Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-03-02
THE sICkLEs ASSASSINATION,
FURTHER PARTICULARS /

coy AT washington an account OF Wnicn appear
ed in our Telegraphic column yesterday morn
ing. From various sources we CLEAN the fol-
lowing:
For more than year there have been floating
rumors of improper intimacy between Mr.. Key
and Mrs. Sckles They have from time to time
attended parties, the opera, and rode out togeth
er. Mr.. Sickles has heard Of these reports, but
would never credit them until Thursday evening
last. On that evening, just rs party was
about breaking up ut his house, Mr.. Sickles re-
ceived among his papers an anonymous letter.
Without opening his mail, or knowing the CON
tents ofthe letter, he accompanied his wife to
hop at Wizards On his return home at mid
night, Mr. Sickles opened the anonymous letter
which informed him of the inidelity Of his wife,
of her intimacy with Mr.. Key, and stating all
the details of the manner Of their meeting, and
| naming the place of rendezvous The letter was
so plausible in its statements, and gave such
precise directions for the detection ofthe parties
in their designation meetings that Mr.. Sckles
decided to investigate the facts Accordingly
he placed the letter in the hands Of two Of his
most intimate friends, who last evening possess
sed themselves of the evidence satisfactory to
Mr.. SickleS that Mr.. Key had rented house OF
4 negro in Fifteenth street, which he used as
place ofrendeZyOus with Mrs. Sickles
This mornining, being in great agony Ofmind,
Mr.. SickleS, in the presence Of two witnesses,
charged his wife with having had Illicit inter-
COURSE WIFI hcy. AT HTSt pits oiChleS uS-
carcd her innocence Mr.. Sickles then paraded
before her the evidence Of her guilt She be-
came overwhelmed with the sudden arraign-
ment, and tainted, and finally confessed her
guilt Mr. Sickles not satisfied with this
verbal confession, but desired Mrs. Sickles to
make the confession in writing. She complied
She also informed him how oitel Mr. Key had
been in the habit of seeing her, aud his mode Of
| telegraphing to her by wave Of his handker-
chief when he wanted her to come out.
! Mr. SickleSs residence is No. z Presidents
square, in view of the jackson statue, which is
opposite the White House. In full view of Mr..
SicEles's residence, on the other side OF the
square, Fifteen-and-a-half street. is the Wash
ton Club House, where Mr.. Key frequented, 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 . o'clock to-day Mr. Sickles saw MS
Key come out of the Club House and go round
the square and walk past his (Sickles) houss
two or three times. lie made the signal FOE
Mrs. SickleS Once or twice, when Mr. Sickles,
arminS himself with fivc-5oTe SIX inch revolt
yer, aud two single barrel Dcrringers, which
carry each ball double the size of the revolverS
went out of his house and walked down pa!
the Presidents, and met Mr.. Key. The latte
greeted the former, and was about offering hid
hand, wheh Mr.. Sickles, refusing to take Nj.
Keys hand, said, ''Sir, you have dishonOred me-
prepare to die!" Mr. Key started back a few
| feet eXclaiming, "What for? What fOrI Don't!
and made movement as if seeking for weapOH
| in his left breast, but which proved to be al,
opera glass, which he threw at Sickles.
! Mr.. Sickles then drew one of his DerTinge
and shot Mr.. Key, who staggered some; Nj.
Sickles shot OF Mr.. Key again, with his secon.t
| DerTinger which sent hun Keeling against
tree; lie cried out murder" when Mr.. Sickle,
fired third time, from his revolver, and MI.
Key fell. Mr. Sickles, believing him dying, de-
sisted, and did not fire again.
One shot took effect in the groin, the ball pass
ing through the body to the skin at the back,
where it remains. Another entered the right
chest, and the third grazed the skin immediate
ly outside where the first ball lodged.
The following is some of the testimony elicI-
ted at the Coroner's inquest:
Edisdrd DeLdJield, Jr., sworn.-I had just left
Judge Carroll's, and was going to the avenue,
and when near the small gate in front of the
Presidents House | saw Mr.. Sickles coming
down this street; saw Mr. Key at the corner
of Sixteenth street and the avenue; he was alone;
when they met | supposed that they were
friends; they appeared 80; there was no person
with Mr.. SickleS at the time; | heard the report
of pistol then Mr.. Key and Mr.. Sickles were
in the middle Of the street; the first shot appear
ed to have no effect upon Mr. Key Mr. Key
threw up his arms and begged that he would
not shoot; he also cried "you murder me-" Mr.
Key then got away from Mr.. Sickles and got
behind tree; Mr.. Sickles followed him up, and
was aiming the pistol at him when Mr. Key
caught his arm, attempting to prevent him from
shooting, exclaiIning again don't shoot Mr..
Sickles threw him OFF aud fired the second time,
the ball taking effect in his groin; he fell on his
knees and exclaimed 81 am murdered Mr.
Sickes then took the pistol and pointed it at his
heart or in that direction, touching with il his
clothing, and fired; Mr. Key fell rs if dead; Mr..
Sickles then attempted to fire again, but the cap
exploded; some then came from the Club
House and caught hold ofMr. Sickles, when he
again attempted to fire; he thrust this gentleman
away, and turned to Mr.. Key, who was appa-
rently dead, and presenting the pistol to his
heart fired again, the pistol touching his cloth
ing; he took the exploded cap off; Mr.. Key look
ed as if he was dead; Mr.. Sickles then walked
off with some one, when several people ran up
and took Mr.. Key in the Club House; l saw
nothing in Mr. Keys hands; he did nothing but
attempt to keep Mr.. Sickles from him; he APP
peared If taken by surprise.
Samuel f. ButtereOrth swOrn.-l was present
when this firing took place; l was standing at
Maynard's corner, talking to Mr.. Key, when Mr.
Sickles approached and called Mr.. Key by name;
it was about o'clock in the day Mr. Key was
standing facing Mr.. SickIes, when Mr.. Sckles