The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-28
BRIGGS is NOT HELD
Coroner'S Jury in Hiatt Case
Returns Verdict of Suicide.
RELATIVES HEARD FROM
Brother Will Arrive Today to
Take Charge of Remains.

H. Sylvester Briggs, who was held in
the city jail to await the verdict Of the
coroner's jury on the death Of Emery
Hiatt, which occurred last Tuesday
morning, from an overdose Of morphine,
was acquitted yesterday and released
from custody. The jury failed to find
any evidence whereby a case could be
made against Briggs and the verdict as
rendered by them was that of suicidal
intent.
The affair which resulted in HATS
death occurred last Monday night. About
II O'Clock Hiatt was found in a room at
321 East Douglas avenue in an unc5n-
scious condition, the result oc an over
dose Of morphine He and Briggs had
applied early in the evening for the room
and had taken it with the intention as
was supposed, Of retiring They had both
been drinking and after entering the
room made so much noise that Jhey were
requested by the landlady 10 be quiet.
Everything seemed to be all right after
that until Briggs rushed cut o. the room
about half dressed, saying that Hiatt
was almost dead from taking mprphins
and whisky. Policeman sarver looked
into the matter and went after Dr. Jor-
dan. After the doctor arrived Hiatt was
taken to the hospital and died Tuesday
morning about o'clock.
The coroner's jury net the same after
noon and examined a number Of wit
nesses and in the evening adjourned I'M
I'll o'clock yesterday, when Briggs was
brought on the stand. Briggs IS a pc
culiar looking fellow and shows very
plainly thai he uses morphine. He claims
10 have been an expert accountant, also
printer, and claims t. have worked in
this city for several years.
When brought ON the stand before the
jury h. told, a, STRAIGHTFORWARD &C cunt
of the happenings between him and Hiatt
and how it had been his intention to get
him of the street to keep him from b.
Ing arrested because Of his condition. H
also eXplainedlthat they bath had money
and that when he went out Of the room
he left most OF his money there with
Hiatt He also stated that he saw Hiatt
usiE the morphine and whisky and had
tried to stop him after his return. This
he failed to do until the whisky was used
up and then Hiatt seemed to get crazy
He claims that he tried to keep him quiet
and when he became unconscious went
after a policeman in order to find doc
tor. When asked if he thought that Hi
att had taken the morphine hypGJermic-
ally, Briggs replied that if Hiatt had
taken It in that manner it was while be
was out of the room While on the street
he had left his hypodermic needle on the
dresser and also his morphine bottle with
a mixture Of morphine and water such as
IS used by morphine habituajes. This
could have been used by Hiatt but Briggs
claimed that he was not aware Of the
fact if he did use It. Briggs also stated
that HIATT was easily affected by whisky
and that a small amount of it was enough
u drive him crazy. When questioned in
regard TO the condition Cf the room,
which was in a much disordered condi-
ton. Briggs said It was the result of the
struggle he had had with Hiatt t. keep
him quiet He also stated that HIATT had
hidden the money belonging to him to-
gethcr with his GTiatts) money and for
this reason he was searching through the
room when the doctor arrived When
questioned regarding his acquaintance
with Hate. Brisgs said that he had
known him for a number of years and
that for some time they had been cl Sc
friends HATS people. according to the
statement made by Briggs, were promin-
ent people in Indiana.
Hats body IS sin at Dunbar's, and
It is expected that a brother of the de-
ceased VIII arrive in the city today to