Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-05-04
VETERAN OFFICER OF CIVIL
STRIFE EXPIRES IN NEW
YORK, AGED SO.
ESTRANGED WIFE At BEDSIDE
DURING LAST HOUR OF LIFE
sickIes Had Thrilling Career and
Stormy Domestic Life Kills Philip
Barton Key, Whom He Accused Of
Wreckins Home-Thrice Unhappily
Wedded-Wife Comes to Aid.

A>SM VI f.-SclChdl CoihNA
Z. Sickles died in his home shortly af-
ter 9 o'clock Sunday night. His wife
General Sickles was born in New
General sickles was born in, New
York City, Oct 20, 1926 His father
being printer. it was nadAral that the
boy should learn the art of.typesettirg.
However, he was not ecntented with u
purely mechanical trade and during his
apprenticeship took up the study Of
law.
In 1914 he was admitted to the bar
and three years later after dabblinS
in local politics with some success, he
vas elected to the legislature. In 1853
he was appointed corporation counsel
OF New York and during the same year
went to London as secretary to James
Buchanan, then minister to the court
of St. James and later president of the
United States.
Upon his return to the United States
Sickles was elected to the New York
senate and later became a member Of
congress. His grandfather, whose
name originally was Van Sickle, was
a power in Tammany. The grandson
succeeded as one of the political &c
gents Of the city.
Volunteers For War.
At this time the breach between the
north and south had widened into
open warfare. Sickles had not voted
for president Lincoln, but believed in
him. Prompted by this belief. Sickles
went to Washington and offered his
services to the president They were
accepted aid, upon orders from Presi-
cent Lincoln. he returned to New York
to raise troops. Experience as an Off
Ger in the National Guard had fitted
him for this work. which he performed
with peculiar efficiency.
The beginning OF hostilities found
Sickles in New York, raising at his
own expense the Excelsior brigade OF
FIVE regiments. His men were mus
tered into service and the brigade in
Guided the first volunteer regiments
OF the war. Sichies was made colonel
OF one regiment designated as the
SEVENTEEN New York. In 1861 he was
made brisader general of volunteers,
and year later a major general Al
ter the war he retired with full hon
ors as a major general of the regular
army.
During the civil war General Sickles
began the career which since then has
kept him almost continuously in the
eye of the public. His was one of the
most prominent figures in that great
struggle and he emerged from it Sc
verely crippled.
Injured at Gettysburg.
There were two great days in those
times that General Siekles recalled with
interest. One was the second day a:
Gettysburg when a rebel shell exploded
close TO his horse and several frag-
ments OF metal struck one OF his legs.
II didn't know l had been hit,
General Sickles frequently told his
friends, until l noticed that my leg
failed to perform its regular functions
Then slid very carefully from my
saddle and was overcome with weak
ness"
Field surgeons amputated the les
/ and later members of the generals
/ command carried him nearly all the
way from Gettysburg to the nationa
capital on stretcher.
! Minister to Spain.
] In 1869 General Sickles was made
| minister to Spain, and while there III
presented the country's claims for thu
killing OF the crew of the Virginius
Irnon his return to the United State!
! in 1873 he again became involved II
New York politics. He was eiectes
sheriff Of New York county In 1880
Two years later he was returned .
congress. In the interim, however, n
had effected a reorganization OF IN
New York. Lake Erie and Western
Railroad and became president OF IN
state civil service commission.
+ Politics threw the general with
Emotley crowd of friends. He PECAN
well known in the Bowery, but IL wa
4 at the height Of his political caree
4 that he began to gain for himsef
4 newspaper flotoriety which has pursue
him ever since.
In 1852 General sickles fell in low
i with a 16-year- old Italian girl an
married her. While in England
secretary Of legation daughter wa
4 born to them. Upon their return I
this country the general was sent |
8 congress and lived with his wife an
4 daughter in Washington. HoWeves
from England there had come Phlil
Barton Key, whose uncle was Tn
4 author of 'The Star Spangled Banner.
The Sickles family had met hes
. London and he became frequent WIS.,
tor at the Washington home.
Shoots Homo Wrecker.
General Sickles' duties took him Q.
, of the capital frequently and gossi
} wrecked the home. On Feb. y, $50
as General Sickles was seated by
! front window, Key. passed the nous
The general, revolver in hand. tra
/, from the house. crossed thc stree
confronted Key and fired twice. tn
second bullet passed thru Keys hea1
and he died.
General Sickles surrendered himse
5 to the police, was indicted, and re
:, leased on bond. At the trial the ger
!. eral pleaded not guilty, and twenty
. one days later the jury acquitted mr.
with the sympathy of every nus
5 band in the country, General SicKi'
settled down to resume his duties b'
eighteen months later he lost the nj
( tons confidence when he became re'
onciled with his wife and resumed IL
I with her
r A short time later Mrs. sickles die
In the course of time the general wei
Ito Madrid, where his daughter, lit
: over Is years old, fell in love with
v young Spaniard associated with Il
"a nn,;rt ord anpo,,nccd her intention