Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-03-10

His Crank Assailant Then Fatally
Wounds Himself


John w. Mackay, the famous mining man
and fnancier, was shot in the back just after
noon at San Francisco, Cal, by William
c. Rippi, and narrowly escaped death.
Rippi, after firing one shot at
Mackay. shot himself through the
left breast, inficting a fatal wound.
The shooting occurred in the paved court
back of the Lick House, which runs from
Suffer to Post Streets between Montgomery
and Kearney. A white-haired man was
noticed walking around Suffer street acting
very nervously during the early por-
ton of the morning, throwing his hand
back toward his hip pocket. It is the Gus
tom of John W. Mackay to go about
noon time every day 10 the js~eiry store at
Sutton street and Lick Alley to compare
the time OF day, and ne is always prompt.
AS Mackav reached the end of the alley
nearest Suffer street, and a few feet from
where the old man was standing, the latter
pulled out his revolver aud fired one shot.
The bullet struck Mackay in the middle OF
the back. After firing, the would-be muir
derer turned the pistol on himself. and fired
a bullet into his own body. The self inflicted
wound was serious but as long as he could
walk he followed Mackay, trying to fire at
him again, but he was SO weak he could not
pull the trigger. He then threw up his hands,
exclaiming: MY God, l am satisdedP'
Mackay put his hand behind his back and
some one raised MS coat. AS he drew his
hand out it was covered with blood, and he
told a friend where the ball had taken
effect Mackay was placed in buggy and
taken to the Palace Hotel, where be received
medical attention. Mackay's assailant
was taken to the City Receiving Hospital.
The murdero0s crank, Rippi, was born in
Cincinnati, Ono, and leaves a wife and
family there. Al one time he was worth
over 500, 900, and made about $50, 900 ON
Comstock. He came to San Francisco and
began gambling in stocks. His money soon
began to go. Having been crazed on the
subject OF stocks, he had an imaginary
grievance against the Bonanzl KING and
tried to kill him.
John W. Macxay was born in Dublin, Ire
land. and came to New York in his early
youth He was one time shivering news
COY on Park Row. In 1S45 he reache the
State of California, where he amassed
of the four men VINO made the bo-
nanza frm-Mackay, Flood, OBrien &
Fair-and become one of the financial pow
ers of the Pacific Coast. He owned four
fifths of that firms property, and is known
as the Bonanza King The foundation of
great wealth of the Comstock lode, which
yielded $111, OOO, 900. At one time
mis- income from his mines was
put down at 100000 month.
His whole life has been romance such as
was possible perhaps IN no other country
on the globe. A few years before the dis
covery OF gold in California he was saloon
keeper in Louisville, KY. He migrated to
the Golden West. Two other saloonkeepers,
James G.. Flood AMI John OBrisn, went
with him. He became a common miner in
Sierra County. He amassed some money
and went to Virginia City. New. Later
he lost all be had in the Ophir mine.
He went back to the pick ami shovel again.
After varying fortunes he made his big
strike in the Bonanza territory. It was I'D
1874 that the tide began to turn entirely his
own way. The world was astonished by the
strike the firm made. Mrs. Mackey has
lived of late years mostly in London She
was ambitious to shine In the social world.
Mackey is now worth about $50, 000 900.