The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-03-10
NEW SERIES-NO. IFS.


. pistol. Key then rapidly advanced on
Sickles, seized him with bis lef hand by tho
collar oi his coat, and seemed TO make an
effort 10 strike with something In ha right
hand. which ! then supposed to b weap-
on. Mr.. 3, backed into the middle Of the
street, when he succeeded 10 extricating
himself from Keys grasp. drew a pistol
from his overcoat pocket, and presented Il
ut Key who retreated backward up Six.
tsenth street, toward ths Club. and threw
something at Sicklcs. Scklcs followed, and
when within ten feet, fired. saw that Key
was wounded. lie staggered towards the
sidewalk. saying. Don't shoot mo 4" He
leaned for moment against . troe, whom
Sickles advanced upon him, exploded cap.
and then fired the third time.
A Key was falling. Sickls frequently
exclaimed, "You villain, you have dishon.
ored my house. and you must dicl" lie
uttered these words again while standing
over Key with bis revolver In bis hand,
took no part In the contest. believed
them both TO be armed. When let Mr..
Sickles' house, ! had no thought oi meeting
or seeing Mr.. Key. my object being 10
visit Mr.. Stuart ! bad no arms with me.
! did not know that MIR. Sicklcs intended
to take arms with him. He len the House
aner me, and, without any suggestion from
mt. camo toward the Club on the north aldo
Of the Square. When Mr.. Key saluted me
! did not know that Mr.. Sickles was ap.
preaching, nor did sce him until turned
TO leave Mr.. Key. did not nee Mr..
Sicklcs shoot Key after his fall, nor place
his pistol In contact with bis head or cloth
Ing.
After the third fire, l advanced and took
Mr.. Sickles arm. aud walked with him up
Sixteenth street, aud advised him 10 70 10
his house, or 10 the Attorney Generals. IIc
did 40. returned 20 the scene and picked
up an opera glass from the middle Of tho
street, and gave II TO Mr.. Sicklrs.
This 10 tho whole Of my connection with
this unfortunate occurrence. II Ii not true
that either sought or detained Mr.. Key.
lle first addressed me, aud our interview did
not last one minute. have known the late
Mr.. Key 10 New York and In Washington
during the last ten years, aud our relations
have ever been OF the most friendly charac.
ter ] did not anticipate q collision on the
Sabbath, though did not doubt but that II
would take place at nm early day.
SAMUEL +. BurrsmwoxrH
Hon. T. j. Walker, in hls account, says
that after he heard Of the aiirsy, be proc,Nlcd
10 Mr.. Sickles house. when on the way,
meeting Hon. John Sldell, stopped the
carriage, and on inquiry learned that Mexsrs.
Sickles and Bntterworth had Just gone or
were going. 10 Sicklcs' house 10 which l
proceeded nj once. and entering the back
parIor, met Mr.. Butierwortb there alone.
lie appeared deeply distressed. This fact,
together with my regard and sympathy for
Mr.. Sickl~, my affection for Mr.. Butter.
worth, my long and intimate acquaintance
with Mr.. Key, and friendship Tor him, NO
over sbelmcd mc with grief that could not
speak TO Mr.. u. for several moments. When
at length, with deep emotion, he said" Ny
friend, you should not grieve 70 deeply. II
IL deplorablc, but Mr.. Key deserved bis fate"
then asked Mr.. Butterwortb 10 state
the facts 10 me-, which he did, narrating tho
incidents substantially M they are now given
In bis accompanying statement
then said, The meeting was not I'D.
vised ny you 7" Mr.. Butterworth replied
No, ! did not expect any meeting today,
although Iapprebended collision ~ probs
bic at some luture period, but when or how
] did not know, nor had Mr.. Sickles ever
stated 10 me-
At ths, moment Mr.. Sicklcs entered the
room. when. after ssluting me warmly, he
threw himsi on sofa, In an agony OF tho
deepest distress have ever witnessed. Ills
grief was 70 appalling, bis exclsmst0ns 20
constant. Of the ds6ooor Mr.. Key bad
brought on his house, and upon bis wife and
child, that feared be would become insane,
and thought ot sending for physician. !
united. however. with Is. 10 cfidesvoripg 10
psciiy him, but We did not succeed for some
time.
At length, BE- became calm, and saying
be was ready 10 accompany the nsgistrate
for whom he had sent, ~ / upderstood Mr..
Butterwortb, Mr.. Sickles. the Magistrate,
Mr.. Goddard the Mayor, Mr.. Berret
and myself all procseded 10 the carriage 10
the front room Of the prison, where after .
brief statement of the mere TACT Of the killing
and death, Mr.. Sickles was committed for
further examination.
Mr.. Is. and myself then drove 10 the Club
Room. where the Corooers Inquest was be.
Ing held over the dead body Of Mr.. Key.
At the Club Room We met Dr. Gwin, and
drove with him 20 bis house. Mr.. Butter.
worth then repeated. substantially. 10 Mr..
Cwin, the same narrative he had given me,
which narrative Mr.. Sickles confirmed In
subsequent statement 10 NE, interrupted by
deep agony about his dssshtsr and about
biz wife, WHO. be said. Was . mere child
adding Nat for their sako be might have
tired TO suffer In silence. without home or
hope In this world. but aitr the sigoak and
the dagrscs became pable. be neither asked