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Charles Clifford Briles

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Charles Clifford Briles

Birth
Modoc County, California, USA
Death
12 Nov 1936 (aged 23–24)
Chico, Butte County, California, USA
Burial
Chico, Butte County, California, USA Add to Map
Plot
Sec 23,E Lot 192 sp 1
Memorial ID
View Source
Chico Record (Chico, California) 13 Nov 1936, Friday Page 1 (continued): "Halt, or I'll shoot you." Schubert said he told Briles.

Instead, Briles attempted to escape, the watchman related.

Meant To Scare Him – "Then I fired, I stood on the platform of the warehouse and pointed my gun to the ground. I didn't mean to hit him, I only meant to scare him," Schubert said.

Shot In The Head – But the bullet entered the back of Briles' head, causing him to fall on his face 40 feet from the platform near the front of the Warehouse No. 2. He died about 10:40 p.m., less than a half hour after he was shot down.

Schubert told officers he heard footsteps in the warehouse and quickly entered it. He stated someone was running through the warehouse. Schubert ran around the north end and stopped on the platform where he saw Briles running toward his direction, the watchman said.

Schubert added that he drew his .41 calibre revolver and shot once toward the ground when Briles refused to stop.

Lying Face Downward – "Then, the first thing I knew, he was laying face downward on the ground, blood running from his head," Schubert said. "I would give anything in the world that I have not to have hit him, I didn't' aid but fired at the ground," he declared.

The platform upon which Schubert was standing is approximately six feet above the ground from the spot where the bullet struck Briles.

Joe Odenberg, another Diamond Match watchman on duty, called police, the Westfall ambulance, and W.D. Dean, general manager.

Window Found Open – Police informed Constables W.C. King and Frank Roohr, who with Assistant District Attorney Barcelous investigated.

An examination of the warehouse by Barceloux disclosed that a window had been opened, presumably by an intruder.

Schubert was brought to police headquarters and questioned at length by the assistant district attorney. Later, he was permitted to return to his home.

At the conclusion of the questioning, Barcelous declared that from his investigation it was obvious that Schubert had fired the shot while acting in the line of duty. He indicated no charges will be filed.

The bullet lodged in Briles' head. An autopsy will be performed by Dr. N.T. Enloe today.

Had Worked at D.M. – Briles was a native of Modoc County and had resided in Chico for the last 14 years. He had been employed by the Diamond Match Company from time to time, but recently worked in his father's woodyard no Ivy Street.

He attended Chico High School for three years.

Survivors include the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Larkin Briles of Chico and the following brothers and sisters: Alfred Briles, Los Angeles; Dot T. Villerey, Kettleman City; Goldie G. Robinson, Ada, Ore.; Robert B. Briles, Los Angeles; Elmer E. Briles, Klamath Falls; Sylvia Briles, Los Angeles; Ray Briles, Brush Creek. The body is at the Westfall Funeral Home.
Chico Record (Chico, California) 13 Nov 1936, Friday Page 1 (continued): "Halt, or I'll shoot you." Schubert said he told Briles.

Instead, Briles attempted to escape, the watchman related.

Meant To Scare Him – "Then I fired, I stood on the platform of the warehouse and pointed my gun to the ground. I didn't mean to hit him, I only meant to scare him," Schubert said.

Shot In The Head – But the bullet entered the back of Briles' head, causing him to fall on his face 40 feet from the platform near the front of the Warehouse No. 2. He died about 10:40 p.m., less than a half hour after he was shot down.

Schubert told officers he heard footsteps in the warehouse and quickly entered it. He stated someone was running through the warehouse. Schubert ran around the north end and stopped on the platform where he saw Briles running toward his direction, the watchman said.

Schubert added that he drew his .41 calibre revolver and shot once toward the ground when Briles refused to stop.

Lying Face Downward – "Then, the first thing I knew, he was laying face downward on the ground, blood running from his head," Schubert said. "I would give anything in the world that I have not to have hit him, I didn't' aid but fired at the ground," he declared.

The platform upon which Schubert was standing is approximately six feet above the ground from the spot where the bullet struck Briles.

Joe Odenberg, another Diamond Match watchman on duty, called police, the Westfall ambulance, and W.D. Dean, general manager.

Window Found Open – Police informed Constables W.C. King and Frank Roohr, who with Assistant District Attorney Barcelous investigated.

An examination of the warehouse by Barceloux disclosed that a window had been opened, presumably by an intruder.

Schubert was brought to police headquarters and questioned at length by the assistant district attorney. Later, he was permitted to return to his home.

At the conclusion of the questioning, Barcelous declared that from his investigation it was obvious that Schubert had fired the shot while acting in the line of duty. He indicated no charges will be filed.

The bullet lodged in Briles' head. An autopsy will be performed by Dr. N.T. Enloe today.

Had Worked at D.M. – Briles was a native of Modoc County and had resided in Chico for the last 14 years. He had been employed by the Diamond Match Company from time to time, but recently worked in his father's woodyard no Ivy Street.

He attended Chico High School for three years.

Survivors include the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Larkin Briles of Chico and the following brothers and sisters: Alfred Briles, Los Angeles; Dot T. Villerey, Kettleman City; Goldie G. Robinson, Ada, Ore.; Robert B. Briles, Los Angeles; Elmer E. Briles, Klamath Falls; Sylvia Briles, Los Angeles; Ray Briles, Brush Creek. The body is at the Westfall Funeral Home.


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