Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1902 — GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENTS AGAINST MRS. SOFFEL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENTS AGAINST MRS. SOFFEL

Indictments in three cases against Mrs. Catherine Soffel, wife of ex-Warden Peter K. Soffel, growing out of the escape

of the Biddle brothers from jail on Jan. 30, were considered by the grand jury at Pittsburg and true bills returned. Should Mrs. Soffel be convicted on the three charges the maxitn u m aggregate sentence that could be imposed upon her would be sixteen years in prison and a fine of $2,500.

The first charge is for aiding criminals to escape. The other charges are separate indictments for felonious assault and battery upon Charles Reynolds and James G. McGary, jail guards. Reynolds was shot by one of the Biddles, and McGary was thrown over or jumped over the railing from the cell tier and was seriously hurt, on the night of the escape.

MRS. SOFFEL.