The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-04
She Says 1t Was Not Her Intention to
Go with the Murderers, but
Ed Persuaded Her.
COLD RIDE IN BUTLER COUNTY
DETAILS OF THE FIGHT THAT END
ED IN HER CAPTURE.
Detective McGOvern Denounced as
CoId-BIOOded - Bodies of the
BiddIes at Pittsburg.

PITTSBURG, Pa, Feb. 3.-The only mat
ter now of anything like absorbing interest
in connection with the Biddes is the fate
of Mrs. Soffel and anything she may say
concerning the escape and subsequent cap
ture of the trio. Mrs. Soffel is lying in the
Butler hospital, and though still a sick
women her case is not considered really
serious.
She made a statement tonight to some
newspaper men in the presence of DIR.
Bricker, in which she said: Il had not in
tended going with the Biddle boys on the
night of their escape, but Eds entreaties
won me over" She told of how she re-
mained in the library on Thursday morn
ing awaiting the signal for the outbreak.
1t was her intention to let the boys go and
she would meet them later. While sitting
in the library she was almost paralyzed
when the two brothers came crashing
through the door. In their excitement they
had lost the key to the door and had to
break it down. Continuing, she said: ED
asked me to come with them. Come with
u.s. he said to me. L resisted and told them
to go. They told me they had not an in
slant to lose and if the officers were to get
away / would be discovered. / tried TO per-
suade them TO go. Then 1 felt myself Civ
ing way to Eds persuasons and yielded.
We all dashed out on Ross street. We then
passed along the courthouse to the alley.
Ed and Jack went out Grant street, and,
crossing the river. we met in Allegheny
at their friends house. Well, we could not
remain there and we were soon out on the
road again. The night in the schoolhouse
was piercing cold. The exposure affected
me greatly.
Now. want to say the statements that
1 intoxicated are untrue. Ed and
Jack bought half pint Of whisky and /
drank some of IL. 1t seemed TO stimulate
me- Now, that was the only time L drank
anything on the trip. Ed and Jack took
several drinks and L told them to go spar
ingly on ii, as they would not be able to
get any more without endangering safety.
We secured sleigh and drove through
the country all night. The night was
hitter cold. There was no robe in the
sleigh and 1 suffered terribly. When day
light came l was nearly perished by the
cold.
well, the next day brought us to the
terrible scene. We drove through Butler
and knew that had been suspected.
Then we soon reached Mount Chestnut,
and getting something to eat started out
again. l feeling i'll and was frightened.
The boys learned that the detectives were
after US and they consulted about defending
themselves. I'd said TO Jack: 1t is a life
for a life; let's shoot them down The
Logs drove on. They were bewildered about
thought the Pittsburg detectives were be-
hind them. When they saw them appear
Ed told Jack TO get ready. He recognized
Detective Roach.
Detective McGovern got out of the
sleigh and was followed by the other two
/ saw Detective McGovern fire. The shots
were returned by Ed and Jack. Then there
was a fusillade of bullets. 1 saw Ed and
Jack fall out of the sleigh. / was shot
The horse took fright and ran away. De
tective McGovern said: Kill the d-d ras-
GALS and pointed his gun at me. De-
tective Swinehart called 10 him 10 have
mercy me, that IL was only a woman.
into the field and made a circle into the
road again. l did not fall out Of the
sleigh. 1 jumped out. 1 now remember
setting my foot on the step and then
In jumping. | fell. That was all / re-
member. Detective SWinchart 10 me,
hurt, and | said l was shot He raised
me up and held my head on his knees.
Then / felt myself fainting and the next
thing | knew | was in the sleigh. We
arrived at the jail and the rest is all
known feel grateful TO Detective Swine
hart for his treatment OF me and saving
me from being shot down. The detectives
We're justified in shooting at the boys, FOR
they intended TO kill them.
I'VE were forced TO leave the jail be-
fore our arrangements We're complete 1
learned on Wednesday that the bars
the doors OF the cells on that range were
TO be inspected on Thursday. / knew the
sawed bars Ed and Jacks cell would
be discovered. ] gained admttance 10 the
jail and conveyed this information 10 the
boys. We then agreed TO go that night
I did not intend 10 go with them. They
were 20 make their flight alone. l intend
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