The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-02
THE WASHINGTON TRAGEDY.
he Course Agreed upon by MIR.
Sickles' Counsel.
Interesting Statements of Mr., Butter
worth and Hon. Robt. J. Walker.
FHE FUNERAL OF MR.. KEY,
10, &c, &c.

WASHINGTON, March 1, 1859.
M Ackes' father arrived las, night, and had a pain
u interview with him The mother OF Mrs. Sickles also
sed him this morning in company with Surveyor HArt
New York, and overcome by her feelings 70
Aint
The following has been sgreed upon by Mr.. Sickles'
Ounse,-Mr. Sicklcs having been committed on Sunday
he further hearing before the magistrate will be
aved for the that the Criminal Court commences
"a Monday, and, being 10 confinement he will be entitled
kitheut delay TO an immediate and final trial. further
asnnation before the committing magistrate would in
long investigation of the distressing circumstances
isaout any na result, aud might procrasnate the pc
icd Of getting the before jury Numerous offers Of
ai have been pouring in upon Mr. Sckles since he
vas commted but having voluntarily placed himself at
in the hands Of public justice he prefers patiently 70
wait until his act shall be finally pronounced upon by
My sf his country, after full and complete hearing Of
he case and while this may subject him TO ncon
vcnence his feelings and the feelings of others in
volved, whom he is willing far possible TO spare,
viii be saved from the repeated dscu ssion Of the
happy circumst stances attending this case.
STATEMENT OF MR. BUrrERwORTH.
In consequence Of the and false statements
which have appeared in the public press in relation TO
Ae death Of p Barton Key Esq feel that necessary
should state the facts far connected with
the occurrence.
On Sunday morning, about twelve O'Clock " i received
n the house ofa friend with whom staying, note
on the hon. D. +. Sickles, saying "Dear B-Come to
NE right away" which ] showed to Hon. Robert j.
Walker and Senator Gwin with whom was then convers
ing asked the bearer of the who was there, and
said to my friends, "What Sckles desireg" imme
datey went to the house Of Mr. g. On my arrival found
Mr. Sckles in his bedroom lying his face the pillow
overwhelmed with grief Some time elapsed before could
MnHSAo f~n~nh
He kept excaimng, 'T a dishonored and ruined man.
and cannot look you the face" Finally he disclosed TO
me the following circumstances-On Friday Mr. Sickles
received an anonymous letter. stating II his wife
IN the habit Of meeting Mr. p Barton Key at house
Fifteenth street, in negro neghborhood. Through
agent Mr. Sickles had ascertained that Mr.. Key
bad rented q house In that neghborhood and
was in the habit Of meeting a lady there cores
pcuding in dress and appear to the wife of Mr.
Sekles Being possessed Of these facts he stated them
70 his wife on Saturday night She said that she
perceived she was discovered" and thereupon made
full confession Of her guilt in writing. By this con.
Session 1t appeared that this criminal intercourse
had been going since April, 1858, sometimes in
the absence Of Mrs. S. at the house her husband and
that At the commencement Of the present session of Con-
gress Mr. Key had hired unenanted house Fifteenth
street, where they in the habit of meeting fre
quently.
After he had apprsed Of the foregoing facts he
suited me as TO the course he should pursue. advised
him to send his wife her mother New York. that as
was the close of the II would excite no
remark that during the time intervening between the
close of this session and the the next
he could 10 Europe for few months, and in the mean
time separation could be arranged between himself
his wife; that presumed the affair was known only to
two persons, beyond surmise and that for
Abe honor of his little daughter and his wfes friends
ths course should he pursued
To this Mr. sckes reped-'Ny friend, 1 would gladly
pursue this course, but go Abandoned reckless
Key and my wife been that all the negroes that neigh
borhood and dare not say how many other persons
know all about the circumstances"
then left hr. S. in his bedroom, and on going down
stairs Rn,et in the library Mr. George B. Woodbridge
Clerk Of the House Of Representatives. I said to him.
"This is a terrible affair" He then handed me the writ
ten statement made by Mrs. sickes Of her guilt which
was written and signed, was then informed by Mrs.
g. in the presence Of two females and witnessed by them
read the statement laid down the table, and said
81 will go down town for awhile and return here again.
Irequesed Mr. Woodbridge TO say Mr. s. IL he should
inquire for me- Immediately left the house and walked
10 the Club House, on Sixteenth street, drank glass of
Ale with friend and slowly returned the house Mr.
Sckles On entering the library again Mr. Woodbridge
informed me that Mr. Key had twice passed the house
during the morning, and had short time since waived
his handkerchief three times signal. Whilst con-
versng with him Mr. Sickles into the library, and
said that he had ''seen the scoundre making signas
and he addcd "My Godi this is horrible" said "Alr
Hckes you must be calm, and look this matter square
the face. there be possibility Of keeping the
certain knowledge Of this crime from the public
you must do nothing to destroy that possibility;
You may be mistaken in your belief that 1t s known
The whole city," He instantly replied, "No, no, my
friend, am not; 1t is already the town talk" then
said W that be there but one course left for you
as q man Of honor-you need advice" After few
moments silence Mr.. Scxles said that he was satisfied
that Mr. Key had been in the habit Of making his signal,
from The window of the Club House opposite and what
surprised him very much that his wife strcnuousy
denied this though freely confessng her guilt He then
walked into the hail. and said to me- "Come, 60 over with
me TO Stewarts room in the Club House, and he may be
able to inform whether Key has a there and for
what purpose he uses It," asscnted, and walked into
the street, supposng that Mr.. Sckles following mo-
left the house for this sole purpose When left Mr. s. In
tho hall satisfied he had weapons his person.
He without overcoat BE said nothing To about
weapons the probability Of cncountering Mr.. Key.
walked slowly down the avenue, the south sde 10 the
corner, and crossing the street Mr.. Key
advance few steps towards He sauted mo, saying,
"Good morning, Mr.. Butterworth what 6ne day
nave" lrespOnuel hnu haiu rave you come from Tue
Clubfr He said "I have" askei, /" Is Ste ewar 10 his
roem9' He answered, Yes; and he is quite unwell"
then said am going up to see hm--good morning,
and turned to leave him. As did SO saw Mr.. Sckes
for the first time after leaving his house, comm,
rapidly down Sixteenth street, tho side next
the square, and then ncar the corner. had walked
about thirty feet on my way 10 the Club House
when l heard Mr.. 8. exclaim In a loud voice
"Key, you scoundrel, you have dishonored my house.
you must die." I turned Immediately and saw Mr.
Key thrust his hand In his vest side pocket take
step in the direction Of Mr.. Sckes and simultaneously
Ihcard the discharge Of pistol Mr.. Key then rapidly
advanced Mr.. sckles, seized him with his LEFT hand
by the collar Of the coat and seemed TO make effort TO
strike with something in his right hand, which then sup
posed TO be weapon Mr.. Sckes backed into the mid
die Of the street, when he succeeded in extrcatng him.
self from Mr.. Keys grasp drow pistol from bis over
coat pocket and presented at Mr. Key, who rctreated
backward mp Sixteenth street, towards tho Club House,
n-Lu-