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

On Friday. Mr.. Sickles received an anony-
nous letter stating that his wiie was In the
habit Of meeting Mr.. +. Barton Key al a
house on Fifteenth street, 10 the negro
ncighborhood. Through an agent, Mr..
Sickles had asccrtained that Mr.. Key had
rented . houss in that neighborhood, and
WAS in the habit Of meeting = lady there
corresponding In dress aud appearance to
the wife Of Mr.. y.
Being possessed Of these facts, he stated
them TO his wife on Saturday night. She
said ut once that she perceived she was dis
covered" and thercupon made u full comics.
sion In writing.
By this confusion il appeared that this
criminal intercourse had been going on since
April, sometimes In tho absence Of
Mr.. S.. at the house Of her husband and
that at the commencement Of the present
session Of Congrcss, Mr.. Key had hired an
uutcnanted house on Fifteenth street, where
they were in the habit Of meeting frequently.
After he had apprised mo Of tho foregoing
} facts, he consulted me M 10 tho course he
should pursue. I advised him 10 send his
wife 70 her mother ut New York that ~
II was now near the close Of tho session. Il
would excite no remark; that during the
time intervening between the close Of this
session and the commencement Of the next,
he could 10 10 Europe for iew months, and
in the meantime separation could be
arranged between himself and wife, that
presumed the affair was known only 10 one
or two persons beyond nerc surmisc, and
that for the honor Of his little daughter, and
bis wifcs friends, this course should be
pursued.
To this Mr.. Scklcs replied. my friend !
would gladly pursue this course, but 10
abandoned. so reckless, have Key and my
wife been, that oil the negroes In that neigh.
borhood. and dare not say how many other
persons, know all about the circumstances
then left Mr.. \. 10 bis bedroom, and on
going down stairs ! met In tho library Mr..
Geo Il. Woodbridge, Clerk Of tho House
OF Representatives, ] said TO him, This Ia
q terrible affair" lie then handed ine the
written statement made by Mrs. SickIcs Of
her guilt, which was written and signed, ~
was then informed. by Mrs. b., In the pres
cnce Of two females, aud Witnessed by them.
I read the statement, laid II down on the
table, and said, II will 20 down town for q
while, and return here again. and requested
Mr.. Woodbridge TO say 80 10 Mr.. y. II he
should enquire for me.
Immediately lett the house, and walked
10 the Club on Sixteenth street, drank u
gIass Of ale with friend and slowly re
turned 10 the house Of Mr.. Sicklcs.
Al "A NJ.
dridge informed me that Key had twice
passed the house during the morning, and
had short time since waved his handker
chief three times M u signal.
While 10 conversation with Mr.. Wool
bridge. Mr.. Sickles came in the Library, and
said that he had "secn the scoubdrcl making
signals" and he added, my God this is
horrible"
/ said, "Mr. Sckles, you must be calm,
and look this matter square In the face. II
there be possibility oi keeping the certain
knowledge Of this crime from the public,
you must do nothing 10 destroy that possi-
bility. You may be- mistaken 10 your belief
that II Is known 20 the whole city"
lie instantly replied No, no, my friend
II am no, II Is already the town talk"
then said. II that be 30, there IL but
one course MI, Tor you as a man Of honor.
You need no advice"
After few moments silence, Mr.. y, said
that he was satisfied that Key had been in
the Club House opposite" abd what sur.
pris,d him very much was that his wifc
s,renuously denied this. though freely con-
fessing her guilt. Ne then walked into the
hall, and said 10 me, Come, 20 over with
me 10 stuart's room, in the Club House, and
be may be able 10 inform me whether Key
has u room there, and for what purpose hs
uses IT, | sssepted, aud walked out into
the street, sDpposing that Mr.. Sickles was
following me. lcit the house for this sole
purpose.
When leit Mr.. Il In the hall, am sat
isGed that be bsd no weapons On bis person.
lie WA without bis oyercost lie said
nothing 10 me about weapons, or the probs-
bility Of encountering Key.
walked slowly down the avenue on the
sOuth side 10 the corner, sna ~ ! VA cross
ing the street ! saw Key advance few
steps towards me. lie saluted me, saying,
"Good morning, Butterworth-what Gee
day We have! 7" I responded, and said,
" havs you come from the Cubf" lie said.
a" | have" ! asked, "Is Stuart in his roomy"
lie answered. =" Yes, ,sod be u quite uDwsll."
! then ssid. ~ am going up TO Ne him
good morning {" and turpfd 70 leave him.
A. I did 10, I saw Mr. Sicklss for the Grs,
time sftsr leaving his h0uss. coming rapidly
down Sixteenth street, 90 tbe side DeI, the
square. sDd then near the corner.
had wslksd about thirty feet 90 my way
10 the Clab. when heard Mr.. sickIes ex.
claim, In loud voice, Key, you scoundrel.
you have disboDored my boase-you must
die
turned Immediately, and ssw X. thrust
bis hAsa 10 his vest or aide coat pocket snI
take stsp in the direction of Mr. sickIcs,
abd simali.osously ! besrd the discharge of