The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-04-13
TRIAL OF DANIEL {. SICKLES,
MURDER ROFPHILIPBA BARTON KEY
EIGHTH DAYS PROCEEDINGS,

M y hbhh of' FdlLlF bAhION kE Y
EIGHTH DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
CRIMINAL COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF CO.
LUMBA-JUDGE TH0S H. CRAWFORD,
PRESIDING.
WASHINGTON, April II, 1859.
Judge Crawford came in and took his seat at
twenty minutes past 10 O'clock and the Court was
opened. After a few minutes the prisoner was
brought in, looking calm and pale as usual, and
dressed with great care. The jury were called and
severally responded.
Several letters by consent having been handed to
members of the jury, the Judge remarked that if
any one should attempt to influence the jury by
anonymous letters it would be their duty instantly to
communicate the fact to the Court He presumed
OF course, if any one was rogue enough to write
such letter he would not be fool enough to sign
| his name to it.
| The trial proceeded by the defence calling
John j. McElhone.-Reside in Philadelphia; am
one of the reporters for the Congressional Globe
have known Sickles two or three years; have known
| Mrs ;: more than year; have visited Sickles
| house frequently; am on terms of friendship with
him. am not married; have not attended receptions
atSickles house; they occurred while was ged
in my duties in the House of Representatives. know
! Mr.. Haskin; have also known Key for seven or
eight years; know the relations which existed be-
tween Sickles and Key; they always appeared to be
great friends, and from all witness saw he presumed
they were friends; remembers ride to the falls of
the Potomac some time during the spring of last
year or early in the summer the party consisted of
Mrs. Sickles, Mr. Key, Mr.. Haskn and witness; is
not certain whether Sickles was then in Wash
lngton or New ork on that occasion; last saw Key
eight or ten days before his death; remembers the
hop at Wizards; thinks it was on the Thursday
evening preceding Keys death; saw Key there and
Mr.. Brady-tWere they together?"
Mr.. oud objected to the question as not relevant
to the present trial.
Mr.. Brady waived the question, and would re call
the witness on another point.
The witness was not cross-examned.
Jonah ID. Hoover, called.-Was formerly Marshal
of the District of Columbia resides in this city
key was witness most intimate and cherished
friend for 10 years or more; first became acquant-
ed with Slckles some time after the Inauguration of
President Pierce became intimate with him; was
first introduced to Mrs. s. about four five years
ago; In March, 1857, Sickles and his wife stopped
with witness for two or three weeks, being invited
there as friends thinks witness first introduced
Key to Sickles their relations were friendly to
each other; Sickles was in favor of Keys appoint
ment to the office of District Attorney; was privy
to a correspondence between Key and Sickles be-
ing the friend of both parties; that on March
26, 1858.
Mr.. Brady asked whether witness knew of a let
ter from Sickles to Key subsequent to that cor
respondence.
Mr.. Carlisle objected, as this was not in the ma
ture of civil suit between Key and Sickes, but a
prosecution against Sickles. In the course of his
remarks he said that none were so blind as those
who did not desire to see
Mr.. Brady retorted by quoting:
Gle must have optics keen, I ween
Who sees what is not to be SEEM Laughter
This letter had been in existence and as the gov.
ernment did not see fit to produce it, the defence
proposed to prove its existence by parole evi-
dence.
The Court thought the letter ITSELF if it were
here would be evidence, and resort should be had
to the administrator to produce it, before parole
evidence could be received
Mr. Carlisle said if there was any such letter he
should like to see it.
Witness then proceeded to testify that Key told
him he had received a letter from Sickles to the
effect that so far the relation between the parties
were concerned, he satisfied; on the 23rd OF
February Key was at witness house, at about II
O'Clock, with Mr.. Sickes child, Laura; some two oil
three hours afterwards he came to the house to in
quire after the child; did not him after that or
that day; last saw him on the day before his death
about noon.
Gross examined by Mr.. Carlisle.-Witness wal
frequently at Sickes' house during the past winter
and frequently met Key there; Mrs. S. was there
during the whole time, so far witness is aware
with the exception of a few days. perhaps, in De
cember; in giving the purport of that letter Key
did not say that Sickles had told him he merely
wished him to visit his house when invited; there
was no qualification of that sort.
BY Mr.. Stanton-Does not know how Otter
Sckles was in New York during that winter, but i
was frequently.
!. By Mr.. Carlisle.-After the occurrence previous
ly mentioned so far as witness knows the relations
between Key and Sckles continued as before nev
er heard Sickles say that he only desired Kew t.
visit there on public occasions witness never sale
that there was any qualification annexed by Sckle
to the continuance of Keys visits; when Key visited
Sickles' house Mrs. S. was always there; the re
ceptions were on Tuesdays, in the morning; did no
, attend them regularly.
By Mr.. Brady.-Had conversations with Sickle
when witness bore the communications between
him and Key.
Mr.. Brady asked what were those converse
tions
: MIR. Carlisle objected to that question
A Mr.. Brady said the prosecution had opened tn
door, and the defence had right to Q o on an
ask all about it.
Mr.. Carlisle said the door was opened on the ott
er side this evidence ought not to be introduced
cross-examination, but on the examination in chie
MIR. Stanton.-The defence have proved the re
ceipt of the letter by Kew from Sickles the prose
cuon have called out the fact that there were cor
7 versations between this witness and Sickles tina
subject, and now the defence merely ask on wha
: occasion the conversation took place.
Mr.. Carlisle replied, the testimony in chief neces
sary involved the ject now inquired about, an
$ the fact that there was conversation elicite
o | by question from the defence.
n Mr.. Brady said he only asked what Key said
| and not what Sickles said.
. Mr. Carlisle believed he was correct. The sub
jectmatter of the examination in chief to sho
the friendly relations between the prisoner and til
deceased; and the cross examination was in rela
tion to the same sub ject matter with the examine
! ton in chief. This question, asked, pertaine
|
> closed the question was not admissible.
{ Mr.. Brady said he had asked no questions as
e = anything emanating from the lips of Sickles Ii
" . only asked what Key said about receiving lette
II from Sickles.
The question was repeated, "what expression
Y kindness did Sickles used towards Key? ?" to whc
r the witness replied that Mr.. Sickes stated that he
8. ways liked key-thought he was man of hoEo
Vt and although he was shocked at hearing the repo
about him in connection with his wife, he ws
IS ready to meet him on the same terms if this di
l. ticulty had not existed. 1t was something about
ii horseback ride, when they were gone good Will,
= Mr.. Brady asked what the transaction was, whc
If had temporarily interrupted the friendly relation
between the parties
Mr.. Oud objected, and the objection su
tanned.
Capt. John Fl. Goddard, (chief fpolice, y called
Have opera glass which handed to me b
Sickles on the day of his arrest it is now in m
/. pocket 1T was produced.l 1t was given to vii
ness by Sckles, in the JAIL at the time of the
ination. On the day of this occurrence, went
i Sickles' house, and committed him; the mud wa
o the opera glass; there when witness recei1
IT ed it,
Not cross. examined.
: Rev. Smith Pyne, called.-Is clergyman of til
It Episcopalian church; have resided in Washngto
IA years; know Mr.. and Mrs. Sickles; have know
n them twelve months; visited Sickles' house on on
r occasion; knew him very well; have been told tina
Sickles had been at witness church, but do nj
know it to be so; Sickles about five o'clock i
the afternoon on Saturday previous to Keys deatf
- was struck by his appearance; it was very pecu
, liar; called his sons attention to it at the tim,
" there seemed to be wildness about his appearance
= he seemed like man i'll great trouble; cannC
~ very accurately draw distinction between my pr
: sent idea of his appearance and my ideas them r.
marked at the time how strange he looked; the in
preston produced on his mind a defiant air an
, a desolate air mingled
). Cross-examined by Mr.. Oud.-Witness was in
:. carriage, the Presidents house, driving ives
ward; Sckles going in the opposite direction
o him but for a brief interval; Sickes was wall
ing rapidly; did not address witness; had seen hiI
N frequently before.
. BY Mr.. Carlise.-It professional visit,
u answer to call from Mrs. Sickles; it was durin
n n Lent, and was in reference to the baptism of til
u child.
By Mr.. Brady.-Sckles looked towards witne
when in the carriage, but did not appear to recos
nize him.
:, Mr. Stanton desired to call attention to the mai
IL in which the opera-glass fitted the case foun
on Keys person, that it could go to the jury.
Mr.. Ould said it would not be evidence.
,R Hon. Robert j. Walker, called.-Has resided
4. the District of Columbia for many wears; hay
m known Sickles for several years, but bad not see
him for several months previous to the death
N Key; have lived in the District OF Columbia most
'r the time since February, 1886, when witness b
t, came member of the United States Senate; it w
about three O'clock to 20 minutes after three, wht
l. witness Sickles on the day of Keys death;
l. at his house in the back room of the first sor
t. the same floor with the hall; as Sickles came i
p his manner appeared excited strange and unusua
his voice altered; he advanced and took wi
8. ness by the hand and thanked him for comir