The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-13
Interesting Argument of Counsel upon
its Admissibihty,
SPECIAL REPORT FOR THE HERALD.
&c,

WASHINGTON, April IL, 1859.
Judge Crawford ordered the passages to the court 70 be
kept clear to-day, which diminished toe crowd IN that
nuarter The appearance of Dr Pyne, popular clergy
rsn OF this place on the stand produced considerable
Effect.
Che great event of the sitting was the evidence oil
Robert J. Walker, which was graphic and Impressive
s portrayal Of the grief of the prisoner as he behed ~
after killing Key was vivid to move the whole
Court 10 the midstof Mr. Stanton asked permission Of
The Court for the prisoner retire for moment wnen
Mr. scsles was removed with the aid OF several freads
Hs emotin appeared uncomfortable, aud he wep, aud
robbed though his heart was breaking. II was
spectacle could resist The Judge bent his head
jury for the most part affected to tears an The
audience was similarly moved To see proud man
ike prisoner completely evtrpoweret by his feelings
the point OF swooning In presen Of the bar AID
the public such irresistible proof Of what ne bad
suffer ed as 10 subdue the soaest heart present Many
who condemned what seemed aci OF vengeance
the part of Mr. sickles satisfied to-day had
been hurried away by despair bordering madness.
The cross OF Mr. Walker by the prosecution
After this touching ncden. seemed 70 offend Toe jury.
The sight Of Ms Sickles nurse on the stand naie
Sensation She the FIRST woman who has appeared there
daring the trial. She respectable locking person,
manifested much sensib;y. She gave evidence
very distinctly
when the confession Of Mrs Sckles produced there
a movement Of intense curiosity II twas handed TO
the Court read after prosecution objected 10 it, Tue
Jsdge betrayed mach emotion he per.sed it, lie knit
hts brows gave other indications Of deep dissatsi&c
zion. The prosecution hated the confession might
be This has the most exciting day Of the trial
THE PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT
wAsH,SeFoS, April ~ 1869.
Judge Crawford or the bench at 1920
Mr. sicsles brought In aud placed ia the deck
knnsediateiy after.
The Rev. Dr. Payne pastor oftne Episcopal church
lafayette square, occupied seat among the prisonsrn
reunsel and Rev Mr. haley also occupied tbs
prisoner. hr Woodbridge who has figured conspicu
casiy in the case occupied eeat next to Mr.. scesa
sher. He is tail, powerful bGlt man OF thirty fve
years Of age He os. the Of his lower imbs by
cdent, and has consequently to crutcbss He
a thick mustache, but wh,skers, and Il q resogte
locking man.
EVIDENCE OF JOHN j. M'ELHoEE.
John J. EcEthoEe the first witness called fer the
defence, snd was examined oy Mr.. Brady.
WnDess-Resdes in Philadelphia is one Of the port
eYs Congressional Globe has NJ sickes
three years has known MfD Sicsies than "
visited Mr. sckies frequently, and terms ofgtsi i'd
shp with him. witness is not married. mas mol been at the
receptions given by Mira sCkles; they occurred dur
knew Mr. Key very well; has known him for seven or
Iigb, years bad frequent opportunities Of knowing the
relations that existed between Inn add Mr.. Siekles
Q-whst they tObec;ed TO- Qaeston rnsdi.
ned Wnai acts or facts do you know on the art CT SIR
Stckies towards Mr. Key showing friendly daposSon
towards himf
wi,ncss--when saw them together they always held
the language sod appearance Of good
tiends; Mr. Key frequently esgs1sed MS friendship for
pace bat from all from thy acquaintance with
both Of them, concluded my mni that they
o@Do you recolec. ride which took place to the Falls
Of the PotomacY
Wuness-l do
Q.-Nhen thar
Wipess-some time during the cpriug or somraor Of
o-who we're the pa1,iesY
waness-hrs. sckes, Air. Key Er. Haskin and my
Q-where was Mr.. sckles at that t!c1eP
Wiiness-I ana not certain whether IN Washington or
New York.
Q--Nhep did you last zee Mr.. EeyP
Wtness-Esh or ton days before the afcay took place.
Q-Do you remember hop at Wlard's2
waness-Yes, tbink it was the rhoTadsy preceding
She decease of Mr.. Key; saw Mrs Sckeg there and NJ
Key.
Q-wss he in her society at any tmes OBJECTED to,
And waived for the prese2s
EVIDENCE CONAN D. HOOVER.
Jonah .. Hoover neg. examined by Mr.. Brady
Resides in Washington, and was formerly United states
Marshal; M. Key any mos, intimate and cherished
friend for ten years more; first became nequantei
with Mr.. Sckes tune aor the Inauguration Of Pre-
edent Perce became intimate with him; have known
Mr. sickes and wife for four years. in March, 1851 Mr.
and Mrs Slckles stopped witness hoase two three
weeks az guests.
o-Do you know who introduced Mr.. Key 90 Me-.
EacklesY
witnessI thinkIdd either at Wizards or at my own
house; the relations which existed between Mr.. Key and
1ir sckes relations Of friendship; Mr. srkles
The friend Of Mr. Key Cor reappoip.neut to his Office y.
tss TINE Mir. Buchanan came into power.
Q-Dtd you KNOW at. The time 4 occurred OF cor
ree pondence oa.Teeu Mr.. Key AMI Mr. 5icslcs
NaaeEs-i was priyy 10 IT, and TO everything relaxing
10 n--everythDg
Q,--Beiug at mat tine freud Of both partiess
O. What was the date of that correspoudsacep
Whusess--The 26tb Of March, 1858.
o. After correspondence ala you have conversation
with M hsy Concerning the letter received by him from
Mr.. Sic SlssS
obisceo TO- aud question argued on both siaescounss
or defeu stating That tney had notice to the pro
eoGiiop produce that letter. aud that lacy intend
Vi 10 kiye parole evidence OF ITS contents.
Mr. Carele stated the prosecution knew n,thnz of the
et,er 9. ferre TO.
Mr. 4 ady argued as 70 the aduissbasy Of tie eyl.
The JS e had no doubt that the letter Itself was evil
ence did not hns the evidence had gone far enough
o be sbe n give parole evidence Of tue conteuts.
H Clrst stated that be should luirc tho fofenes
% axe op 10 sending for tue administrator 0! Mr. Key
~ asg about tins letter.
o~hat 90 ktr. Key say on the subject Of that letter.
naft-l oote the correspondence referred 20 yee.ef
gay tcoompsniee ny note from Mr. Key TO Mr. ScsIes
tef@Ios hr hey told me tia. he mad received n0ts
from AT he&ies telling Dn that 90 far as that affair was
Cohcerpe, -e wac psrecty sitslSd and that he hopeI
their 'e'ssohH ~oald eentiaHe provlouely
Q.--Do you remember Wednesday tbe o5 os Fcbruarv1
Wltncss--I do.
o~-wss ~ Key at your housc on that days
vii uess--Hr WAS
o-who CAM with himY
Wituess--lIe br pught with him LAURA thu da,h,, n
rr scles he cam,s TO tue door between Ii and IS cn
nd loft the child aud went away; back Is se 49,
oy three hours af,e wards W inquire for tho rbT ~
@, zee hm again that ds7i saw BIN day before
j. DEATH near ~ o'clock
When ne came O1 Wea. '"susy di he epeak b youp
Witness--Yos; met MIN at 'ae door and coavorsgd
IT'D HIM.
Cross examined by Hr. Carlisle. -,
2 past wiDter2 s...,
witusss-I ~as frequently at hs "use as was at
e hoafe 81 any other friend; frequently ~V' hf' h'y
arc.