The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-02
CITY INTELLIGENCE,
THE LAFAYETTE SQUARE TRAGEDY



STATEMENT of NB HUufnWoRm.
In consequence erroneous and false statements which
have appeared IN the public press IN relation 20 the death
OF r. BARTON Key esq feel that IL is necessary that
should state the facts far connected with Tho
occurrence. ON Sunday morning, about IL M, received
at the house OF hiend with whom staying note
from the Hon. d. T.. Sckles, saying Dear b., come 10
me right away which showed 70 Hon Robert j,
Walker and Senator Gwin, with whom MAS then con-
yelsing asked the bearer OF the note who there,
and said 10 my friends "wlat can Sickles desire
Immediately the house OF Mr. s. On my arrival
found Mr. Sickles ia his bedroom, lying on his face
| the pillow, overwhelmed With grie Some time elapsed
before could obtain from him account oil the cause of
his affection. lie kept excaiming, 81 am dishonored
and ruined man, and cannot look yon in the face. "
Finally he disclosed 10 the following circumstances
On Friday Mr. Sickles received anonymous letter,
stating that his wife was IN the habit OF meeting Dir, l.,
Barton Key at house 18th street IN negro neigh
bofhood Through agent MIR SicSles had ascertained
that Mr. Key had rented house in that neighbohood
and In the habit of meeting lady there correspond
ing in dress and appearances to the wife of Mr. 5. Being
possessed of these facts he stated them 10 his wife
Saturday night She said at that she perceived
! that she was discovered and thereupon made full
confession of her guilt in writing tfeU
BY this confession il appeared that this criminal inter
course bad been going since April, 1883 sometimes
In the absence OF Nh s. at the house OF her husband
and that at the OF the present session Of
Congress Mr.. Key had hired unenanted house ON
10Th street. where they In the habit Of meeting fire.
\ Quently.
After he had apprised Of the foregoing facts, he
consulted To the he should pursue. all
vised him TO send his wife to her mother New York;
that il the close of the session. il would
excite remark that during the time intervening be-
tSeen the close of this session and the
the next, he could go 10 Europe for few months aud in
the meantime separation could he arranged between
himself and his wife, that presumed the affair was
i known only to two persons, beyond mere sur
mise and that for the honor OF his little daughter and
bis wife's friends, this course should be pursued,
10 this Mr.. Sickles replied g NV friend 1 would
gladly pursue this course but SO abandoned so reckless
have Key and my wife been that all the negroes in that
neghborhood, and daIe not say how many other
! Persons know all about the circumstances" lt 4t8
| L then left Mr.. 5. in his bed room and on going
down stairs, met in the library Mr. Geo b. Woodbridge
clerk of the House of Representatives said to him
,'lhs is terrible affair He then handed a written
statement made by ars. Sckes of her guilt which was
written and signed, as was then informed, by Mrs s. in
the presence OF two females, and witnessed by them
read the statement laid it down the table, and said
will go down town for wheand return here again and
requested Mr. Woodige say so to Mr. s. IL lie should
inquire for Immediately let the house and walked
to the Club, ON 9Th street drank glass Of ale with
friend and slowly returned to the house of Mr. Sckles
Oh entering the library again, Mr. Woodbridge informed
that Mr. Key had twice passed the house during the
ing and had short time since waived his handkerchief
/ three times signal. Whist converting With him,
Mr. Sices came into the library and said that he had
''seen the SC ,undre making signals, and he added,
1.AIy God this ID horrible " said s'Mr Sckes YOU
must be calm and look this matter square in the if
,bere be possibility Of keeping the kao,rldge
this oriata from the public, you must do nothing to
destroy that possibility, you may be mistaken in your
I belief that it is known TO the whole city,
He instantly replied .No, no. my friend / am not /;
it is already the town talk 1 then said If that be So
HERE is but left for you of honor you
need no advice After few moments silence, Mr. S.
said that he satisfied that Mr. Key had been in the
! habit of making his signals from window Of the Club
/ House opposite and what surprised him very uah was
that his vile srenuously denied this, though freely
~
said to me- 'tCome, go with TO Stewards room
! in the Club House, and he may be able to inform me
whether Key has there. and for what purpose he
IT, assentad and walked ont into the street sup.
posing that Mr.. Sickles was following mo. left the
4 house for this sole purpose.
When left Mr.. s. in the hail / satisfied he had
weapons on his person He without his overcoat
lie said nothing to me about weapons the probability
Of cncountering Mr.. Key. walked slowly down the
avenue, the south side TO the corner, and | was
crossing tbs street, Mr.. Key advance few steps
towards ne. He S3luteI me, saying GOOD morning,
Mr. Euttefworih what lire day VIZ haze" respond
ed, and said "Iiagc you come from the club RI He
said, ~ have asked, SIS Mr.. Stewart III his room
He answered 'Yes aud he isqu!te unwell I" then
said, ~ going up to see him good morning., and
turned to leave him. As did So saw Mr.. Sickles for
down 10th street the side next the square, and then
near the / had walked about thirty feet on my
way to the Club when heard Mr. s. exclam, in loud
J voice ''Key, you scounlrel, you have dshonocd my
/ boas, yon must die =
TUNED iia.,eliq.ey and Mr. X. thrust his hand in
his vest sidecoat pocket take sep n the direction of
Mr. Sickles and simultaneously heard the discharge OF
pistol Mr.. Key then rapidly advanced Mr. Sickles,
seized him with his left hand by the collar of the coat
! and seemed to make effort to strike with something
10 h!s tight hand which then supposed tobe weapon
Mr Siokins bscAea into the middle of the street wien
he succeeded IN cxtricating alse from MIR hey grasp,
drew pistol from his oyeicoat pocket presented IL NJ
Mr. Key who retreated backwards up 10th street towards
/ the Club, and threw something at Mr.. Sickles Mr.
Sickes followed and when within ten feet fired
t,.at Mr. Key wounded He staggered towards the
sidewalks sas inm, Don't shoot me. He leaned for a
moment against tree, wa, NJ Sickles advanced upon
him, exploded cap, and then fired tn,.i time. AS
/ Mr. Eay was falling Mr. s. frequently exclaimed You
villain yon have dshonored my house, and you must
! die" He uttered those words agaa, while standing
over Mr. Key with his revolver In his hand. took no
| part in the contest
| 4 believed them both to be armed. When left Mr..
Sces's house had thought Of meeting seeing Mr.
Key, my object being to visit Mr. Stewart had no arms
with me. did not know Mr. Sickles intended to take
afs With him. He left the house after and without
any suggestion ffo pa game towards The club, the
north side of the square When Mr. Key sainea lae, !
i did not know Mr. Sckles approaching, did see
/ him unit. turned to leave Mr. Key. did not Nj
s shoot Mr. Key after his fall, place his pistol in
contact with Ls herd clothing After the third fire
advanced and took MIR sces ar,, ard walked with him
mp 10th street. and advised him TO go TO Ills house to
| the Attorney Generals He did So returned to the
1 scene, and picked up opera glass from The middle
of tie stIceI sI9 gave it to Mr. Sickles This is the
whole Of my connection With TINS occurrence
II ia not true that either sought or obtained Mr. Key
lie first addressed me- and interview did not last one
~ 4. IL. - K. In Man NR.t