The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-27
SHOT AN OFFICER.
Pioneer Greer, of Vancouver,
Fights the Law.
SHERIFF ARMSTRONG WOUNDED.
Sealing Case Investigated - xassera
peAIs-whatcom's Hot Politics-

VANCOUVER r. c. Sept N-{special Sam
Greer, one of Vsncouvsr's bestknosn pioneer
citizens, ia behind the bars tonight with the
crime OF attempted murder Of sn o1ncer OF the
law against him on the slate
He fired the contents Of 4 shotgun az Sheriff
Armstrong this morning, causing serious II
not fatal wound. The shooting was the out
come OF suit of Smith & Angus against Greer.
The dispute arose over section OF valuable
land fronting on English bar, near the mouth
OF False creek, and intermixed within the land
grant donated By the provincial government to
the Canadian Pacific railway for bringing the
terminus OF the line 70 Coal harbor and English
bay from Port Moody.
In the spring Of Is54 Mr.. Greer acquired the
right OF g hali-breed and other lands, also that
of smother party 70 q tract of land over which
the dispute has been pending so long. The
land ia question the government claimed was
reserve before Mr.. Greer had any interest there
IN. This view the courts sustained, as did also
the legislature, before which 1t came up for
hearing. The Canadian Pacific then became
plaintiffs and have ever since been pushing the
case, claiming that under the concltions OF
their agreement with the provincial government
the land was theirs. The courts have
also upheld this contention, but Mr.. Greer,
with wonderful pertlnaeity, hrmly adhered
20 the belief that his contention was correct
and that the land was his Both sides have ex-
pended large sums of money in pushing as well
as defending the case. Last March an eJectment
writ was issued in the case, giving possession OF
the property to the plaintiffs as trustees Of the
Vancouver townsite for the Canadian Pacific
Railway Company. 1t was hoped by the defend
ant that new trial would be granted him.
However, the right OF appeal was dismissed
The execution OF the writ has been withheld
ever since, In the hope that Mr. Greer would
quietly surrender possession of the property
without further trouble. Attempts of a similar
nature had been made previously, but without
success Greer held the fort and babe
defiance to ell who attempted to
remove either himself or a member
of his family from of the property. Single
handed, but at the muzzle of his rife, he has
driven intruders of, and in manner defed the
law, the Canadian Pacific railway and its
edets. At last 1t became necessary TO take de-
esive action, and as he had failed to vaeate it
was deemed advisable to compel him to do so,
and that at once. The sheriff was instructed to
enforce the majesty OF the law without any fur
ther delay.
This morning Deputy Sheriff Armstrong, Of
New Westminster, accompanied by Provincial
Policeman q. A. Calbick. of Moodyville, and
Sheriffs Officer Patterson and officer Shirley,
ofths city, and another proceeded TO the house
in Canadian Pacific railroad engine, accom-
panied by gang OF men In the box car sent
thither to the scene by the railway company.
Armed with the proper authority the officers OF
the law and those accompanying them proceeded
10 the disputed territory. When near the resi-
dence of Greer he was observed walking on the
track. Designing the intention of the officers and
those accompanying them, Mr.. Greer ran toward
his house shouting to his vile, who was stand
ing in the door, to shut and bar il at once. which
she did. Greer was in advance of the posse,
and he also succeeded in reaching his residence
and entering it before they reached the scene
OF action. OGicer I. J. Armstrong went around
10 the back door, and, after trying TO open it,
called out to him to open the door.
Greer responded by saying, go away from
there or I'll make IL hot Tor you," or words to
that effect
The sh ssin announced that he had @ writ to
serve upon him (Greer) and wanted the door
opened. without another word being exchanged,
some person, presumably Greer, fired u shot
through the door. Some half q dozen
oil the bullets struck aud entered
MT. Armstrong; left cheek, one also
going through his clothes and burying itself in
his chest over his heart. His clothes were also
badly torn and buttons opened, some having
disappeared altogether. When picked up by
his fellow officers Armstrong presented a pitiful
sight, but said he was not seriously wounded.
lie was cared for as best they could under the
circumstances. On being brought TO the city
DIR. Wilson said the injuries would not likely
prove fatal, but were very serious. Greer was
afterwards arrested quietly by Police Sergeant
Haywood
He said: "The mob came to my house this
morning and tried to wrench my house away
from me unlawfully. The Judge has held that
1t is unlawful, and / respect what the jadge
SAYS"
"But the shooting was q pretty bad thing"
observed the reporter.
"well," Greer replied, 'If Mr.. Armstrong is in
the right, then l am in hole, but say he is not
In the right, al he was not doing bis work In a
lawful manner. have no respect for your city
police either, unless they come here In a lawfnl
manner. II they come here to arrest me for any
wrong may have committed they will find /
am quiet, but no one Is going to wrench any
property from me unlawfully. If they want 10
obtain possession they will have to begin at
False creek and clear away the whole OF Far
view, big houses and little; that is the Judges
orders, which could show you in q couple OF
minutes"
Greer has obtained the best legal advice in the
city. Bail is tonight refused on account of the
gravity OF the ofense and the uncertainty as to
whether Armstrong will die or not