The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-28
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

WASHINGTON, Feb II, 1859.
The facts connected with the killing Of Barton Key by
d. E. sckles, some Of which do not Of appear in
the evidence before the coroner briefly foows-
These gentlemen lived friendly terms almost up
to the moment Of the dreadful act Although gossip had
made free with Mrs. Sckes' in connection with Mr.
Key for more than year. and appears that Mr. sckles
had heard something about IL, yet her adroItness
denals and apparent chldlike simplicity, com
pletely belied his suspicious. Last night he
received an anonymous letter, taxing his wife directly with
criminal intercourse with Key and detailing facts and
currences in corroboraton He this morning proceeded
TO her room and charged her with her guilt Az first she
denied II vehementy, and tainted. When she recovered
she confessed her guthat for long PERIOD TO use her
words she had frequent intercourse with Key that he
had seduced her This confession she put in writing and 1t
was Immediately aterward that Key passed the house,
and the tragedy contaminated.
appears that she had In the habit Of meeting him
some three times week at an obscure dwelling in the
outskirts Of the town, which he had hired for the pur
pose Mr. sckes daily absence Congress for several
hours gave her ample opportunities without exciting ner
husbands suspicious Mr. Sickles never suspected the
designs Of Key, but received him at all times well
come guest The anonymous letter, crcumstantia in
its details, fell him with crushing effect BE passed
sleepess night and this morning received from his faith
at this moment that, passing before the window he
remarked Key standing opposite, apparently making sig
malls with his handkerchief Maddened he says at the
sight, he seized his pistols rushed into the street, follow
ed him TO the opposite Of the square, where he
found him conversng with intimate friend Of his Key
extended his hand but Sckes refused it, and said, "Sr,
you have dishonored me, and must prepare TO
de-" Upon this, Key raised his hand, when sckles
Instantly drew pistol and fired. Key received
the ball in his right hip, and then, advancing upon
Sickles, seized his arm, when o struggle ensued.
sickles succeeded in discngagng hmse and retreatng
few PAGES, drew second pistol and fired again. This
time the ball entered the left breast of Key passing
petely through his body. He staggered fell against
tree and then to the ground, crying Murder" It ia
said sckes attempted to fire third tme but the pistol
snapped Key carried into adjoining Club house,
still breathing but unconscious and in few minutes
expired
Mr.. Sickles at once proceeded to the office Of the
Attorney General TO give himself up, but was ar
rested before he reached there by two police off,
cers and conducted before Captain Goddard who
mitted him to jail. His friends remained with him
till nine O'Clock when he removed his CELL aplace
about four feet by seven.
He has possession Of his wfe's confession, which, al
though AMPLE he says he does not rely upon he has
too much evidence Of her guilt from more reliable
sources. He feels, naturally, very much depressed.
Key was wdower, and leaves four children. He was
nephew Of Chief Justice Taney and relative of Judge
Campbell, OF the Supreme Court.
The anonymous letter was received Friday by Mr..
sckles The interview with his wife took place last
night when she confessed her guilt. Sickes the tee-
graphedxo his wife's mother, Mrs. Bagoli, who is ex.
pected here in the morning The confession the ehape
Of letter from Mrs. Sckes to her mother In she says
she has dishonorcd her husband and for s an
outcast