The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-10-01
Story of Dan SiCkles' Invaded Home,
and How He Slew the Man
Who Had DespoiIed 1t.
NO CRIME TO KILL
For Wife's Honor, Decided the Jury-No Shame
to Forgive Wife's Sin, Decided the Gem
eral-And He Stuck to It.

( time it is expected that the bridegroom
/ viii be promoted in the diplomatic ser
/ vice He may be appointed secretary OF
the embassy at Washington
| It is impossible to refer to an event
which 50 closely concerns General Sick
les without recallfrglthe memorable tria
in which he was the chief actor.
| That trial established for Americans the
rule that ahusband VINO kills the de-
stroyer Of MS domestic happiness Will not
be convicted of murder.
General Sickles went further and estab-
lished for himself the rule that q husband
may forgive an erring wife without dis
! honor.
It was on Sunday, Feb. 27, 1859, that Dan
lei z. Sickles shot Philip Barton Key
dead in a Washington street.
Sickles, whose carer began IN New
York, was already a lawyer and politi-
clan of note In 1853 he had married Miss
Teresa Bagion, daughter of an italian
musician living in New York She was
II years old, beautiful, with the grace and
fire Of the Latin races in her figure and
in hernature.
When Buchanan was appointed minister
to England he took with him as secretary
of legation, Sickles. VINO resigned the Of
fee Of Corporation Attorney of New
York City. He took his bride with him,
and she was the admiration of the Eng
lsh, Russian and French courts Her res
idence in London was an uninterrupted
social triumph. She received the most
fiattering attentions from Lady Palmerston
Lady Clarendon and other persons not
only aristocratic, but famous.
When Mr.. Sickles returned TO America
he was elected member Of Congress-. He
went to live in Washington His house
was in Lafayette square, then the center
of fashion. His hospitality was gener-
Gus. His wife added charm to it.
In Washington the betrayer entered the
Sickle home His name was Philip Bar
ton Key, a name famous and honored in
the land. for this ones father, Francis
Scott Key, composed THE Star-Spangled
Banner
Philip Barton Key was District Attor-
ney for the District of Columbia He was
a brilliant ornament OF Washington So
ciety. Physically he was tall, well-made
and handsome. In old-fashioned parlance,
they called him "a great ladies' man"
1t is a mild expression. He boosted that
TO woman coul dresist him for more than
twenty-four hours.
Mrs. Sickles did not resist him long
She was the most tempting bait in sight
for this bird OF prey. He was much older
than Sickles-almost old enough to BIT Mrs
SickIes father The fact caused him no
shame
The sinners were audaciously indiscreet
Their meetings became the talk of Wash
ington. On February "a, Mr.. Sickles had
a dinner party at his house, after which
he and his guests went to a dance at
Wizards Hotel. AS he was going out he
received a letter which he thrust unopened
into his pocket.
On his return home he read the let
ter 1t was anonymous. and revealed to
him the relations Of his wife and Key
1t specified their meeting place a house
in Fifteenth street, between X and I.
streets, leased from negro.
The husband sent an intimate friend to
watch the house He returned to confirm
the allegations. Mr.. SickleS accused his
wife, and she at once confessed every
thing. She made long written statement
in which she confessed without reserve all
that had happened between herself and
Key.
This confession Mr. Sickles lsid before
his friend. Mr.. Butterworth. and asked
his advice AS they were talking another
friend rushed into the room and announc-
ed that Key was at the moment making
signals with a handkerchief towards the
house.
If you are sure that this is a common
knowledge. there is but one course left
for you. You need no advice"
According 10 the subsequent testimony
OF Buterworth, he then left the house
on the street he met Key. whom he
greeted. He turned to leave him and
saw Mr.. Siclles coming from the house
Mr.. Butterworth then heard Mr.. Sickles
exclaim in a loud voice:
Key. You scoundrel, you have dishon-
ored my house. You must die!'
Key attempted 10 hold Sickles, who
freed himself and drew a pistol. As Key
was backing away Sickles shot at him.
Altogether he fired three times. wounding
Key twice The wounds were mortal
Mrs. Siobles regarded her husbands &C
ton as the only one that he could take.
In letters TO him she expressed the deep
est admiration for him and contrition for
her sin. He treated her gently, but took
away her welding ring and wedding pres
EMS. In response 70 a heartrendering ap-
peal he returned tue wedding ring, but
il was broken.
In jail Mr.. Sickles received the visits
of members of the Cabinet and eminent