The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-03-09


the ground, the former inquired if he had
anything TO say. Key made no reply, and
was evidently unconscious.
In few minutes the news spread over
the city, and the streets became thronged
with visitors 10 the scene of the terrible
event, and groups were everywhere noticed
| engaged in excited discussion about il. The
Club House was speedily surrounded by an
immense crowd, eager TO view The body OF
the ill-fated Key. Many of the leading gen.
tlemen of Washington drove up in their
carriages, and in about quarter of an hour
the brother-inlaw of the deceased, the Hon.
Mr.. Pendleton, of Ohio, arrived.
At about 8 the Coroner's inquest was held
in the parlor, where the body lay, when suf-
ficent facts were elected TO show that de-
ceased was killed by Daniel E. Sickles, and
a verdict was enderedsaecordingy
The parties involved IN this sad story all
lived within the immediate circle of our
daily Washington life two, at least, of them
being also as well known in New York as
in the Federal Metropolis. Key was about
forty two years of age, tall in stature, about
six feet, with an easy and fashionable air,
but by no means prepossessing in appear
ance otherwise. His face had a sickly hue
and he had been for some time suffering
from heart disease, or imagined he was,
which gave him soured and disconnected
look. Otherwise he was extremely popu-
lar, and those who knew him best said his
eccenricities of manner covered very
kind and generous heart. His father, Fran
els S. Key, was the author of The National
song the "Star Spangled Banner" He was
a widower, with four children. On his
marriage he narrowly escaped a duel with
Colonel May, who conceived that he had
unfairly ousted him from the affections of
the lady who became his wife, and who
was beautiful and charming woman.
Mr.. Sickles, the member for the Third
District of New York, is a native of this
city, and was originally printer by occn.
patton He is a man OF nearly forty years
of age; of good presence and graceful man
ners. AS member of the State Senate, as
well as in the House of Representatives, he
had made himself remarked by quite un-
usual cooness and self possession, which
gave him great advantage in debate, and
had acquired for him well-deserved repu-
tation as a rising young leader of the DEM
ocratc party, In 1853 Mr.. Sickles was
married 10 his wife, now ruined and heart
broken, then youRgair fresh from her
school life. and sIzz1| Die then as now
for something especiaIIy soft, lovely and
youthful in the type of her very peculiar
beauty. She is of Italian origin and pos
sesses all the Italian lustre and depth OF
eye, united with singular candor and deli.
cacy 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 appointed
Secretary of the American Legation at Lon
don, in the household of Mr. Buchanan, and
his beautiful bride won universal admira-
ton abroad, hot more by her charms oi
person and her manner than by the gayety
and innocent ioyousness Of her character
On their return TO America they resided fol
some time on the Bioomingdale Road, in a
charming home overlooking the Hudson
River; and, on his election TO Congress, Mr.
Sickles look his present house on Presidents
square. 1t faces directly the Club house tc
which was brought to-day the corpse of the
man who himself had slain all that made
the lille of that mansion, but few days
since so gay among the gayest, and SO hos.
pitabe among the most hospitable, of the
home of Washington.
Mrs. Sickles may be %, and has two
children. She is the daughter o. Bagioli
! the celebrated music teacher, of Fourteenth
street. Amid the general gloom which this
sad affair has cast over the city, many a
sorrowing thought is cast towards hel
whose guilty surrender 10 the wiles of 6
villain has resulted so tragical!y, for she hat
been much liked, and those who have
known her will grieve sorely at the necessi
ty of giving her up as lost. Few womer
are better calculated to win their way il
polite society. or 10 contribute more to it,
vivacity.
Popular sympathy, as usual in such cas-
es, is almost unanimously with MIR. Sickles
tie provocation being deemed ample justi
ficaton for the deed, and when the facts a,
yet unknown come TO be developed, thi'
feeling will grow still stronger, and read ;
fearful lesson 10 those who may attemp
to invade the honor and happiness of anoth
er's home.
A few of Keys personal friends proGes
to disbelieve his conduct TO have been ac
tually criminal, and maintain that it wa
the result merely of inordinate persona
vanity which led him to seek the appear
ance of being iavorite with the lady il
question. Their theory is utterly disspate'
by the confessions OF the now hear-brokel
victim.
When Mr.. Sickles surrendered himsel
TO oAuorney-General Black he requested sue
disposition to be made Of him as was prop
er The Attorney.General sent for mag
istrate, who, with the Chief of Police, cam
speedily. Soon after the Mayor arrived
announcing the death of Key, and MIR. Sick