THIS DAY IN HISTORY:
SEPTEMBER 26, 1891
In June 1884, Sam Greer bought 200 acres of land in Kitsilano Point off four natives. The purchase went through an “Indian agent” in New Westminster named McTiernan. A year later, the Canadian Pacific Railway announced it was going to locate its terminus at Coal Harbour, rather than at Port Moody. What had been land way out in the boonies suddenly became quite valuable — Greer’s claim included Kitsilano Beach. As part of the Coal Harbour deal, the provincial government gave the CPR 6,000 acres of land in what would become Vancouver. Premier William Smithe assured the railway that there were “no known claims against the land,” even though Greer and a handful of other settlers were living there. Greer was arrested and charged with forging the signature of one of the natives on the land transfer, but was acquitted after a trial in Victoria. A special committee was struck in the provincial legislature that recommended Greer be given a Crown grant covering his claim. But the government didn’t act on the recommendation, arguing it had already granted the land to the railway. Greer refused to move, raising his family of six kids in a house at Kits Beach, or Greer’s Beach, as it was then known. He even sold some lots from what he considered his land. One hundred and twentytwo years ago today, the CPR went to the police to try to evict him. Deputy Sheriff Armstrong and two members of the B. C. provincial police came out to Kits aboard a CPR engine ( the railway had a track near Greer’s home). According to the Vancouver World, when he spotted the cops, Greer ran to his house and locked the door. Armstrong demanded “Open the door, Greer,” and Greer responded, “Go away from there, or I’ll make it hot for you.” Armstrong announced he had a writ to serve upon him. Greer responded by firing a shot through the door with a doublebarrelled shotgun. “Some half dozen of the bullets struck and entered Mr. Armstrong’s left cheek,” reported the World. “One also going through his clothes and burying itself in his chest above his heart.” Armstrong went back to the city to get treated, and a warrant was sworn for Greer’s arrest. He was taken into custody later that day, then a crew arrived to take his possessions out of his house. After inducing Greer’s wife to leave, they set it on fire, burning it to the ground. Greer was initially charged with attempted murder, but the charge was reduced to assault causing bodily harm. He was convicted on Nov. 16, 1891, and sentenced to 27 months of hard labour in the B. C. Penitentiary.