Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-02-04
THE BIDDLES ARE DEAD
Both Men Die of Their Wounds in
the Butler Jail.
C0R0NER'S VERDItPI.


Butler. Pa. Feb. 3-The terrible
fate OF the Biddles was the sole topic
conversation here Sunday and a Gu.
rious throng Of people have been defy
ing the storm. hanging about the jail
entrance in vain attempts TO get In TO
see the bodies OF the dead murder
era
A great deal OF sympathy Is express
cd on all sides and not a few OF tne
female portion 6i the crowd desire to
see what manner Of man I'd Biddle
was TO exert such wonderful influence
over women. The jail doors we're clos
ed all day and no one got In but the
doctors who attended the autopsy and
the coroner's jury. The verdict OF the
jury is that Ia BIddle came to his
death by a revolver shot fired from a
32-calibre revolver by himself. and that
Jack BIddle met bis death from a gun
shot wound inflicted by the officers
in discharge OF their lawful duty.
The evidence secured by the autopsy
held Sunday bears out the statements
that the Biddles intended to XIII them
selves rather than be taken alive. and
that I'd succeeded in his attempt.
while Jack failed. though his life was
forfeited.
The testimony taken at the inquest
was yoluminous. making about IL 900
words. and some parts OF II quite SEN
sational The testimony given by
Deputy Sheriff Rainey Hoon reflected
severely on McGlyern. one Of the
Pittsburg detectives.
The latter part OF Section OF the
Jack Biddlc verdict rea 3 as follows:
That said posse. returned the fre
and battle ensued In which said John
Biddle received the wound which eaus-
Cd his death
We hereby exonerate the officers
from all liability and commend them
for the brave conduct and the faith
ful performance OF their duty"
Deputy Hoon after describing the
hunt FOR the fugItIyes and the final
sighting Of them coming over the hill.
said:
We put our two teams in charge OF
and they came down the hill. and
and they came down the hill. land
the first thing saw ia Blddle pulled
a revolver When he pulled the gun
all began to shoot could not tell who
fired the FIRST shot We all shot. I
should Judge We we're $50 feet from
them
Did they fall out OF tho sled?"
They both fell out"
Describe your approaching the Bid
die boys"
McGiycrn and I walked up 10 them.
They were both lying on thefr faces
] walked up FIRST and McGlvern swore
az me Tor 10. had a revolver In my
hand and had Il loaded. walked up
TO them and he walked and hit Jack
on the back of the head with the butt
end OF his Winchester when he was on
his face. Then | turned I'd over on his
back. was the FIRST 20 touch either OF
the men, and be was going 10 shoot
them. He stepped back and shot Jack
again after he was on the ground. 1
turned I'd over aud he said:
For Gods sake don't shoot again
let me die Mr. Holiday turned Jack
over and coaxed him not 10 abuse him.
TO let him die.
The slugs that entered the arms
and side Of Jack Blddle we're from the
shot fired by McGiyern after he was
dying face dawnward on the snow al
close range"
Yes. sir. am sure OF that I was
within a few feet"
DO you think the striking OF Jack
on the head with a gun had anything
10 do with the Fastening og hts death
i could not say. lie could sull
speak"
Did he strike with considerable
force2"
He hit him a good hard bin With
the butt OF the gun"
Since the offers conce med IN the
hight and capture OF the Biddles have
had time 10 cool on a little there az.
pears 90 be a disposition - be fair 10.
Sard each other In the matter OF dis.
trihution OF the prize money. and an
agreement 90 divide the 5000 equally
among the four offices her'. the driver.
J. 4. Snyder. and the thrre Pittsburg
detectives have been pra ticaly con
sented to by all OF the mon except De
tective McGivern
The pastors OF nearly all the church
IS In Butler Sunday referred 20 the
sensational capture Friday % Mrs
Kate Sonel and John and Edward Bid.
die who died In the county jail Satur.
day night
Rev Father Walsh. rector OF 81.
Pauls Roman Catholic church. who
90 the Bidlls IN their
dying hours. spoke touchilgly Of them
o. the members ~ his congregation.
Al. fnwakaN aar.Fftffw 81. ~. -..-