Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-03-18
hr. ,. ID. Beekman's Explanation of his
Connection with the Sickles Case.
NEW YoRK March 10 1850


New York, March IL. 1859
TO me Editor Of the Nep York Times:
In Mondays issue of your paper there are
several very erroneous statements calculated
to do my character great injury, and, there
tore, take this means of stating the truth
paragraph has been going the rounds of
the papers for fortnight now, stating that =
Mr.. b., OF New York, was violently in love
| with Mrs Sickles during the session of Con-
greSs year ago, &c, &c., which forbore to
notice for several reasons, hoping that rs only
the initial OF my name was used that it would
attract but little attention ut least in New York
and L would be spared the modification of
| having my name associated in print with those
| OF the actors in this tragedy, and Mt the same
time knowing that my friends in Washington,
| whose good opinion care to possess. would mt
once pronounce 1T ridiculous. But since an
| other has appeared still more false and iniu-
| rious, 1t Is my duty to answer il in full
Among the few acquaintances that [ regret
| ted making IN Washington was that of Mr.
- clerk IN the Interior Department, with
whom L became quite intimate by meeting him
| frequently with his wife at Mr.. Sickles' house
Formerly of A lbany, he knew nv parents. and
| apparently took warm interest in Inc always
| but very soon as this sequel dsclOses found
| him to be, though man in years beyond the
meridian OF life, in honor far beyond its faint
est twilight.
lie met me one evening at Willard's Hotel.
and took me aside so that we could not be un-
neard by the byStanders, and opened the sub
Ject of Mr.. Keys attention TO Mrs Sickles in
| the most confidential tone, making several very
lndellcate remarks about Mrs Sickles and
asking my opinion of her on several points
Although L talked quite guardediy even to
| him, friend that L thought he was who had ex-
pressed himself very openly and in a manner
calculated to iDjure any lady provided I had
gwen his remarks circulation, unluckily ut
tered several trihing jokes about the female sex
In general, and about her, and to nv great sur
prise was soon informed by Mr. Sickles him
self, In his own house, that he had received
written statement of specific calumnies against
his wife and Mr. Key as circulated BY me pub
licly, when the only person that had ever
uttered syllable to that could by the liveliest
imagination or the most ingenious perversion
be construed into anything derOgatory to Mrs
cIckles was this man. Nor did Mr. Key's at
tentlons to Mrs. Sickles awaken any suspicious
OF any improper intimacy, in my mind, until
Mr. = called my attention to the subject and
then did not give il scarce moment thought.
As TO being - drunk" at the time this is
gratuItous falsehOOd, originating undoubtedly
from no one but an inveteratc enemy. had
not been on any spree at all; nor was in the
habit of drinking but very moderately, and
then nearly always in the society of ladies at
receptions and parties.
One evening Mrs. Sickels sent me note de-
sirlng to see me particularly at O'Clock. |
called and found Mrs. BagOli and a youpc
man, reporter in the House of Representa-.
tives, seated in the parlOr. Mrs BagioIi.then
informed me for what Mrs. Sickles desired TO
see me. Mr.. Sickles soon made his aDpcarance
and asked me what said about his wife in
connection with Mr.. Keys name. And told
him, as have stated, nothing but trifiing Jokes
that had noticed a Irritation going on. that
had uttered no charges, no facts, no inferences
even, injurious to Mrs. Sickles but merely
| generalities, without the slightest DESIGN or
malice, and these 10 no one but -, whom 7
| regarded as true friend and almost as an in
| mate of his household, so Frequently was he
| there. lie told me who his informant was, but
| not the charges. Excited and enraced beyond
| control, told Mr.. Sicklcs on the impulse of
| the moment, that what had said had said,
and was personally responsible for, and left the
house, which never entered afterwards
In day or so personal friend Of mine and
Mr.. Key called on me and handed me note
| from Mr.. hey, demanding if | was responsible
| for the vile calumnies that Mr.. - attributed
| to me. L Immediately answered the note stat
ing that they were pure fabrications, false
| hoods. This was all that ever passed between
Mr. Key and myself. 1 made no retraction.
| Tor had none to make. L have a copy of the
| charges that Mr.. - imputed to me now in
my possession, which was handed to me at the
same time Us the note, and they are so serious
and enormous that no one but a lunatic could
| think OF mentioning them, let alone giving
| them public circulation even il he possessed
the most undoubted proofs of their truth No
| one endowed with one grain of forethought
could ever be so imprudent, especially in Wash
| ington
One evening / met Mr. - mt wiIIard's
Hotel, and there in the office L rushed towards
him with cane in my hand, intending to apply
| 1t tn him promptly. at the same time bestoyiny
several Just but rather harsh epithetS unnp Il; M
but he plead so winningly for Inc to go out on
the street and adjust the matter that went.
desirous Of keeping the affair for Mr. Sickles
1 sake As private possible, who had been very
KIND to me, and L there repeated my cOmpIi-
mentS, and again received so many soft entrea-
ties to be calm and be would settle the matter
\ all satisfactorily. 1 then sent for friend who
| told = that he had grossly wronged me; he
then said that he would not injure my charac-
| ter tor anything, that he must have been beside
| himself, &c, and solemnly promised TO retra,t
everything on paper the next day, which he did
| notdo, nor meet Inc according to promise Then
| i sent him n note; he answered it. maxine an
other engagement, which he did not keep. and
50 lt went ON repeatedly, promising and as of
ten breaking his promises until WAS obliged
| To return suddenly to New York TO attend to
| family affairs without seeing -
would have challenged him, but consid-
cred that it would be degrading myself to too
| low degree to have it known in Washington
| society that had condescended to send a cbal-
lengc TO an object (that L ascertained soon. to
4 my astOnis..ment who was despised by those
that did not consider fit companions for nv
self.
| in the meanwhile Il sent Mr.. SickIes an
| ample apology, explaining the matter as here
stated, although Mr. Sickles did not demand it,.
| Very respectfully,
| .SrEPHES ID. BEEKMAN, Jr., New York