In the early morning hours of January 29, 1902, convicted murderers Jack & Ed Biddle escaped from the Allegheny Jail in Pittsburgh, PA. The Biddle Brothers were helped by the warden’s wife, Mrs. Kate Soffel, by providing them the tools to escape their cell. The three made their way to West View, PA via trolley, passing through Perrysville on Route 19. They headed north after stealing a sleigh and a shotgun, presumably attempting an escape to their native Canada via back roads.
A posse, led by Detective Charles “Buck” McGovern, were tipped off to their location. The three were ambushed on January 31st, possibly somewhere between Prospect and Mt. Chestnut, west of the City of Butler. The Biddle Brothers were mortally wounded and died shortly after. Kate Soffel recovered from her wounds, and after a two-year jail sentence went on to live a quiet albeit disgraced life until her death in 1909.
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