The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-07
SICKLES AND GRAHAM.
RESULTS OF THE FRIENDSHIP OF
A LIFELINE.
A Famous Criminal Lawyer Who Has
Become a Special Deputy sheriff
Stirring Events Recalled by BIS APP
potntment

SURFING Events hecz4leO Oy MS Ap-
pointment.
CCopwIghtl
NEW York, Sept. 6.-The appointment
by Gen. Daniel Z. Sickles. sheriff Of New
York, of John Graham, the famous GRIM
inal lawyer, as a special deputy, has not
only elected much curiosity concerning the
causes Of such selection, but wildly re-
called the circumstances under which the
intimacy between the two men was ce-
mented many years ago.
As far back as 1852, John Graham had
become distinguished at the New York bar
as one Of its most powerful MEMBERSHIPS
in counsel, eloquent in argument and re-
markably effective before Jury as THE
leader Of forlorn hope" Then as now, his
individuality was unique, and whether IN
court, aggressively dlsputlng point OF law,
or in the street, pursuing his way among
the crowd, his short, stout figure, sur
mounted by a reddish looking wig, the
frowsy ends Of which rested nearly upon
the collar Of his coat, his strong face full
of intellectually and a general air of alb
straction made him marked man even IN
the cosmopoltal city of New York.
Daniel +. Sickles at this time had passed
through the primary school Of politics and
won for himself a reputation as a rising
young leader of the Democratic party.
Originally printer by occupation, he had
pursued the study Of the law III the office OF
Hon Benjamin f. Butler of New York and
become "A prominent member of the
New York bsr After filling minor offices
he was elected 10 the state Senate
and chosen corporation attorney of the
city. OF fine presence aud graceful
manners, ready IN speech and resolUte in
bearing be formed strong friendships and
fhsa a1gf
famous men of the day. 1t is said of hun:
Dan Sickles may have made many a
political enemy. but he has never lost e
genuine friend 1t is probably this mag
netic quality that drew around him in the
hour of the greatest misfortune Of his life
such staunch supporters as John Graham,
James I. Brady, Charles OConner. Thomas
Francis Meagher and a host of others who
helped him emerge from the crucible like
untarnished gold.
In 1858 Gen. Sickles married. In the
came year, on the appointment of James
Buchanan as minister to the Court of st.
James, the latter chose him as his secretary
of legation, TO accept which Slckles resigned
his Office of corporation attorney of New
York city. Taking his bride to Europe,
her beauty and sprightly manners proved
winsome in the several courts which she
visited, and during her residence in Lon
don she received much fiaUtering attention
from persons whose names are historical
among the leaders of British sristocracy.
Returning to America before the presi-
Dental election, Gel. Sickles actively
espoused the nomination of Buchanan, and
when his patron was chosen President was
himself elected member of the House of
Representatives. Here hewas disting uished
for unusual GOODNESS and self-pJssession,
which gave hin great advantage in debate,
and that, too, in strong time
when there were giants among the
debaters. No reason was apparent why
his political career should not be up
ward and onward to high places in the pub
lie councils. In Washington he lived in the
most fashionable quarter on Lafayette
square, within a stones throw of the Presi-
dents house. His inequalities were gener-
Gus ard graceful. and his receptions, dinners
and balls WED in elegance with those of the
wealthiest officials. or these entertainments
his wife was the soul and charm.
Suddenly the atmosphere was clouded by
an event that stirred the country from con-
ter to circumference. On the afternoon of
Sunday, Feb. 81, 1859, the news was flashed
through the city Of Washington that Philip
Barton Key. Esq, United States district
attorney, had been shot by Hon. Daniel E.
Sickles, member of congress from the Third
district of New York, the cause of the
affair being cruel invasion of his
men were friends, but when all the harrow
ing facts We're revealed there was but one
resource for an honorable man. Meeting
Key on Sixteenth street Mr.. Sickles ex-
claimed in a loud voice: key, you
scoundrel, you have dishonored my house;
you must dieln
Mr. S. b. Butterworth, an eve witness of
the affair, states that he saw Key thrust
his hand into side-pocket, take a step in
the direction of MIR. Sickles, and simulta-
neously heard the discharge of pistol
Key then rapidly advanced on Mr.. Sickles,
seized him by the collar of the coat and
made an effort to strike him with some
thing in his right hand. This proved to be
merely an opera glass When he had ex-
Sickles backed into the middle Of the
street and fred twice. Key fell
mortally wounded, and Mr.. Sickles pro-
ceeded 10 the office of Attorney General
Black, where he delivered himself into
custody. subsequently. accompanied by a
number of friends, he was conveyed in a
carriage to the jail While there he had
many callers, including members of the
cabinet. members Of congress and other
official dignitarIes. President Buchanan
sent message of coincidence to him, and it
WAS evident at the outset that he was sus-
tanned in the act by public sentiment.
To those who are not familiar with the
circumstances, IL may De stated that Key
was connected with some of the first and
Oldest families of Maryland. 1t is related
of his grandfather and grand-uncle, John
Ross Key and Phil Barton Key, that dur
ing the revolutionary war they were put
under the control Of one DIR. Scott The
doctor, not knowing how the struggle
was to terminate, obtained for one a COM
mission in the British army, and had in
fiueuce enough to send him to the East
1udies, while the other received O commits
sion In the American army. and faithfully
served his country until the close of the
war. Peace being declared, Phil Barton,
the British officer, returned to the United
States, commenced the study of law and in
due time became a member of congress,
where his brilliant talents as an orator
made him at once conspicuous
man. The other brother, John Ross Key,
married daughter of Gov Lloyd of Vir-
ginia and retired to his estate where he
lived in competency until his death The
result Of this marriage was a son-Francis
Scott Key, the author of the Star Spangled
Banner, y the father of Phil Barton Kew,
shot by Sickles, and a daughter who be-
came the wife of Chief Justice fancy of the
supreme court of the Unsted States.
The trial was begun on the 4th Of the
ensuing April before the criminal court of
Washington, Judge Crawford presiding.
and continued twenty-Six days, when the
jury after celebrating for seventy minutes
brought in verdict of mot guilty" 1t