Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-03-04

perintendont Of schools j. T.. Hazen select
men, Andrew Cummings. }. w. Thompson,
Elijah Nye.
CA1Ms,-Clerk. y. A. Chase; constable
w. p Slayton; overseer. Chester Gumsey ;
agent, A. George superintendent Of schools
Benz. =. White selcctmen, j. Y. r. Kent,
H. S. Orcutt. S. H. Foster.
WoODDU Clerk A. w. Wilson; con-
stable, Elisha Town; solectmon. s. w. Ben
jamin NJ. Jackson, T. Harvey, Jr.: agent and
overseer. f. G.. Putnam superintendent of
schools, Hiram Wells.
WA1rsFIELD.-Clerk.R R. J Gleason Sc
lectmen, Erastus Parker. John Waterman,
Samuel Chapman; constable. Ebene2er Aims
worth treasurer, r. J Gleason oyerseer,
Almon Josin; agent. j. II. Hastings SUI
pertinent, \. w Scott
A MURDER At WASHINGTON.
PHILIP BARTON KEY SHOT BY DAN sICKLES.
WAsHNGroN, Feb. 27, ls59.-The com
munity is thrown into an intense excitement
to-day by the killing of Phillip Barton Key,
the United States District Attorney for the
District Of Columbia, at the hands of Daniel
Z. Sicklcs According to report. Mr.. Sicklcs
becoming convinced Of the truth of certain
scandalous rumors involving his WIFE resolv-
ed to redress his wrongs.
At about o'clock this afternoon, proceed
ing from his residence, near the Presidents
house. TO the southeast corner of Lafayette
Square. in the same neighborhood, where Mr..
Key was engaged in conversation with Mr.
Butterworth Of New York. he charged Mr..
Key with having dishonored him and destroy
ed his domestic peace, and shot him with a
revolver. One Of the balls entered the left
side of the body, and passed through to tho
corresponding point on the opposite side,
lodging unter the skin.
Another shot took effect in the right thigh,
near the main artery when Mr.. Key fell, i'm
ploring Mr. Sickles not to kill him. The
third shot was in the right side, but glanced
from the body, inficting only bruise. Death
ensued in a few moments. The body was
taken into the National Club House, when a
Jury of inquest was held who. after an exam
ination into the circumstances. Of some hours
length. returned a verdict, merely stating that
the death of Mr.. Key was from the effects Of
pistol shots as above stated, fred by Sickles.
The premises Of the Club House were
crowded with people anXiously inquiring all
the circumstances Of the event
After Mr. Sickles had killed Mr.. Key, he
repaired to the residence of Attorney General
Black. where he was advised to deliver him
self into the hands of the officers, who suisse
quently conveyed him to Jail, to which he was
committed for further examination tomorrow.
The facts which led to the tragedy will then
probably indicialy transpre. The inquisiton
Of the Coroner was merely with reference to
the causes which produced death
ADDITIONAL Particulars.
WAsHINGroN, Feb 2s.-For more than
year there have been floating rumors Of i'm
proper intimacy between Mr. Key and Mrs
Sckes. They have from time to time attend
ed parties 70 the opera and rode out together
Mr. Sickles has heard of these reports, but
would never credit them until Thursday eve
ming last. On that evening, just as party
was about breaking up at his house, Mr..
Sickles received an anonymous letter, which
informed him Of the infdelty Of his Wife Of
her intimacy with Mr.. Key, stating all the
details of the manner of their meetings, and
naming the place of rendezvous. The letter
was so plausible in its statements, and gave
such precise directions for the detection Of
the parties in their clandestine meetings, that
Mr.. Sickles decided to investigate the facts.
Accordingly he placed the letter in the hands
Of his most intimate friends, who last evening
possessed themselves of evidence satisfactory
to Mr.. Sckcs that Mr.. Key had rented
house Of a negro in the 18th street, which he
used as a place of rendezvous with Mrs.
Sickles.
On Sunday morning. being in a great agony
Of mind, Mr. Sckles, in the presence of two
Witnesses charged his wife with having had
Illicit intercourse with Mr.. Key. At first
Mrs Sickles declared her innocence. Mr..
Sickles then paraded before her the evidence
of her guilt She became overwhelmed with
the sudden arraignment, tainted, and finally
confessed her guilt, Mr.. Sickles was not sat
isfed with this verbal confession, but desired
Mrs. Sickles to make confession in writing.
She complied. She also informed him how
often Mr. Key had been in the habit Of seeing
her, and his mode of telegraphing to her by
a wave of his handkerchief when he wanted
her to come out,
Mr.. Sickles' residence is No Presidents
square, in view of Jackson's Statue, which is
opposite the White House. In full view of
Mr.. Sickles' residence, on the other side of
the square, in Is ? street, is the Washing
ton Club House, where Mr., Key irequented,
and from the windows of which Mrs. Sickles
says he was in the habit of telegraphing her
with his white handkerchief If Mr.. Sickles
was absent, she was in the habit OF returning
the signal.
About two o'clock Sunday Mr.. Sckles saw
Mr. Key come out of the Club House and go
round the square and walk past his (Sickles')
house two or three times. He made the sig
nal for Mrs. Sickles once or twice, when Mr..
Sickles armed himself with fye-bore six
inch revolver aud two single barrel Derrin-
gers, which carry each ball double the size
of the revolyers went out of his house and
walked down past the Presidents and met
Mr. Key. The latter greeted the former, and
was about offering him his hand, when Mr..
Sickles, refusing to take Mr.. Keys hand,
said Sir you have dishonored me--pre-
pare to die r
Mr.. Key started back few feet. exclaim-
ing "What for what for 7 don't don't y
and made movement as if seeking weapon
In his left hrenst. but which he throw at