The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-08
TRAGEDY IN WASHING
TON CITY.


ney for the District of Columbia, by the Hon.
Daniel E. Sickles, member of Congress from the
City of New York.
According to the most current report, 1t seems,
that Mr. Sicklcs having become convinced of the
truth of various scandaous rumors concerning the
intimacy off ibis wife with Mr. Key. resolved to
dress his wrongs, Mrs Sickles, it is said, having
signed an acknowled gment of her guilt.
About two o'clock Mr. Sickles having stationed
himself in favorable position, discovered Mr. Key
making signals for Mrs Sickles, from near La
fayette Square.
The enraged husband no longer doubling the
truth of all he had heard and suffering deeply from
the dishonor brOug hit upon his family, Immediate
y left his residence which is nearly in front of the
Presidents mansion, and soon up to Mr. Key,
who conversing with Mr. Butterworth, OF New
York.
Mr. Sickles Immediately charged Key with hav-
ing dishonored him and destroyed his domestic
peace-at the same time drawing revolver and
firing rapidly at his victim.
One of the balls entered the unfortunate man
left side passed through the body, and lodged un-
der the skin on the opposite side. Another shot
took effect in the right thigh, the femoral
artery. Key then fell to the ground and in pite-
Gus tones implored Mr. Sickles not to kill him.
But the grievously wronged husband was deaf to
all entreaties-he could lend no ear to pity-and
side, and glanced from the body.
In few moments Mr. Key breathed his last
The body was removed to the National Club House,
and jury of inquest Immediately summoned
The verdict merely stated that deceased came to
his death from the effects of pistol shots fred by
Mr. Daniel E. Sickes
After the tragedy was enacted. Mr. Sckles
went to the residence of Acknowledgement Black,
in "Franklin Row. and communicated the affair
to that gentleman. Mr. Black advised him to de-
liver himself into the hands of the officers, which
he subsequently did, and was conveyed to Jail
The high position of the parties to this terrible
affair, has invested it with more Importance than
would otherwise be the case, and has produced the
most unusual excitement in all circles of society.
The city is full of rumors-some stating that
improper intimacy has existed between Mr. Key
and Mrs Sickles for nearly year. Others say
that Mr. Sickles has repeatedly demonstrated with
his wife against her injudicious conduct, and re-
quested Mr. Key to discontinue his visits to his
residence. Mr. Key Louisanian, and ap-
pointed to the office of Attorney General for the
District, by President Buchanan.
Mrs Sickles is possessed Of great personal at
fractions, and up to this unfortunate affair has been
held in high esteem by all who knew her
Another account states:
They were facing each other Sickles said to
Key, "1ou scoundrel, you have dishOnored me-"
and then fired Simultaneously with this act Key
moved in such manner to Indicate that he
about to draw weapon. Sickles fire had not,
however, taken effect, and as he raised his arm to
repeat the fire Key seized him, and they tusseed
to the middle of the street. when Sickles becoming
disengaged, fired a second time. The ball entered
the ri ght thi gh of Key. near the main artery.
Key then took shelter behind treebox on the
opposite corner Sickles following, and fired third
time. 1t is supposed this ball entered his left sidc
between the false ribs, and passed through the
body 1t appeared that during the intervals of the
firing Key begged his assailant ''not to shoot-not
to shoot" ball from the fourth fire produced
bruisc on the body, as it glanced. Key fell and
expired 1t also appeared that when he was down
Sickles put the pistol to Key head and pulled the
trigger when the cap exploded. One of the wit
nesses testified that during the excitement Sickles
remarked to gentlemen who came up that "He has
dishonored me, and defled my bed" or words to
that effect Whilst standing near the body,
Sicklcs said, Damned rascal, is he dead?
Later accounts state that Mr. Sckles continues
in Jail. He is confined in the office adjoining the
guard-room, which is an arched room some twenty
feet square, with fire place, one window, and
door leading into the euard-room.
He has been provided with cot. bed and re-
celves meals from his house, but alteration has
been made in the furniture of the room as he says
he wants no privileges not belonging to any Or
binary citizen. 1t was proposed to him yester-
day. by his counsel and his friends to permit steps
to be taken for the attainment of writ ct Aabpas
corpus, with the view of bringing him before a
judge to be baed out, but this Sicklcs steadily
refuses for the reason that the public might sup
pose that privileges were granted to him because
OF his official position, and his friendly relations
with the Administration, which could not be had
by an ordinary person. and which might compro-
mise his friends, and he is determined to remain in
jail, hoping for speedy trial
1.-THE above the main particulars of the affair.
Nobody, we presume, will blame Mr. Sickes and
no jury will find true bill against him. He had
unmstakeable proof Of the villainy of Key, and he
did right to kill him. Our exchanges are filled
with reports Of the conduct of Mrs Sickles. &c.
She is the daughter of an Italian music master in
New York, is about % years DID, and has two chill
dren After her husband became satisfied of her
guilt, he merely demanded the weddinc-rine he
had given her, and told her to send for her mother
to come and take her away from his house forever.
Key is said to be about 40 years old-he was
widower and leaves children. 1t is to be hoped
that this occurrence will have a tendency to i'm
prove the manners Of Washington society.
MAGNIFICENTLY DREssED-Mrs p. Of
\ ork, the wife of lnseed oil manufacturer, wore
at the Napier ball, in Washington, last week dia-