A fight at the Whonnock Reserve

The Roman Catholic Church
on the Whonnock Reserve 

Following from Victoria's Daily Colonist. 

"Henry West and David Rehberger have been committed for trial on two separate charges of attempting to murder." (18 February 1892)”

"H. West and David Rehberger, committed for trial in connection with the Indian shooting affair near Langley, two weeks ago have been admitted to bail [jail?]" (26 February 1892).

In his book The Langley Story (p. 145.) Donald Waite mentions this incident. It is particularly interesting that his story includes the only known date for the construction of the church on the Whonnock Reserve: 1888.

In 1888 he [Henry West] sold lumber on credit to the Indians of the Whonnock Reserve for the building of a Roman Catholic church. The church was built but West was never paid. Four years later West, two of his sons, and David Rehberger went over to collect the outstanding debt.  West took along his Winchester rifle just in case there might be trouble. There was, when Rehberger poked one of the Indians in the ribs with the muzzle of the rifle. The rifle discharged and put a hole through another Indian's shirt. He was not hurt. Rehberger, a few moments later, was hurt when an Indian hit him with a pike pole, breaking his arm. The West party managed to jump into their skiff and escaped home across the river. Repercussions followed when one of the Indians swore out an information in New Westminster charging West and Rehberger with attempted murder.