Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-04-13
Gattst By CrItgrapb.
The sicIsIcs Trial.

WAsHrNeroN, April 10.
John J. McElhane, the first witness lor
the defense, was called and examined by Mr..
BRADY. reside in Philadelphia, am ono Of
the reporters FOR tho Congressional Globe; |
have known Mr.. Sickles Cor two or three
years and have known Mrs Sicklcs for more
than year: visited Sickles frequently and
was on terms Of friendship with him. Have
known Key some seven or eight years; had
frequent opportunities Of knowing the rcla-
tions that existed between him and Sickles.
They always held toward each other the Ian
guage and appearance Of friends, Mr. Key
frequently expressed his friendship for Mr..
Sickies.
Jonah d. Hoover examined. Resides in
Washington and was formerly I. 5. Mar
shall; Key was my most intimate and cher
ished friend for ten years; first became ac-
quainted with Sicklcs some time after the
Inauguration Of General Pierce, and became
intimate with him. | think introduced
Key to Sickles either at Willard's or at my
house. The relations which existed between
Key and Sickles were those Of friendship
He was examined, in relation to the cor
rcspondencc between Key and Sickles, that
took place in 1857 Key told witness he
had received note from Sickles, telling him,
that so far as that affair was concerned, he
was perfectly satisfied; and; that he hoped
their relations would continue as previously.
Question, In your interview with Sick
les, what expressions Of kindness did he use !
He said he had always liked him; that he
thought him man Of honor; that this thing
shocked him when hc first heard it, but,
that owing to Key and witness representa-
tons, he was willing to meet him as for
merly.
Rev. Smith Pync was next examined
Am clergyman Of the Episcopal Church;
reside in this city; knew Sickles and his
wife; saw him the Saturday preceding the
death Of Mr. Key 1t was about five in the
afternoon. | was coming from the capital
in a carriage, with my son. As we were
passing Lafayette Square, my attention was
drawn, by my son, to Sckles, who was pas
I sing, going eastward | was struck by his
appearance, and directed my sons attention
/ to it. His manner was very peculiar, with
an expression Of wildness, and evinced pro
! found distress.
Hon. r. j, Walker sworn. Either ten Of
/ twenty minutes after three o'clock, saw
Sickles in his own house, on the afternoon
of Sunday. As he came in, his manner wa.
excited, strange and unusual. HE voice wa
somewhat different from its usual tones
lie advanced and took me by the hand.
think he then said: "A thousand thanks io
coming to see me- under these circumstan
ces." 'H...
He had scarcely repeated these word
when saw a great change in his appear
ance. He became very much conyulsed; h
threw himselfon the sofa, covered his fac
with his hands, and broke into an agony o
unearthly sounds the most remarkable
ever heard, interrupted by violent sobbine
From his appearance in writhing his appear
ance to Inc was appalling and frightful.
thought if it lasted much longer he must be
come insane. He was indulging in constan
exclamations about dishonor having bee
brought on his house, wife and child. II
seemed particularly to dwell on the disgrac
brought upon his child Should think thi
continued for ten minutes. | endeayored
pacify him, but with very little effect.
, turned from him to go for physician, bu
he seemed to stop a little and finally broL
off. The spasms became more violent, ii
( they ceased. / accompanied him to III
+. Jail, and was still alarmed at his condition