Nansemond County-Suffolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Brinkley, William E., 1918 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ NEWS OF SUFFOLK CHIEF BRINKLEY, OF SUFFOLK, SHOT Victim Of Alleged Negro Bootlegger, Caught With Satchel Of Booze ASSAILANT ALSO DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED Suffolk, Va., Nov. 30. - Chief W.E. Brinkley, of the Suffolk police department, was shot this afternoon about 4:30 o'clock at the A.C.L. passenger station by Charles Edmonds, an alledged negro bootlegger of Suffolk, just after the afternoon Coast Line train from Norfolk arrived. Chief Brinkley had received information that a certain quantity of whiskey would likely arrive in Suffolk on the A.C.L. afternoon train and that some of it would probably be in possession of Edmunds [sic], who was under suspicion as a bootlegger. Edmunds, familiarly known as Peg, by reason of having a wooden leg, is reported to have been engaged in operating a blind-tiger business in Suffolk for some time, but up until today had successfully eluded the vigilant efforts of the police to catch him. Chief Brinkley, accompanied by Policeman Pratt, met the train on arrival in Suffolk, and as Peg Edmunds alightered told him that he was said to have whiskey in the hand bag he carried and that there would be no use to try to get away beause they could overtake him. To this Edmonds is said to have made denial, but his next effort was to drop the case containing a few quarts of whiskey in such manner as to break the contents and thus destroy the evidence. He succeded in breaking all but one quart and then sought refuge behind a nearby freight car, and as Chief Brinkley advanced on him, Edmonds drew his revolver, which was fastened to his belt, and fired at short range, hitting Chief Brinkley in the abdomen. The chief immediately drew his gun and fired at Edmonds, hitting him and inflicting a similar wound. At this juncture Policeman Pratt advanced and was immedately fired upon, the bullet hitting a car wheel instead of the officer, who replied with a quick shot, which is said to have hit Edmonds in the left breast near the shoulder, the wounded negro before falling, exclaimed, "You got me." Dr. W.C. Gibson, formerly of Suffolk, but now stationed at the Naval hospital, Portsmouth, and Dr. Southgate Leigh, of Norfolk, were called by telephone and are expected to see Chief Brinkley and to operate if necessary tonight. Chief Brinkley has been associated with the Suffolk police department for 19 years and for many years has been its directing head. He is 49 years of age, and is widely known for his courage and ability. Suffolk has made its quota of arrests for illicit trafficking in whiskey since prohibition has been in effect in Virginia, but this is the first serious clash between opposing forces. At a late hour tonight both victims of the shooting were resting quietly. ****************************************************************************** NEWS OF SUFFOLK CHIEF BRINKLEY'S CONDITION SERIOUS Suffolk, Dec. 1. - Suffolk's faithful chief of police lies critically ill at this Virginia hospital, having been operated on last night after he was shot by the bootlegger Edmonds. The chief regained consciousness after his wound last night and the first words to those who took charge of him were directions to have the man who shot him down attended to and brought to the hospital. "Peg" Edmonds is at the same hospital and received surgical attention from the same physicians who ministered to the chief and is living, though badly wounded. Prayers were offered for the recovery of the man to whom Suffolk has been indebted for many years for his brave and untiring service in all of the churches today and he is remembered at many homes. Owing to the tragedy and the necessity of a special attendant for the wounded bootlegger, there was no traffic officer on Washington and Main streets today, Officer Atkinson having been detailed to do hospital duty for Edmonds. The bullet penetrated the vital organs of the chief and his condition is considered grave. His wife and son and daughter are with him at the hospital, scores of friends have called today, and numbers of messaes from other cities have been received. ****************************************************************************** NEWS OF SUFFOLK CHIEF BRINKLEY DIED YESTERDAY Wounds Inflicted By Negro Bootlegger In Resisting Arrest Proved Fatal FUNERAL OCCURS THIS AFTERNOON Suffolk, Va., Dec. 2. - William E. Brinkley, chief of police of the city of Suffolk, died at the Virginia hospital today from the wounds inflicted by James Bowser, colored, alias "Peg Edwards," who shot down the Suffolk officer at the Atlantic Coast Line Saturday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock. Mr. Brinkley was 49 years of age. William E. Brinkley was made Suffolk's chief of police 18 year ago, and when Suffolk became a city in 1910, the title and duties of city sergeant were added. For these 18 years he has faithfully and untiringly fulfilled the duties of his office and has always had as his foremost thought the safety of the people of Suffolk. Once before he was badly wounded when shot by an unbalanced negro in 1908. He was a member of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and was widely known through the country. He had been connected with some famous cases and was a detective of no mean ability. In his death, especially at this time, the city has sustained a great loss, and the wisdom, good judgment and wide knowledge of the under-world of this servant of the people will be greatly missed and his place a hard one to fill. Under his conduct of the affairs of the police, Suffolk has become an orderly town and few cities with six railroads and as many manufacturing plants as Suffolk has can boast of the good order that Suffolk has enjoyed under the man who died in the discharge of his duty. He is survived by his widow, who was Miss Lizzie Carr Brinkley, one son, William Carr Brinkley, and one daughter, Miss Anna Mary Brinkley; two brothers, Richard H. Brinkley, who is city engineer of Suffolk, and Bruce Brinkley, of Richlands, N.C., and two sisters, Mrs. J.H. Newton, and Mrs. Elizabeth Fell, all of Suffolk, Va., and a number of relatives. Chief Brinkley, who had reason to believe that "Peg" Bowser was bringing in whiskey to Suffolk, met the Atlantic Coast Line train Saturday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock, and when Bowser alighted with a hand bag filled with whiskey, he was ordered to halt. Before the chief had time to advance towards the man, he drew a gun and shot the officer, the bullet penetrating the liver. The chief fell and was taken to the Virginia hospital, where every attention possible was rendered him. Bowser was afterwards shot by Officer Pratt after he had shot at this officer in attempting to defy arrest. He was also taken to the Virginia hospital, where he was treated and where today his condition was considered better. The funeral services of the late chief of police will be held at the Christian church Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Dr. W.W. Staley. The members of the Suffolk city council, the members of the policy force, and other city officials will attend in a body. Mourning will be draped on the police station. Interment will be made in Cedar Hill cemetery. [photo-engraving of portrait, headed:] CHIEF OF POLICE WILLIAM E. BRINKLEY, who died yesterday from wounds inflicted by an alledged negro bootlegger, who resisted arrest. The shooting occurred Saturday evening at the Suffolk A.C.L. passenger depot. SAYS HE WAS SCARED Suffolk, Dec. 2. - James Bowser, alias "Peg," sometimes taken for another one-legged negro known as Charlie Edmonds, is the man who shot and killed Chief of Police W.E. Brinkley. Through error of the officer who gave the account to the reporter Saturday night the name Edmonds was used instead of Bowser. Both men have one leg and both work at the same plant. Bowser is shot through the body, and is in the Virginia hospital at present. Though badly wounded it is believed that he will recover. The only statement Bowser has made as to shooting the chief of police was that he was scared. ****************************************************************************** NEWS OF SUFFOLK HUNDREDS ATTEND BRINKLEY FUNERAL Suffolk People Turn Out To Pay Last Tribute To Late Police Chief Suffolk, Dec. 3. - The Suffolk Christian church was crowded this afternoon at 3 o'clock with citizens of this city gathered to do the last honors to the lamented chief of police of this place, William E. Brinkley. Men and women from every rank of life were present, and one heard from many quarters of the deeds of charity and kindness that have been done by officer that were never revealed him in his lifetime. The services were conducted by Rev. Dr. W.W. Staley, the pastor of the deceased for the past many years. The choir sang the hymns, "Kissed by the Angql of Peace" and "Abide With Me," and a quartet sang "Come to Our Hearts and Abide." Among the many handsome floral offerings were designs from the members of the police force, the city council and city officials and the Bar association. Following the casket were Mayor M.E. Stallings, Councilmen J.M. Butler, J. Walter Hosier, Dr. H.W. Campbell, Dr. L.C. Holland, J.A. Gum, C.O. Harrell, Frank Holladay and John Mitchell; members of the police force, Sergeant A.J. Powell, Sergeant J.S. Walls, Patrolmen J.S. Pratt, E.O. Perry, W.W. Deans, Specials Officers R.M. Atkinson and R.J. Tidwell. The honorary pallbearers were: Col. J.E. West, Judge James L. McLemore, A.A. Riddick, W.A. King, G.K.G. Lawshe, George E. Bunting, Charles L. Hutchins, Dr. J.M. Gibson, John B. Norfleet, W.P. Lipscomb, Col. John B. Pinner, Judge R.H. Rawles, E.L. Baker, W.G. Farrar, Hugh L. Holland, John King, Hersey Woodward, Sr., A.T. Holland, Bradford Kilby, Col. R.L. Brewer, W.M. Crumpler, R.J. Norfleet, Lee Britt, John K. Hutton, Col. E.E. Holland, J.H. Corbitt, Stuart Baker, T.H. Debnam, George B. Walton, J.H. Culley, Harvey Butler, W.S. Beamon, B.L. Saunders. Among these were representative of the orders of Woodmen of the World and Maccabees, of which the deceased was a member. The active pallbearers were: John J.S. Branch, E.E. Wagner, Harry L. Jacobs, J.E.B. Holladay, M.M. Watkins, Harvey Ashburn, H.J. Bowen and G.A. Harris. The body was interred in Cedar Hill cemetery. A touching incident in the last hours of the late chief of police of Suffolk was his inquiries of the condition of the man by whose hand he came to his death. Several times he asked after Bowser, and each time requested that he have good attention. [...] DEATH CHEATS CHAIR Suffolk, Dec. 3. - James Bowser, who shot Chief of Police W.E. Brinkley near the Atlantic Coast Line station Saturday afternoon, died this morning at 2:55 o'clock. Yesterday Bowser seemed to rally, but the change came in the afternoon, and his death in the early morning hours. According to the hospital authorities, Bowser made no statement before his death, and was unconscious for several hours prior to that time. He has no family in Suffolk. William Eley BRINKLEY, Suffolk Chief of Police & City Sergeant, b. 27 Jan 1870, Suffolk, d. 2 Dec 1918, Suffolk, interred in Cedar Hill Cemetery (Block H, Lot 42*), Suffolk, 3 Dec 1918, "Virginian-Pilot and the Norfolk Landmark," Vol. 64, No. 62, Sun., Dec. 1, 1918, Sect. II, p. 9 {image 21}; "Virginian-Pilot and the Norfolk Landmark," Vol. 64, No. 63, Mon., Dec. 2, 1918, p. 8; "Virginian-Pilot and the Norfolk Landmark," Vol. 64, No. 64, Tues., Dec. 3, 1918, p. 12, clippings posted with Find a Grave Memorial #11273813 by GJ; "Virginian-Pilot and the Norfolk Landmark," Vol. 64, No. 65, Wed., Dec. 4, 1918, p. 10 *Additional information: His brother Bruce BRINKLEY is buried in Lot 41. Cedar Hill list, an extension of the Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/cedar_a.txt Their parents, Richard Henry Sr. & Sallie Ann (BROOKS) BRINKLEY, are buried in Block D, Lot 69. Their father was a Confederate veteran, having served as third corporal in Co. I, 13th VA Cavalry. Chief BRINKLEY's portrait - added by talos128 - also is posted with Find a Grave Memorial #11273813. D.Cert. 40848 (Suffolk #252) His wife's obit ("Suffolk News-Herald," Aug. 19, 1944, p. 8) is posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/b652m6ob.txt Chief BRINKLEY's collegue "Joe" Joseph S. PRATT was also mortally wounded in the line of duty, 19 Oct 1935, attempting to arrest Jerry Holden MORRIS. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/b652w8ob.txt