The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1859-03-11
PARTICULARS or THE LATE TRAG
EDY AT WASHINGTON

"" ""'"' SVu'Sc appear III tnc eNluence Ue-
fore the coroner, are briefly as follows:-
These gentlemen lived on most friendly
terms almost up to the moment OF the dread
lul act. Although gossip had made 2
with Mrs. Sickles' name in connection witt.
Mr.. Key for more than n year, and II appears
that MIR. Sick]es had heard something about
it, yet her adrotness, deninls and nNaf r
c''ldIike simplicity, completely bShdn 1
suspicious. Last night he received< Id
anonymous letter, taxing his wife directly
with criminal intercourse with Key, and de-
tniing facts and occurrences in corroboration.
He this morning proceeded TO i,er room and
charged her with her guilt. AT FIRST she de-
MED it vehemently, and tainted. When she
recovered she confessed her guil,-that for
long period, to use her words, she had fire.
quent intercourse with Key, that he had So.
duced her. This confession she put in wri-
thug, and it was Immediately aftcrwnrd that
Key passed the house. and the tragedy was
consummalcd.
1t appears that she had been in the habit
of meeting him some three times week at
az obscure dwelling in the outskirts of the
town, which he had hired for the purpose.
Mr. Sckles' daily absence n. Congress for
several hours gave her ample opportunities
without exciting her husbands suspicions.-
Mr.. Sickles never suspected the designs of
Key, but receivad him at all times rs n wei.
come guest The anonymous letter, SO cir.
cumstnntiaI in its details, fell on him with
crushing effect. He passed sleepless night,
and this morning received from his fai,hless
wife confession of her dshonor. 1t was at
this moment that, passing before the window,
he remarked Key standing opposite, appa-
rently making signals with his handkerchief
Sladdened, as he says, at the sight, he seized
his pistols, rushed into the street, followed
him to the opposite corner of the square,
where he found him conversing with an init
mate friend of his. Key extended his hand,
but Sickles refused it, and said, "Sir, you
have dshonored me, and mus. prepare TO
die" Upon this, Key raised his hand, when
Sicklcs instantly drew pistol and fred
Key received the ball in his right hip, and
then, advancing upon Sickles, seized his arm,
when struggle cnsued. Sickles succeeded
in disengaging himself, and retreatng few
PAGES, drew n second pistol and fired again.
This time the ball entered the left breast of
Key, passing completely through his body.
lie staggered, fell against tree and then
to the ground, crying "Nlurder." 1t is said
Sickes attempted to fire n third time, but the
pistol snapped. Key was carried into an ad-
joining Club house, still breathing, but un.
conscious, and in few minutes expired.
Mr.. Siekles at once proceeded to the office
of the Attorney General to give hmsel! up
but was arrested before he reached there by
two police officers, and conducted before
Captain Goddard, who committed him to
| Jail. Ills friends remained with him till nine
o'clock, when he was removed to his cell, Il
place about four feet by seven.
lie has possession of his wife's confession
which, although ample, he says he does no,
rely upon, as he has too much evidence OF
her guilt from more reliable sources. lie
feels, naturally, very much depressed.
| Key was n widower, and leaves four chill.
dren. He was nephew of Chief Jus,ic,
fancy, and relative of Judge Campbell, o
the Supreme Court.
The anonymous letter was received or
Friday by Mr.. Sickles. The intereiew witt
his wife took place last night, when she con
fcssed her guilt. Sickles then telegraphet
to his wfe's mother, Mrs. Bagioli, who is ex
pected here in the morning. The confes
sion is in the shape of letter from Mrs
Sicklcs to her mother. In it she says sh,
has dshonored her husband, and for til,
future is an outcast.
DEFENSE OF SELF-CoYTApIcrIoS.--
Ruskn recently addressed an audience il
England, and said "Some Of my hearers
this evening, may occasionally have hear,
il stated of me that am rather apt to con
tradict myself. hope um exceedingly ap
to do so. never met with question We,
of any Importance, which did not need 70
the right solution Of it, at least one posi,v
aud one negative answer, like m equation o
the second degree. Mostly, matters of an,
consequence, are three-sided, or iour.sided
gonal is severe work for people any way sii
in their opinions. For myself, | am neve
satisfied that have handled subject prop
erly till have contradicted myself at leas
three tlmea."
A VERY Prolific SPOUSE TWenty on
Children in Tweny-two Years --Yesterda
afternoon, the wife of Lawrence Weingart
ner, grocer, corner of John and Richmon
streets, who has been married to her hus
band twenty-five years, presented him wit
his twenty-frst child. Such female woul
people territory in very limited period
She is immense Who can surpass thes
fgures9-Cin. Enquirer.
FAIR PLAY FOR PRNTERs.-We have
mind to have this set mp in capitals and leay
it standing at q columns head it is n grel
truth compressed into small space:
"rhe public have fancy notion abor
printers. They think it costs nothing I
puff, and advertise, &c. And one and 9th,
will sponge an extra, puff, or some benev'
lent advertisement. They forget that it
printers ink that makes nine tenths of the
immense fortunes. They forget that it tax,
money to pay compositors-lo buy ink, tyr
and paper-and lastly they forget TO eve
, thank you for working fur nothing by gratui
! ously putting their business"