The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-02-20
STRYCHN|NE FOUND
IN SWOPE MYSTERY
Large Quantities of Poison APP
pear Under Analysis Made
by Scientists
Laboratory Assistant Makes
Known Discovery, Despite
All Precautions

KANSAS CITY, Feb. 1s.-Strychnine
in FAR greater quantities than is usual
~ administered in medicinal doses has
been found in the stomach and liver or
Chrisman SwOpe and in the contents OF
The stomach Of Miss Margaret Swope,
according 10 a special dispatch received
from Chicago today.
This information was given out by
an assistant in the Rush medical col
Iege laboratory. II was there that DR..
Walter 5. Haines and DR.. Ludwig Hex
toen and DR.. Victor Vaughn worked on
the Swope mystery. In the absence Of
these men, who are here testifying be
fore d grand jury that is investigating
the case, the assistant revealed the
story Of the findings OF the scientists
n the two cases. upon which no official
report has been made.
II was in this same laboratory that
The stomach and liver of Thomas H.
Swope were examined, and it was deter
mined that there was poison in his
system.
None Of the eXamina lions has been
finished. That is, an absolute quaint
tative analysis has not yet been made.
The scientists have progressed far
enough. however, to be convinced that
the deaths Of Thomas II. and Chrisman
Swope We're caused by stychnine.
STRYCHNINE VERY APPARENT
Strychnine is more apparent in the
Viscers Of Chrisman than that OF
Thomas H. Swope When the examina-
ZION Of Thomas II. SwOpe's stomach was
made poison was found. but in such
minute particles that an examination
Of the liver was necessary to determine
whether any strychnine had been
given TO cause death.
IN neither the case OF Miss Margaret
nor Chrisman SwOpe could the strych-
nine have been present a result of
hvpodermic injections for medicinal
purposes. Even if the strychnine had
been given repeatedly sufficient of the
poison could not have been placed in
circulation by that method to have
caused the deposits found in the ejecta
OF Miss Margaret Swope and the stom-
ach and liver OF Chrisman Swope, il is
said.
Although the greatest secrecy is be
ing maintained regarding the testi-
mony OF the physicians before the
grand jury it is understood the story
Of the labora tory assistant is the same
as that told by the physicians today
before the grand jury
Scientists Testify
KANSAS CITY. Feb. I9.-Dr. Walter
:. Haines. the scientist arrived here
this morning from Chicago and went
before the grand jury to tell his story
~ the examination of the visceras of
Colonel Thomas II. Swope and Chris
man Swope and the contents of the
stomach Of Miss Margaret Swope. Yes
terday DIR. Ludwig IIektoen, who has
I2ss no
gave his testimony.
At Independence. Mo. this morning,
before Judge Walter A Powell, argu-
ments were renewed upon the injunc-
lion to restrain the attorneys of DR..
g. c. HYDE from ia king further depo-
sitions in that physicians SANDER suit.
When Elmer Swope of Martinsville,
w. V. who asserts he is a son Of the
late Thomas H. SwOpe, appears in Kan
Ess City to press his claims TO the
Swope fortune, he will be confronted
with an affidavit sworn TO in 1885 by
Jhe late philanthropist in which he
states he never married.
FRAUD IN TRUST RECORD
This document was unearthed yester-
day evening in the records of the title
and savings trust by an attorney for
the Swope estate. 1t is properly re-
corded in the Office of the registrar of
eeeds in the Jackson county court
house It follows:
Book B, $50, page 81; Thomas H.
Swope.
Af1davit flled June II, 1895: state of
Missouri, county of Jackson. SIS:
Thomas H. Swope. of lawful age on
oath. says that he has never been mar
ried. Thomas II. Swope,
L. s.: William E. Garrett, Notary
in and for Jackson County. Mo.
Commission expires September %,
1897.
Elmer Swope asserts he is a son of
Thomas H. Swope. He declares that
his mother married the Kansas City
philanthropist shortly before the civil
war This affidavit. the Swope attor-
neys say. viii effectively disprove any
claim of relationship he might make