Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-03-03
CURRENT AFFAIRS.
John w. Mackay shot
ny Half-InsRne Old Mining specu-
Iator. but not seriously Hurt---the
Famous ComstOCk Mine.

By a HaIr-Insane old Mining Specu-
Iator. hut not Seriously Hurt---the
Famous COmstock Mine.
John w. Mackay, the famous bonanza
king and financer, was shot in the back at
San Francisco, last Saturday, just after
noon. by a white-haired and broken-down
old man named Rippey, who had lost his
personal fortune OF SO. 900 in gambling in
mining stocks, and had got cranky no
ton that Mackay ought to make up his
losses. The old man fired two shots at
Mackay but only one hit him. He fired a
third bullet into his own breast, INJECTING
probably fatal wound. The shooting took
place in a paved court, back Of the Lick
House, where many people were passing
Mackay was walking toward the hotel to
pack his valise ready to start for Virginia
City. He stepped to one side and turned
around at the first shot. and was not aware
that he had been hit until an eyewitness,
who saw smoke come from the back of his
coat. told him of ii. Putting his hand
around the millionaire found it COW
cred with blood. Investigation showed
that the bullet, which was readily found,
has barely missed the spinal column, and
had only inflicted a flesh wound. Mackay
had no acquaintance with Rippey.
Interesting Facts in the Bonanza Kings
Career.
John William Mackay, who is of Scotch
Irish descent, was born in Dublin, Ireland,
81 years ago. His parents came TO this
country when he was nine years old. His
father died two years later and on leaving
school the boy was apprenticed to a
ship-builder. In the,yard where he worked
many ships were built to go "around the
Horn to California. The returning sail
ors often talked of the glOries of the
Golden state" and the fortunes to be
made on the Pacific coast. Young Mackay
listened to the stories, caught the "gold
fever and became one of the Forty
Miners He did not succeed at first. His
struggles were severe and trying. He
welded the pickaxe and shovel for years,
sometimes as laborer on his own account,
sometimes for others. The rough workers
with whom he was forced often to asso-
ciate soon acknowledged him as a leader,
and although they called him puritan
at times because of his temperate habits,
they recognized his superiority.
He left California for Nevada in 1860.
1t was one of the turning points in his ca
reer. While stroling along the streets of
Virginia City few years ago with John
Russell Young Mr. Mackay came to a
smoking cavity in the ground, at the mouth
of which windlass was slowly grinding,
"Out OF that hole" said the great fnan-
cer, 81 took one hundred and fifty millions
of dollars in bullion"
1t was one of the famous bonanza
mines whose history is so familiar now.
The discovery of the famous Comstock
lode was due to the rare knowledge and
perseverance of Mr.. Mackay. Associated
with him in the operation of the
great Bonanza mines were James G.
Fair, afterward Senator; William O. Brien
and James G.. Flood. The output of the
mines was enormous. In four years the
mines paid SO 100000 in dividends or
their stock. The four partners regularly
drew S750,000 each month as their shares
In six years the ComstOck mines yielded
more than $500, 900, 600 in gold and silver
ore Mr.. Mackay was the largest stock.
holder in the mines, owning two-ffths Of
the entire property. In 1879 the mines be
gan to show symptoms of exhaustion, al
though they are still worked with profit
The bonanza kings founded the bank Of
California with capital of S10,0OO,00
with part of their great wealth. Latel
Mr. Mackay and Mr.. Flood established the
bank of Nevada, which suffered an i'm
mense loss in the great "wheat corner Of
1887.
In 1884, Mr.. Mackay formed partner
ship with James Gordon Bennett and aiC
two cables across the Atlantic ocean. They
are under "A management known as tn,
Commercial Cable company, but are really
owned by the founders. The fight between
the new cable company and the Older ones
was memorable one, but success crowned
the efforts of the enterprfsing men.
Mr.. Mackay for a score of years ha,
been one of the best known men in the
United States. In 1885 he had the oppor
tunty to become United States senator
from Nevada, but he declined the honor
as his business interests were so vast thai
he could not afford to neglect them. In
recent years he has lived much ABROAD
Mrs. Mackay, as is well known, is prom
nent in society in Paris and London, anC
her entertainments are attended by the
best people in England and France. Iel
house in London is one of the most mag
nificent in the great capital.
Mr.. and Mrs. Mackay have one son
John w. Mackay, jr., who came of age
few years ago, and an adopted daughter
who is now the wife of Don Ferdinand
Colonna, Prince de GalatrO, a scion of one
of the most famous houses of Italy.
The news of the assault on Mr.. MackaN
caused great excitement in San Francisco
and expressions of regret were heard from