The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-28
THE CORONER's INQUEST


WASHINGTON. Feb. 27, 1862
Daniel +. Sckles, member Of Congress from New York;
killed Philip Barton Key District Attorney of the District
Of Columbia to-day about two o'clock, at the Of
Pennsylvania and Lafayette square, by shooting
him with pistols give below the evidence taken be-
fore Thomas Woodward Coroner Of the District Of Co.
lumbia-
R. II. Coolidge surgeon Of United States army, the
first witness examined testified folows-I have made
all the examination necessary, except post mortem
animation; was sitting in my to day, at No. 800
street, and heard three pistol Shots thought
nothing Of it till saw pertons running; seeing this
movement l ran to this room, that s, in the
Club House, where the inquest was held, and
,Hrre ound Mr.. Barton Key lying in the present
posiion he pulseess and his heart had ceased to
act but he partially breathed twice; there was nothing
medical surgical to be done for him. he Dead on
examining the body found pistol gunshot wound in
the upper or front part of the right thigh the
artery and another wound of the character the
left sde between the false ribs, the ball having passed
through the body and made its appearance corres-
pondrg point on the other side remaining under the
skin in addition to these two wounds there is slight
bruise the right side of the body near the ninth rib
this was evidently from pistol ball gancng there also
slight brusc on the middle finger of the left band be-
lieve his death was produced by these wounds.
Dr. r. X Stowe examined the body with Dr. Coolidge,
and testified in substance to the effect adding that
either wound was sufficient TO produce death.
Joseph L. Dudroe testified foliows:-I was walking
The opposite side Of Pennsy avenue and heard
the report Of pistol turned quickly at the sound and
saw Mr. Key Jump on one slde saying something did not
hear after he jumped on one side saw Mr. Sckles raise
his pistol to fire second tme he raised his pistol Mr.
Key grabbed him. they tusslcd for awhile got Off the
pavement Mr. Key followed him up for short distance
Sickles got from him. raised his pistol and fred second
time; before he fired deceased shouted several times
"Dont shoot they were then about twelve feet apart
after the second fire deceased got behind tree as if to
hold himself up Mr. sckes reached round the tree and
fired third time; deceased then fell Mr.. Sckes then.
stepped upon the pavement and put the muzze Of the
pistol TO deceased's head and snapped and burst the
cap II looked to be one Of Colts revolvers; saw no
weapon Mr. Keys hand after Mr.. Sckes snapped the
cap he deceased and appeared to throw some
thing away some one then took hold of him and led
him away, and followed till he went to Attorney General
Blacks where he was afterwards arrested.
Richard M. Downer sworn-while standing on the cor
ner Of New York and fifteenth street heard the
report of pistol when got to Sixteenth street saw
some lodging, and then heard third report when
reached Mr.. Key he lying dead Mr. sckes was turn
ing away he had what looked like Colts revolver in
dead" cannot say the exact words but il was something
of this sort picked up Derrnger pistol near the scene
hs the witness presented and appeared TO have been
recently discharged)
Samuel f. Butterworth sworn-I was standing at the
Of Pennsylvania and Lafayette square, talk
ing with Mr. Key, at about two O'Clock to-day Mr. Sickles
approached and called Mr. Key by name and sad-"You
scoundrel, you have dishonored me' or he NAV have
said You have dishonored my famiy he was about ten
PAGES from Mr. Key (Here Mr. Butterworth was asked
by the jury IL he Of an Intended collision and
he refused to answer, saying that sufficient to state
simply that Mr. slckes shot Mr.. Key, who fell dead) he
then said that, simultaneously with the first fire. Mr. Key
attempted to draw something from his pocket which
supposed to be pistol afterwards found in the street
an opera glass; Mr. Sicklcs fred three times. Mr. Butter
worth gave his testimony apparently in reluctant
manner.
Edward Dclahed, Of New York, and Francis Doyle, tes
tilted the main to the foregoing facts to tho shooting
VERDICT OF THE JURY.
The verdict ofhe coroners jury was that Mr. Key
10 his death by pistol balls fred by Daniel F. sickles
whilst standing the southeast corner of lafayette
square, the wounds therefrom causing his death in few
moments.
Mr.. sickles is in jail awaiting an examination which
viii! take place tomorrow.
The city is in great state Of excitement and there are
various rumors as 70 the cause Of the tragedy The gene
raj statement is that from Mr. sckles being jca-
,ous Of Mr. Key. Many comments are made upon Mr..
Buterworhs having been present during the whole sad
affair." and no evidence tending 10 show that he endea
vored 10 prevent IL.
A correspondent has sent us the following
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 1859.
was present at the examination Of Samuel F. Butter
worth before the Coroner and no swore follows
was standing with Barton Kew ON the corner OF Penn
sylvana and sixteenth street, about two o'clock
sickes came up and said, "You have dshonored me-"
and fired; Key staggered forward and, as supposed,
fkcunpicd 10 draw frnm hia hraast