Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-10-14
WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
A Policeman Shot and Dangerousl
Wounded

SEATTLE, October 18Th. - About 1890
o'clock this morning special police officer Da.
vid Sires, while in the vicinity of the inter-
section of Third and Washington streets,
heard pistol shot. Looking in the direc.
ton whence the shot emsnated he saw a
pistol in the hand Of man standing on the
corner of Third and Washington streets.
Seeing the officer, the man started on run up
Third street, pursued by Mr.. Sires Reach
ing the corner of Third and Mill streets, and
finding the officer gaining on him, the fellow
suddenly turned the corner and waited the
officers approach. As S;res turned
the corner the fellow suddenly con-
fronted him and thrusting his pistol
in his face, said, "D-n you, stop
now. You've chased me far enough" Sires
made an effort to draw his club and knock
his hand down, when the wretch fired. Sires
fell to the sidewalk unconscious, while the
fellow ran away. Other officers Immediately
arrived on the scene, and Sires was removed
at once to the Occidental Hotel. The ball
entered his neck just below the left mental
foramen, passed through the trachea and
lodged probably under the right scapula
There is complete right hemiplegia,
showing, so the attending physicians state,
that the ball in its course has produced an
injury to the conyal portion of the spinal
cord. Mr. Sires has since recovered
consciousness, and made a statement of the
case in substance as given above His recoy-
cry is not considered hardly possible by the
physicians in attendance. He breathes with
great difficulty, and can scarcely swallow the
stimulants administered. The physicians
however, are of the opinion that he may lin
ger for some days. Mr.. Sires is an old map,
upwards OF 60 years old, He has been res
ident of Seattle for long time. He is an
ordained minister of the gospel of the Uni
versalist denomination, and is we'll known
and highly respected by all. The affair Gre
ates intense excitement throughout the COM
muDity.
Shortly after the shooting took place polics-
man Woolsy obtained information that ore
Payne, notorious vag and hanger-on about
what is termed ''the lava beds, was the person
who fred the shot mentioned above at the cor
ner Third and Washington streets, aud hence
was the individual pursued by Mr.. Sires, and
who shot him. He at once went to the fell
lows lodging, found him in bed and arrested
him. On entering the room, Woolsy said
abruptly, Payne, why did you fire off that
pistol on Washington street," Il did not
mean to- replied Payne. SIT was acci.
dental" Since beirg placed in jail Payne
denies all knowledge of the shooting, either
on Washington street or elsewhere MIR.
Sires states that the man who fred the shot
on Washington street was the man who shot
him, as he never lost sight of him. There is
evidence conclusive that Payne fred the shot
on Washington street, though no one wit
Messed the shooting afterwards The feeling
here against Payne is intense, ard lyuching
is freely talked of in case Mr.. Sires dies, as
it seems certain he must.
fSECOcSD DISPATCH
SEATTLE, October 12th.-Payne has Just
had hearing before City Justice Coombs
Considerable evidence was produced conclu-
sieely establishing his guilt. The prisoner
wes bound over to await the action of the
next Grand Jury. Payne is short. thick
set, dark-complexioned man, about 80 years
of age, and blind Of one eye. He has here
tofore worn glass eye. His demeauor and
appearance is that of bully and hardened
criminal Of the lowest and most dangerous
order. He was brought into the Courtroom
stolid indifference during the entire
course of the examination. When informed
By the magistrate that he was hell in the
sum of $4,000 to await the action of the
next Grand Jury, he looked up and smiled
sarcastically, and said, Make it S10O, 000,
Judge aud leaving the Courtroom he re,
marked to the crowd while passing cut
Come to see the show, boys !" There is nj
change in Sire's condition, only he is grad
ually sinking and suffe, ing greatly. Hi:
physicians entertain 10 ,..ope Of his recovery
Should he die, judging from public senti
ment, as freely. exr ,ressed, it is doubtful i
Payne's case will ever come up for trial be
tore any trlouna'. other than the bar Of pub
lie opinion.