New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-02-28
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DREADFUL AFFAIR AT WASHING TON.
ASSASSINATION Of PHILIP BARTON KEY,
DANIEL l., SICkLES OF hEW-Y0Rx.
yrom Our Special Correspondsnt.

From Our Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. q. 1854
This city has been thro VI into an uuu.u,l state
Of excitement this afternoon by the shooting Of
Philip Barton Key, United States Attocsy
for the District OF Columbia, by Dsnei Z.
Sickles, Member of Congress from the IIH
District in New.YOrk, resulting in the alno,.
instant death Of the former The circumstances
as have learned them from the parties most in
terested on both sides, including Mr. Sckles, with
whom have had EN- interview ia the District Jail,
are as follows:
For more than g year there have been floating
rumors of improper intimacy between Mr. Key
and Mrs. Sickts. They have from time to tine
attended parties, the opera, ard rode out together
Mr. Sickles has heard Of these reports bat wosld
never credit them until Thursisy evening lash
On that evening, just as party was about break
ing up at his house, Mr.. Sickes received anoag
bis papers an anonymous letter Without opening
bis mail, or knowing the contents of the letter, he
accompanied his wiie to Il bop a. Willnd's On
bis return home at midnight, Dir. sckIes opened
the anODy mous letter, which informed hun Of the
II fidelity of bis wife, of her intinacy with Mr..
Key, and stating all the details of the manner VI
their meeting and naming the place Of rendezvous.
Tie letter wa, 30 plausible in it's statements, and
gave such precise drecti ,ns for the detec ion Of
the partie, in their designation meeting, that Mr.
Sickes decided TO investigate the facts. Accord
jpgy he placed the letter in the hands Of two Of
his most intimate friends, who last evening pos
,essed themselves Of tbe evidence satisfactory 10
Mr. Sickles that Mr. Key had rented house OF
negro in Fifteenth street, which be used as & place
of rendezvous with Mrs. Sickes.
This morning, being in great agony Of mind, Mr..
sickles, in the presence Of two witnesses, charged
bis wife with having had Illicit intercourse with
Mr. Key. At 6rst Mrs. Sickes declared her limo
cence. Mr.. Schles then paraded before her tho
evidence Of her guilt. She became overwhelmed
with the sudden arraignment, and famed, and
finally confessed her guilt. Mr.. Slckles was not
satisfied with this verbal confession. but desired
Mrs. Sickles TO make the confession 10 writing.
She complied. She also informed him how often
Mr.. Key had been in the habit Of seeing her, ssd
his mode of telegrsphing to her by wave Of his
handkerchief when he wanted her to come out.
Mr. Sckles's residence is No. Presidents
square, in view Of the Jackson statue, which 10
opposite the White House. In full view Of Mr..
Sickess Iesidenc the other side Of the squsr,
Fifteen and. half street, is the Washington Club
House, where Dir. Key frequentei, and from tho
windows of which Mr.. Sickles says he Yves in Tho
habit Of telegrsphing her with his white haniEer-
chief. If Mr.. Sckles was ab,ent, she was in To
tabi. Of returning the signal.
About 9 O'Clock to-day Mr.. si.kles saw Mr.. Ksy
come out Of the Club House and go round the squsro
and walk past his (sickles's) house two or three
times. He made the signal for Mrs. sick'es oaes
or twice, when Mr.. Sickles, arming himielf With
aye.bore six-inch revolver and two siagle barred
Derringers, which carry each oan double ths
size Of the reyolyers, went on. Of bis house and
walked down pas. the Presidents, and met hr.
Key. The Latter greeted tho fsrmer, sOd was
about cIrring him his hand, when Mr.. SickleA
refusing to take Dir. Keys hand, said, Sir, you
have dishono,ed me; prepare 10 die" Mr. Key
started back few feet, exclsiming, "Whst FORT
WhGt fort Don't! don't!' aud made move
went az il seekiOg for weapon in bis lefs brea'a
bus which proved 10 be an operA'glASs, which Do
threw at Sickl.s.
Mr.. Siekles then drew one Of bis Derrngea
ard sAot Mr.. Key, who staggered some; M.
Sickles shot at Mr. Key again, with his secosa
Dorringer, which sent him reeEng againSt us's
he cried out "rnurder," when Mr.. Sickles aree
a third time from bis revolver, and Mr.. Key te'-
Mr. Sickles, believing him dying d,sisted, snd d''
not Ere again.
Mr. Samuel T. Bu.terwo..b, Superintendent