Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-03-05
Conjugal Infdelity and its Terrible Con-
sequences.

Qonjugdl 4nhaenty anu AIS AeRHApAe Oon-
sequences.
The city of Washington was thrown into
an unusual state Of excitement on Sunday
afternoon by the shooting of Phillip Barton
Key, United State Attorney for the Dis
trict Of Columbia, by Daniel E. Sickles,
Member of Congress from the lid District
ir New-Y ork, resulting in the almost in
stant death Of the former. The circum-
stances as gathered by correspondent of
the Tribune, from the parties most interest
cd on both sides. including Mr.. SickIes,
himself are as follows:
For more than year there have been
fcating rumors of improper intimacy be-
tween Mr. Key and Mrs. Sickles. They
have from time to time attended parties,
tbe opera, and rode out together. Mr..
Sickles has heard Of these reports, but
would never credit them until Thursday
evening last On that evening, Mr. Sickles
received an anonymous letter, which inform
cd him of the iniidety of bis wife, Of her
intimacy with Mr.. Key, and stating all the
details of the manner of their meeting, and
naming the place of rendezvous. The let
ter was SO plausible ia its statements, and
gave such precise directions for the detec-
tion Of the parties in their assignatiOn
meetings that Mr. SickIes decided to mves-
tigate the facts. Accordingly be placed
the letter in the hands of two Of bis most
intimate friends, who on Saturday evening
possessed themselves of the evidence salts
factory to Mr.. Sickles that Mr.. Key had
rented house Of negro in Fifteenth St,
which he used as a place of rendezvous
with Mrs. Sickles.
On Sunday morning in great agony of
mind, Mr.. Sickles, in the presence of two
witnesses, charged his wife with having had
Illicit intercourse with Mr. Key. At first
Mrs. Sickles declared her innocence DIR.
Sickles thea paraded before her the evil
denee of her guilt. She became oYerwhelm-
ed with the sudden arraignment, and faint
cd, and finally confessed her guilt Mr.. S.
was not satisfied with this verbal confession,
but desired Mrs. SicbAes to make the con-
fession in writing. She complied. She
also informed him how often Mr.. Key had
been in the habit Of seeing ber, and bis
mode Of telegraphing to her by wave of
his handkerchief when he wanted her to
come ont.
Mr.. Sickless residence is No Presi-
dents square, in view Of the jackson statue
which is opposite the White House. In
full view of MIR Scklcs's residence, on the
other side Of the square, Fifteen-and-
street, is the Washington Club House,
where Mr.. Key frequented. and from the
windows of which Mrs. Sickes says he
was in the habit of telegraphing her with
his white handkerchief If Mr. Sickles
was absent, she was in the habit of return
ing the signal.
About 2 o'clock on Sunday Mr.. Sickle
saw MIR. Key come out of the Clubhouse
and go round the square aud walk past his
tSiekles's) house two or three times He
made the signal for Mrs. Sickles once or
twice, when Mr. Sickles, arnIng himself
with 6ye-bore six inch revolver and two
single-barrel Derringer, which carry each
a ball double the size Of the revolvers, went
out Of his house and walked down past the
Presidents, and met Mr. Key. The latter
greeted the former, and was about Offering
him his hand, which Mr.. Sickles. refused,
saying, "Sirr you have dsh9nored me pre-
pare to die y Mr. Key starting back
few feet, exclaimiag, "Whst for +? What
Tor 4? Don't | don't y and made move
ment as il seeking for weapon in his left
breast, but which proved to be an opera
glass, which be threw at Sickles.
Mr.. Sickles then drew one Of his Derrn-
gers aud shot Mr.. Key, causing him to
stagger Mr.. Sickles with his second Der
ringer, shot at Mr.. Key again, which sent
him reeling against a tree he cried out
murder" when Mr.. Sickles fred third
time, from bis revolver, end Mr. Key fell.
Mr.. Siekles, believed him dying
Mr. Samuel L. Dutterworlh, Superinter-
dent Of the Assay Office, n. Y. was con-
versing with Mr. Key when Mr.. Sickles
came up, and witnessed the affair, and then
went with Mr.. Sckles 10 the U. S. Attor-
ney General Black He expressed de-
sire to surrender himself, and accordingly
seat for the Mayor, and, in company with
that magistrate, rode in bis carriage to the
District JaiEr where be was visited by a
large number Of his friends, from different
sections Of the country, all Of whom ex.
pressed great sympathy for him.
After learning the facts of Keys death.
Dir. SickleE conVersed freely on the subject,
and jashEes himself. lie said lie has
dish0nored me, and we couid mot live to-
geIher on tbe same plaLet."
Mrs. sickles confessed her gnilt, her
Aasband demanded her 10 return TO him
lies wedding ring, and desired her to write
10 Isoe father to send for heF and take her
30 charge. Her father is Antio Bagioll.
an ltaliaa music masteriu n Y. City, where
be has resided nbout thirty years. Her
mother was born ID N. X
Mr.. Sickles married his wife when she
was sixteen years Of age. He took her TO
Euglend with him When be was Secretary
Of Legation 81 London ua1eF Mr Bachan.
M introduced her 70 he QQeen carried
eer to ~ Conllnens aud inireduced her