The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-03-03
The Washington Tragedy.

Sf64 Ceo for completing the seven >loops AID side
vA e. steamers he7e.eisre Authorized.
The Washington Tragedy.
NV YoRk. Feb. 2>----The Washington
correspondent ct the Times gives the follow
inr account Of the domestic difficulties OF Mr..
SickleS. which led - the killing Of Key.
On FRIDAY, Mr. S,ckle> received an an
oRymous letter. stating with precision 80
minute a ia make suspicion imperative, that
Mr.. KEY had rented house on Fifteenth
street. above X street, from a negro woman,
and that he WAS In the hghit Of meeting Mrs
Sichles there two or three times week, or
oI,euer. The person and dress Of Mrs. Sickles
were accurately desc rIbad. aud the usual time
Of the interview specified. Accompanied by
Il friend, Mr.. Sicklcs went t. the house des-
igna.ed, and found every statement Of tie
writer car1oborated. Mr. Key had taken the
house. and he had constantly met there a lady
resembling very closely in description Mrs.
Schles. Mr. S.ckles stiIl chung 10 tie hope
that the person who had stopped to the bust
ness OF making such charges under the veil
of secrecy. might have thoroughly deceived
him, and that Mrs. Sckes was not the lady
in question.
lie accordingly requested his friend, Mr..
George Woodbridge OF New YoIk. to watch
tie place from tie window Of a house just
opposite On Saturday no meeting took
place. and the woman in charge seems 10 have
stated that none had occurred since W edues
day.
On Saturday evening. Mr.. Sickles re<olv
ed no longer TO play the SPY upon his honor.
and determined to Confront his wife directly
with his terrible suspicious. At first Mrs.
Slvkles strongly denied her gnIlt, but on her
husband asking her Whether on the We'd
nesdav previous she had not entered the
house on Fifteenth street. in a certain partic
ular dress and concealed by hood, she cried
out:
i ana betrayed and lost" and swoonei
away. On recovering her senses she admit
ted her guilt. and bcsought mercy and par
don
Mr. Sickles calmly said that he would not
injurc her. since he believed her the victim
OF a scoundrel, bat that he had a night to a
full confession.
Two ladies in the house were sent for as
witnesses, and in their presence Mrs Slckles
made full statement in writing. stating that
her connection with Mir. Key had commenced
IN April last under Mr. Slekles' own roof,
hu, that Mr.. KY had since hired the house
In Fifteenth street in which they had con
san.iy met.
Ms. Sick'es' confession was made in the
midst of the bi;tefest contfilion and misery.
Her husband simply asked her to give him
back itcr wedding ring, and desired her to
write 70 her mother TO come and take her
from hi> house for ever
Mrs. Silhles made no objections, admitting
the justice Of her punishment in the most
affecting language.
The Hon Robert J Walker. and Messrs
Carlisle x RatcliH have been retained as his
counsel
WAsnrxeroH. Feb. Application will
be made by Mr.. Sickle fer writ OF habaes
corpus. with a view to procure his release on
bail aud await his trial Ills wife exonerates
him from all blame. and he has the genera
sympathy of the community.
In the Circuit Court this morning. Mr.. Car
Isle announced the death Of Phillip Barton
Key, late District Attorney OF Columbia
While euogizing the deceased as courteous
frank and open hearted gentleman, he forbore
to speak Of the cause hich led to his death,
as that subject for Judicial iuvestiga
ton.
The court paid similar compliment TO the
deceased, and 10 token OF respect, adjourned
till Tuesday.
EvENING.---The examination in relation to
Il killing Of Philip Barton Key did not take
place today as was anticipated. Nj. Sickies
has retained as his counsel Mr.. Stanton CT
Piusburg, Chiffon an Radcliffe, and reports
saws others. including David Paul Brown Of
Philadelphia.
Through the Intervention Of friend, Mr.
Sickles has consented for the present that
Mrs. Sickles and the child Shall remain with
her other. who was yesterday telegraphed
for, and Is expected 20 arrive here to night
The Jail was visited to day by many OF Mr.
Sickles friends.
Numerous reports are aGoat concerning al
lie parties having the effect &c aggrava e the
facts already painfully distressing. and many
Of these rumors are pure fiction.