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Sleigh

Object number2011.127.253

Date1902

MediumWood; Metal; Mohair; Straw; Paint

Credit LineGift of Pittsburgh Police Historical Association

DescriptionTwo passenger, horse-drawn, wooden sleigh.Dimensions47 x 42 x 72 in. (119.4 x 106.7 x 182.9 cm)
InscriptionsManufacturer's Mark Image appears to depict a set of red curtains around a gold, heart-shaped filigree design with a crown at the top.

Also appears to have been a similar design painted on the front but is now very faint and mostly worn off. Painted Back of sleigh
Historical NotesDuring their getaway, Jack and Ed Biddle stole this sleigh and a horse from a farm in Butler County. It was owned Herman and Christ Schwartz, who eventually got both the horse and sleigh back. It was donated to Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation in 1987 by Marjorie Roberts, who was a distant relative of the Schwartzes. In 1991 it was transferred to the Pittsburgh Police Historical Association and then the Senator John Heinz History Center in 2011. Jack and Ed Biddle, the reported leaders of "The Chloroform Gang" in Pittsburgh, were convicted of murdering a Mt. Washington grocer after robbing his store on April 12, 1901. While they were incarcerated at the Allegheny County Jail, a romance developed between Ed Biddle and the warden's wife Kate Soffel. In February of 1902, Kate helped the Biddle brothers to escape from the jail and went on the run with them. They took a trolley to West View and walked to a farm on Route 19 where they stole a horse, sleigh, and a shotgun. As they headed through Butler County on their way toward Canada, the Pittsburgh Police as well as the Butler County Sheriff's's Department formed a posse to intercept them at the Graham farm. A shootout occurred that left the brothers mortally wounded and Kate seriously wounded. She survived and was later tried and convicted of helping the brothers escape. Ironically, she ended up serving several years in the same jail that she helped the Biddles escape from. This type of sleigh can be referred to as an Albany cutter or a swan/swell-body sleigh.

Related person Jack Biddle

Related person Kate Soffel

Related person Ed Biddle

Previous owner Marjorie Roberts

Related institution Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

Previous owner Herman Schwartz

Previous owner Christ Schwartz

Previous owner Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation

Subjects