Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1902 — BOTH BIDDLES DEAD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BOTH BIDDLES DEAD.

Tragedy of the Pennsylvania Criminals Conies to an End. The circumstances attending the arrest of the fugitive murderers, Edward and John Biddle, in Butler County, Perinsyl-

vania, on Friday, as well as of Mrs. Soffel, wife of the warden of the jail from whieh with her help they made their escape, were th rillingly dramatic. The Biddles, both sentenced to death for murder, escaped from the Pittsburg jail early Thursday, after a desperate fight with the

guards. Mrs. Soffel, the jailer's wife, aided them to escape. She furnished them with saws, revolvers and clothing, then fled with the murderers. She was infatuated with Ed Biddle. Officers were at once put on the trail of the desperadoes and a reward of $5,000 was offered for their capture, dead or alive. Eight officers in two sleighs chased the Biddles and Mrs. Soffel nearly al] of Friday, coming close enough to open flro on them late in the afternoon, on a country road two miles cast of Prospect. The Biddles were in a sleigh, stolen at Perrysville, and returned the fire. Ed Biddle was wounded three times and John riddled with buckshot. Mrs. Soffel was wounded in the breast. The theory is, and it is corroborated by their deathbed stories, the two desperadoes, knowing they would be captured, then tried to end their own lives. Officers picked up the wounded trio from the blood-stained snow and conveyed them to Butler. The escape of the officers is marvelous. Not one was injured. Both John and Ed Biddle died of their wounds during the night, and Mrs. . Saffel's condition was thought to be critical, symptoms of pneumonia having developed. As long as he was able Jack Biddle was extremely talkative, ami was 'kt times boastful. But as soon as the shadow of death began to fall upon him and he recognized it he became repentant. He denied to the last that either he or his brother committed the murder for which they were sentenced to death. The declaration by Edward Biddle that he did not shoot Detective Fitzgerald and was not implicated in the Kahney murder is given no credence by Supt. Demmel and officers who are familiar with the case. The Kahney murder, Biddle alleged, was committed by Walter Dorman, assisted by a man who had that day come from Chicago, and the Seebers woman, who put on a man's suit. This, Biddle said, she had often done before when she had assisted them in their robberies. Former Jail Warden Soffel of Pittsburg made the statement that he had been under the influence of chloroform during the night when the Biddles broke jail. Mr. Soffel believes the anesthetic was administered by his wife. He said: “I am glad my wife was captured with th”m and hope she will be just punishment for her part in the crime.” Mrs. So ffel’s Story. Mrs. Soffel told Detective Swinehart that she and the Biddles intended going to Toledo. “Boys,” said she, when she had partially recovered, “for God’s sake, don’t desert me now, take me with you.” Later she told Detective Swinehart that they only had a small sum of money with them. At the jail Mrs. Soffel said: “My future is now clear. I left my husband and children for a purpose which I thought was just. Ed told us he was innocent of the charges for which he was incarcerated. I listened to Ed’s plans and stood in front of the cell while he ■awed the bars. We went to Allegheny but about the journey from that place until we were found by the detectives I will not talk. “I am a bad woman,” she continued. “I am a bad woman. I love only my children. You know there are many domestic troubles that only women can understand. I will now go to prison if I live. I only feel for my children.”

MRS SOFFEL.