, 1859-03-05

be married, and falling behind them he waved
his Handkerchief before Mrs. 6ickles' window.
BE passed around the equare to corner adjoining
the gate Of the White Houas. and VAS there &C
costcd by Mr. Butterworth, who held him in
convers alton until MI. Sickles came up.
NR. BurrKRwoRrH's srATHNFx7.
In consequence of erroneous aud false state
uents which have appeared in the public press
in relation to the death OF Mi. P. Barton Key,
feel it is necessary that should state The tacts
30 far as am connected with the occurrences
On Sunday morning, about 12 o'clock H.,
received at the house Of friend with whom I
MAS staying, note from the Hon. Mr- Sickles,
saying: 'Dear B. Come to me right Away"
which I showed to the Hon. Robert ). Walker
and Senator grin, with whom Was then con-
versing. asked the bearer Of the note who
wAs !! ere, and eaid to my friends, "What can
Mr. Sickles desiref"
Immediately went to the house Of Mr.
Sickles. On my arrival, found Mr. Sickies in
his bedroom, lying on his face on his pillow,
before could obtain from him an account of
the cause Of his atliction. BE kept excEaiming,
IL am dishonored and ruined man. and cAn-
not look yon in the facep' Finally, be dir
closed to me the following circumstances:
On Friday, Ar. Sickles received an auony-
iekleI 6tAliuK LIE WINS WIS Ii eut Q&Dl+
of meeting Mr.. T. Barton Key st house on
Fifteenth street., in the negro neighborhood.
Through an agent, Mr. Siokles had ascertained
that Mr. Key had rented house In thAt neigh
borhood and was in the habit OF meeting 8 lady
there corresponding in dress and appearance to
the wife Of MF. s.
Being possessed Of these facts, he slated
them to bis wife on Saturday night She said
At once that "she perceived she WAS discovered
aud thereupon mada full confession Of her
guilt in writing.
By this confession, it appeared tbat this crim-
inal intercourse had been going On eincs april,
1858 -sometiues in the abaence of Hi. s., at
the house Of her husband, and shat 1t t1e
commencement Of the present session OF Con.
gress, Mr. Key had hired an untenanted house
ou fifteenth street, where they we're in the
habit of meeting frequently.
After he bad apprised me Of the foregoing
facts, be consulted me as to the courae be
should cprsue. advised him to send his wife
to her mother 1t Few York-that, 81 it was now
near the close Of the session, it you'd excite no
remark that during the time intervening be-
tween the cinse Of this session sud the CON-
mencement Of the next, he could 60 to Europe
for few months, and in the meanwhile sepa-
ration could be arranged between himself and
his Wits that presumed the afar was known
only 10 one OF two persons beyond mere sur-
mise, and that for the honor Of his little daugh.
ter, and his wifes friends, this course should be
pursued.
To this Mr. s;ckies replied, my friend,
would gladly pursue this course, but 50 aban-
dooed, 90 reckless, have Key and my wife been,
that all the negroes in that neighborhood. and |
dlre not say how many other persops, know all
abnut the circumstances"
! then left Mr. s. in his bedroom, and on 90.
ing doVn stars me. in the Library hr. George
senta,ives. I said 10 him. " This is terrible
afAir!" He then handed me the written state
ment made by Mrs. Hickles Of her guilt, which
was written and signed, as wss then iaforped,
By MrAL : in the presence of two females, aud
Witnessed By them. read the statement, laid
town for while. and return here <gain,' and
requested Mr. Woodbridge to asy 80 to Nj, s.,
If he Should inquire for me.
immediately left the @houss, and walked to
the Club on Sixteenth street, drank glass Of
ale with friend. and slowly returned to the
house OF Mr. Sickles.
On entering the Library again, Mr.. Wool
bridge informed me that Hey had twce passed
the houas during the morning, and bad short
time since waved hia handkerchief three times
as signal
While in conversation With Nj. Woodbridge,
Mr. Sick1es came into the Library, and said that
be bad "seen' the scouudsel making signals"
and be added, MY God this is horrible r.
said, 'Mr. SickIes, you must be calm, and
look thia lstter squere in tbs face. 1fthere be
q possibility Of keeping the certsia knowledge
Of this crime from the publio, yoa must do
nothing to destroy that possibility. You may
BE- b mistaken in your belief that it is known to
He instantly repliod, "No, no. my friend-I
ana notl 1t il already tho to8u.talkl"
then Elid, eff that be 10, there il but one
course left for 5ouas man Of honor. You need
no advice"
After few moments silence, Mr. S. said that
be twas satisfied that Fey had been in the Club
House opposite" and what surprised him yery
much WAS that bis wife stsenuous!v denied This,
though freely confeazng her guilt. He tlen walk.
ed into the ball, and said to nc, "Ccmt, 70 over
With me to Stuart's room, in the Club House. aud
he may bc aL|e to infotm me whether Key has
room there. and for what purpose he usesit."
assented, and walked out into the street, suppos.
inc that LII. Sick cs was following me. | left the
houss for this eole purpose.
When left Mr. s. III the hall am satisfied that
he had no weapons on hfs person. H. was wi.h-
out bis osercoat. He said nothing to NE about
! walked slowly down the avenue On the souih
sao to The corner aud as was crossing the street
saw Key adEance 8 few steps towards me. He
saluted nc. saying, "0ood morning, Bu.ter~onh
what = fine day We haVel" I responded, and
said. Have you come from the Clubf' he said,
II have" asked, SIS Stuart in bis room2" Hs
answered, "Yes, and be Is quite uuHell." then
said, II am going to Sec him; good mor1inRi"
and turntd 10 leave him. As did SO saw LII. /!
Sickles for the first time after leaving his hou,e,
coming rapidly dorm Sixteenth street, on the side
next the square, and then mar the cogper..
had walked about thirty feet on nv way to the |
Club, when heard Mr. S. exclaim, in loud voice,
key, you ecoundrei: you have dishonorel my |
house-you mnst dier'
turned Immediately, aud saw E. thrust bin
step in the dree.ioa Of Mr. sickles, and aimul-
taneous'y heard the discharge Of pistol Key |
then rapidly advanced On Sickles, seized him ]
With his left hand BY the collar OF his coat, and
seemed to make an effort to strike with soue.
thing in hin right hand, which then supposed |
Of tbs street, xhen be succeeded in exuieatipg
himself from Keys grasp, drew = pi4tol from
lpockct, and presented il at KeY. who
retsea'ed backward up Sixteenth street, toward
the GLIB, and threw something 1t SIckles, Sick
les followed, and when within ten feet, fired. I
wards the sidewalk, saying. Don't shoot me!"
He leaned for moment a9Aipss a tree. when
Siekaes advanced upon him. exploded SAP. and
then fred the third lime.
A. Key Eas falling. sietles frequently e1.
claimed, You villain, 1oo hare dishonored mY
words again while atandin9 pver Ksy with his
revolver in hin hand.
l took no part in the contest / believed them
both to be armed When left Mr. Sickles'
house had no thought of meet:ng or seeing
s eG s s'f da ,' nos tno. mo- .sas
6'ckles intended to take ar1ns With him. He LEFT
,hs house and, without my suggestion from
me, cana towards the Club on the North xide Of
the Square. When III, Key sslpted no. did
got know that hr. slckies was approsshing, nor
did not SEQ sec sr: sotl:s sSoot Ks3 s .,tsl I iis IL
nor PLACE his pistol in contact with his head or
clothing.