The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-11-23
Desperate Street Fight I'm Sacramen.
to-.An Parties Gamblers One Killed
and One IyortalIy Wounded. =
[sacramento (Eov. s} Oorfespontienco of the
Fali:urbIa.l

"A IN
California;. -
A desperate battle which occurred on I'd
street near Il, about noon to-day, for cool.
ness and determination excels any affray of
the kind that has occurred in this CITY.
The parties are well-known sporting men.
and have been for years residents Of Sacra-
mento. Their names are John and Matthew
Greer and VIM. Dresser. The first-named
has OF late been arrested several times ON
account OF family troubles. Dresser, as will
oe recolected, was shot and stabbed in San
francisco on the 3lst Of July last by an ex-
policeman named Wilson, and for long
time was not expected to recover. He
did recover, however, and was subse.
quentiy indicted by the grand jury of that
city for an assault to kill, and Mt the time
Of his death was under $500 bonds to ap-
pear for trial in San Francisco. There
appears to have been grudge of old stand
ing between the parties. This morning
about O'Clock they had a quarrel in the
faro rooms over the Union saloon, on I'd
street, in the course Of which Dresser struck
Matthew Greer over the, head with u pistol.
The latter was unarmed ut the time, and
the quarrel was stopped by the parties re-
tirin@ to their homes. There are conflict
ing statements rs to how the affair oil to-day
commenced. The following are the par
ticularS, as near as can be aScertained:
Dresser came along I'd street from X, and
turned into the doorway leading up to the
gaming-rooms over the Union saloon, and
started to go up stairs. Matt. Greer called
out something to HIM, and, drawing his
pistol, commenced to shoot. 1t is not
known precisely how many shots were
fired before Dresser was struck. Seven
or eight shots are said to have been
fired. Dresser was hit by one shot. He
att1rY on1 hn t.rn Of hn .tov n
| ing Oh the stairs, up which he had
started to walk Accounts differ rs to the
part John Greer took in the matter. He
ran into the middle Of the street, and
wanted Dresser to come out there and set
tie the affair. Matt. Greer also went into
the street from the sidewalk. One of the
shots fired from the street struck Dresser,
| and, passing through his heart, killed him
almost instantly. After he had fallen he
raised himself convulsirely and fired his last
shot, after bullet had passed through his
heart. One of the shots fired by Dresser
struck Matt. Greer in the right side of the
| came out of. his back. After he was struck
he stood in the street until ne had fired seve-
raj shots, and then walked across to DR.. Cha
uer's office, on the opposite side of the
street, where his wound was dressed.
John Greer was arrested by the officers
after severe struggle; he stood in the
street With a sei-cocking revolver in his
hand, and threatened to kill any one who
attempted his arrest. Officer Karcher
grappled With him, while Il deputy sheriff
wrenched the pistol from his grasp. He
| was then placed in a hack and taken to the
| station-house. Matt. Greer was subse-
| Qucntly placed in 4 carriage and taken to
| his residence on NJ street, where John was
| afterwards taken to see his diving brother.
| The scene between them is said to have
been very affecting. The body Of Dresser
| was taken up stairs in the faro-room and
laid upon q lounge. His wife soon arrived
on the spot, and her grief over the
corpse was heartrending. The body was
subsequently taken to Conboie's coffin ware
rooms, where Coroner Count will hold an
inquest. at the time Of the shooting the
street was full Of people, and the most of
them made themselves scarce as soon as
possible. One ofthe bullets from Greer's pis-
tol missing Dresser passed through the stair
| case, through Il shelf, through the side Of a
cuc-rack and lodged in q cue in the Union
billiard saloon. The portion Of the city in
which this affair occurred has been prolific
of deaths. In nearly the same spot Shoe
maker was killed by Courtright, about two
years ago, and but week ago Foster killed
himself just few steps around the corner.
AT 3 O'Clock this evening Greer was still
alive and resting well, but the surgeons say
he cannot possibly recover. The bullet
| passed completely through his body, and
was found in his clothing. 1t had evidently
| not struck bone, as the ball retains its
globular form. All the parties concerned
| in this sanguinary affair are married, each
| of the Greers having q family of three
children.