The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-01
THE sIcKLEs TRAGEDY.
poSIpONEMeNI OF THE EXAMINATION.
Proceedings Of the Circuit Court and
Members of the Bar.

-
Members of the Bar.
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Sketches Of the Principal Actors in the
Tragedy
The Feeling in the City Relative
to the Affair,
. &C., Ac., &C.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S, 1852
The examination concerning the killing Of Mr.. Key did
not take place oday, anticipated. Mr.. Sickles
has retained counsel Mr. Stanton, Of Ptsburg, Mr.
Chntop Mr Radcliffe and report says others, including
David Paul Brown.
Application will be made by Mr.. sckles for writ of
habeas corpus with procure his release on bail
70 await his Tial.
The excitement occasioned by the terrible tragedy has
not diminished to-day. Large crowds have surrounded
the prison where Mr.. Sckles s confined earnestly dis
guessing the sad event. facts disclosed Indignation
deepcps against Key heseducer and sympathy manests
nseH with Sickles the betrayed
appears that il Thursday night that the anony
nous letter reached Mr. sickes apprising him Of his
wfe's treachery simultaneously Key receiv similar
letter. warning him desist from his pursuit Of Mrs.
Sickes During Friday and Saturday Sckles fully sub
stantiated the truth Of the charges made.
IN making her confession Mrs. Sckies declared that Key
succeeded months since in seducng her to yield TO
repeated interviews by threats Of exposure In this way
intercourse was kept up. The negro woman who
had charge Of the house which Key had hired
was confronted with Mrs. sickles, and identified
her az the lady who had accompanied Key.
On Sunday morning Mr. Sickles, in spite Of the
rences which had taken place. had calmly resolved upon
divorce from his wife, when as stated the sight Of Key
N the square opposite, making the customary signals in
Srated him to Madness and the bloody sequel followed
At nine O'Clock last evening Mr. sckles removed to
his CELL where he was shortly after visited by Rev. Mr.
haley who in Christian spirit came TO offer him conso
tion. Under the effect Of his exhortaons Mr.. Sckles
gave way 70 his emotions and mplored him to visit his
wretched wife, and let him know Of her condition. He
did so and found Mrs. Sckes In the utmost agony Of
mind. On her knees she implored her husbands
pardon, and besought him, he would save her
from madness, to return the wedding ring which
he had previously torn from her hand. The
reverend gentleman executed the commission, and
rled back with him besides letter expressive Of her
despair II was time past midnight when the Rev.
Mr. Haley returned TO the prison and communicated what
he had Witnessed Under the advice Of this gentleman
Mr.. Sckes consented to give up the ring and fur
tbermore induced write letters his wife Of the most
affecting description.
Today Mr.. Sickles is in state Of complete mental
poetration and though throngs Of perasns have visit
ed the prison, he has refused 70 see any but few of
his most intimate friends with whom, however, he has
been unable TO He PAGES the corridor Of the
prison in silent grief frequently pressing his head between
his hands He shrnks with dread from every auson TO
the horrible event Of yesterday.
Mrs sckes is confined t6 her bed by severe illness,
and refuses to zee any one whatever The Is
W.. .t,i. ro~N Nar caxba.
Mr. Sickres has consented that for the present Mrs
sickles and their child shall remain with her mother who
has been teegraphed and is expected to arrive here
10 night.
Numerous rumors aloat concerning all the parties
having the effect to aggravae the facts already painfully
distressing, and many Of the reports are pure felton,
PROCEEDINGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT.
The following proceedings occurred in the Circuit Court
The court opened this morning at ten o'clock There
full attendance Of members Of tho bar and others Amid
deep silence Mr. Carlisle addressed the Court in behalf Of
the bar saying that he was called upon TO discharge
painful duty, which TO announce to the Court the
death Of Philip Barton Key Esq., the United States Attor
ney for the District Of Columbia In doing 30, all that
good all that attractive in his character. came so
orcby before him that he felt he could not do justice to
the subject To all who had been associated with the
deceased his conduct had always been open friendly and
courteous In that aspect all present had known him. in
IN that aspect all present desired 10 cherish his memory
In order give the members Of the bar an opportunity 10
pay tribute of respect to his memory the speaker
asked the Court adjourn until such time the last rites
10 the deceased should be consummated.
Chief Justice Dunlop said-we have received the intel
gence of Mr. Keys death with deep grief He had fine
talents many noble qualities which endeared him to
his friends In all his official Intercourse with this Court
his gracious manner and professional ability won our
affection and respect
The Court was then adjourned till Thursday.
MEETING OF MEMBERS OF THE BAR
The members Of the bar were then called together in
consultation Joseph a. Bradley Esq, offered the follow
ing resolution
Resolved That the members Of the bar and the officers
Of the Court attend In body the funeral OF the late
Philip Barton Key, who endeared TO and respected by
in life and whose sudden death has hed our hearts
with the deepest and regret and that In token Of
the respect Of the members Of this bar and the officers Of
the Court 70 the emoryof the deceased they wear the
usual badge OF mourning on the left arm during the
mainder Of the present term Of this Court
further understood that the members Of the bar
meet the hour before the funeral when
ever should be announced TO take place. and proceed in
q body TO the place Of interment.
THE ACTORS IN THE TRAGEDY.