Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-09
), Literature and News of the Day.

BLoopY TRAGEDY N WASHINGTON CRY
On Sunday, Feb. 27th, the Hon. Daniel E..
Sickles. member of Congress from New York.
shot and killed Philip Barton Key, Esq, q.
S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, for
criminal connection with his wife, Mrs Sic
kles. Mrs. Sickles, it is stated. acknowl-
edged her guilt to her husband. Mr.. S.
shot Mr. K. three times with a revolver, Key
diving almost Immediately. Mr.. Sickles de-
livered himself up to the authorities, and was
committed to prison. Mrs. Sickles is said to
be a woman Of great personal attractions,
and up to this unfortunate affair, was held in
high esteem by all who kDew.her.
Hon. Mr.. Butterworth, of New York. who
seems to have been in Mr.. Sickles' secrets
concerning the matter, gives the following as
a correct statement Of his knowledge of the
affair: While conversing with Senator Gwin
and a member of the Cabinet, be received a
note from Mr.. Sickles, saying: Come to me
directly" What does he mean ~ said Mr..
Butterworth; 81 will go and see him." He
went to his house. Mr.. Sickles was on the
floor, in agony, and did not speak for some
time. When he did, he said: Il am a dis
honored and ruined man, and cannot look
you in the face" Mr.. Sickles then related
the circumstance of his grief, and asked Mr..
B~utterworth's advice. Mr.. Butterworth ad-
vised him to send his wife to her mothers,
adding that Congress would soon adjourn,
and that this course would excite no remark;
then go to Europe for a few months, and in
the meantime arrange for a divorce. Mr..
Sickles replied, my friend, you mistake it
is town talk, and even all the negroes in the
neighborhood know it"
Mr.. Butterworth then said: "If such is the
case, there is but one course to pursue-l
need not point it out" Mr.. Butterworth
thereupon left him and went to the club
house. He looked behind, but did not see
Mr.. Sickles follow him. He stopped at the
club house and took a glass of ale. When
he anne out he met Mr.. Key at the corner of
the avenue and Sixteenth street, near the
Maryland house, and shook hands with him.
AS he was about leaving him, Mr.. Siekles
came up, the latter saying, "You %scoundrel,
you have dishonored my family-prepare to
de-
Mr.. Key Immediately put his hand into
his side pocket, for the purpose, as Mr.. But
terworth supposed, of drawing a weapon,
and Mr.. Sickles at the same time put his
hand into his skirt pocket, from which he
drew a pistol. As Mr.. Key raised his hand
to throw at Mr.. Sickles the article he took
out of his pocket, (Which proved to be an op-
era glass; Mr.. Sickles fred his pistol and shot
Mr.. Key. The latter staggered a little back,
but rallied and made at Mr.. Sickles, who,
stepping a few feet backward, fired a second
shot into the body OF Mr.. Key, who then
reeled back towards Mr.. Maynard's house,
with one hand On the railing and one knee
on the pavement exclaiming, You have shot
me-" and ti,en crying murder" Mr.. Sick
les then fred a third shot into the body of
Mr.. Key, and left him, after which Mr.. Key
was conveyed to the Club House, close at
hand, where he expired in a few minutes.
Mr.. Sickles received an anonymous letter
or Friday, apprising him ofhis wife's infidel-
ity. He had an interview with her next day,
when she confessed her guilt, and charged
Key with being her seducer. Smarting IN
der his disgrace and wrongs, Sickles wreak.
ed his vengeance upon the guilty man who
had destroyed his peace, the first time he
met with him after being satisfied of the truth
of the charges contained in the anonymous
letter.
Mr.. Key was a widower, 80 years of age,
and leaves four children.