The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-03-10

to be pistol. but what was really an opera.
glass, said, "You had better not shoot"
Sickles at once fired, Key at the same
time throwing his glass at him. This shot
only grazed Key, slightly raising the skin
Of bis side, and he Immediately lcapcd be.
hind tree, to avoid another shot. Sickles
followed, and Key, catching his arm endeav.
ored to prevent him from shooting, but
Sickles disengaged himself, and firing again,
shot Key in the upper part Of the right
thigh, close to the main artery.
Falling on his hip and supporting himself
with his hand, he cried, "Murder don't
shoot y Sickles still following, fired again
with his pistol close TO Key, the ball passing
through bis body below the breast.
In the meantime the report Of the pistol
and Keys cries startled those in the neigh.
borhood. MIR. Thomas Martin, q Clerk in
the Treasury Department, who happened at
the moment TO be leaving the Club, rushed
back, and calling out "key is murdered ~
Mr.. Doyle, Mr.. Usher and Mr.. Tidball, who
were in the Club at tho time, proceeded has.
tily to the spot, when they found Sicklcs
standing over the body Of Key, with his
pistol presented at his head, and which he
tried twice to discharge, but which snapped
both times--and Mr.. Bu'terworth standing
by composedly.
On Mr. Doyles touching Scklcs on the
shoulder, the latter at once desisted, aud
turning around said Gentlemen, this man
has dishonored my bed" Upon this be
took Butterworths arm, and walking from
the spot with the most perfect elf-posses.
sion, proceeded to Attorney General Blacks
and delivered himself into custody.
On Mr.. Sickles' leaving, Messrs. Doyle,
Tidball, Upshur and Martin conveyed the
body, which still held faint gasps Of breath
ing, to the parlor Of the Club house, where
the Assistant Surgeon General was at once
in attendance, but Key was beyond all
medical skill He brestbcd but twice after
being laid upon the floor.
When Martin and Upshur raised Key
from the ground, the former inquired If he
had anything TO say. Key made no reply
and Was evidently unconscious.
In lew minutes the news spread over the
city. and the streets became thrODgcd with
visitors TO the scene OF the terrible event,
and groups were everywhere noticed cn
gagged 10 excited discussion about IL. The
Club House was speedily surrounded by an
immense crowd, eager to view the body Of
the ill-iated Key. Many Of the leading
gentlemen Of Washington drove up In their
carriages, and in about quarter Of an
hour the brother in law OF the deceased, the
Hon. Mr.. Pendleton, OF Ohio, arrived.
At about three the Coroner's Inquest was
held In the psrlor, where the body lay,
when sufhcient facts were ELECTED 10 show
that deceased was killed by Daniel T..
Slckles, aud verdict was rendered accord.
iDgy.
While write, the body Of Key is being
removed 10 his late residence on Z street,
nearly opposite Colonel Bentons house.
The parties involved 10 this sad story all
lived within the immediate circle OF our
daily Washington life two OF least Of them
being also ~ well known 10 New York M in
the Federal Metropolis. Key was about az
years OF age, tall IN stature, about six feet,
with an easy and fashionable air, but by
no means prepcS-essing 10 appearance other
wise. His face had sickly hue, and he had
been for some time suffering from besrtdls-
ease, or imagined he was, which gave him
q soared and Disconnected look. Otherwise
be was extremely popular, and those who
knew him best said his eccentricitics OF
manner covered q very kind and generous
heart. Hs father, Francis =. Key. was the
author of the national sopg, the "Star
Spangled Banner" lie was q widower
with four children. On bis marriage be
narrowly escaped dnel with Colonel May,
who conceived that he had unfairly ousted
him from the affections Of the lady who be-
came his wife, and who was a beautiful snd
charming woman.
Mr.. Sickles the member Tor the Third
District Of New York, IL q native Of this
city. and wAs originally printer by occupa.
ton lie ia man Of nearly forty years Of
age; Of good preynce aDd graceful manners.
As member Of the State Senate, as well a.
10 the Houe Of Representatives, he had
made himself remarked by quite unusual
cooloess and sslf possession. which gave him
great advantages in debate, and bad &C
quired for him 9 well deserved reputation NJ
Q rising young leader Of the Democratic
party 10 1853, Mr. SickIes was married 10
biz wife, pow ruined and besrt broken, then
young girl fresh from her school. life and
remarkable then a. now for something
especially soft, lovely and youthful 10 The
type Of bsr very peculiar beauty. She is n
italian origin. and possssss all tie Italian
lustre and depth Of eye, united with singu-
lar esrdor and deliescy u feature.
Mr. 5ckIes had seen ber grow up IRON
childhood, and was attached 10 her with 40
aims, dolstrous Affection. shortly s',er
their marriage, Mr.. Sickbs wss appointed
seer,,Ary of the American I<gsiiou at
L0odoa. 10 the hoassLold Of Mr.. buchanan.
and his tsAa'lfal bride von universal ADM.
ration sbrcad, 90, more by ker charms oi
prsn and rnAnp.r than by the gaye,y abJ
inncoru, joyoa.nsss a Der character Or
tksif re,srh u Ameries ,hey rs,dsd ior