Briggs, George E

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Hugo Neighborhood Association & Historical Society

Home Up Briggs, George E. Browning, Edmond Croxton, Thomas Ganiard, Oscar Harkness, Samuel Hendershott, James Hogue, Ebenezer Hogue, Samuel Holton, Daniel S. Howell, Jefferson Mason, Joseph Nagle, William Newman, William Sexton, David Smith, John S W Tolin, Edward N Tuffs, James P. Twogood, James H. Walker, Wesley R. and Augustus L.

BRIGGS, GEORGE E.

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The Briggs family had a colorful history. George Edwin Briggs (1816-1881) and his wife, Caroline settled in the Illinois Valley in 1854. Their log home became known as "Fort Briggs" because of its defendability during the Rogue Indian Wars (1853-1857). George had encircled his home including two barns with a stockade for protection.

He eventually became involved in politics as a state legislator. He is known for the fact that he introduced the bill that resulted in the formation of Josephine County and it's separation from Jackson County.

One of his sons, David, and his wife were involved in the murder of John Delemater in June 1874. It all started when George's teenage daughter, Callie, professed to be pregnant by the local school teacher, John Delemater. An attack by Caroline Briggs with her cane and the following shooting by David took place at the school while in session. This event and the following year and a half duration of the trials, were the talk of the area. Caroline was released from jail on $8,000 bail after four months. Her son-in-law, Isaac Thompson, and another local storekeeper guaranteed the bail.

Caroline and David were found guilty of manslaughter in a Jackson County courthouse and sentenced to five years in prison. They began serving their time on December 4, 1875. Note : Callie did not had a child.

(source - Wild True Tales - the Early Settlers of Southern Oregon, Volumn 1 by Barbara Hegne, pages 12-13)

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