The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-10-09
From the Philadelphia Gazette of Sept 3O,h
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.

A deep and most painful sensation was excl
ted in the community this morning, by the ru-
NOR OF deed of blood which il was sincerely
hoped at first was but arumor-but which after
inquiry, proved, alas 100 true.
Those who have been accustomed to walk in
Chesnut street, in the neighborhood of lnde-
pendence Square. Ia point, perhaps, with the
exception OF the Exchange, where both at day
and evening our citizens most do congregate)
must have frequently stepped into the coniec-
tiouary store aud reireshment rooms OF Mr..
Wood, opposite the State house. They must
also remember his handsome and attentive
daughter, whose chief care was TO attend to
the more elegant mnstrations of the establish
ment. She was a faithful and dutiful girl lust
blushng into womanhood. Among her many
admirers was young man in Sixth street,
named Peak, who succeeded in securing her
affections. About two weaks since, we under
stand. they were privately married, and on
tuesday evening the young woman left the
establishment OF her father. and joined her hus-
band. On Saturday she returned and all the
circumstances were made known to the former
he instantly closed his shop, much TO the sur
PRISE OF the public, more than psrtic ular attrac
ton being now in the ladies apartment-a strk-
iug likeness of the Queen Victoria by young
artist of this city. having been placed there for
exhibition.
The demeanor Of the father to his daughter
was morose and unreconcIling, although he
had previously invited her home; but she
strove by every means to avert his i'll feeling,
which, so far as it was likely to end in any
thing desperate, he ingeniously concealed
This morning however, at about ten o'clock, as
the daughter was sitting in the room with her
father and we believe with some other me nbers
of the family, he walked deliberately up to her,
and drawing a pistol from his bosom or hls
pocket, placed it almost against her forehead,
and sho, her entirely through the brain. The
ball, we learn, passed through the skull. and
fell in another part OF the room.
The murderous weapon was at once thrown
from the hands Of the desperate man, in the
presence OF his dying child. aud himself secur
ed-The sheriff of the city was sitting in his
office, aud was Immediately aware that some
thing unusual had occurred. He crossed the
street instantly; and ascending TO the apart
ment where the deed was done. found the muir
derer standing, pale and terribly agitaed, with
his back 10 the fire place, and his daugh ly
ing PROSTATE and bleeding on the floor, with
her head near his feet One child, promising
lad, was clasping his knee. and averrlng with
fearful eyes and language OF lmplorng passion
that father did not, father could not do II ~
while other members OF the family were sob
bing and shrieking over the dying sister and
child. On the entrance of the sheriff, Wood
lifted his arm as if n the act Of firing a pistol,
and exclaiEied-" am the mani shot her ="
While writing, this article, we learn that the
father, after such act was sound asleep with a
guard of officers over him. An immense crowd
gathered around the place, yet none were adj
mitted but certain members Of the medical
faculty, and the coroner's jury Of inquest who
a. Il. H. o,ln
ing. The girl was lingering in great agony to-
ward the close Of the forenoon, but not the
slightest hopes Of her recovery were enter
tanned.
Mr.. Wood is an Euglishman, who may be
remembered as fruit seller for many years IN
the Chestnut street theatre, and the keeper OF a
little shop in the Arcade, which his daughter
himself attended. He has several other child.
ren, who with their mother, are thrown into
inconcei,able distress by this dread act OF mur.
der and of blood.