Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-03-09

Mr.: SickleS received from some enemy Of man
kiudan anonymous letter, stating with precision
so minute as to make suspicion imperative, tina
Mr.. Key had rented house on Fifteenth-street
abora K-street, from negro woman, and tha
be Wis in the habit of meeting Mrs. Sickle
tberetwo or three times week, or oftener
The person and dress of Mrs. Sickles were ac
curatsly described, and the usual time of tn
interview specified. Accompanied by q friend
Mr. Sjckes went to the house designated ant
found every statement of the anonymous write
corrvborated. Mr.. Key had taken the house
and be had constantly met there lady answer
ing vfsy closely in description to Mrs. Sickles
Mr.Slckles still clung to the hope that tb,
person who had stopped to the baseness of ma
king ,snch charges under the veil of secresy
mighthave thoroughly deceived him, and tina
Ms Sickles was not the lady in question. Ill
accordingly requested his friend, Mr.. George
Wootdfidge, of New York, to watch the place
fromthe window of house just opposite.
OnSaturday, no meeting took place, and The
wouan In charge seems to have stated that none
had occurred since Wednesday.
OnSaturday evening, Mr.. Sickles resolved nc
longerto play the spy upon his honor, deter
mincdjo confront his wife directly with his ter
rible sspicons At first Mrs. Sickles strongly
denied her guilt; but on her husbands asking
her whether. ON the "Wednesday previous, she
had not entered the house on Fifteenth-street
in ceHain particular dress, and concealed by O
hood, die cried out, ~ am betrayed and lost p
and s9pned away. On recovering her senses
she adnitted her guilt, and bcsought mercy and
pardons Mr.. Sickles calmly said he would not
injure her since he believed her the victim of Q
scoundRl, but that he had right to full con.
fession.s Two ladies in the house were sent fol-
as witnesses, and in their presence, Mrs. Sickle:
made aflll confession in writing, stating that
her connection with Mr.. Key had commenced
in Aprllast, under Mr.. Sckles' roof, but that
Mr.. Key had since hired the house in Fifteenth
street, ii which they had constantly met. Mrs
SickleJeoEfession was ma,le in the midst ot
the bittsrest contrition and misery. Her luS-
band SIMPLY asked her to give him back her
weddnEring, and desired her to write to her
motherio come and take her from his house
foreyer.s Mrs. Sickles made no objections, ad-
mittinsahe justice of her punishment in the
most affecting language. Her mother will ar
rive toaorrow to remove her from this fearful
scene ofsuilt, remorse and blood.
lnaa5aying aiitted the presence of his wife
Mr.. Siales gave way to the most terrible emo
tion, ana passed the night bordering on distrac,
tion-seeling which was worked into madness
this mohing on seeing the cau.e of his misery,
Mr.. KsS with gay aulacty pass opposite the
wind ,Ept his wife's room, AMI waive his hand
kercLiAthe usual signal for a,sisnaiioi.
Asking Mr.. Buttcrworth, who was al bis
house bIiolIow Key and engage hin in conrer.
satonso that be would not get out Of sight, he
rushedup stairs for his pistols, and quickly fol.
lowing found Butterworth and Key together
at thelcrner Of sx;eeDth-Strcet, when the traS
edy took place.
On coming up Sickles walked directly to Key
and sid, "You have dishonored my bed and
family you scoundrcl-preparc to die at
the sams time drawing his pistol. Almost ST.
multaaeously Key placed his hand inside his vest
and drawing what appeared to be pistol, but
what vas really an opera-glass, said, " You had
betternot shuot!"
Sickles at once fired, Key at tho same time
throwing his glass at him. This shot only grazed
Key, slightly raising tue skin OF his side, and he
immediately leaped behind a tree to avoid an
other ihot. Sickles followed, and Key, catching
his arm, endeavored to prevent bin from 1lrln.
but Sickle, discnsaged himself, and firing again
shot Key in the upper part Of the right thigh,
close to the main artery.
Falling on his hip and supporting h'mse
with bis hand, be cried, "Murder! don'tshoot
Sickles still following, fired again, with his pls'
tol close ~ Key, tue ball passing through hlS
body below the breast.
In the meantime the report of the pistol anc
Keys cries started those in the nelghborhood
MIR. Thomas Martin, Clerk in the Treasury
Department, who happened at the moment tc
be lcaving the Club, rushed back. and calling
out, Key is mur,leredw Mr.. Doyle, Mr.. Up
sher aud Mr.. Tidball who were in the Club al
tie time, procee'le'l hastily to the spot, %her
they found Sickles standing over the body
hey. With bis pistol presented at his head, ane
which he tried twice to discharge, but whlcI
snapped both times-and Mr.. Butterworsh stand
ing by ycomposedy.
On Mr.; Doyle's touching Sickles on the shoul
der, the latter at once desisted, and turning
around, said Gentlemen, this man has dis
honored my bed dm Upon this he took Butter
wortds arm, and walking from the spot Will
the most self possession, proceeded to Attorne.
General Blacks, and delivered himself int'
custody.
On ST.. Sickle, leaving ies<rs. Doyle, Tishal
cp+her aDd Martin cDnye, ed tie bnly, Wl'lr'
.'il he'll faint sHspA of bruathlng, 10 tne rnr'"
ot tue Clubhouse, when tue A'.id ant Surgeon
uensts was at unce in attendance, Dnt ne!
was beyond alI medical skill. lie bIeathed bu
twice after being lail upon the tiuor. :.
Hhsn Har,in and Upshcr raised key Iron
tue gtoun,l, the former inquired if lie ha'l any
thing to say. key made no reply, anu wa
s;identiy unconscious.
In afew minutes the news spread over tn'
city andthe streets became thronSed vain VlSl
tors to the scene of terrible event, and group
were everywhere noticed engaged in excltet
discussion about it. The Club House was speedl
ly surrounded bv an immense crowd, eager t.
view thsb,dy of the i'll iatel Key. Many q
tue leadi6, gentlemen Of Washington drove VI
in their carriages. an in about quarter OF al
hs'sr-t D. brother, in-law OF Tue deceaseu' tn
Hon. Ar. Pendeton, of Ohio, arrived.
At aboaE t6ree the Curoners Inquest wa
held in the parlor, where the body lay, wne'
sufficient kcts were el;c,te,l to show that &c
ceased was killed by Daniel f: Sickles, anu
verdict vas rendered accordingly.
WhileEwrite, the body Of Keyis being re
moved tobis late residence on Z. street, neari!!
opposite Colonel Benton's house. 80
The parties involved in this sad story all liVe'
within the immediate circle Of our daily Wash
ington lie; two, at least, OF them being also 4
well known in New York a. IN the fe,ierai TaS /,
tropols. Key was about ~ years OF aye, 'a' a.
in stature, shout six feet, with an easy anu llSa
ionable air, but by no meals prepo;sessl:ls ~
appearance otherwise. His face had SICK,
hue, and he had been for some time suiierinl!
from he,stdisssse, OF imagined he was, "h'c'