The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-03
THE WAGES OF SIN
II Is Death In the Case of the
Biddles. ,
BROTHERS DIE THE SAME NIGHT
Coroner Finds That Ed Died From
His Own Hand and Jack From
Officers Bullets.

Butler, Pa. Feb. 3-John Biddle, who
was considered the more likely of the
Drothers to escape death, succumbed first
ana died Saturday evening. His brother
Ed died at IL o'clock the same night. Mrs.
Sofel, who developed symptoms OF pneu
mon1a, has chance for life, and unless
some unforeseen complication sets in. will
recover. AS long as he was able, Jack
was extremely talkative and at times
boastful. But as soon as the shadow of
death began to fall upon him, and he
recognized it, he became repentant Said
he: -
know that my time here is short, and you
can say for me that l am Christian and
Will die sincere believer in God, and hope I
will have strength enough to say, so at the
last. l know l have taken part in many
wrong deeds, but l have never, killed any
map and was never implicated with any one
who did l wish I could see Mrs. Kahney
would tell her the truth about the killing
Of her husband. This life has been pretty
tough to me. and the end cannot come too
quick, and I don't care how.
Revealed by a. Love Letter.
A lost love letter from Ed Biddle to
Mrs. Soffel, found in the snow near the
scene Of their capture, reveals the long
careful plot for their escape from the
Allegheny county jail The letter clearly
shows the Hazardous undertakings of the
infatuated woman to secure the escape of
the Biddles. Since Dec. 2, 1901, they had
been making preparations to escape.
The epistle tells how Mrs. Soffel carried
the saws to the cells of the Biddles. 1t
manifests the infatuation of Mrs. Soffel
for the murderer and burglar. 1t clearly
shows the wonderful influence Ed Biddle
had over Mrs. Soffel. Mrs. Soffel fell in
love with Ed Biddle in November The
burglar soon realized his power over her.
1t was not long until he started to write
love letters to her. His affection was
reciprocated. Mrs. soffel consented to lend
them her aid in escaping. Between Dec.
IA and Is they had completed all arrange
ments to escape from the Jail. Then they
learned OF the governors respite. After
this Ed Biddle almost persuaded Mrs. Sof-
fel to fly gwith him and his brother.
Disguised as Nuns.
Wearing the garb of nuns Of the Romau
Catholic church, under the protecting wing
Of which the condemned murderers had
found spiritual rest, the B1ddleS and Mrs
Soffel had resolved to make their escape
1t was Mrs. Soffel's plan and the arrange
ment was that as soon as the trio had
reached place of temporary safety, they
were to don the black robes and wells as
travelling Sisters of Mercy and make fo1
some remote mining place in Canada
where they were to live together. Mrs
Soffel's dead lover had told her that he
intended to give up his former nefarious
trade and work in the mines with Jack
This plan was made known to DR.. McCurdy
Bricker at the Butler hospital by Mrs
Soffel and was confirmed by Jack Biddle
The thought that, though the means was
dear, she had assisted her lover to escape
the scaffold, seemed to soothe Mrs Soffel's
mind and wounds. She remarked that she
had accomplished her purpose and was
ready to meet her fate.
COrOner's Verdict-BrutaI Detective
The coroner's jury decided that Ed Bid
die came to his death by a revolver shot
fired from 90 caliber revolver by himself
and that Jack Biddle met his death from
gunsnot wound inflicted by the officers il
the discharge Of their lawful duty. This
evidence pears out the staten ents that
rather than be taken alive and that El
succeeded in his attempt, while Jac,
failed, though his life was forfeited,
The testimony given by Deputy Sheriff
Hoon reflected severely on McCovern, one
of the Pittsburg detectives. Deputy Hoor
said that he approached the Biddles witt
McGoVern, who was armed with Win.
chester rifle, and who struck Jack Biddle
| who lay face downward on the ground
with the butt of the weapon and ther
stepped back and fired a shot irtc him. HI
was about to shoot Ed Biddle when the
deputy interfered. The deputy claimed
the detective acted in an inhumane an(
brutal manner and tried to kill the mer
| when they lay defsnseless in the snow.