Of age, tall IN stature,
about six feet, with all easy and tashlona'
bic air, bu! by no means prepossesslng In
appearance otherwise. His face had a
sickly hue, and he had been for some
time suffering from heart disease, or i'm
agined he was, which gave him soured
and DISCONTINUED look. Otherwise he
was extremely popular, and those who
knew him best said his eccenlrlclhes OF
manner covered very kind and generous
heart. His father. Francis H. Key, was
the author Of the national song, the "Star
Spaneled Banner" He was a widower
with four children. On his marriage he
narrowly escaped duel with Colonel
MAY, who conceived that he had unfairly
oused him from the affections OF the lady
who became his wife, and who was a
beautiful and charming woman.
Mr. Sickles. the member for the Third
Disuic, of New York, is a native OF this
city, and was originally printer by oc
cupation. He is man Of nearly forty
years OF age Of good presence and grace
ful manners. As member Of the State
Senate, as well as in the House OF Repre-
sentalives, he had made himself remarked
by quite unusual GOODNESS and self-pos-
session, which gave him great advantage
in debate. and had acquired Tor him
well-deserved reputation as rising young
leader of The Democratic party. ln 1893
Mr.. Sickles was married 10 his wife, now
ruined and hearl-hroken, then young
girl, fresh from her school life, and re-
markabe then as now for something es-
peciaIly soft, ovely and youthful in the
type OF her very peculiar beauty. She
is of Italian origin, possesses all the ltaI-
ian Iuslre and depth of eye. united with a
singular candor and delcacy OF feature.
Mr.. Sickles had seen her grow up from
childhood, and was attached TO her with
an almost idolatrous affection. Shortly
after their marriage. Mr.. Sickles was aP-
pointed Secretary of The American Lega-