The San Francisco call., 1896-01-18
Sorry Her Late Husband Did
Not Finish" the Mil.
lionaire.
FUNERAL OF THE RUINED MAN.
John Rix, an Old.Time Friend, Made
the Funeral Address-DId Not
Like Ministers.

The remains of w. C. Rippey were laid
to rest in Cypress Lawn Cemetery yester-
day.
The clouds lowered upon a shivering
handful OF people, who looked with
solemn faces upon the coffin as 1t was
placed IN the new-made grave. If Wesley
hlppey ever gave thought in his palmy
Gays 10 MS prospective obsequies 1t was of
scene Tar more imposing. My life has
been huge joke" he was won't to say in
his latter days, and if his spirit took cog
hlzance OF the pitiable spectacle yesterday
1t may have regarded it as the finale of
that poor joke.
Many viewed the remains as they Law in
the undertaking parlors of H. G. Porter &
Co., at l22 Eddy street, on Thursday and
Friday mornings. Many who came were
strangers, who were moved by curiosity
A few were old-time friends
There were about fifty persons in the un-
dertaker's parlors when John Rix, the
teacher and lecturer, who had known the
dead man Tor many years, spoke a few fit
ting words of farewell. He spoke of the
good qualities of the parted and de-
plored the fact that he who had been gem
erous III his prosperity should die in pow
erty. The choice of a speaker and mode
OF service was made by the widow in ac-
cordance with the views of the dead man,
! who, although he is said to have esteemed
! Christianity, had deep-rooted aversion to
men of the cloth.
Mrs: Bessie Rippey, the widow, Mr.. and
! Mrs. Thomas O'Connor, her daughter and
son-in-law, and her friend, Mrs. Emma
Teal and Mrs. Fish, Mr.. Rippey's niece,
! and her husband witnessed the interment.
| The funeral expenses were paid by the
widow, who, although there was no
divorce, has been separated from Rippey
! for nearly fifteen years.
Il seemed to be the only friend who was
willing to do that last office for the dead, l."
said Mrs. Rippey. She is small woman
OF perhaps 80 years OF age, whose CONVEX
satlon betokens an unusual degree of re-
hnement. She spoke kindly OF the unfor-
tunate man.
I'VE have always been friends, notwith-
standing our separation" she said. ''He
called on US Friday and seemed in good
health and spirits He said If all went
we'll he would go to the mines in South
Africa in the spring. He said at that time
that his life was huge joke, and he be-
lieved he had got no more than he
deserved.
81 want to correct the Impression that
Mr.. Rippey died in want. His room on
Natoma street was clean and comfortable.
His landlady's last act for him was to take
him cup of warm milk few hours before
his death. He had friends on Bush street
who would provide him with meals at any
time, and his room rent was paid aid his
clothing provided by friends. H. was an
object of charity, in a sense. Yes; but he
did not lack the necessaries of life ON that
account.
Mr.. Rippey and 1 were married in
Denver i'll 1876. He was then well-to do.
Two years later we moved to San Fran
cisco, when our troubles began through
his joining the Stock Board. Stock-gam-
bling became mania with him. He at
tributed his losses to the fact that wrong
inside information was given him by
Mackay's broker.
Il believe he had a just grievance against
the millionaire, and, with many OF his
friends. my only regret is that be did not
finish him. If he had killed Mackay the
verdict would have been different. But
the rich mans influence and power
counted. Mr.. Rippey has never expressed
regret for what he did. He said he had
tried repeatedly to gain an audience with
Maekay, hoping he would make some
restitution for his losses. He was stung to
the quick when he ignored his greeting
when he met him on the street. and his
rage found expression in the shot, which
unfortunately did not prove fatal.
"Mr. Rippey and | separated because of
his stock-gambling craze. [ lived in Den
yer nine years after our Sc paration, and
the past five years have been living at
Seattle. | supported myself and daugh-
ter, now Mrs. O'Connor, by dressmaking
and keeping a rooming- house. I moved
here in October with Mr.. and Mrs. O'Con-
nor, and shall probably stay. MIR. Rippey
has two sons in Cincinnati but do not
know their address.
"All our unhappiness was caused by
stocks. Mr.. Rippey SAID this himself only
short time ago. Bessie he said, all
my trouble has come through stocks. I
lost you and my money on account of
them "
Mrs. Rippey was a Mrs. Vennum before
her second marriage. Her maiden name
was Risley. Her only child was a Miss
Vennum. They live at 1908 Powell street.