Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-01
Terrible Tragedy at Washington-Philip Bar
ton Key Shot Dead by Hon. Daniel sickles,

&. -. Dlstrlct Attorney, WI, k'lI'i ~ tilI''
balls fired nearly opposite the Presidents
house, corncrof Lafayette square, al DIR. En-
mell's door, by the Hon. Mr.. Sicklrs, mem
Der Of Congress from the State of New ork.
The whole ncighborhood of Laiayett" square
has since been the scene Of Intense excite
ment thousands of persons of Washington
and Georgetown having visited it during the
afternoon. The dead body of Mr.. Key was
Y conveyed to the Club House, on
Madison place, at the cast end Of Lafayette
square. Coroner woodward summoned
jury aud held an inquest. The venerable
General Walter Jones, Philip X. fendall,
Esq. Judge Carroll and jn". \ Smith, Esq,
were amongst them with other old citlAeas
and friends Of the deceased.
The witnesses examined were DR.. Coolidge,
of the army, DR.. Stone. Joseph L. Dudrow.
Richard NJ. Downcr, Samuel $. Buttcrworth,
Assaycr at New York, Edward W. Dclafcld,
DR., Of New York, and Francis Doyle. The
evidence in substance was, that about two
O'Clock this afternoon Mr.. Butterworth and
Mr.. Key were talking together at DR.. May
nards formerly Gunnell's,) corner. The
Hon. Daniel f. Sickles, of New York, ap-
preached, and called Mr.. Key by name; they
were facing each other. Sickles said to Key,
"You scoundrel, you have dishonered me-
and then fired. Simultaneously with this
act Key moved in such manner as to indi-
cate that he was about to draw a weapon
Sickles' fire had not, however, taken effect,
and as he raised his arm to repeat his fire
Key seized him, and they tusseled to the
middle of the street, when Sickles, becoming
disengaged, fired second time. The ball
entered the right thigh of Key, near the main
artery.
Key then took shelter behind tree box
on the opposite corner, Sickles following,
and fired a third time. 1t is supposed this
ball entered his left side, between the false
ribs and passed through the body. 1t ap-
pearcd that during the intervals of the firing
Key begged his assailant mot to shoot-not
to shoot" a ball from Il fourth fire produc-
ed bruse on the body, as it glanced. Key
fell and expired 1t also appeared that when
he was down Sickles put the pistol to Keys
head and pulled the trigger, when the cap
exploded One of the witnesses testified that
during the excitement Sickles remarked to
gentlemen who came up that "lie had dis
honored me, and defled my bed" or words
to that effect. Whilst standing near the
BODY, Sickles said, Damned rascal, is he
dead?"
The excitement here became very high,
crowds accommodating, when Mr.. Sickles join
ed arms with Mr.. Butterworth, and they pro-
ceeded to the residence of Judge Black, the
Attorney General of the United States. lie
was there arrested by Capt. Goddard, and
conveyed to prison. The verdict is that
THE said Philip Barton hey came to his
death from the effects of pistol balls fired 10y
the hand of Daniel +. Sickles." Here follows
a description of the wounds, and closes with
the words, causing death ina few moments.
Mr.. Sickles residence is the house on the
west end Lafayette square, formerly occupi-
ed by Secretary Woodbury.. A Derringer
pistol of one barrel, was picked up on the
pavement. Some suppose it to have fallen
from Key, but it was not loaded.
Mr.. Butterworth declined replyingto some
interrogations before this jury, having refer
ence to the causes, of act, etc, stating that he
was summoned to appear before magistrate
tomorrow, where he would be prepared 10
furnish all the particulars in his possession.
In addition to what appeared before the
coroners inquest concerning the Key TRACE
DIV, it is proper to say that last evening MIR.
Sickles received an anonymous note stating
that his wife had criminal intercourse with
Mr.. Key at a house of i'll fame. This Is re
ported to me by most reliable persons, with
the other statements, that Mrs. Scklcs con-
fessed in writing having criminal intimacy
also, that Sickles seeing Key pass near his
his house this afternoon. and waving a hand
kerchief went out and shot him. MIR. But
terworth refused to testify except as to the
immediate causes of death. but his friendship
for Sickles was exhibited by walking with
him to the house of Judge Black, and by re-
marks ut the examination. Mr.. Key has
been in bad health for two years, and his
manner, habit and dress have latterly been
much changed from what they were before
the death of his wife, formerly Miss Swami, of
Baltimore.
The provocative to this dreadful affair is
disclosed in the testimony of MIR. Butter
worth, of New York, before Justice Goddard,
the Chief of Police. lie states that about
the time above mentioned he met Mr.. Sickles
ON Pennsylvania avenue. little eastward of
the corner of Lafayette Square, and nearly
opposite the State Department. He had a
few words of conversation with Mr.. Sickles,
who left him as Mr.. Key approached, the
latter coming down the avenue towards the
State Department. They met at the corner Of
Lafayette Square, when MIR. Key extended his
hand towards Mr.. Sickle, saying How are
you?" Mr.. Sickles refused to take the protfer-
ed hand, saying, "You have dishonored my
home and my family and applying to him
some epithet. Mr.. Key Immediately put his
hand in his side pocket, for the purpose, as
the witness supposed, of drawing weapon
and Mr.. Sickles at the same time put his
hand into his skirt pocket, from which he
drew pistol As Mr.. Key raised his hand
to throw at Mr.. Sickles the article he took
out of his pocket, (which proved to be an
opera glass, Mr.. Sickles fired his pistol and
shot Mr.. Key. The latter staggered little
back, but rallied and made at MIR. Sickles
who, stepping a few feet backward fired a
second shot into the body of Mr. Key, who
then reeled backed towards Mr.. Maynard's
house, with one hand on the railing and one
knee on the pavement; exclaiming "you have
shot me-" and then crying murder" Mr..
Sickles then fired third shot into the body
of Mr.. Key, and left him, after which Mr..
Kew was conveyed to the "Club-lIouse, "
close at hand, where no expired in few
minutes,-Naf. Int.
The Washington Star Of yesterday after
noon says:-Mrs. Sickles is the daughter of
an Italian music master in New York city.
named Badjaoli. She was married when not
.o,o ,bop s;xtaep under circumstances