BRIGGS, Victor - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Attica, Ind., Oct. 3 - Victor Briggs, 65-year-old wealthy widower, was found shot to death on the front porch of his isolated home situated on a tract of land known as "the Barrens" about eight miles west of here today. The body with five bullet holes in it was discovered by Oral Price, a young West Lebanon traveling salesman. Attica was thrown into great excitement by the report of the mysterious slaying.

Williamsport, Ind., Oct. 4 - The slaying of a 60 year old recluse has prompted investigation into terms of a $250,000 will left by the dead man's father. Victor Briggs, a wealthy farmer, was found dead on the porch of his home near West Lebanon yesterday. Five bullets had pierced his body. Briggs' father, Joel S. Briggs, died several years ago leaving a will naming his son and two nephews as beneficiaries. Police said there was a dispute over terms of the will. Authorities were to examine the document at Lafayette, Inc., today in an effort to learn its precise terms. Police said they would question the nephews regarding the reported disagreement with Victor Briggs over settlement of his father's estate.

Williamsport, Ind., Oct. 8 - Clarence B. Briggs, 34, today faced a first degree murder charge in the death of his uncle, Victor M. Briggs, whose bullet riddled body was found at the door of his farm home near West Lebanon Wednesday. Walter Gillespie, Warren county prosecuting attorney, filed the charge. A brother of the accused, William Briggs, also taken into custody during investigation of the slaying, has been released. Denial of the charge is made by Clarence Briggs, who declares: "I had no designs against my uncle. Even if I had, his property was in trust. I could not get possession of it." Authorities point to alleged ill feeling between the nephews and uncle over the will of Joel Briggs, father of Victor bequeathing to him and his two nephews an estate valued at $250,000.

Life imprisonment at the Indiana state prison was the sentence given in circuit court here today to Clarence B. Briggs, charged with the first degree murder of his uncle, Victor M. Briggs. The trial, which has been in progress ten days, was terminated suddenly with the defendant withdrew all former pleas and entered a plea of guilty.