The Congressman Who Killed a Man Across From the White House and Got Away with it, Part Two: Murder in Lafayette Square

Aug 04, 2023

Here is the second installment of my telling of the story of America’s incredible scoundrel, Congressman and later General, Dan Sickles.

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Within a year of his assignment in Europe, Sickles returned to the United States to help his friend James Buchanan win the Democratic Party nomination. He also desired to return to his lucrative post in New York. In the spring of 1856 Sickles began to work on Buchanan’s nomination for the Presidency and while doing so began his own campaign for New York’s Third District’s Congressional seat. Buchanan won the nomination and then the election of 1856 against an opposition divided between the Know Nothing candidacy of former President Millard Fillmore and the candidate of the new Republican Party, John C. Fremont.

Sickles carried the district easily in the election. For Sickles it was a triumph, he was “riding a flood tide of political fortune that might carry him far”.[1] Like any wife, Teresa too was delighted with the result of Dan’s election. Even so, Teresa must have wondered if her husband would mend his ways now that he was in the national spotlight, or if he would continue his extramarital romps around the nation’s Capitol. Following his election, the couple moved to Washington D.C., where they took up a fashionable residence, the Stockton Mansion, on Lafayette Square, near the White House and Sickle's friend, James Buchanan, the new President.

Once he was established in Washington Sickles was in his element, politics at its grandest. It was a different style than of politics than Tammany, where brass knuckled force often ruled, but it suited Sickles, who was “a fixer who knew all the tricks of Tammany at its crookedest but who seems not to have taken graft himself. He had his sights fixed on the presidency, and he was making about as much progress in that direction as a Tammany man can,” [2] until a strange combination of unrequited love, infidelity, the personal betrayal of a friend, and a murder intervened.

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While her husband politicked along the Potomac, the new congressman’s wife was adapting to her life in Washington D.C. The wives were expected to entertain and host parties on a regular basis at their residences, but they also knew their share of loneliness and neglect. Since legislators routinely were “busy with night sessions, committee meetings, and plain nocturnal politicking over whiskey punch, that their wives either accepted other escorts or spent lonely evenings at home with fancywork or a book.” thus it was not surprising that Teresa, “should seek the gayety of the capital in her first year there.” [3] In the absence of their husbands it “was not uncommon for available bachelors to act as escorts for married women when their husbands were unavailable.” [4] Since Dan Sickles was frequently unavailable and since Teresa probably still suspected that Dan was still engaged in extramarital affairs, it is not surprising that the young Mediterranean beauty found comfort in another man.

The years 1857 and 1858 would be a tumultuous time for the nation as well as the Sickles. Buchanan had been elected because of his stability and moderation in an age of pro and anti-slavery radicalism. However, over the next year his presidency, and his would be overwhelmed by events and Buchanan’s decisions supporting the expansion of slavery. While Sickles was neither a slave owner, nor himself fond of the institution, it was part of life, and many of his friends in Washington D.C. and in Congress were slaveholders. Buchanan had schemed before his inauguration with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger Taney in the Dred Scott decision, which was handed down in the days following Buchanan’s inauguration. Fred Scott was followed by the fiasco over the Lecompton constitution and the attempted admission of Kansas as a Slave State. Lecompton split the Democratic party in the 1860 election, ensuring Abraham Lincoln’s defeat of Buchanan’s Lecompton foe in the Se,nate, Senator Stephen A. Douglas who would have been the prohibitive favorite in the election had the split not occurred.

Likewise, Sickles and his beautiful young wife would become part of one of the most sensational trials of American history, rivaling the Lindbergh kidnapping trial, the trial of O.J. Simpson, the Scopes Monkey Trial, and the Impeachment of President Bill Clinton in its captivation of America. As in London, Teresa became popular and she and Dan were much sought after their home “became the scene of a gradual number of entertainments.” [5] As Sickles continued his robust politicking and philandering Teresa became the object of another’s affection, the District of Attorney for the District of Columbia, Philip Barton Key, the son of Francis Scott Key, the writer of the Star Spangled Banner, a recent widower and eligible bachelor. Interestingly enough it was Sickles who had helped the troubled man to be reappointed to his office in early 1857 after Key had helped Sickles overcome legal and financial difficulties to allow the Sickles to rent the Stockton Mansion and the two men developed a warm friendship.

Philip Key was extraordinarily handsome, especially when outfitted in his green and gold militia uniform of the Montgomery Guards, and was considered one of the most desirable men in Washington. He was an accomplished horseman who rode about town on his “horse Lucifer – a nobly bred, dapple gray hunter.” [6] When he gained Sickles’ friendship many of his well-to-do political and society friends became frequent visitors to the Sickles household.

During his first term in office, Key was not known for being a particularly good District Attorney and spent much time away from the office complaining about his allegedly poor health. But his health did not keep him away from Washington’s party scene and “One hostess called him “the handsomest man in all Washington… he was a prominent figure at all the principle functions; a graceful dancer, her was a favorite of every hostess of the day.” [7] When he met Teresa, the dashing bachelor took an intense interest in the wife of the man who had helped him retain his job. The two attended many functions together that Sickles, due to his work schedule could seldom attend.

Within weeks Key became a frequent guest at the Sickles home and few were surprised at this, as most observers knew that Sickles was responsible for Key’s reappointment. With Sickles now fully engaged in the dramatic political battles of late 1857, Teresa and Key began to spend much more time together. The two were seen together at the “theater, at teas, at hops. But most of all they went riding together.” [8] The frequency of these visits was noted and became the source of much gossip. Still, Sickles was unaware of it and entertained no suspicions that his new friend was becoming deeply involved with his wife and that Key had rented a room where the two could be intimate.

That was until a young man equally smitten by Teresa had a few drinks with a colleague and the colleague shared the information with a loyal Sickles ally who then told Sickles. Sickles was shocked and called for a meeting with Key; however; after a brief conversation, Key convinced Sickles that there was nothing to the rumors, and Sickles was satisfied.

Though Sickles had been satisfied by the explanation, and “despite his own well-publicized moral lapses, Daniel Sickles was a man of intense personal pride who would not countenance the breath of scandal attaching to his wife.” [9] He took the time to warn her to make sure that she was not involved in any other indiscretions, and left the subject. However, Key and Teresa continued to see each other, and “she and Barton thought that they were taking more care, and being less observed by people than they were.” [10] Yet as they pursued one another their affair became increasingly public, and seen by too many people not to go unnoticed. The two were seen together in at the Congressional Cemetery, and frequently at a house at “385 15th Street where he would enter the by the front door – and she the back.” [11] When a mutual friend expressed his concerns, Key shrugged off the warning, and “with the bravado of a proud weakling, he still held his course. And Teresa, ductile, enamored, blindly followed his lead.” [12] Another friend of Key suggested to him that he could be in danger, but Key “bridled and patted the breast of his coat. “I am prepared for any emergency,” he snapped. Since Key was a crack pistol shot his friend believed that Key was preparing for a possible confrontation. [13]

The House on 15th Street

Like so many young spouses who find their needs unfulfilled at home, and who suspect their husband or wife of infidelity, “Teresa did not see this love affair as tragic and dangerous. She lived within it as a secret fantasy, as in a virtual and time-consuming experience that lacked any power to inflict damage on other areas of her life.” [14] She became less discreet, Key would signal to her from across the street to confirm their dalliances and despite their insipidly inept attempt to hide the affair, it became clear to Sickles’ coachman and household maids that the two were engaged in sexual encounters in the Sickles carriage and in the Stockton Mansion itself.

The situation finally came to a head in February 1859 following Sickles reelection and return to Washington. “Made more reckless than ever by their recent separation, Barton and Teresa now again were seen everywhere together.” [15] The couple was now making clandestine liaisons on a nearly daily basis, and eventually, one of the observers decided to tell Sickles. The anonymous source, using the initials of R.P.G. sent Sickles a letter detailing the affair. Sickles received the letter from a butler on the night of Thursday, February 24th, as he was leaving the usual dinner party at his house for the traditional hop that followed at the Willard Hotel.

Sickles did not read the letter until after the couple returned home and Teresa had gone to bed. Sickles was stunned and at first, did not believe the contents as he placed little stock in anonymous messages. So he had George Wooldridge, a longtime friend and congressional clerk investigate, and on Saturday, February 26th Wooldridge confirmed Sickles's worst fears. That evening at their home Sickles confronted Teresa about the letter and as he stormed about angrily in their bedroom she confessed, after which Sickles had her write out her confession, detailing everything. He may have been desolate and angry, but he was a lawyer, and he got his written proof.

But scandal was the last thing that Sickles wanted, as he had higher aspirations in politics, so he immediately called his friends for counsel and by Sunday morning several, including Wooldridge and Samuel Butterworth were at the Stockton Mansion with Sickles. As always, Sickles’ “first thoughts were for himself, and he melodramatically” [6] exclaimed to Butterworth, “I am a dishonored and ruined man…I cannot look you in the face.” [17]

His friends “were profoundly touched by the depth of his feeling, and were convinced that he needed to be saved from a severe derangement of his senses; from lunacy, that is.” [18] his friend's attempts to calm him, Sickles was beside himself with anger, and his anger now swirled around his marriage and what he believed was the scandal that would cost him his career. That afternoon, Key again tempted fate, this time, for the last time. He had been tipped off by an anonymous letter that the affair was public, but he was determined to see Teresa. He made several passes by the house, each time signaling with a handkerchief, until Sickles observed him. Sickles called out to Butterworth “That villain has just passed my house! My God, this is horrible!” [19]

Butterworth left the house first and met Key at the southeast corner of Lafayette Square across from the White House. Butterworth allegedly did not know that Sickles intended any harm, and walked with Key to for a few minutes and then left. The exchange delayed Key and gave Sickles, who had armed himself with a single-shot large caliber Derringer, and a muzzle-loading Colt revolver, enough time to catch up with Key near the Club House on Madison on the east side of the square, where the Treasury Annex now stands. Sickles was raving and his “fury transcended reality.” [20] At least a dozen witnesses were nearby as he screamed, “Key, you scoundrel, … you have dishonored my bed – and you must die!” [21] Sickles pulled out the revolver and fired. The first shot grazed Key, and the second misfired. A brief scuffle ensued as Key lunged at his assailant, but Sickles flung him to the ground and drew the Derringer as Key threw the opera glasses from which he viewed Teresa at Dan. The shot from the Derringer hit Key in the groin and he slumped to the ground screaming “Murder! Murder!… Don’t shoot!” [22]

If there was a chance for Sickles to prove that he acted in self-defense it was now, but he could not control himself. He fired the revolver yet again and it misfired. He placed the weapon back in his pocket drew out the Derringer, and shot Key in the Liver. As Key writhed on the pavement Sickles tossed the Derringer to the ground and again drew the Colt. As the stunned witnesses looked on, Sickles advanced toward the fallen Key, placed the gun at his head, and pulled the trigger, but again the weapon misfired. As Sickles attempted to place another cap in the pistol, a number of witnesses began to intervene. One man, “a member of the club, running up, stopped him. Mr. Sickles – for God’s sake!” And Butterworth, coming forward, took Dan by the arm. Without a word, they walked away together.” [23] Witnesses took the mortally wounded Key away to the Club, where he expired.

President Buchanan was almost immediately told of the murder by White House clerk J.H.W. Bonitz. Bonitz witnessed the crime and tried to help the wounded Key. As soon as he saw that both the victim and perpetrator were prominent Democrats and allies of the president, Bonitz ran across Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House where he breathlessly told the President what happened. Buchanan coldly calculated the implications for him and Sickles. Not knowing how many people had witnessed the killing, he moved to obstruct justice he lied to Bonitiz “telling him that as a material witness, he could be held in custody until the trial. That was patently untrue, but Buchanan knew that any testimony the clerk might give would go badly for his protégé.” [24] Buchanan told Bonitiz to leave town and lay low, giving him a sum of money and a keepsake to facilitate his departure.

Soon after Sickles and Butterworth went by carriage “to the home of Attorney General Black, where the Congressman formally surrendered himself to the silver-haired Cabinet member who had regarded him as a protégé.” [25] He declined bail in favor of a speedy trial, was allowed to go home where he told Teresa that he had killed her lover, retrieved some personal items, and then went to the District jail, “a foul hole, swarming with vermin, destitute of sewage, bath, water, ventilation, and so inadequate to its purpose that often a dozen or more prisoners were herded into a single narrow cell.” [26] When he arrived he reportedly asked the jailer if they were the best accommodations available, to which the jailer responded, “This is the best place you members of Congress have afforded us.” [27] Dejected, but undeterred Sickles sent a message to the public, “In doing what I had to do I have broken the law. Therefore I place myself behind bars. It is for you to set me free.” [28] The stage was now set for one of the most unbelievable and storied trials in American history.

To be continued…

Dedicated to the Proposition that All Men are Created Equal

The Congressman Who Killed a Man Across From the White House and Got Away with it, Part Two: Murder in Lafayette Square

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