Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-07
A FAMOUS TRAGEDY
RECALLED eY THE APPOINTMENT or
ANEW YORK DEPUTY SHERIFF.
Graham and Dan. sfcklcs's
Notable Trial.
rcorrespondsnce OF the Richmond pispa,cn.I


The appointment by General Daniel 4.
Siokles, sheriff Of New York, of John Ora
ham. the famous criminal lawyer, A. a
special deputy. has not only elected much
curiosity concerning the causes of such a
selection, but wildly recalled the circum-
stances under which the intimacy between
the two men was cemonted many years
ago. As far back as 1852 John Graham had
become distinguished at the New York
bar as one of its most powerful men,
bers-wise in counsel, eloquent IN argu-
ment, and remarkably effective before
Jury as 1.-THE leader OF a forlorn hope. "
Then a. now his individuality was unique,
and whether In court. aggrcSsively dis
putting point OF law, or in the street pur-
suing his way among the crowd, his short,
stout figure, surmounted by reddish
looking wig, the frowsy ends of when
rested nearly upon the collar OF his
coat. his strong face full Of intellec-
tuality, and general air. of abstrac-
tion made him a marked man even
in the cosmopolitan city OF New YORK.
Daniel r. Sickles az this time has
passed through the primary school OF poll
tics and won for himself reputation as n
rising young leader OF the Democratic
party. Originally printer by occupation,
BE had pursued the study of the law IN the
Office Of Hon. Benjamin +: Butler, OF MeT
York. and become prominent meinoeI VI
the New York bar. After tllng minor
offices. he was elected 10 the State Senate
and chosen corporation attorney OF the
aty.
NryrR LOST A GENUINE FRIEND.
OF fine presence and graceful manners,
ready in speech aud resoluto in bearing,
he formed strong friendships and found
warm welcome among the most famous
men Of the day. II IL said OF nm. Dah;
Sickles NAV have made many politlcai
snemv I'm, he has never lost genuine
friend II is probably this magnetic
onality that drew around him in the hour
~ the greatest misfortune or his Ire
such staunch supporters as John Ora
nam. James T. Brady Charles OConnor,
Thomas Francis Meachcr. and a host or
others who helped him emerge from the
crucible like untarnished gold. In 1893
General Sickles married. IN ,he SAM
wear. on the appointment OF Mr.. james
buchanan as Minister to the Court OF st.
lanes the latter chose him rs his secre-
tary of legation. 10 accept which position
Sickles resigned his Office of corporation
attorney of New York city. Taking his
bride 10 Europe her beauty and sprlghtly
manners proved winsome IN the several
courts which she visited, and during her
residence in London she received much
catering attention from persons whose
names are historical among the leaders OF
British aristOcracv. Returning 10 America
before the presidential election, General
Sickles actively espoused the nomination
Of Buchanan. and when his patron was
chosen President was himself elected
member Of the House OF KepIesehsta'ives'
Here he was distinguished Tor I'M
usual GOODNESS and selt-possession,
which gave him great advantage IN
debate, and that, too. IN stormy time
when there were giants among the de-
baters. No reason was apparent why ms
political career should not be upward ana
onward TO high places in the pubilc coun-
ellis. In Washington be lived IN the most
Fashionable quarter on Lafayette Square,
within stones throw of the Presidents
house. HIS Inequalities were generous
and graceful, and his receptions. DINNERS:
and halls WED in elegance with those OF
the vealthiest officials. OF these enter
tainments his wife was the soul and charm.
wE11-KSowS STORY REToLD.
Suddenly the atmosphere was clouded
NV an event that stirred the country from
centre 10 circumference. On the afternoon
Of Sunday. February ~, 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 4. Sickles. member OF Con-
vress from the Third district of New York,
The cause Of the AFFAIR being cruel inya-
non of his domestic rights. Until this dis
overy both men were friends, but when
I'm the narrowing facts were revealed
there was but one resource for an honora-
4 Die man. Meeting Key on Sixteenth street,
Mr.. Sickles exclaimed in loud voice
key, you scoundrel. You have dIshonored
my house; you must die!" Mr.. ). b. But
terworth. ON eyewitness of the affair,
states that he saw Key thrust his hand into
side pocket, take q step in the direction
of Mr.. Sickles, and simultaneously heard
the discharge of n pistol. Key then
rapidly advanced on Mr.. Sickles. seized
him bv the collar of the coat. and made
an effort 10 strike him with something
In his right hand. This proved to, be
merely au opera-glass. When he had
sickes backed into the middle of the
street and fired twice. Key fell MORALLY
wounded. and Mr.. Sickles proceeded TO
the Office OF Acknowledgement Black, where
be delivered himself into CUSTODY. Subse-
nuently, accompanied by number OF
friends, he was conveyed IN carriage 10
he Jail. While there he had many callers.
ncluding members OF the Cabinet. men,
bers of Congress, aud other official dlgni-
aries. President buchanan sent a message
II coincidence 10 him, and II was evident
i the outset that he was sustained IN the
Yet by public sentiment.
TIE KEY FAMILY HISTORY.
To those who are not familiar with the
circumstances. il NAV be stated that Key
was connected with some of the first and
oldest families Of Maryland. IL is related
y of his grandfather and grand-uncle, John
iRoss Key and Phil. Barton Key, that
huring the Revolutionary War they were
put under the control of one DR.. Scott.
The Doctor, not knowing how the struggle
was to terminate. obtained for one a
commission IN the British army, and
had influence enough to send him to tho
East Indies, while the other received
commission in the American army and
faithfully served his country until tho
close Of the war. Peace being declared,
Phil Barton, the British officer, returned
tOthe United States, commenced thestudy
OF law. and in due time became member
OF Congress, where bis brilliant talents as
az orator made hum at once conspicuous
man. The other brother, John Ross Key,
married daughter Of Governor Lloyd, OF
Virginia. and retired TO his estate, where
he lived in competency until his death.
The result of this marriage was q son,
Francis Scott Key. the author ofthe " Star
Spangled Banner" the father of Phil. Bar
ton Key, shot by Sickles. and daughter
who became the wife Of Chief-yustice
fancy, of the Supreme Court of the United
States.
OTHER DRAMATIs pEBsoSz-
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 a verdict of mot guilty." 1t
has not only passed into history as ono
OF the causes celebres." but is. distin-
guished for an array Of counsel who have
themselves become more or less histori-
cal. The public prosecutor was Robert
0uld, who during the war was the
Confederate commissioner for the, ex-
change Of prisoners. He was assisted by
J. n. Carlisle. Of Washington. General
sickles was represented by John Graham
snd James L. Brady, of New York Edwin
NJ. Stanton. subsequently L;ncoln's ia
nous Secretary Of War; Messrs. Radcliffe,
Chiffon. and Magruder, Of Washington, and
several Others, among whom was the Irish
tafrint Thomas Erancls MeaQher, after