Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-07-30
BRUTAL AFPAIR IN BROADWAY.
fvrom the N. Y. kvenins Post. 3ssh

| Seepe Of the B1a0ds0th hooeo.
frrom the n Y. svenins Post. 9ssh
A Shocking and probably fatal shoot
ing case occurred at the corner of
Broadway and Canal street, on Satur-
day afternoon, about FIVE o'clock
| Robert C. Macdonald, cotton Broker
from Mobile, Alabama, shot Virgins
Stewart, a woman with whom be had
lived for several years on terms Of
intimacy, and by whom he had had
two children not now living. Although
the victim is alive at the time of this
writing, her recovery is considered
impossible.
The circumstances which led to this
bloody affair are somewhat obsure,
owing to contradictory statemcnts.-
1t is certain that for six or eight years
the parties were intimate in Mobile
and it is stated, on one side, that Mac
donald's treatment, although kind
when he was sober, was very violent
and abusive when under the influence
of intoxicating drinks that upon sew
eral occasions she had him arrested to
save herself from his violence that
be promised to reform, but grew worse
and that finally she left Mobile and
came to New York to get rid Of him ;
that be followed her here, but failing
to find her, went to Augusta and after
wards to Boston, but still without sue
cess that he returned to this city on
Saturday last, when he accidently met
her in Taylor's saloon with two fe-
male friends. She refused to have
anything to do with him, and he fol-
lowed her out of the saloon and up
Broadway as far as the corner Of Ca
nal street. She there turned to him
and told him to keep away, she did
not wish to talk to him. Macdonald
then drew revolver, and Virginia re-
treated into the Brandreth House, call
ing for help. He followed aud fired
- she was in the coor, and then at
tempted to shoot himself, but was pres
vented by man who was passing
Two officers came up and arrested him.
He raised the weapon as they thought
to fire upon them, and struck him on
the head. 1t is probable, however, that
he raised the revolver to shoot him
self.
The woman fell insensible, and was
carried into drug store. 1t was as.
certained that the ball entered the
forehead, and passed through the skull
about two inches over the outer angle
of the left eye. She was subsequent
ly sent to the Hospital, and placed in
the care of DR.. Quinby.
Macdonald's story differs in some
respects from the above, and claims
that the woman followed him. He is
said to have made the following states
ment to Alderman Brady on Saturday
night
~ arm from Mobile, and have been
living with this woman five or six
years l have been quite intimate
with her, and she keeps house of
prostitution there; l was so wrapt up
in her that l could not shake her off,
and finally quilted Mobile and came
to this city for the purpose Of getting
rid of her she followed me for the
double purpose of meeting me and OBJ
tanning girls to bring back with her to
Mobile l have followed the cotton
shipping business for several years in
Mobile and along the Mississippi river;
| met this woman in Taylor's saloon
to-day in company with two other
girls; l tried to persuade her to 20
away with me, but she refused: she
had been drinking freely l have
brother named Macdonald, who has
been serving as Colonel with Walker
in Nicaragua am relation of Col.
Zachary Taylor; | have been so CON-
pletely wrapt up in this woman that
have lost all control over myself in
consequence Of her actions, and could
not carry on my business suffering
from the excitement of rum, carried
pistol and dirk, which l was never
in the habit Of doing in my sober mo-
ments at Taylor's saloon we had
some words ; che persisted in refusing
to come with me, and when we had
got as far as the Brandreth Hotel
shot her."
After Macdonald's arrest he was
locked up in the the Eighth Ward sta
ton house and searched. "A double-blad-
ed eight-inch bowie knife was found on
his person, and he was only disarmed
after severe struggle. A letter was
found in his pocket, evidently written
under the excitement, and without
date, as follows
"My dear John am about to commit
what will astonish you and have Some In
structions with Messrs Leland 4 Co., in re-
gard to my Body but have since drawn
three Hundred Dollars $500 of the amount,
l first leaving fifteen Hundred Dollars, 81
500 In their hands. which matter, deduct
ing my Expenses they will remit to you.
"Atfsctionately your friend BOB.
MY love to Harry and the BOYS.
ROBERT G. MACDONALD"
"And to You who find my body. have my
trunks opened. and you will see letter ad-
dressed to Messrs Simeon Leland d Co.. in
regard to the disposition of my remains,
but Buried with 10y Beard on.
"ResPectfully yours,
RoBERT C. MACDONALD"
metropolitan Hotel"
"JeHN W. SxrrH. Esq. Mobile, Ala"
present"
So far ~ Macdonald's statement re-
lates to the woman's motives in COM
ing to the city, it is positively contra.
dicted BY her friends who unite in the
assertions that his conduct drove her