The Sun. — 1839-10-16 (London, England)

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.  (From the Philadelphia Gazelle, of the-30th of Sept.) A deep and most painful sensation was excited in the community this morning, by the rumour of a deed of blood which it was sincerely hoped at first was but a rumour, but which, after inquiry, proved, alas! too true. Those who have been accustomed to walk in Chestnut-street in the neighbourhood of Independence-square, (a 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 confectionary store and refreshment-rooms of Mr, Wood, opposite the State House. They must remember also his handsome and attentive daughter, whose chief care it was to attend to the more elegant ministrations of the establishment. She was a faithful and dutiful girl, just b:ushing into womanhood. Among her many admirers was a young man in Sixth-street of the name of Peak, who succeeded in securing her affections. About two weeks since, we understand, they were privately married, and on Thursday evening the young woman left the establishment of her father, and joined her husband. On. Saturday she returned, and all the circumstances were made known to the former. He instantly Closed his shop, much to the surprise of the public, more than particular attraction being now in the ladies' department —a striking likeness of Queen Victoria, by a young artist of this city, having been placed there for exhibition. The demeanour 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 ill feeling, which, so far as it was likely to end in anything desperate, he ingeniously concealed. This morning, however, about 10 o'clock, as the daughter was sitting in the room with her father, and we believe with some other members of the family, he walked deliberately up to her, and, drawing a pistol from his bosom, placed it almost against her forehead, and shot 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, and himself secured. The Sheriff of the city was sitting in his office, and was immediately aware that something unusual had occurred. He crossed the street immediately, and, ascending to the apartments where the deed was done, found the murderer standing, pale and terribly agitated, with his back to the fireplace, and his daughter lying prostrate and bleeding on the floor, with her head near his feet. One child, a promising lad, was clasping his knee, and averring with tearful eyes, and language of imploring passion, that. " father did not, father could not do it !" whiie other members of the family were sobbing and shrieking over the dying sister and child. On the entrance of the Sheriff, Wood lifted his arm as if in the act of firing a pistol, and exclaimed, " I am the man, I shot her, I shot her 'While writing this article, we learn that the father, after such an act, is sound asleep, with a guard of officers over him. An immense crowd gathered around the place, yet none were admitted but certain members of the medical faculty, and the Coroner's jury of inquest, who will delay their verdict until eight o'clock this evening. The girl was lingering in great agony towards the close of the forenoon, but not the slighest hopes of her recovery were entertained. Mr. Wood was an Englishman, who may be remembered as a fruitseller for many years in the Chesnutstreet Theatre, and the keeper of a little shop in the thAharrsoe aws dene, , e intor alwhichtheris inconceivable d children,a ug daughter riws tahrnoeds snh,biimtyhslf attended. He e t theirhisd r e amdofut hl earetare thrown into inconceivable distress by this dreadful act of murder and blood.  In the preceding part of the day the Minister of Finance read a scheme for the raising of two hundred millions rials by titulos for the urgencies of the army. Five per Cents. to-day 3i ter cash. News from Aragon states, that, while Espartero has moved by Belchite upon Cabrera, O'Donnell is to move from Valencia and the sea-coast towards his strong bold two other divisions, one from Madrid, the other from Teruel, to observe the eastern passes of the &files.— Morning Chronicle.  ESTERN WAGGEkIES.  (From the New York Papers received by the British )