The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-27
Hiatt Died at Hospital Yester-
day--lnquest Being Held.
DR.JORDON SAYS'MORPHINE
Was Not Administered by De-
ceased but by Other Hands.

hospital from the effects Of morphine. An
inquest was held before Judge W. F.
Walker but was not finished last night,
but win be concluded this morning, when
H. Sylvester Briggs testimony will be
taken. Briggs is morphine habituate
and was in the room with Hiatt. He is
being held for investigation.
The important testimony was that given
BY DR.. Jordan In his opinion death was
caused by morphine, but not taken by
him with suicidal intent. DR.. Jordan does
not believe that Hiatt administered the
dug but that it was given by others,
perhaps not to induce death. but for the
purpose OF obtaining gain.
The deceased has q sister living in
Digger, Ind, named Mrs. Clara Moore,
and brother living at the same place
letter found on his person from scheH
CITY, Mo-, was written by Louise Hiatt,
and the supDosit.on IS that she is his
child and that his wife lives there. All
OF the above parties have been notified.
Briggs, HATS companion, is still at the
city prison in a bad condition. He is an
habitual user Of morphine and yesterday
morning he could not utter a rational SEN
tence and the police were unable to get
anything out OF him. a reporter for the
Eagle called on him at the prison yester-
Gay afternoon and he was sensible, al
though he was nervous and suffering from
the want Of the deadly drug. He said he
was ~ years old, but he does not appear
TO be over 30, and had a wife and child,
Of which he refused to say anything
about, because he was a physical wreck
and could do them no good. When asked
whether he administered the morphine,
he gave a negative reply. but continued
that Hiatt was morphine iend Also and
that he saw him mix morphine and whis-
ky together and drink it. He also said
Hiatt took his hyDodermic syringe and
injected some in his arm while he was out
Of the room. He said he had known
Hiatt and had Travelled with him for
about eight years.
Briggs is smart and shrewd but he was
not reluctant about talking about the
crime. but he was inclined to cover up
his family connections. whom he said
were highly respected citizens. He says
In the SOS he was regimental printer at
Fort Whipple, Arizona. and was assistant
private secretary 10 General Crook when
he routed the Geronimo band of Aoaches
in New Mexico While carrying a mes
sage between the lines he said he was at
tackled in ambush and shot through the
left lung and also in the neck. Scars at
the places indicated bear out his state
ment. According TO his statement he also
received almost mortal wound in the
sid
scare the fun length of his left side from
this injury. He said he has been addicted
To the morphine habit for fifteen years,
and Friday night he says both he and
Hiatt were injecting cocaine.
Considerable testimony was brought out
at the inquest held yesterday, bu, no evil
dence was introduced tending to solve the
mysterious case. The following is lie
most important evidence:
NJ NJ. Hathaway being duly sworn, |
testified as follows in the above entitled |
hearing:
II live at 32l East Douglas avenue. |
Kansas. 1 keep roomers ana run !
a bath at that number Mr. Hiatt and |
Mr.. Briggs came as perfect strangers TO /
me inquiring for rooms, and they both /
seemed to be little intoxicated, but Mr.. /
Hiatt was worse than Mr.. Briggs. l took /
them in room No. Z They asked me how |
much l charged a night and 1 told them I.
% cents a piece. We came to terms and /
| rented them n room. This was about 10 |
o'clock at night, when they first came up
to my place. Directly after | rented the /
room 10 them Mr.. Briggs asked me for
a pair OF shears or 81 penknife. At this
time 1 saw a sack of money containing
about 81 or S.. As near as / could judge,
lying on the dresser. In about fifteen or
twenty minutes after I had lighted them
INTO the room I heard them making 50
much noise that / went up and raped on
he door and asked them 70 please lie
quiet. They We're more quiet for while
About IL o'clock l heard Briggs rush
lown stairs and brought mp the police ana 4
claimed that Mr.. Hiatt was dying When
got TO the room Mr. Hiatt was lying
N the toor unconscious, and was all wet.
4 seems that they had spilled the water.
Mr., Briggs claimed that when he was
zone for a knife that AIr. Hiatt had put
morphine in the whisky and drank it. He
aid he did not know there was any 2
whisky there until he came back"
4. II. CdAfN tr bt.ll- lAi>t aug SNo4nr N
he herein above hearing. testified as fol-
ows: u
where do you res.de?"
'IlI5 south En9oria avenue"
Were you acquainted with Emory
iltt?"
'I VAS not"
"Dd YOU know him at au?"
Il jid not
"G-u may state 10 the jury what knowl-
jsC sea have of his death
Il was called 10 this man. HATS roem J
y one Briggs. stating Jhat Hiatt had
AIKEN hl-l a bottle Of morphine and that / Z
De was in The room over 52l East Douglas
ma found aim unconscious. / telephoued
'.ice hea--aarJers about the matter;
hey ordered me Ia SO after Or Jordan. ]
yaich ala al ouce. After our return We
ound the man. Hiatt. sill unconscious, s
ma the man Er.Eas IN 3 raviug condition.
)-. Jordan ordered nae 10 take BIigss and !
ook him up. Z
What 90 you mean by a raving con-
ition. ex7lain2"
He was throwing the he'd clothing, 7
caring at his clothing ana trying to take /
dose or morphine, which / prevented"
Question by Juror II. A. Hlu. :
How was he trying to take this NOR c
hine - 0