Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-02

remarkable change for one who had been
comparatively poor but a short time
since.
His Senatorial career was cut short by
his nomination by the President as Secre.
tary of Legation to London. 1t is under
stood that Mr.. Buchanan, then Minister
to England, solicited this appointment,
and it was made against the protest OF
Mr.. Marcy, the Secretary of State, who,
as an old New Yorker, had had occasion
to know great deal about the appointee
The new Secretary of Legation carried
his characteristic feelings with him to
England, much to the annoyance of his
chief. He borrowed money freely, and
in return gave drafts on the United
States Treasury. The Secretary of the
Treasury at the time, Mr.. Guthrie, re-
fused to honor these drafts; and when al
last Mr.. Buchanan was obliged to send
Sickles home, the disappointed creditors,
among whom were some lordlings and
men Of fashion, followed him, and in
vain importuned him for payment.
Upon reaching New York from his
foreign exploits, Sickles again plunged
into politics. He procured the nomina-
ton and election to Congress from one Of
the lower districts of this city. His op-
ponent contested the seat, and it was
charged in the public prints that Sickles
imported voters from Brooklyn, and afii.
davits to that effect were printed. dc
was distinguished for nothing during Lis
| first term, save the expression of ultra
pro.Southern and pro. slavery sentiments
all of which he repudiated, when the war
opened better chance in another direc-
ton. He was reelected to Congress in
1853, and it was during the latter part oi
this term that he became an actor in the
most terrible and disgusting tragedy that
has stained the annals of the national
capital.
The circumstances of this affair, as ap.
peared upon the trial, were these: Mrs.
Sickles, who was the daughter of q
woman with whom it was alleged Sickles
had once maintained criminal connec'
ton, resided with her husband in Wash
ington. There, through an introduction
by her husband, she became acquainted
with Philip Barton Key, gentleman OF
culture and address, who became a fire.
quent visitor to Sickles' house, and the
acquaintanceship with Mrs. Sickles even-
tually ripened into criminality. 1t is
said that Sickles knew or suspected OF
this intimacy. At any rate, it was the
common talk in the city long before he
took measures to avenge his dishonored
bed" An anonymous note addressed
to him, with details of Mrs. Sickles'
crime, reused him to action. 1t
appears that eighteen hours after
the receipt of this note, and when, as the
prosecution afterwards contended. he
had had ample time to cool of from the
first effects of the dreadful disclosure, he
sailed out with friend, and finding
Key at the corner of Llyfayette place,
near the Club House, slaughtered him
where he stood. This was on Sabbath
afternoon, as Key was on his way home
from church. Sickles shot him with a
revolver in the groin. The wounded
man took refuge behind tree, crying
out. "Don't shoot me" Don't muir
der me-" Sickles followed him up, and
shot him again. He fell'to the sidewalk,
and for moment rested his head upon
his arm. Sickles then stood over him
and shot him in the breast. Just then
Butterworth came up, and touching
Sickles on the shoulder, advised him to
desist. Sicklss took his friends arm,
and the twain walked away. The muir
derer exhibited the utmost GOODNESS
durisg the entire affair. Key never
spoke after the third shot. he was taken
-. A. Nt,h Housa and avnirod in n
few moments.
The murder took place February %,
1859, and the trial came off in the fol-
lowing April-just ten years ago. 1t
lasted from the 4th to the 26th, and ere
ated great excitement both in Washing
ton and throughout the country. A
great array Of counsel appeared for the
defendant. Among them were Edwin
NJ. Stanton, James T. Brady, John
Graham, Reverdy Johnson, Thomas
Francis Meaher, and Colonel Phillips, Of
Alabama. The Hon. Robert 0uld, now
of Richmond, Virginia, conducted the
prosecution, assisted by Mr.. Carlisle.
Towards the close of the trial Mr.. Ould
eudeavored to introduce testimony as to
Siekles' previous bad character, but it
was overruled. The sympathy Of the
Jury was evidently with Sickles from the
outset. The court room was crowded
with his New York friends, who made
boisterous demonstrations in his favor,
and the rulings Of the judge were nearly
always in his favor. Brady and Stanton
made elaborate arguments for the de-
fsnse, and when the jury rendered an &C.
quittsl, q scene followed rarely witnessed
10 courthouse. The people went wild
with cheers, one Of the counsel kissed the
liberated man, and another sat dowa and
wept Sickles was carried in triumph
to bis home, and band of music in the
evening sereHaded his counsel, and
would have serensded him but for the
good sense Of Mr.. Brady, who made them
a speech, and begged them to 90 hcme.
Letters Of congratulation poured IN
upon Sickles from sll parts Of the ooun-
try. he informed bis friends that be
would immeiiately procure q divorce
from bis wife, ana after providing for her
deoently, cast her from his mind forever.
But not long after, when he returned to
New York, to the sstonishment Of the
world, he took bis wife back to live with
him. This extraordinary conduct swept
f-.n,l f~or. L.. nsIn Mnu mhn