The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-15
The WASHINGTON TRAGEDY.
Animated Arguments Between
the Lawyers.
Testimony of George B. Woodbridge, John
Cuyler, Jeremiah Boyd, A. Yosng, Chas.
q. Bacon, 5. s. Parker, william
Ralley and Jacob Wagner.


q. Bacon, 5. s. Parker, William
Ralley and Jacob Wagner.
,>,D,~.o,>o~~>,,,~>>~o~~~~
Additional Evidence Respecting the
Handkerchief Signals.
The Keys Taken from Mr.. Keys Pockets Found to
Fit the Lock Of the Assignation House.
THE PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT.
WASHINGTON APRIL IA, 1852
Fbe Court was opened this morning about the usual
hour but did not ge, TO till half past ten.
10 stated that ,he prosecution prepared, If Mrs.
gckles declaration been received to have given In
evidence the FAC. that January last Mr. Sckles and
lady not his wife, remained during night IN BArnum's
Hotel at Baltimore The register OF the hotel was
n Court for that purpose. 1t appears, however,
iom this register that there is first the entry OF Mr.
esekles name bis writing then the names OF seve-
Yl ether PERSONS and about ten lines below the name of
Mrs. DAME, E. sckes, in different handwriting This
reparauon shows that Judge Crawford had let n the
confession vast quantity of scandal both sides would
have brought the trial. involving persons not yet
mentioned in the affair.
George B. Woodbridge the first witness called for
he defence-examineo by Mr.. Brady.
witness-I reside IN Magof Valley, Sullivan county,
n Y; the 9Th Of February last resided at No. 534
Twelfth street, Washngton came here in the latter part
e November 70 be here al the organization of the House
& Representatives; clerk under the Clerk Of the
house; knew Mr. Key at that time; spoke TO him
but once or twice. Saturday the 26th Of February
was Fifteenth street from very Close to ten oco,k TIL
three saw Mr. sckes that afternoon between 6ur
hvs, a the Capitol.
Q-Wha that time his appearance and condition.
Wnees--when wen. first to him he appeared different
from ~ha be had been the day before he appeared
Ike hnse he 10 the hail. the Speakers chair
We had Conversation got him TO 90 into retiring
room and there parted with him. after endeavorng to
pacHy him; he was very much Affected there was
no one with him in that room when left him saw
him no that day; the time left him about
hve O'Clock saw him the next morning a. about ten
O'Clock, In the library of his own house his eyes were
bloodshot and red he approached me, and told ne
had sent for me 10 come there
Interrupted by the District Attorney.
Witness Yesumed-His face denoted that he had bscn
weeping remained in the house till all the strangers had
kfI u, in the afternoon.
Q--what his condition during the day9
WMDess--He acted Ike in great sorrow aud dis
constantly.
Q-why2
Nr. Cnlislc-Tha. is not material.
wAness--Tbere strange manner about him;
would 20 up stairs and then down stairs again. then
he would talk about matters and 60 up stairs every
VINE he came into the where was he pressed hi
banda TO his temples and would the secretary
and sob he appeared he in great Distress every
time these upon him he would clasp temple
and lean this way llustratng) he would sob and
cry much that td him TO give 10 his tears a,
hey would relieve him; be would raise his hands and
sxclam times these dts would take him before he
himself, and then hc would bow down bis head as if
hs s,omach was giving way and he would be hardly
able 10 reach the secretary for support
Odd you see Mr. Key that Sunday2
WiApess--I did, twice.
Q-Where and when9
going out Of the gate OF lafayette square, the corner OF
ssventeenh street and pennsylyana avenue near tho
@ In what direction did he goH
WtpessHe oesed the street and went mp the avenue
lpresume; did not observe in what direction he turned
his elance the second time saw him was about quarter
10 O'Clock, directly ia front OF tue library wndog OF
Mr.. Sckes' house, there lady ani gentleman with
him them he the side towards the curb stDne the
lady Was the railing; tue three in direct ne
Mr. Sckes up stairs at tnat time; he had left the
library and gone up stairs.
o. Did YOU observe Mr.. Key do anything while passngY
A. him take handkerchief out OF mis- pocket and
FAve il three times wnie dong 80 hts eyes we're To-
his eyes from the gentleman he did not wish him to
what he DONG he parted with the lady aud gentle
she direction Of Madison place. i've minutes before
that Mr. ScKles had up stairs, saw him enter the
library door, two minutes after heard some one coming
down stairs very rapidly and come into the brary; he
said, That villain has just passed my house."
District Attorney-Do not state what he said.
Mr. Rady-What did he dor
Witness He very excited, and talked for
ment wh Mr. Buterworth, who endeavored TO calm him
he appeared TO resist attempts calm him. and
threw Mr. Butterworth Of and turned into the hail. he
had not his hat at that me that Is the last o.
him until ne came into the house with the police o ,crs
Mayor Berrct there and Capt Goddard Mr.. Walker
Mr. NcBlar, Mr.. Cluskey and some other gentlemen;
then sitting easy chair near the library window
went If to 70 up stairs; ne In the parlor
after that Mr. Butter worth and Mr. Walker 90 into
that room; the door between the rooms closed;
Yamsined in the library.
Q. Did you hear his sobbing and 30 FORTH
Mr.. Carlisle-That is leading question.
Mr. BRADY did not know that they would be held down
n matter Of form Did you hear anything of Mr.
Sickles while In the pariory
wness-No, sir; my attention was directed TO the per
sons in tine room with me; was very much excAei;
never want 70 such another day as that.
Of mind in which Mr. sickies was whom the wtness saw
him al the Capitol Saturday, and asked The latter
whether he made any communication 10 him at the time
Mr.. 0uld objected siyag II was proposed not only 70
prove the OF the communication, but that the
lire subject matter should be gwen in evidence to the
Jury in connects with the excited state Of the prisoner
mind. Insanity s fact distinctly capable Of proof If
the communication is offered In evidence TO show the M
sanity Of the prisoner uncertain; ana leaas 70 70 nc, no
Communication, does not follow as matter OF course
and reason that insanity necessarily probably took
place. does not the dignity OF secondary cv
dcnce. The only proper evidence would be mani.
festaon Of the mental disease given by the prisoner
other at the tmo the communication made, or sub
sequepty up 10 the commission Of the homicide. The
question waR whether this evidence could be given for
any other purpose than 70 show state Of mental disease
On the parof the prisoner al the bar. Could In any
sense he offered for the purpose of satisfying the Court
ana Jury that there provocaton OF any knd2-that
e prisoner WIS entirely aud properly under the influence
neased or excited mind, which n1an ned 1t 10 anger,
OF drove him TO revcDge Could be offered for any such
Pufpose as tnnr All the authorities clearly show that II
was Incompetent for any such purpose Even adultery
Soee Got oer an excuse Justification unless the hug
nano catches his we in the Then tho offence re-
dnced from murder Va mansiaughtcr
Mr.. Brady said his learned opponent might arsus On
adultery az long as his convenience aste or udcmen
might permit on that point. We, he sad are quite n
well prepared the learned and eminent counselfor
they arc both eminentmay be. We DO not pr0oosc to
discuss any such question thought had eiyen nv