The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-25
BONANZA MACKAY SHOT,
A Would-Be Assassin Puts a Bullet
Into the Millionaire's
Back.
Fortunately the Wound Ia Not
Likely to Prove Fatal
in Effect.
His Assailant, Who at Once Shot Him
self, an Old Man Named Rippey
-Mnckny's Millions.

| SAN FHANCiSCO, feb. N.--JOhn w. MaOkay,
the famous bonanza mining man and tinan-
cicr. was shot through the back to. day by
man named w. G. Rippi and narrowly es-
capped death. Rippey after firing ono shot
mt Mackay, turned his revolver on himself
and sent bullet through his left breast,
lnfiicting wound which will undoubtedly
prove fatal at his advanced age. he being
over 70. So far Mackay's wound is not SO
rlous and fatal termination is not looked
for unless lockjaw or blood poisoning
should set in. The shooting occurred in
the paved court back of the Lick house,
which runs from Sutter to Post streets. be.
tween Montgomery and Kearney. II is the
custom of Mackay to come about noon
every day to the jewelry store at the corner
of Sutter street and Lick alley to compare
time. and Rippey laid in wait for him there
day AS Maokay reached the end of
the alley Rippey pulled revolver and fred
one shot at the millionaire. He then turned
the revolver on himself and fred the shot
as told above. He then started after Mackay
again, trying to IRE once more. but was 80
weak he could not pull the trigger, and
after few steps threw up his hunds, ex-
! claiming "My God. am satisfied' and
fell. John Bonner, who is connected with
n florists store in tho alley, was near at
hand when the shooting occurred and said
to Mackay. who was looking about him:
"Why, MIR. Mackay. you've been shot''
| Maokay responded mo. l don't think
So" but Bonner replied he knew he had, as
he had seen the dust fly when the bullet
struck his overcoat. Mackay then put his
hand under his coat and withdrew it COW
cred with blood. He also began to exper-
I enoe pain, and Bonner took him in buggy
to his room and surgeons summoned.
Rippey was taken to a hospital, where an
examination showed that the bullet, after
entering his left breast. passed through his
body and came out just below the left
shoulder blade. The patient is about 70
white beard. A letter was found on his
person addressed to the Examiner news-
paper, reading as follows: "Food for re-
Election: He paid $150,0o0 for sapphire
to place on the iaded person of his wife, u
sufficient amount to haye saved five hun
dred of his paupers from a suicidal grave.
just think of it. lnscribe it on his tomb. .
MIR. Mackay made the following state
ment: II was walking down Sutter street.
bound for my room. to pack my valise. as
intended to go to Vlreinia City this after
noon. When reached Lick alley 1
to the hotel. l had hardly taken
two steps into Lick alley when
| heard pistol shot. l paused for
moment, rather startled, for l had not
seen anyone in the alley when entered it.
and did not at first know in which direc-
tion the report of the pistol came. Sud
denly voice exclaimed, Mr.. Mackay, you
have been shot! and looking up l saw the
gentleman who brought me to my room
Mr.. Bonner. on the other side of the alley.
| No rb,.
| are, he insisted, for / saw the dust tiy
from your coat when the bullet struck YOU
| put my hand around under my cont and
sure enough, when l looked at my hand it
was covered with blood. l then felt pain
i'll my bnck. 1t all happened in a second
and turning halfway round / saw my as
sailant standing at the head of the alley
with his pistol pointed at me. l then hur.
ried across to the east side of the aley and
as did SO saw the old man put the pistol,
as | thought, into his mouth and fire
it again. He then reeled and fell, and |
Bonne' g cart, and he drove me to the
Palace"
When Mr.. Msolny was asked if he knew
the man who had shot him, he said: ~
never knew of man named Rippey. | had
good look at the old man who shot me
and am certain that l do not know him
cannot give any reason for the assault"
The doctors say tho patient is not out of
danger until the chances of lockjaw and
blood poisoning are past. The bullet en-
tered his back below the right shoulder
blade and ranged slightly to the right,
lodging IN one OF the sluous processes. 1t
was extracted. Rippey is we'll known to old
timers i'll San Francisco and was Il familiar
figure around l29O Powell street where he
made his home. People in the house and
the nclgbors say hc has been de-
pendent Of late. but said nothing
about his affairs. One frisnd of his
said Riprev was born in Cincinnati, and
leaves wife and family there At one
time he was worth over 100000, making
about $4,000 on tomstock. He came TO
San Francisco and began gambling in
stocks. The money soon began to go, and
then he opened cash grocery store, but
the venture failed. About four years ago
he conducted bar and dining room on Il
steamer running between this city and
Stockton. Lntterly the old man has been
almost without means, and was very de-
spondent.
THE SsAIIAST.