The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-31
4 PREFIDIOUS WOMAN
Continued From First Page.


husband that she was going to visit a
sister at Mcdonald and that she would
retire early so that she could get an early
start Warden Soffel was about the iaiI
until about y o'clock. He retired to his
room, which is separate from Mrs. Sof-
feIs, shortly before 1 o'clock. When he
awoke this morning he asked for Mrs.
Soffel and was informed that she was alb
sent. Later, when the details of the
escape became known he telephoned- to
Mcdonald and was Informed that Mrs.
Soffel was not there
Warden Soffel Immediately made a
frank confession of his suspicious.
Guards Were Not Suspicious.
The plan of the BiddIes was carried
out with great success. They sawed out
the bars of their cells, John cutting out
three in his. Edward being the larger
man, found it necessary to cut out four.
Nothing suspicious was noticed in the
actions sof the two prisoners. nor was
anything wrong discovered when the day
guards went off duty yesterday after
noon. The murderers evidently sawed
the bars during the night, using soap to
deaden the noise and to reduce friction.
1t is reported that the Biddles took
train al the Fourth avenue station of
the Panhandle Railroad, which is with
IN block OF the Jail, and left for the
West.
Warden SoffeI is broken-hearted. He is
completely unnerved and with difficulty
could repress his tears. It has been
known for several weeks that Mrs. Soffel
was taking an interest in the Biddles
and it is said she frequently furnished
them with dainties outside their usual
prison fare.
The county commissioners met this aft
ry,l Il o.
the re-capture of the murderers.
SoffeI Is Broken-Hearted.
Warden Peter K. soffel, is discussing
the escape today, said.
Il believe my wife furnished the weap-
ons to the Biddles and assisted them to
escape She was not in bed when I was
awakened this morning and I have not
seen her since. She is gone-God only
knows where. l did not suspect her and
hence was off my guard"
He broke down and Wept when speaking
of his Wife's actions.
Think of my Children he said, ''their
future will be blighted. / would rather
have died than come to this. To think
that my wife, the last person in the
world whom L would suspect, should act
sou
Mr.. Soffel has two girls, Is and 13 years
Of age, and two boys, 10 and years old.
The friends of Mrs. Soffel believe she
could not have been in her right mind
when she aided in the escape of the
Biddles. For some years she has been
an invalid and about one year ago she
was sent to a sanitarium. She came back
very much improved, but the long pain
full illness is believed to have weakened
her mind. Her husband devoted time
and money for the relief of the suffering
of his wife but it is said she never has
fully recovered her health and at times
was melancholy.
The prison board began an investiga-
ton this afternoon, and announced upon
adjournment tonight that Warden Soffel,
at his own request, had been relieved
from duty pending the result of the In
vestigation. Deputy Warden Marshall
was placed in charge temporarily. Moth
ing else was given out. James F. Burke
and j. d. Watson, the attorneys who
defended the Biddles at the trial. and
the former of whom was instrumental
in securing their respite, have announced
that their connection with the case is
ended, and Attorney Burke has telegraph
ed the governor that the application for
a hearing before the pardon board is
Withdrawn.
Up to a late hour tonight not the
slightest clue as to the whereabouts of
any of the fugitives has been discovered.
The two guards injured will probably
recover. The bullet wound sustained by
Reynolds is not regarded as dangerous.
The physicians have been unable to as
certain as yet the full extent Of Nc
Geary's wounds His head is badly con-
fused, but there are no signs that his
skull was fractured by his sixteen-foot
fall