The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-02
words again, while standing over Mr. Key with his pistol


words again. while standing Mr. Key with his pistol
In his hand.
took no part in the oontss. I believed them both 70
be armed. When left r. sckles house had no thought
Of meeting seeing Mr. Key, my object being to vis,
Mr.. Stewart ! had arms With me- did mot
know Mr.. sickles intended TO sako arms with him.
He left the house alter me, and, without any sug
gestion ffom me, came towards the Club House, the
north side Of the square. When Mr.. Key salu.ed
did net know Mr. sckles was approaching, did see
him until turned to leave Mr.. Key. did not Mr.. s.
shoot Mr.. Key after his fall place his pistol in
tact with his head clothing. After the third fire ad
vanced and took Mr.. Sckes' arm and walked with him
Sixteenth street. and advised him 10 go TO bis house
10 the Attorney Generals He did 80 returned 70 the
scene OF the encounter and picked glass from
the MIDDLE OF the street aud gave II 10 Mr. sickles.
This the whole Of my connection with this unfortunate
occurrence. II that sought detained
Mr. Key He first addressed me- and our interview did
not last one minute. have known the late Mr. Key In
New York and in Washington during the last ten years,
ana our relations have been OF the most friendly
character. did not anticipate collision on the Sab
BATH though did not doubt but that would take place VI
an early day. SAM. +. BUrrERWORrH.
STATEMENT OF HON. R. J. WALKER.
At the close Of last week here from New York.
Sunday morning. after breakfast, visited the Hon. VIII
liam ~ Gwin and his family, at his house, where met
Mr. Samuel +. Butterworth We were conversing, when
servant came in and handed note to Mr. But,erworth,
wlo them after reading the note, remarked, Sickes
wishes to Immediately adding, "what can this
p? and left at remained conversiug most Of
the time with Dr. Gwn, when in the Of hour
two some one-a servant, think-entered aud said
Mr.. sckles has just shot Mr. Barton Key dead"
asked, What was the cause?" when some one in
qured of me, I" Did you never hear the stories as
10 Mr.. Key and Mrs. SckesS" replied "No," never
having heard their names connected in any way.
proposed in few moments to 60 TO the Club House,
where the dead body Of Nr. Key said 10 be, and
ascertain the facts. Dr. Gwn's carriage being at the
door, drove at rapidly to the Club House. in
formed of the death Of Mr. Key, and that Mr. sickes
and Mr. Butterworth had gone TO Judge Blacks, where
drove once and told Mr. S. and Mr.. had gone 10
the Presidents. When on the way, meeting the Hon.
John sde stopped the carriage, and inquiry learned
that Mr. sckes and Mr. Butterworth had just gone,
going to Mr. Sickles house, to which proceeded at
once, and entering the back parlor met Mr.. But
terworth there alone. He appeared deeply distressed.
This fact together with my regard and sympathy for
Mr. Sckes my affection for Mr.. Butterworth, my long
and intimate acquaintance with Mr.. Key, and friendship
for him. overwhelmed with grief that could not
speak 70 Mr. for several moments when at length with
deep emotion, he sad, 'My friend you should not greve
so deeply is deporabe but Mr. Key deserved his fate
then asked Mr. Butterworth TO state the facts to me-
which he did, narrating the incidents substantially
they given In his accompanying statement.
then said, "The meeting not advised by you?' Mr..
Buttcrworh replied, mo, did not expect any meeting
to-day, although apprehended a collision probable at
future period, but when how did not know,
had Mr. Sckes ever stated TO me-" At that moment Mr.
Sckles entered the room when after sautrg warmly
he threw himself the sofa in agony the deepest dis
tress have witnessed. His grief appalling,
rio cla If Mr. had
brought upon his house and upon his wife and child,
that feared he would become insane, and thought Of
sending for q physician / united, however, with Mr..
Butterwoith in endeavorng 10 pacfy him. but we did
not succeed for some time At length he became calm,
and saying he ready to accompany the magistrate,
for whom he had sent as understood Mr.. Buterworth,
Mr. Sckles, the magistrate, Mr. Goddard, the Mayor Mr.
Berret and myse ali proceeded in the carriage to the
front of the prison. where after brief satemen;
of the fact of the killing and DEATH Mr. Sickles was
committed for further examination Mr. Batserworth and
my self then drove to the Club room whore the Coroners
inquest was being held over the dead body of Mr. Key
the Club met DIR. Gwn, and drove with him
TO his house.
NT Butter worth then repeated substantially to Mr. win
the narrative he had given TO which narrative
Mr. Sckies confirmed in subsequent statement TO me,
terupd by deep agony about bs daughter and about his
wife, who, be said child adding that for their
sake be might have tried to suffer in silence, without
home hope this world but after the signals and the
degrace became public he neither asked nor wanted ad
vice TO his course X. j. WALKER.
WASHINGTON CITY, March 1, 1859
STATEMENTS OF Mr.. WOODBRIDGE AND DR. GwN.
The States is authorized by Mr. Woodbridge, Clerk of
House of Representatives say that he
at the interview between Mr. sickles and Mr. Butter
WORTH Sunday in Mr. sickles library, and that every
particular of that interview, stated by Mr. B. in his
card TO day, is correct.
also authorized by Senator Gwin, Of California 10
say that the narrative given Mr. Butterworth and by
the Hon. Robert J. Walker, with which his is
nected is truly stated.
THE FUNERAL OF Mr. KEY.
The funeral Of Philip Barton Key took place at two
O'Clock NJ from the late residence Of the deceased
street, nearly opposite Colonel Benton's house. In the
parlor the corpse, which had been placed In the
coffin, exposed 10 the view Of the numerous
friends who desired to behold in death him whom
they had loved during life. The coffin Of ma
hogany, covered with black cloth, and heavily silver
mounted. In it lay the body in full dress, viz,
black cloth coat and ants, white vest, and white kid
gloves. In tho hands placed bouquet OF fragrant
flowers, and inside the coffin strewed japoncas
geranium leaves and other cxocs On ih~ coffin lid was
q silver plate, bearing the following inscription