The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-01

the husbands vengeance assumed. Had such story IS
this happened In England and had the husband IN ane
course put the hands Of the family sohcisor
and had that useful Sss s' Se Judge Ordinary
should scarcely have given the report sesono gAnce'
Deny il who may the truth Is that haos renoes an POI,
of ie narties to such SUITS profoundly Indifferent to
matter We can hardly say equal apathy exists on e
other side OF the Atlantic when injuries OF this class ire
avenpeS in the terrible fashion Of this Washington
tryeey At sight the fact that injured husband
nj once rushes the conclusion that nothing but the
blood OF adnerer can be accepted as an expaton for
his wrong would seem TO argue higher conception Of the
marriage bond than the one which obtains among our
selves We canDot however, at the same time, forget
that American hands swift 70 shed blood for injuries
inferior class to those OF which we are speaking
The form then of Mr. Sickles revenge was according
10 the fashion Of his age and his country We think it
probable had he been Englshman living ia Lou
don he would have acted otherwise. Take it, however,
ss Won NAV the story is most iameutabe one In Eng
land much interest will be felt In il from the fact that the
unfortunate young wifeand surely she 10 most unortu-
nate was known in the social circles Of London When
MIR Buchanan Minister over here, her husband Mr..
Skes was the Secretary Legation He was accompanied
by his wife, child N years ano sun more ,s cn,a ~ ap
those days and many an English friend VIII greve NJ tne
termination Of her brief career The iacts OF the case
may be told in very few words-indeed we mad rather
mako as short story OF II az possible for Is not one
upon which the mind rest without the most painful
feelings Mr. sckles was Secretary o. Lgaon a., mere ~
dency he returned to the United Staes anu ooneo the
democratic nomination for Congress- from one OF the Me-
10 Washinetop taking with him his wife. Now there
was certain Mr. Philip Barton Key, tho nephew Of the
states Attorney for the District Of Columbia. 10
the discharge Of his duties he also was at Wash.
ing,on, and thus an intimacy arose between
him and Mrs. Sickles, which seems speedily
to have assumed criminal character. Whether
that her husband became distateul to her. that
he neglected her, that Mr. Key possessed attractions
which extngushed her mind all sentiments of her posi-
on all feeling OF duty must fear be admitted that
the young wife became what she was not when she was
Imam and n nra I'M
logged the steps of the young wife and her paramount
usual in such cases. the husband was the last per-
son bear the history of his own dshonor. The con-
nec,on between Mrs. Sckes and Mr. Key, if we to
give dates began in April Of last year, WIS con-
tnued through last winter and renewed again at Wash
ingon during the session Of Congress 1mpuny
made them bold they had not been Observation-Disclosures
fore they would be discovered. Mr Key Tired
house. where they used 10 meet When her husband was
away from home MFR Key would pass before the house.
handkerchief, and she would hurry out 10 meet
him at their usual place of assgnation but now comes
the terrible part OF the story.
On Friday the 25th of February Mr.. Scses
tanning the President Of the United States at dnnerhe at
end of the table, Mrs. Sckles at the oiber He knew
nothing Of the matter in hand In the midst OF the din
letter delivered to him which revealed to him
the history Of his wiies shame and Of his own dshonor
At the time he could, OF course say nothing aud do
nothing There Sat bis young wife opposite him. and by
her side the President. When the guests went away he
began to consider gimiy with himself what course he
should adopt That he appears 10 have said done
nothing but the early part of the next day spent in
careful investigation Of the facts When he had acquired
q reasonable degree of certainty Mr.. Sckles taxed
his wife with her guilt. She screamed out that
she was 'betrayed aud lost,n but at length admitted
the truth of the accusation. So far all Clear the
question how this grevous injury should be avenged
The account have received from Washington states
that in the OF that afternoon while Mr. Sckes
considering with himself what ought to be done aud
sitting at his window he Mr.. Key approaching his
house. and making the appointed signal TO the lady whom
he had brought to this terrible grief Unable TO master
his emotion, the husband seized upon what weapons
near. These constituted complete arsenal armoy-
we question if many English gentlemen could, in
moment of Indignation, suddenly stretch out
their hands, Mr.. Sickes did. and and ready
two single harreled pistols and revolver.
Havng placed these weapons in his pockets he sailed
forth, and as Mr.. Key was extending bis hand for
friendly grasp Mr. Sickles exclaimed Now, william you
must die ' and tired the first pistol bis enemy, but
without effect Mr. Key hurled opera glass in his face
and death grappe commenced, the trying to
master the others the other endeavorng to discharge
his second pistol Mr. Sickles prevailed and with his
second shot brought his enemy to the ground SO mad
dened with passion however was he that when he
had killed Mr. KEY be discharged barrel OF his revolver
into the dead mans head and with oath rendered him
se up 10 the officers OF justice Such the leading facts
of this miserable story, which record With unfeigned
sorrow, and which will be read With much
COMMUNICATION by all persons in England who had any
knowledge of the actors in the tragedy.