Glasgow Courier. — 1859-08-09 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

SHOCKING TRAGEI/Y IN NEW YORK. A horrible affair occurred in the Brandreth }louse, New York, en the afternoon of Saturday, 23.1 July, about five o'clock. A southern merchant, named Robt. C. M`Donald, enraged at the infidelity of his mistress, Vtrgittia Stewart. attacked her as she was passing the above-mentioned hotel, and, pursuing her around the corner of Canal Street, shot her through the brain as she was attempting to escape up the staircase of the hotel. • The tragedy occurred at an hour when the Rialto of New York is crowded with a busy throng, and the promemule side of the street is most frequented. The excitement in the neighbourhood was intense, and in a moment or two after the shot was fired full five thou:omit people were collected on the spot. A person named Vannuist then jumped upon hint and threw him on the steps, and held him there until two police officers came and arrested him. Iti'Donalil appeared to be fully determiued to destroy himself after he hail accomplished the bloody deed, as about half a minute prior to his being seized by Mr Vanninat he loul the pistol pointed at his own head. He begged hard on being arreated for the officers to set his iinns at liberty, but they persisted in holding him fast until he was lodged and disarmed in the station house. M`Donahl is a remarkably fine, gentlemanly lookuig perami, standing about 5 feet 11, and is apparently in the summerof life, or about 30 years of ago. He wears a coatee, and presents a commanding and portly appearance. It appears that he was born in Kentucky or Georgia, where he was a merchant of some standing. He became acquainted with Virginia Stewart in New Orleans about seven years ago. M'Donald had two children by her, both of which died. About eight or ten days ago he and Ids mistress left Mobile for New York, he cooling by the western route, and she by another. When fd•Donald arrived in this city he took up his quarters at the Metropolitan Hotel, and a few days since he learned that his mistress was living with mother man in New York, at which he became very much incensed. On being convinced of her treachery, he formed the resolution to kill her, and watched her movements day after day until he succeeded in effecting his object, as already detailed. On being brought to the station house, a large revolver and a bowie knife were taken from the prisoner. The revolver had five barrels, four of which remained loaded. On being interrogated, he said be had bees on a spree, and that as his victim had been the ruin of his happiness he had shot, and did intend to shoot; her. The murderer appeared to be in a very nervous, stupified state in his cell at the station house. He sent for the captain after he had been in about half an hour, and requested him to communicate his position to Colonel Douglas, at the Metropolitan Hotel. The following letter was found in the prisoner's possessiou by the police, directed to John W. Smith, Mobile, Alabama : " My dear John --I am about to commit that which will astonish you and moat of my friends in Mobile. I havo left some instructions with Messrs Simeon Leland e: Co. in regard to my body, but have since drawn $3OO of the amount I first wanted, leaving $1,500 in their hands, which, after deducting my expenses, I will remit to you. Affectionately yours, for ever, "Boa. " My love to Harry and the boys. "