Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-02
Our New Minister TO OSpain-DanieI Il.
sfckIes..

From the New York World,]
The appointment by President Grant
of Daniel E. Sickles as Minister to Spain,
vice John P. Hale, resigned, has occa-
stoned so much comment that we print
below sketch of certain portions Of his
career that have from time to time been
brought to public notice.
Daniel E. Sickies was born in this city
in October, 1921. When he was old
enough to be put to some useful employ.
ment he was taught the printers trade,
which he followed for several years. AS
he emerged from boyhood he took part in
ward politics, and soon became notorious
in all the mysteries of ballot-box stuffing,
running primaries, and manipulating
voters at the polls. His manner of life
brought him into several damaging
scrapes. In 1887 he was indicted in the
Court of Sessions in this city on charge
OF false pretences, bat, the matter was
hushed up, through political influence.
A few years later he was arraigned before
the same court and compelled to pay over
certain Incorporated funds to one
Moore, who appeared as plaintiff In
December, 1916, he was indicted by the
Grand Jury on charge of grand larceny.
The offense charged against him was that
he had taken a mortgage, entrusted to
his care in his fathers Office for delivery
to Kemble & Co., and sold it, appropri-
ating the money to his own use. He was
tried for the ofiense, and acquitted on the
plea of the statute of limitations.
In the meantime, Sickles had studied
law, and had received admission to the
bar in lS43. His activity in local poll
tics was rewarded by nomination for
the State Assembly, in lS47, and this was
followed by his election. At this time
he was living with Fanny White, the
keeper of notorious house of prostitu-
ton in Mercer street, and it was the cur
rent belief that she supported him with
the wages of her shame. A curious in
cident took place which brought his name
before the public in no enviable light
There was a milk bill due at the bagnio
of Fanny White, and early one morning,
when the milkman called for the pay
ment, Sickles mistress took the money
from his pocket and gave it to a servant
girl to settle the claim. The money
proved to be counterfeit, and the servant
was arrested, and on the trial all the facts
came out.
During the session of the Legislature,
Sickles took Fanny Wkite to Albany and
introduced her in the Assembly Cham
Der. This scsndslous conduct created
great deal of indignation, and the House
by a vote passed censure upon the act.
In 1852 there was bitter fight in this
city over the Office Of Corporation Coun-
sell, Robert ]. Dillon and Nelson ]. Wat
erbury being the opposing candidates.
The friends of Waterbury prepared cir.
cular addressed to voters, which was en-
closed with ballot in On envelope, and
taken to the Broadway postoiiice for de-
livery. Sickles belonged 10 the opposing
faction, and when he got wind Of this,
gathered his roughs about him, and with
several carriages drove TO the postoffice.
He charged the building, captured it and
tearing open the mail bags, carried of
the obnoxious DOCUMENTS. He was ar
rested upon the charge Of robbing the
mails, bnt, &C usual, the matter vas
hushed ap aud never came to trial.
In 1855 Sickles was elected TO the State
Senate. He took a conspicuous part IN
that body in lighting the Albany Bridge
bill, and also in defending the Trinity
Church corporation in the contest over
their property. The statement has been
made that he received $4,000 in each Of
these cases for his influence. At any rate
he was living the following year at the
rate Of $4,000 per annum, which was q