The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-03
While John BiddIe Succumbed to a
Gunshot Wound Made by Officers
in Discharge of Duty.
CURIOUS CROWD
BODIES OF DEsPERADOES VIEWED
BY HUNDREDS OF WOMEN.
Testimony at the Inquest-A Physi-
clans tatement-Deathbed Con-
fessiOns to a Priest.


BUTLER, Pa, Feb. 2.-The terrible fate
of the Biddles is the sole topic Of con-
versation here to-day and a curious crowd
of people have been defying the storm,
hanging about the Jail entrance in vain
attempts to get in to see the bodies of
the dead murderers. A great deal Of SYM
pathy for the boys is expressed on all
sides and not few of the female portion
Of the crowd expressed a desire to see
what manner OF man Edward Biddle
that he should exert such a wonderful
influence over women. Mrs. Soffel's con-
dition suddenly changed for the worse to-
night.
The jail doors were closed all day and
no one got in but the doctors who at
tended the autopsy and the coroner's jury,
which organized at o'clock this morning.
Even the reporters were excluded from
the inquest. which held in the Jail.
Coroner John j.. Jones arrived at o'clock
at the Jail and selected the jury. The tes-
timony of all the officers concerned in
the capture was taken, except that of
Robert Ray, the Butler policeman, who
is i'll in bed. The testimony of DR.. Greer,
one of the doctors who attended the Bid
dies. and of Sheriff Hoon, was also taken.
ward Biddle came to his death by re-
volver shot fired from a 32-caliber revolver
by himself and that John Biddle met his
death from a gunshot wound inflicted by
the officers in discharge of their lawful
duty.
Under instructions of Coroner Jones' an
autopsy was held on the Biddles this morn
ing The evidence secured by the autopsy
bears out the statements that the Blddles
intended to kill themselves rather than be
taken alive and that Edward Biddle sue
cd in hiC 1VNf rl1f1 IAlaR, faf1 f1nI
though his life was forfeited
THE TESTIMONY.
The testimony taken at the inquest was
volumnous, making about II 900 words. and
some parts of it quite sensational The tes-
timony given by Deputy Sheriff Rainey
Hoon reflected severely on McGovern, one
of the Pittsburg detectives. The latter
part of Section of the John Bidde verdict
reads THAT said posse returned the fire
and fight ensued in which said John Bid
die received the wound which caused his
death We hereby exonerate the officers
from all liability, and commend them for
their brave conduct and the faithful per-
formance Of their duty"
Deputy Hoon, after describing the hunt
for the fugftives and the final sighting of
them coming over the hill. said: I'VE put
our two teams in charge of Mr.. ]. A Sny-
der. We then got in line. and they came
down the hill, and the first thing 1 Ed
Biddle pulled revolver. When he pulled
the gun all began to shoot | could not tell
who fired the first shot. We all shot. 1
should judge were 80 feet from them"
Questionable they fall out of the sled?
Answer-They both fell out.
Question-How many shots had been fired
before they fell?
Answer have not much idea; suppose
forty or fifty shots.
Question-The Biddles fell out of the sled? ?
Answer-Yes, sir; both boys fell out and
the woman fell forward. She stayed in the
sleigh and the horse ran off with her and
passed into the field
QueStion-DeScribe your approaching the
Biddle boys
Answer-McGovern and 1 walked up to
them. They were both lying on heir faces.
l walked up first, and McGovern swore at
me for il. / had revolver in my hand
and had ii loaded. | walked up to them.
and he walked up and hit John on the back
of the head with the butt end of his Win
chester when he was on his face Then 1
turned Edward over on his back. L was
the first to touch either of the men, and he
was going TO shoot them again. He step
ped back and shot John again after he was
on the ground. l turned Edward over, and
he said: For Gods sake don't shoot again
let me die" Mr.. Holiday turned John
over, who coaxed him not to abuse him, to
let him die.
arms and side of John Biddle were from
the shot fired by McGovern after he was
lying face downward on the snow at close
range2
Answer-Yes, sir: 1 am sure of that. 1
was within a few feet.
Question-Do you think the striking of
John on the head had anything to do with
the fastening of his death?
AnswerAI could not say. He could still
speak.
Question-Did he strike with considerable
force?
Answer-He hit him good hard biff with
the butt of the gun.
THE DOCTORS STATEMENT.
Dr. Bricker gave the following statement
after the autopsy:
John Biddle was the worst wounded of
the two men, although he was in better
condition than Edward when the men were
brought 20 the Jail Friday night He had
two gunshot wounds on the right side in
the region of the liver. the bullets passing
up and around the body and did no dam
age. They were removed on Saturday A bull
let wound was found in the roof of the
mouth, but was slight and would not have
caused death. This wound was inflicted bv
himself with the evident intention of com
mitting suicide. In all John was suffering
from nine wounds, but, excepting the one
that penetrated the kidney. none of them
would have been fatal. Edwards terrible
sufferingS were caused by a bullet wound
that struck him on the left breast about
an inch and a half to the right of the nip
pie and passed down between the fourth
and fifth ribs to the left OF the heart and
through the lung. This wound was made by
Edward himself. The powder marks are
visible on the skin. Death was caused by
hemorrhages and the man suffered untold
agony 10 the last breath. Another wound
found on his body on the same side,
about an inch from the left nipple but the
bullet struck the fourth rib. passed under
the skin and did damage. Both bullets
found in Edward were 80 calibre, and, in
the opinion OF the doctors who held the
autopsy, there Is no doubt that he killed
himself
After the autopsy the bodies OF the Bid
dies were taken in charge by Undertaken
w T. Roesing. of Butler. who prepared
Them for burial. Arrangements are being
made To take the bodies 10 Pittsburg to-
morrow morning. They will be in charge
OF Sheriff T. r. Hoon.
This evening the bodies were removed
4ail IN. .f fH. 4.