Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-04-14
LATEST NEWS.
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY
IAmerican Telegraph Oice, Lincoln House Block'l
THE sICKLEs TRIAL.
NINTH DAY.
NY ,

poured in and filed up the space set apart for
the audience.
Judge Crawford took his seat at 1920, when
the Court was duly opened.
Shortly afterwards, Mr.. Sickles was con-
Quoted to his seat. He appeared to have re-
covered his wonted composure, though his
face was marked with the lines of recent sor-
row and suffering
Mr.. Carlisle proceeded to argue against the
admissability of the confession of Mrs Sickles.
The discussion continued at considerable
length, at the close of which the Court took
few minutes recess.
JUDGE cRAwFoRD's RULING.
After the recess, the Judge said that the
proposition was, to introduce statement OF
wife to her husband, for, and on behalf of her
husband. 1t is said the paper is not offered to
establish the facts contained in it, but as show
ing an exciting cause for the frenzed state OF
mind in which the homicide was committed
1 cannot see any distinction in the cases. In
either, the purpose is to acquit the husband by
evidence afforded by the testimony OF the wife
Declarations of a wife or husband, for or
against each other, stand on the same footing
as though it was testimony given on the stand.
If the wife was now in court she could not be
put on the stand, or heard. lam clearly of the
opinion that the statement is evidence. 1t
would violate well established rules to admitit.
1t would have most injurious effect on the re-
lations of husband and wife, in destroying their
confidential identity. The proposition is there
fore rejected.
Exceptions were taken by the defence.
Examination of Witnesses.
The examination of Bridget Duffy was sus-
pended, and Miss 0. NJ. Ridgeway was called
TESTIMONY OF MISS RIDGEwAY.
reside in Washington. became acquaint-
ed with Mr. and Mrs. Sickles on the lst of
January last Visited at their house frequent
ly Was at their reception every Tuesday,
and two or three times a week at dinner.
l was there on Saturday previous to the death
of Key. Sickles was at the dinner table, but
ate nothing. He went up stairs, and sent for
something to eat | suppose this was at half
past 8. L noticed change in his manners
ever since the Thursday proceeding, when he
came from the Capitol
l was at Wizards hop Mr.. Key was with
Mrs. Sickes the first part of the evening Mr..
S. came afterwards, there not having been
room in the carriage She was then with Mr..
Wikoff After we returned from the hop,
noticed change in his manners. The change
was more particularly observable on Friday.
Mr.. S. had very wild, distracted look, es
pecially on Saturday. At this stage the wit
ness suddenly stopped, and seemed to be
in the act of faintng; but a glass of
The change was noticed after he returned from
Congress. l read something in my bedroom,
and then went to Mrs. Sickles' room, where
saw her writing. After finishing, she asked
my name to the paper which signed, and re-
tired to rest at about half-post II or Il o'clock.
Mrs. Sickles passed the night in the room
l did. She sat down on the floor, leaning her
head on chair, and went to sleep. After |
dressed myself went down, Mr. Sickes did
not eat with me, but breakfasted alone. /
have not words to express his exhibition
of grief He was very much agitated
while sitting at the breakfast table l heard
sobbing He was going up stairs. could
hear him all over the house. He uttered
fearful groans. They seemed to come from
his very heart They were unearthy, and
continued for some time. He was on the bed,
with Mr. Butterworth by his side when l last
saw him, on Sunday.
Cross-eramined By Mr.. Ould.-I spent much
time at the house Of Mrs. s.. sometimes staid
over night. AT times l would be out with
her, and then go home with her and stay
over night. From Thursday before Mr.. Keys
death, till Tuesday, staid there. No one but
myself and the servants were there. Miss
Campbell came to see Mrs. S. for few min
utes. / always found Mrs. S. at home when |
went there. | have seen her four times
week; sometimes Oftener. On the occasion
referred to, l breakfasted with Mrs. Sickles's
little daughter. Mr. Sickles's sobbings were
often; he seemed overwh elmed with grief.
Bridget Duff, recalled.-After had signed
the paper on Saturday night, to the best of my
knowledge, Mr.. Sickles remained in his room;
saw him on Sunday when | went to take
Laura to dress she slept in her fathers bed !;
again saw Mr.. S. on the stairs | had pre-
viously heard him crying and sobbing l did
not see him again till after L returned from
o'clock church this was about thirty minutes
before eleven o'clock; l went up stairs, to
make up Mr.. Sickles's room, when l
saw him come in crying aloud. His hands
tearing his hair, and in a state of distraction.
He called on God to witness his troubles and
cried and sobbed; L heard the door locked
Mr.. Butterworth came up stairs and asked
where Mr.. Sickles was. The last time l saw
Mr.. Sickles before | heard of Keys DEATH was
on the stairs doing something as though he
was washing his hands. Every time l saw
him he was in the same state of mind.
Saw Key on Sunday three times. The
third and last time saw him he was coming
with lady and gentleman who seemed to be
coming from churcL. This was about one
o'clock. was at the kitchen window When
he passed the house opposite, saw him take
out handkerchief and wave it as he passed,
three or four times. He was opposite the Park,
on Ine SlueWdlh. w HHeSS, ny TequeSJJ ue-
scribed the waving of the Inadvertently A
slow rotary movement don't know exactly
where Mr.. Sickles then was, but he was in the
house, as was also Mrs. S.
Cross Examined bY Mr.. Carlisle | was in the
kitchen, sitting at the window-this was about
o'clock. Saw Mrs. Sickles once from the
time came from church till l went down into
the kitchen-saw her in the bedroom. Mr..
Key whired his handkerchief round three or
four times. | saw Mr.. Sickles' dog go over
and fawn on him and then pass the house.
Mr.. Key, when the dog fawned waived his
handkerchief and also after the dog left him.
Mr. Carlisle-You are positive of that?
spiritedly and indignanty-"Sure
and you don't think would lie." Laughter
Mr.. C. (smng fire up so, Bird
get there's no occasion for it."
Mr.. Brady (soothingly)- HE don't mean
anything of that kind.
The witness in calmer mind repeated the
story about the dog.
Mr. Carlisle-I understand the waving of
the handkerchief was one continuous act or
whirng,
Witness--It wasn't continuous whirl; it
was so describing the act).
Mr.. Carsle-About as fast as you turn the
handle of coflee.mill (Laughter.)
Mr. Phillips, Deputy Marshal = Silence
silence gentlemen in the court
Mr. Carlisle-Repeat what you have said,
witness.
have repeated it twice already and that
ought to be sufficient She then repeated the
story.
The time before that, when | saw Mr. Key,
was after had returned from church, notmuch
after eleven o'clock. was then in the nurse
nv which is in the second story navt m Pam