Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-12-02

A CALIFORNIA HORROR.
Desperate street Fight Among Gam
bIers In Sacramento = One Nan
Killed and One Fatally wounded.

bIers In sacramento = One Man
Killed and one Fatally Wounded.
Sacramento NOV. 81 cor. Alta California; I
A desperate battle, which occurred on
Second street, near X, about noon to-
day, for GOODNESS and determination,
excels any ARRAY of the kind that has
occurred in this city. The parties are
well-known sporting men, and have been
for years residents of Sacramento. Their
names are John and Matthew Greer and
William Dresser. The first named has
of late been arrested several times on
account of family troubles. Dresser, as
will be recollected, was shot and stabbed
in San Francisco on the 3lst Of July last
by an ex-policeman named Wilson, and
for a long time was not expected
to recover. He did recover, however,
and was subsequently indicted by.
the grand jury of that city for
an assault to kill, and at the time Of his
death was under S2500 bonds to appear
for trial in San Francisco. There APP
pears to have been grudge of old
standing between the parties This
morning about clock they had quar-
rel in the faro rooms over the Union sa-
loon. on Second street, in the course OF
which Dresser struck Matt Greer over
the head with a pistol The latter was
unarmed at the time, and the quar-
rel was stopped by the parties retiring
to their homes. There are conflicting
statements as to how the affair Of to-day
commenced. The following are the par
ticulars as near as can be aseertained:
Dresser came along Second street from
X, and turned into the doorway leading
up to the gaming rooms over the Union
saloon, and started to go up the stairs
Matt Greer called out something TO him
and drawing his pistol commenced to
shoot. 1t is not known precisely how
many shots we're fred before Dresser
was struck. Seven or eight shots were
said to have been fired. Dresser was hit
by one shot. He retuened the fire ofthe
Greers, standing on the stairs, up which
he had started to walk. Accounts differ
as 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 settle the
affair. Matt Greer also went into the
street from the sidewalk. One of the
shots fred from the street struck Dresser,
aud passing through his heart killed him
almost instantly After he had fallen he
raised himself convulsively and fired his
last shot, after a bullet had passed
through his heart. One Of the shots fired
oy Dresser struck Matt Greer in the
tight side of the stomach, and passing
through his liver, came out of his back.
After he was struck he stood in the
middle of the street until he had fred
everal shots, and then walked across to
Dr.. Claners office on the opposite side
# the street, where his wounds were
Iressed
Jno. Greer was arrested by the officers
fter a severe struggle. He stood in the
middle Of the street with selfcocking
istol Id his hand, and threatened to kill
ny one who attempted his arrest Off
er Karcher grappled with him, while
equity sheriff wrenched the pistol from
is grasp. He was then placed in hack
nd taken to the station house. Matt
ireer was subsequently placed in car
iage and taken to his residence on NJ
treet where John was afterward taken
D sed his dying brother. The scene be-
ween them is said TO have been very
fecting. The body of Dresser was Ia
en- up stairs in the faro room and laid
pom a lounge. His wife soon arrived
D the spot and her grief over the corpse
as heartrending. The body was subse-
uently taken 10 Colboies coffin ware
,oms, where Coroner Coune will hold an
lquest. At the time of the shooting the
rect was full OF people, and the most
them made themselves scarce
J soon as possible. One OF
le bullets from Greer's pistol
assed through the staircase, through
shelf, through the side Of eue-rack,
nd lodged in a cue in the Union billiard
lloon. The portion Of the city in
hich this affair occurred has been pro-
&c Of deaths. In nearly the same spot1
hoemaker was killed by COPYRIGHT,
bout two years ago, and about a week
go Foster killed himself just few
tops around the corner. At eight o clock
his evening Greer was still alive and
esting well, but the surgeons say he
annot possibly recover. The bullet
,assed completely through his body and
vas found in his clothing. Il had evil
lently not struck bone, as the ball re-
aims its globular form. All the parties
in this sanguinary affair are
married. Each OF the Greers has a
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