The record-union., 1893-02-25
Special to the REcoRp-UNroS.

u o'clock to-day John w. Mackay, the
millionaire banking and mining man.
was shot in Lick place, small street
running through the Lick House prop
erty, between Sutter and Post streets.
The name of the man who shot him is
w. c. Rippey. The murderous weapon
used was 45-caliber Smith 81 Wesson re-
volver.
1t is the custom of John w. Mackay to
come about noontime every day to the
jewelry store of Hirschman to compare
the time of day and he is always very
prompt.
AS Mackay reached the end of the alley
nearest Sutter street on his daily visit to
the jewelers. this noon and few feet
away from where the old man was stand
ing, the latter pulled out his revolver and
fired one shot. The bullet struck
Mackav in the middle of the back. After
firing the shot the would-be murderer
turned the pistol on himself and fired a
shot into his own body. The self-inflicted
wound was serious, but as long as Rip
pey could walk he followed Mackay up,
trying to fire at him again, but he was so
weak that he could not pull the pistol
trigger. He then threw up his hands,
eXclaming, "My God, | am satisfied"
Mackay put his hand behind his back
and someone 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.
Mackay was placed in a buggy and
taken to DIR. Keeney's office and then to
the Palace Hotel. where medical attend
ance was rendered him. 1t was found
that the wound is not serious.
Fred Hodges of 500 Mason street had
just come out of the Lick barber shop
when he heard the shots. He turned
back and noticed the old man fall, and
saw Mackay put into buggy and taken
away.
Persons knowing considerable about
the affair endeavored TO keep it quiet,
even refusing to tell where the wounded
man was taken.
Excitement ran high for awhile, and it
was with difficulty that the police could
keep the thoroughfare clear.
AS far as could be ascertained the
trouble originated over some mining
matters, and it preyed so heavily on the
assailants mind that it drove him crazy,
and it is supposed that while laboring
under one of these fits he committed the
rash deed.
At the Receiving Hospital the name of
Mackay's assailant was given as w. G.
Rippey.
officer ]. P. Carson brought the old
man in patrol wagon to the Receiving
Hospital Rippey was conscious, but
could not articulate. The patient was
placed on the operating table, when blood
was seen to ooze through his clothing
about the upper portion of his body.
Further examination revealed that he
had been shot, the bullet having entered
his left breast, passing through the trunk
and coming out just below the left
shoulder-blade. The bullet was found
Just under the skin.
The patient was apparently about 20
years OF age, with white hair and close
cut white beard. In the pantaloons left
hand pocket was found 3S-caliber re-
volver of the bulldog pattern and all the
cartridges intact. Also, in his pocket was
purse containing twenty cents and an
envelope containing a paper on which
was written: "Dr. /. Linton, Palace Ho-
tel. End not yet." on another paper was
written: Food for reelection. Paid $780,
600 for sapphire stone to place on his
wife-a sufficient amount to have saved
500 of his paupers from suicidal grave.
Just think of it and inscribe it on his
tomb"
In letter addressed to one of the daily
papers he subscribed himself as w. c.
Rippey, and said he was 70 years old.
DIR. Simpson says that the man cannot
live and that his death may be looked for
at any moment.
MACKAY NOT FATALLY WOUNDED.
As soon as the facts were definitely
known large number of Mr.. Mackay's 8
personal friends proceeded at once to the
Palace Hotel, where Mr.. Mackay has been
stopping since he arrived here two weeks
ago. Among those early at Mr.. Mackay's
apartments were James l.. Flood and
Richard D. Dey, the latter being MIR.
Mackay's confidential secretary. DR..
Keeney, after an examination of Mr..
Mackay's wound, expressed the opinion
that it was necessarily serious. In this
opinion DIR. Morse, who arrived soon
after, was reported to concur. Access to
the apartment was denied to outsiders and
all the facts learned came out through the
apency of Mr.. Mackay's personal friends
who were admitted to his presence. DIR.
Morse told these friends, before he probed
the wound for the bullet, that he thought
the lead had rot penetrated Into the chest.
After a little all bystanders who
haunted the vicinity of the room were re-
ouested to retire, as it was desired to keep
Mr.. Mackay as quiet as possible. On this
hint about a score of mining men, who
had eagerly awaited information, left the
corridor and adjourned to a distant part
of the hotel.
From Richard F. Dey the following
version of the shooting was gained, after
AR Dew had talked with Mr.. Mackay
about it:
ssMr. Mackay was walking southwark
along the alley back of the Lick House.
Adolph Hirschman had been conversing
with Mr., Mackay, and had just left him
TO 90 into store opening out OF the alley
when the shooting occurred. Mr.. Mackay
had no knowledge of the presence OF any
one hostile to him. The man who shot
him was stranger. This man had evil
IDENTIFY been laying for him. Mr.. Mackay
was shot without warning. There was