The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1859-03-05
Murder by Member Of Congress.

Murder by Member OF CopgrosS.
On Saturday last, Dan sieklsS, member Of
Congress for the city Of New York, shot
Philip Barton Key, Attorney General for the
Disgriet Of Columbia. and son Of the author
Of tho "Star Spnngled Banner" Mr.. Key
li,sd but short time. The ARRAY took place
~ the yieini " OF the Presidents house, IN
Ekieh neighborhood the parties reside. The
CAUSE Of this sad tragedy Is female inGdelity.
IL appears that the intimacy Of Mr.. Key
with Mrs siekled, which led 10 the death Of
former at the hand OF Mr. Sckles, had been
% long standing, and that the lady's mother
end other friends had warned her OF the
lsus,r Of such an intimacy. Mr.. sieklss
docs ret; however, seem TO have INDUCED
sgy feeling Of jealousy until Friday last, when
10 rcssitcd au anonymous letter, telling him
,i..t hii wife was In the habit o. meeting Key
ut g house rented by the latter for the pur-
l,se. There wet such creumS,aneiality in
Iae details Of the letter that Mr.. sieklos de-
tgrm.aed TO Investigate the matter. lie as.
eIHained by personal enquiry that Key was
Ga the habit Of meeting at the house tpeci-
Ted lady answering TO the description ~
Mrs SiA.lss. We quote the remainder ofthe
story from the telegruPhic account in the
Mes York Times;--
ION Saturday evening Mr. sickles, resolved
10 longer 20 play TIE spy upon his honor, de-
tvruutd " confront ms wire directly with
his terrible suspicious. At frat Mrs, Sicklrs
strongly denied her gull, but on her hus-
Gands nsking her whether, OF the Wednes-
day previous, she had not entered the house
On Fifteenth sTeet, in certain particular
dress, and concealed by hood, she cried out
Il am betrayed and lost" and swooncd away.
On recovering her senses, she admitted her
guilt, and besought mercy and pardon. Mr..
Sckles calmly said lac would not inture her,
-tince he believed her the victim Of a scoundrcl
but that he had right 10 a full confession.
Two ladies in the house were sent for as wit
ue!ses, and in their presence, Mrs. Sickles
made g full confession in writing, stating that
her connection with Mr.. Key had commenced
~ April last, under Mr.. Sieiles' roof, but that
Mr. Key had since hired the house in Fit.
;gvnth street IN which they had constantly
met. Mrs. Siekles' confession was made in
the midst Of TIE bittCreSt contriton and
misery. Her husband simply asked her 10
give him back her wedding ring, and desired
hgr 20 write TO her mother. 10 come and
axe her from his house forever. Mrs Sick.
lfH ulANAc no OuJtSAlOnhs uQulkllOR tuc~lu8tlCe
or her punishment in the most affecting
language Mrs. Sicklcs may be 20, and has
two children. She is the daughter Of Bngioli
the celebrated music teacher Of New York
IN 1898, Mr.. Sickles wGs married TO his wife
L. then a young girl fresh from her school-lifc
and remarkable then as now for something
especially soft, lovely and youthful in the type
VI her yury peculiar benety She is Of Italian
origin, and possesses all the Italian lustrc and
I.,th Of nptfat uith al l.,
and delicacy of feature.
'Once having quilted the presence Of hi'
vile, Mr.. Sickles gave way TO the most terri
ble emotion, and passed the night in n state
bordering on d.straction,-a feeling which
Wat worked into madn csS on Sunday morn
ng on seeing the cause of his misery, Mr.
Key. with gay audacity pass opposite the
Hndow Of his wife's room and wave hi,
hnnlkcrehief--the usual signal for assgna
zion. Asking Mr.. Butterworth, who was al
his house, to follow Key and engage him Il
sony CREATION 40 thnt be would not ret out OF
sight, he rushed up stairs for his pistoi5, anC
quickly following, found Butterworth as
Key together, at the corner of Sixteenth
street, when the tragedy took place. On com
ing up Siskles walked directly to Key, and
Iaid, you have diShoEoved my bed and famil,
you eoundrel--prcpare to die ~ at the same
time drawing his pistol Almost simultuuc
ousy Fey placed his hand inside his vest
and dUavIng what appeared TO be pistol
but what was really an opera-glass, said
You had better not shootw Siskles at one,
nred, Key at the same time throwing hi
glass at him. This shot only grazcd Key
slightly raising the skin OF his side, and j,
Immediately ieaped behind q tree so nvoiS
another shot, Sickles followed, 0fds Key
catching his arm, endeavored TO prevent hin
from firing, but Sicklea discngagod himself
and firing ugHih, shot Key in the upper par
Of the right thigh, c,ose toIhe n,ain artery
Falling on his hip and supporting himself
vEh his hand hc cried, Murder! don
,hool,"s, Scklcs still following, fred again
With his pistol close TO Key, the ball passia,
through his body below the breast.
Key was about - years of age, toll i,
stature, about six feet, with an easy ar,
fashionable air, but by no means progresses
ing IL hppeRSfree otherwise. His face had
sieslv hue. and be had been for some tim
suffering from heart-discase, or imagined b.
was, which gave himl souged aud discomfort
ed lock. Otherwise lie was extremely pcpu
lar, md those who knew him best said hi
ecerniticities If manner covered very kin,
aud generous heart. lie was a widnwer " ill
four children. On his marriage be narrowt
escaped duel Ssith Colonel Max. uho con
ceived that he had urraity ousied him frou
ths affections Of the lady who became hi
vic, and who was beautiful and charmin,
Wopan.V
Mr.. Key 10 nephew Of Judge fancy; am
brother 10 iuw Of Mr. Pendielon. Member OF
GanornSS kDm Ohio. X ey and SicLlna wer