Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-25

! SAN FRANCISCO, February 24.-John
w. MacKay, the famous Bonanza min
ing man and fnancer, was shot through
the back shortly after noon to-day by
man giving the name OF w. c. Ripph
and narrowly escaped death.
Rippi. after firing one shot at Mac
Kay, shot himself Though the left
breast aud will die.
Owing to the great excitement it was
some time after the shooting occurred
that the shooters name was ascer-
Aimed.
1t was w. c. Rippi instead Of Rat
cliife and Dunn as at first reported.
So far MacKays wound is not serious
and there is no danger OF fatal termi-
nation.
The shooting occrred In the paved
court back OF the Lick House which
runs from Sutter 10 Post street between
Montgomery and Kearney.
A white haired man was noticed no.
ticed walking around Sutter street act
ing very nervously during the early
portion OF the morning, throwing his
hand back toward his hip pocket.
u is the custom OF John w. MacKay
to come about noon time every day 10
tn, jewelry store, at the corner Of Suit
tel street and Lick alley, to compare
the time OF day, and he is always very
prompt.
As MacKay reached the end of the
alley nearest Sutter street, and few
feet away from where the old man was
standing, the latter pulled out his revol-
YER and fired one shot.
The bullet struck Msckay In the mid
die Of the back. After firing the shot
the wonld-be murderer then supple
mented his crime by turning the pistol
on himself aud firing a shot into his own
body.
The self-innicted wound was serious.
but as long as he could walk he fol-
lowed Mackay up, trying 10 fire at him
again, but he was so weak that he could
not pull the trigger. He then threw up
his hands, exclaiming: my God! / am
satisfied"
MacKay but his hand behind his back,
and some one raised his coat. As he
drew his hand out 1t was covered with
blood, and he exclaimed TO one Of his
friends that the shot had taken effect
In the mlndle OF MS Oach.
MacKay was placed in buggy and
taken to the Palace Hotel, where med
ical attendance was rendered him.
MacKay's assailant was taken to the
city receiving hospital. John Bonner,
who Is connected with florist store on
Lick alley, was an eye witness 10 the
shooting, and assisted MacKay to his
buggy and drove him TO the Palace
Hotel.
Il had Just got out OF my buggy"
said Mr.. bonner, "and was about TO go
into my Office when heard loud re-
port. Looking down the alley toward
Sulter street saw man with white
slouch hat and gray clothes, cropped
but rather struggling beard, heldIng a
smoking revolver in his right hand.
He was roughly dressed. A short
distance from him was MacKay, whom
| Immediately recognized. lie had his
right hand to his back little above the
kidneys. He was perfectly cool and he
walked toward where i was standing
ns IL oblivious to the fact that his
would-be murderer was standing close
behind him with pistol leVeled al
him.
"It all happened like g fash. The
rough looking man did not fire at his
Intended victim again, but turning the
weapon about pointed IL al his own
breast and fired. He whirled abont 10
the street and fell 20 the pavement.
Probably the only thing that saved MIR.
Mackey's life was the fact that wagon
was In the street, and In crossing over
Mr.. Msckey got the vehicle between
himself and the shooter"
Mr.. Msckey made the following state
ment:
al was walking down Sutter street
bound for my room TO pack my yalise,
as intended to go TO Virginia City.
When / teached Lick alley thought II
would be a short QUITO the hotel. / bad
hardly taken two steps into Lick alley
when / heard a pistol shot. paused
for a moment. rather startled, for had
not seen any one in the alley when | eB-
tered it, and did not at first know from
which direction the report OF the pistol
came.
"Suddenly a voice exclaimed: Mr..
MacKay, you have been shotH and look
ing up saw q gentleman who brought
me to my room.
"'No, am not shot ] replied.
"'Yes, you are, for / saw dust hy
from your coat when the bullet struck
you
81 put my hand around under my
coat and sure enough when j looked at
hand 1t was covered with blood. /
then fel. pains in my back. Is all hap
pened in a second. and turning hall
way around / saw my assailant stand
Ing at the head Of the alley With his pis-
I tol pointed at me. then hurried
across TO the east side Of the alley, and
as did so / saw the old man put pis-
tol, as | thought. 70 his mouth aud fire
/ IL again. He then reeled and fell and /
continued up the alley until we reached
Mr.. Borner's cart. and he drove me to
the Palace HOTEL"
When Mr. MacKay was asked II be
knew the man who had shot him, be
said:
sT never knew Of q man named Rlppi.
I had q good look ~ the old man who
shot Vm-. and l an certain do not
know i'm. / cannot give any reaso4
for Il assault"
500 Iter o'clock physicians q
trscts be bullet DR.. John r. Mo1
who formed the operation IN
: J : ! : :, ?