The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-02-06
RIDDLES ARE DEAD.
Both of Them Succumb to Their
Wounds.

Butler. Pa. Feb. 3.-The death Satur-
day of John and Ed Biddle. a turn for
b worse in the condition of their
companion, Mrs. Soffel, and the dis
closure that the three fugitives came
by their wounds as the result of a con-
certed attempt to commit suicide were
developments that kept at high pitch
b ~interestin the tragic running down
of the escaping prisoners from Pitts
burg. Jack" Biddle's death was caused
by bullet wounds in his abdomen and
bladder. Early in the day the ply
sieians thought peritonitis was the
principal danger in his case. but at
night internal hemorrhages set in and
the man bled to death in a short while.
AS long as he was able Jack was ex-
tremely talkative, and was at times
boastful- But as soon as the shadow
of death began to fall upon him and he
recognized it he became repeptaut.
Ed Bidd.e was unconscious most of The
day. Internal hemorrhage of the lungs
kept him almost continually choked
The end came at IL o'clock Saturday
night. Mrs. Soffel developed symp-
toms of pneumonia after having come
safely through an operation for the ex-
traction of the bullet. She is in a crit
zeal condition.
An inquest was held Sunday. The
verdict of the jury is that Ed Biddle
came to his death by a revolver shot
fired from a 32-caliber revolver nv
himself. and that Jack Biddle met his
death from a gunshot wound inflicted
by the officers in discharge of their
lawful duty. Under the instructions of
Coroner John L. Jones. an autopsy was
held on both the Biddles Sunday norm
ing. The surgeons in charge were Drs.
McCurdv Bricker and J Clinton Atwell.
The evidence secured by the autopsy
bears out the statements that the Bid
dies intended to kill themselves rather
than be taken alive. and that Ed sue
ceeded in his attempt. while Jack
failed. though his life was forfeited.
Jack Riddle was the worst shot of the
two men. In all he suffered from nine
wounds. Only one Of these wounds. a
slight one in the roof al 1.-THE mouth. was
inflicted by himself. with the evident
intention Of committing suicide. Eds
terrible sufferings were caused by a
bullet wound that struck him on the
left breast about ~ inches TO the right
Of the nipple and passed down between
the fourth and fifth ribs to the left
OF the heart and through the lung.
This wound was made by Ed himself,
the powder marks being visible on the
skin. Death was caused by hem
orrhages and the man suffered untold
agony to the last breath. Another
wound found on his body was on the
same side. about an inch from the left
nipple, but the bullet struck the fourth
rib. passed under the skin and did no
damage. Both bullets found in Ed
were 32-caliber. and in the opinion Of
the doctors who held the autopsy there
Is no doubt that he killed himself.
At six O'Clock Sunday evening the
bodies of the Biddles were removed
from the Jail to n of the Railways
of the sheriff's dwelling, and the pub
lie was given an opportunity of look
ing at the two notorious criminals.
Hundreds Of people during the day
DTdNcQ the WOIcb OIiIldAd " NhC NtdIs
besieging the Jail doors for admit
lance. which was refused until even
ing. when the doors of the dwelling
house attached to the Jail were opened
and everybody given an opportunity
10 crafty their morbid curiosity. I'm
til late at night a long line of people
were standing in front of the door.
the wind blowing about their ears and
The driving snow singing their faces
like ~icicIes. waiting their turn. and no.
ticeable among the crowd was the
number OF who were curious,
even in the death. 70 see Ed Biddle,
The man who Is said to have had such
a charm over women when he was
alive. Mrs. Soffei Is reported 70 be
splitting blood at the hospital, and her
condition is not considered favorable.
a--Lan