The San Francisco call., 1896-01-16
WAN TED TO KILL MACKAY
Wesley c. Rippey, the Assailant
Of the Millionaire, Is
Dead.
Since the Event of February "a, ISo3,
He Has Lived in Poverty and
Isolation.

Wesley c. Rippey, the old man who on
February "a, 1893. tried to kill Millionaire
John W. Mackay, died early yesterday
morning in a little room in humble lodg-
ings at 428 Natoma street. He breathed
his last as he had lived since the almost
fatal event, in poverty and isolation.
For some time past Rippey has been sick,
growing weaker day by day. DR..
W. A. Newell of 8154 Howard street at
tended him and did whatever he could, but
the lonely old mans physical endurance
gave out at last. DR.. Newell signed his
death certificate that the death had been
due to natural causes, principally old age
and intirmity.
When Rippey passed away there was
no body at his bedside. He had roomed in
the house long time, subsisting how no.
| body seemed to know or care, and paving
for his room with miserable weekly pit
tance. Not knowing what to do with his
body after he was discovered the landlady
notified the Coroner's deputies, and Dem
uty Coroner John Tyrrell responded. Mr..
Tyrrell recognized the name and the body
at once as being OF the old man who tried
to assassinate Mackay. The assurance
that II was not a case of suicide found in
d.. NewelIs certificate satisfied Mr. Tyr
rell and the body was left at the house.
IN the public mind. He saw the rich man
turn into Lick alley, off Sutter street, and
fired revolver at him, shooting him in
the back. Then he sent bullet into his
own body. Both recovered after being
laid up for some time, and Rippey was tried
for attempted murder and served one
years sentence in the County Jail. The
jury was easy on him on account of his
age and decrepitude, and convicted him
only of simple assault.
Various theories were given for Rippey's
deed. BY some persons his would-be
murC er was ascribed to heavy loss on the
stock market, and his belief that the
mining man was responsible; others gave
the motive as that of intended robbery.
Most people, however, put Rippey in the
same category of cranks as Prendergast,
who shot Mayor Carter Harrison of
Chicago, and Norcross, who tried to kill
Russell Sage in New Y ork.
Rippey hailed from Cincinnati, where
thirty years ago he had been engaged in
steamboating on the Ohio River. For a
while he was in Denver, Colo. In 1879 he
came to San Francisco ana embarked in
the grocery business at 1l3l Mission street.
Later he had restaurant at 523 Clay
street, and was next barkeeper and look
out on the steamer Mary Garrett
During the sos ana the first two years
of the present decade he was frequently
on Pine street and gambled great deal
III mining SlOCkS' NE once visited James
G. Floods residence at Menlo Park and
represented that be had lost $4,000 in stocks
OF the Utah mine for which bad fortune
he seemed to think Flood responsible. He
was ordered from the premises, but would
not go until he was given $40. A few days
later he wrote letter to Flood in which
he said he had lost heavily, and, inclosing
certificate of Utah mine stock, he de-
manded restitution. Captain Lees inyes-
tigated his conduct, and, being assured by
the detective that Flood had nothing to
do with the stock, Rippey ceased his i'm
portunities.
He died at the age of IS years.