The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-07
PROBING RESUMED
Jackson County Coroner Again
Calls Jury Together
10 Take Up Investigation of
the SwOpe Case.
THE CRIMINAL ASPECT
Depends Largely ON the Verdict
to Be Rendered.
All the Family and Many At
tOrneys Are Present.

Kansas CITY, Mo-, Feb. AFTER an
interval of almost a month the jury
called by Coroner B. H. Sewart to de-
termine the cause of the death of
Colonel Thomas H. Swope resumed it's
session at independence, Mo-, today.
On January IL jury was summon
ed to view the body of Colonel Swope.
At that time Coroner Sewart said to
the jury:
This is the body of Colonel Thomas
Swope. Look at it we'll, for 1 may call
upon you later
Today the coroner called upon the
jurors to listen to a mass of testimony
given by a score or more of witnesses,
who have knowledge of the case.
The six Jurors all live in Independ-
ence and most of them were personally
acquainted with the dead millionaire,
whose death hey are investigating.
1t is believed that the coroner's in
quest will do much to straighten out
the legal tangle, which has developed
since the investigation of Colonel
Swope's death began. If verdict de-
claring death came under unnatural
circumstances is rendered, it is said
indictments will follow. If an oppo-
site verdict is reached the criminal
aspect of the case will vanish and only
the civil suit will be heard.
j. E. Trogden, an attorney and
deputy coroner, examined the witness
| torneys who nave been prominent in
the case as counsel for the various in
terested parties were present to hear
the testimony. but they took no part
| in the proceedings.
The teStimr ny of persons who super
| intended the burial and disinterment
of Colonel Swope's body consumed the
| morning session.
With the afternoon the testimony
| of the members of the Swope family
| O nf he fa mi U
were among the witnesses.
DIR. Hoekten Subpoenaed.
DR.. Ludwig Hoekten of Chicago, the
| toxicologist, who had in charge the
| investigation of the stomachs of Col
onel Swope and the latter's nephew,
testify before the coroner's inquest.
DR.. Hoekten will arrive from Chicago,
probably tomorrow. All the witnesses
who last week so vigorously resisted
the efforts of subpoena servers de-
string their dispositions in civil suits
growing out of the Swope mystery
readily accepted service when sub
poenaed by the coroner and were
present at the hearing today.
Mrs Logan H Swope and her
daughters, Miss Lucy Lee Swope, Miss
Sarah Swope, Miss Margaret Swope
with their attorneys. formed one
group, while sitting in another party
was Mrs. B. c. Hyde, another daugh-
ter OF MrS. SWOpe, ana ner nuSDdnO
DIR. B. c. Hyde, who has filed a suit
demanding 100000 for alleged libel
as a result of the Swope sensation. The
estrangement of Mrs. Swope and her
daughter. Mrs. Hyde. was emphasized
by their attitude towards each other to-
| day, the first time they have met in
! weeks.
| John G. Paxton. executor Of the
Swope estate and one of the defend
ants in the civil suit filed by DR.. Hyde
was also among the witnesses SUBJ
| poenaed.
Undertaken Examined.
The coroner instructed the six jurors
| that they were to determine the man
ner of death and whether it had beer
| accidental or as the result of a felony
and to inquire into all the circumstan-
| ces of the case.
| James Craig, city clerk of Independ-
| erce. first witness. identified the deatf
certificate of Thomas H Swope. H
| could not identify the signature of DR.
B. c. Hyde. but believed it was genu
ine The certificate read by the wit
ness, gave the date of death as Octo'
| her 2 1909, but did not show the hour