The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-25

~ SbllSIth'
SAN Francisco, Feb. 24,-John W.
Mackay, the famous bonanza mining
man and inancier, was shot through
the back shortly after noon to-day by
man giving the name Of w. @. Rippi,
and narrowly escaped death. Rippi,
after firing ono shot at Mackay, shot
himself through the left breast and will
die. Owing TO the great excitement If
was some time after the shooting oc-
CURED that the shooters name was
ascertained. twas W. @. Rippi instead
of RatclifIe and Dunn as at first reported.
So far Mackay's wound is not serious,
and there is no danger OF fatal termin-
alton, The shooting occurred in the
paved court back of the Lick House,
which runs from Sutter to Post street
between Montgomery and Kearney. A
white haired man was noticed walking
around Sutter street, acting very ner-
vously, during the early portion OF the
morning, throwing his hand back
toward his hip pocket.
1t is the custom OF John w, Mackay
to come about noon-time every day to
the jewelry store at the corner OF Sntter
street and Lick Alley to compare the
time OF day, and he is always very
prompt. AS Maekay reached the end
OF the alley nearest Sutton street and a
few feet away from whero the old man
was standing, the latter pulled out his
revolver and fired one shot. The bullet
struck Mackay in the middle OF the
back. After firing the shot the would
be murderer then supplemented his
crime by turning the pistol on himself
and firing n shot into his own body.
The selt-inaicted wound was serious,
but as long as he could walk he follow
ed Mackay up trying to fire at him
again but he was so weak that he could
not pull the trigger. lie then threw up
his hands. exclaiming: "My God, am
satisfied"
Mackav put his hand behind his
back and some one raised his coat. AS
he drew his hand out it was covered
with blood, and he exclaimed to one Of
his friends that the shot had taken
effect in the middle Of his back. Mac
kay was placed in q buggy and taken
to the Palace hotel, where medical
attendance was rendered him. Mac
kay's assailant was taken to the city re-
ceiving hospital. ---,--..-..
AN EYE WITNESS.
John Bonner, who is connected with
a florist store on Lick alley, was an eye
witness to the shooting and assisted
Mackay to his buggy and drove him to
the Palace hotel. :.
81 had Just got out Of my buggy"
said Mr.. Bonner, "and was about to go
into my office, when heard a loud re.
port. Looking down the alley toward
Sutter street saw man with white
slouch hat and gray clothes, cropped
but rather struggling beard, holding a
smoking revolver in his right hand. He
was roughly dressed. A short distance
from him was Mackay, whom | imme-
diately recognized. He had his right
hand to his back little above the kid
neys. lie was perfectly cool, and he
walked toward where | was standing as
il oblivious to the fact that his would
be murderer was standing close behind
him with pistol leveled at him"
at all happened like flash. The
rough looking man did not fire at his
intended victim again, but turning the
weapon about pointed it at his own
breast and fired. He whirled about in
the sire Vt and loll to tho pavement"
Probpb.g the only thing that saved
Mr.. MaclSay's life was tho fact that n
wagon was in the street and in crossing
over Mr.. Mnckay got the vehicle be.
tween himself and the shooter
MAcKAY's STATEMENT.
Mr.. MacKay made the following state
mont:
If was walking down Sutter street
bound for my room 10 pack my valiae,
10 intended TO go TO Virginia City.
When reached Lick alley thought II
would be n short cut to the hotel.
Jhnd-hardly taken stops into Lick alley
whom heard pistol shot. l paused
for moment, rather startled, for had
not seen any one in the alley when ]
entered IL and did not at first know
from which direction tho report OF the
pistol came.
"Suddonly a voice oxclaimed: MIR.
MacKay, you hayo boon shot. and look
ing up saw n gentleman who brought
me to my room,
"No, ain not shot," | replied,
ayes you are, for saw dust fly from
your coat when the bullet struck you.
81 put my hand around Under my
cont and, surc enough, whom looked at
my hand IL was covered with blood.
then felt pain in my back. II all hap
pcnod In q second aud turning half way
around saw my RWailnnt standing al
tho head of tho alley with his pistol
pointed at mo, ] then hurried across 10
the cnst side Of tho ntipy, and as did
so | saw the old man put pistol, rs ]
thought, TO his mouth, and fro II
ngain IIo then rcolod and foil aud !
.coniuuoi up tho alley until we reached
Mr.. Bouncrs cart and ho drove mo Ia
the Palace Hotel"
When Mr. Macltay was asked II he
knew tho man who had shot him, he
snid
"l ncvor know Of man named
Rippi. had n good look at the old
man who shot mo and AIN certain ! dc
not know him cannot give any roa
son Tor tho assault"
Soon nltUr Q o'cl1ci; physlcians OK