The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1893-02-25
SHOT JOHN W. MACKAY
1 Dsspondsnt Old Han Tries to Klll
tho Hotod Millionaire
AN ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE

AN ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE
San Franclsco's Latest Big eensa-
tion-No Motive For the
Attempted Murder
Known.
SAN Francisco. Feb. a.-John w.
Mackay, the famous bonanza mining man
and fnancicr, was shot through tho back
to-day by man named W. e. Rippey. and
narrowly escaped death. Rippcy, after
firing one shot at Mackay, turned the re-
volver on himself and sent . bullet
through his left breast. infiicting Q wound
which undoubtedly will prove fatal at his
advanced age, he being moro than 20. So
far Mackny's wound 10 not serious. and
inflammation 10 not looked for unless
lock jaw 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, between
Montgomery and kearney. II 10 the cus-
tom Of Mackay TO como about noon
\ every day TO the jewclry store
lon the corner OF Sutter street and
lick alley to compare time and Rippey laid
~ wait for him there to-day. A. Mackay
5eached the end Of the alley, Eippcy pulled
. revolver and fired ono shot At the
millionaire. He then turned the revolver
on himself and fired . shot. as told above.
He then started after Mackay again. try.
ing to flre once more, but was 10 weak no
could not pull the trigger, and after fcw
steps. threw up his hands. exclaiming:
eAiy God. am satisfied," and fell.
John bonner. who 10 connected with
9orist's store In tho alley. was near at
band when tho shooting occurred, and
said to Mackay. who was looking about
him: "why, Mr.. Mackay. you've been
shot," Mackay responded: "No,
| don't think so," but Bonner
replied he know no had. as no
had seen dust ny when tho bullet struck
bits ovcrcoat. Mackay then put his hand
| under his coat and withdrew II covered
with blood. He also began to experience
pain and Bonner took him In his buggy TO
the Palace hotel where he was assisted to
his room and surgeons summoned.
Rippey was taken to the hospital whore
an examination showed that the bullet,
after Il entered the left breast. passed
lbhrouGh the body and came out just hollow
! tbe left shoulder blade. Tho patient 10
ebout 20 years Of age with white hair and
. closely cut white beard. A letter WAS
found on his person addressed to tho Err.
akiner. reading rs follows: "Food For
R4aection Paid ei5O.OoO for . sappl)irs to
plsss on tho 'yadsd person Of his wife. A
sufficient amount to have saved 500 Of his
paupers from suicidal grave. Just think
Of Il. Inscribe II on his tomb"
Mr.. Mackay made the following state
ment: II Was walking down Sutter street
bound for my room to pack my valisc. a. I
intended TO 70 to Virginia City this after
noon. When I reached Lick alley.
thought Il would be q short cut to the
hotel. had hardly taken two steps into
Lick alley when heard o pistol shot.
paused for moment. rather startled, for
bad not seen any one in the alley when
I entered Il. and did no, NJ hrst know In
which direction the report OF tho pistol
came. Suddenly voice exclaimed: Mr..
Mackay, you have been shot, and looking
up, saw tho gentleman who brought me
to my room, Mr.. Bonner, on the other
side Of tho alley. NO. am not shot,
replied. Yes you are.' he insisted, for
saw dust fly from your coat when the
bullet struck you.' put my hand around
under my cont and sure enough, when
looked at my hand Il was covered with
blood. then felt pain In my back. II
all happened In . second, and turning
halt way round saw my assailant stand.
Ing at tho head Of the alley with his pistol
pointed mt me. ! then hurried across ia
the east side Of the alley and ~ did 10
I saw tile old man put the pistol, as
thought, to his mouth and Hrc II again.
He then reeled aud fell and ! continued
up the alley until reached Mr.. Bonncr'a
cart and hc drove me to the Palace"
When Mr.. Mackay was asked u he
knew tho man who had shot him. he said
~ never knew Of a man named Rippey.
! had good look Mt the old man who shot
me, and am certain do not know hlm,
cannot give any reason for tho assault
The doctors say that the patient 10 no,
out Of danger until the chances Of lock.
jaw and blood poisoning are past. The
bullet entered the back below tho right
shoulder blade and ranged slightly to the
right, lodging in ono Of tho spinous pro
cesses. II was extracted.
| Rippey is well know n to old timers In San
Francisco. and was familiar figure
around 1870 Powell street. whero no made
hia home. People in the house and neigh.
l,cts soy he has been desponslent of late
but enid nothing about his affairs. One
friend of his said Rippi was born In Tin.
/
there. Al one time he was worth full,
100000. making about sjo.0O on Com
stock. He came TO san Francisco and bc-
4 gan gambling in stocks. His money soou
began to go and then he opened q casi
grocery store. hat the venture failed
About four years ago he conducted bar
and dining room on steamer running he
tween this city and stockton. Latterl,
1 the old man was almost without means
and very despondent.
Known In Cincinnati.
II CINCINNATI. Feb. 2i.-weslcy Rippcy
WHO made an attempt ON John W
Mackay's life. lives in the suburbs of this
city. His wife lives with her son William
nj Idlewiid. six miles north OF here. HI
10 connected with n canning company Oh
Elm street. The other son. Wesley {. Rip
pcy. lives m the east part of Columb q
and 10 q government eaugcr Of spirits. and