The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-02


SUIT and pa~ wen. there and having oo,ainsd
iniss on they Judge Back, and af or q few words
~nb the officers, tbe Judge went up and
hrp, with Mr.. eirsles, who Ddered himself the
time suggesting that he shoald be taken before the
bief Of Police.
Mr. sckes then rfqpessd the officers 10 permit him 70
proceed 10 bis own oose ss he wished 70 make some IT.
tie arrangements before beng placed the ofSthe
authorizes. Perms sion WAS gwen him, and hack was
procured IN which hc was immediately driven 10 bis resi-
debce.
By this time the Chief OF Police had arrived at the Club
House. he found the Mayor, and seeing that Mr..
Key had been killed. they TO the resdeDce OF
Mr. sckes, where they found that r. nteman In the
cr surrounded by several friepdg Mr. Sckles
observed the May he approached him. and shook hands
with him. and then turning the Chief OF Police SAID
al just making some little here prepaya
tory TO coming 70 you to surrender myself into your Gus
toGy."
Before the Chief and Mayor had arrived Mr. Sckes was
permitted by the officers so up stars his wife, he
having pledged bs honor he would Of violence,
aDo come dOsn soon.
In the meantime the greatest excitement prevailed with
out and large crowd Of persons collected in front Of Mr.
Sckks' house. Shortly afteTward the officers with Mr..
Sckles, out entered hacks the Mayor Marshal Sci
den and Captain Goddard accompanying Mr. sckles in
carrs officer Suit ana Mr. Butter following 10
alober and passed down street the direction Of the
City Fall, large crowd Of and boys following along
the tioe payements and shouting Opposite st. Johns
church br Sces put hs head of the carriage window
and smngy returned the sautaon OF friend who stood
the corner, Mr. apparently being quite self possessed
AT THE JAIL.
Among others who saw Mr. sckes after arriving at the
jail was Deputy Marshal Phillips, who addressed him and
regretted the circumstances In which he placed Mr..
S. replied that could than
himself but that after learning what he had learned the
couiee which he had taken was the only one which he
could take, and that Mr. Key and himself could not both
live in the same world
THE PROVOCATIVE.
According to accounts emanatng from the friends Of Mr.
Sckes, through the exerton Of party whom he de-
vowed the duty watching he learned that Mrs. Sckes
in the habit OF meeting the deceased at small two
story frame house in Fifteen and a half street, between
and J., the property of negro man named John Gray,
Of whom the deceased is alleged TO have rented IT, and
where be kept servant woman to attend 70 IT. that
Thurs evening last dressed like Mrs Sickles
by the watcher 10 TO and remain In the house
for one two hours and leaving TO to the resi-
dence Of Mr. sckes and that Saturday mornog parties
acting for Mr. Sckes carried Mrs. Sckles clothing TO the
neighborDood, where the articles were identified by fe
males living near as having been by the woman who
was in the habit Of visiting that house.
According to the most reliable accounts obtain,
third party and friend consulted by Sickles some
days to the course he had best pursue, who ad
vised him 70 do nothing until obtaining positive proof Of
the criminal connection Of Mrs Sckes and the deceased
that on the night before last Mr. Sckes charged the wo
man with the crminalty, with such specifications as
caused her to faint Yesterday she induced 70 sign
or write paper purporting TO be full owedgment
Of her infdelty with the deceased.
THE SIGNALS BETWEEN MRS. sICKLEs AND MR.. KEY
The Washington Star says that Mrs. Sickles acknow-
ed to her husband that the deceased and herself had
signals by which she could let him know whether she
could meet him. and explained those signals. Shortly
after she explained the signals the deceased
from about the Club House. where he had been using
opera gass-the one, doubt, which he threw
Mr. Sckes-to whether q signal out, into Lafay
ette squae and in sight of those the house he waved
his handkerchief at the house So public were the com
indications between the deceased (standng sitting In
lafayette square when the signal ou and the woman
from wincow or the porch Of her house) as that many
much about and around the square had observed
Them for weeks, if not months.
THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED.
Mr. Key leaves four interesting chdren-Lizze, Mary,
James and Alce-whose ages vary from four TO twelve
years.
Correspondence of the Philadelphia Press
WASHINGTON, Feb. %, 1850.
There are many rumors in circulation in relation to the
late melancholy affair between Hon. Daniel z. Sckes and
Philip Barton Key. Many Of these statements are un-
founded, and most Of the details exaggerated have
been able 10 CLEAN the following full and reliable
count of the matters connected with this fearful tragedy
letters addressed to himself Among them anony
nous communication, which he either overlooked did
not open till Froay morning This letter charged inf
deity to her marriage VOW on the part Of Mrs Sickles
and stated further that Mr.. Key had hired house
fifteenth street. between and Streets that MIR. Key
meeting Nrs sickies, and that Mrs Sckes was in th
bab o. visiting Mr. hey at certain hours in ths day
NJ Sokes was, as naturally woud be supposed at frs
inclined to treat the anony rebrand the work
malice But the circumstances being detailed with such
precision his suspcons were aroused and accordingly be
requested Mr.. George B. Woodbridge, mutual friend OF
himself and his lady to ascertain the truth alsehood
OF these assertions, affecting they did, his honor
and that of his family.
Mr. Woodbridge undertook the mission and visited the
neighborhood inc cated in the missve
whether sncn house had been let last summer. and un
der what crcums the lease had been granted He
there learned that Mr.. Key had hired such dwelling at
the time alleged. The landlord was colored man named
John Gray, who stated that he received fifty dollars
month rent for his house he having furnished it, &C. The
house was twos,ory brick; else occupied it, Mr.
Key commenced gong there with Mrs. siokles in the
month OF January last Key generally entered rst and
gong up stairs, would hoist the first window the
door and hang out towel or white handkerchief
signal 10 Mrs. Sckes that all clear He then would
leave the door ajar for Mrs. Sckes to enter.
The last time Mrs Sickles and Key had been at this
house was on Wednesday, the 23d umo On that occa-
sion they entered in the back way through an alley way
leading from Sixteenth street.
On this Wednesday night there along Close
y muilied In shawl He asked colored woman stand
the pavement whether the house was then occupied
or not ''Yes, sir y was the response
every well-thats all want" the mysterious GENTLE
man replied, and turning around walked away in the d.
recon of street.
He observed, however, to hang around the neigh.
torhood for good part OF the evening Eventually Key
TO leave the dwelling and the stranger mufng
his face still closer spoke few words to Key aud then
hurried Off II is supposed by many that he the
thor of the ar onymous lettcr.
Mr.. Sickes knew OF an intimacy existing between Mr.
Key and his wife. He supposed it simply innocent but
incautous Irritation, and of the scandal that IL
excited in many circles, he demonstrated with her. She
did not pay any heed TO these epeaes Of her husband
but continued uninterrupedly her singular but-by her
husband-unsuepected intercourse. Key known TO
be in the habit of attending the theatre OPERA balls sol
rtes and other places Of gaety and fashion, and al
most invariably accompanied by Mrs. SckeS. He, in
deed followed her everywhere.
1t is said that Key accustomed boast Of his atten
tons in that quarter and that at the National Club House
the criminal intercourse between himself and Mrs Sckes
well known, and formed the topic of conversation.
Mr. sickes' dwelling was opposite the Club House, and
Key was accustomed to 60 up stairs to window in the
latter building, overlooking Sckes' house. and hang out
signals to Mrs Sckles. He would also 60 in Lafayette
square, his handkerchief at her. throw Kisses
and make profuse demonstrations of attachment.
Before the fatal denouement Of this unhalowed inter-
Key had been time and again warned by his friends
that something dangerous would grow from his criminal
attachment He was accustomed however, to treat these
friendly admonons with air Of naughty bravado He
would listen to no remonstrancc from any quarter He had
been known boast Of his amours ia society and il ia
Buchanan of Kevie oh