Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1902-02-01
THE B|DDLES
WOUNDED
Probably Fatally Shot in a Battle With The
Butler and pittsburg Police.
MRS. SOFFEL ALSO HURT
They Contemplated Suicide In the Event Of Being Tor
Closely Pressed-The Woman an impeachment
In Their Flight.

John Biddle and Mrs. Kate Soffel, VIII,
We're wounded in battle with Pitts
burg and Butiel police Is eretirG
are stlr alive. IN I4dui. has growr
= noticeably weaker and 1t is believed
J death, is now only a matter of a few
hour Unless peritonitls sets In
Jack will be taken to the hospital
where an operation will be performed
in the hope of saving his life.
Mrs. Soffel's only wound was made
by revolver shot, which penetrated
her left breast DR.. G.. X McAdoo re-
moved the bullet and her recovery is
believedto be matter of short time
Mrs. Soffel tells two stories of the
shooting, one to the effect that she
shot herself during the fight, the other
that she was shot by Edward Biddle.
| From statement made this morning
by Jack Biddle, it is evident that the
escaped convicts and their accomplice
arranged to commit suicide in case
their capture became imminent. He
says Mrs. Soffel helped them to escape,
but would not say that she supplied
| the saw. He said he never killed any,
| one, and never put bullet into anyone
| except Keeper Reynolds. He said his
| first crime he ever committed was as
ssting to rob a liquor store at Carne-
gle, but admitted that he participated
in a number Of robberies after that.
After they left the Jail, they went to
tha i,o
and remained all Thursday. The people
in the house. when they read of the
escape from the jail recognized them,
and would only let them remain after
the Biddles gave them a "bunch of
money! They left Thursday night "If
it had not been for the woman, we
would not have been caught" he said,
'for we could easily have gotten an
other horse and by this time have
been more than hundred miles away.
We could not let that poor woman go
by herself"
Jack Biddle said. I'VE did not fire
shot at the officers, but attempted to
kill ourselves shot myself in the
mouth. IIG shot himself over thc
heart, and the woman shot herself in
the breast" Both B1ddles disclaimed
ever having killed anyone. The Kah-
ney murder, Ed. alleged, was commit
ted by Walter Dorman, assisted by q
man from Chicago and the Seebers wo-
man, who put on mans suit. He adj
mitted having committed great many
robberies. but stoutly maintained he
never killed anyone.
Dr. Bricker says the wounds Of the
men will not permit of their being re-
moved Notwithstanding this, 1t isl
the intention Of the Pittsburg authors
ties to have them moved to Pittsburg
at once, regardless of the consequences.
Doctors Greer and Bricker who have
been attending the Biddles made a re-
port that confirms Jack Biddle's story
that the fugitives tried to kill them
selves.
The declaration by Edward Biddle
that he did not shoot Detective Fitz- |
gerald and was not implicated in the |
Kahney murder Is given no credence
by Superintendents of Police Deimel |
and Kelly. Former Warden Soffel |
made the startling revelation that he
had been under the influence of chloro- |
form during the night when the Bid |
dies broke jail Soffel believes the an
aethetic was administered by his wife. |
The Butler. officers demand half the
reward of $4,000, and, in order to hold |
the prisoners. warrants We're sworn out |
for the Biddles, charging them with |
felonious shooting in an attempt to kill |
Mrs Soffel.
About 1890 o'clock, Mrs. Soffel took
a bad turn land her condition is more
serious. She asked for her children,
and they will probably be sent for. Ed
ward Biddle is unconscious and breath
ing heavily. John Biddle recovered
from the opiates administered. The
physicians say that while he may live
several days, his ultimate recovery is
deemed impossible.
At 12O p. M, the Biddles were be-
lieved to be dying, and, contrary to ex.
pectations, Jack may pass away first.
|
which. were torn to pieces by bullets.
It is said that he cannot live long. Ed.
Biddle is in convulsions. Mrs. Soffel
developed pneumonia, and her condi-
ton Is more serious.
MRS. sOFFEL's MOTHER VISITS
HER.
Mrs Soffel's mother, Mrs. Dietrich,
visited her today, and in response to
he question whether there was any
hing she wanted, she replied: There
S nothing to do" Tossing on her bed,
,he said: "Oh, do not know how
,ould have done 1t. am wicked
but hope God will spare my
ife for many years to live down this
hing"
q. B. Weather Bureau Notes.
Forecast for New Mexico: Fair to-
light and Sunday, except probably snow
n north portion tonight.