The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-11
Kansas City Physician Arraign-
ed on Charge of Murder.
Indictment Alleges Killing of
Col. Thomas H. SwOpe.
TEN OTHER COUNTS.
But He Will Be Tried Only on
This One Now.
Formidable Array of Legal Tai
ent on Each Side.

Kansas City, Mo-. April 11.-Dr B. C.
Hyde appeared in tho criminal court
here today to answer a charge of muir
dering the late Colonel Thomas H.
Swope, millionaire philanthropist and
uncle of the physicians wife.
Colonel Swope died October 8, last
His death certificate gave apoplexy as
the cause of his demise. DR.. Hyde was
in attendance.
The state AYERS the physician poisoned
the millionaire by administering strych-
nine to him in capsule form.
The motive for the alleged crime
says the state. was to obtain wealth
By the terms of Colonel Swope's will,
Mrs. Hyde was to receive a share of
her uncle's property and some money.
Desiring to hasten the settlement of
the estate and also to prevent certain
changes which the colonel had planned
from being nladc III the will, DR.. Hyde
the state will ATTEMPT to prove, killed
the aged capitalist.
The Indictment upon which DR.. Hyde
is being tried is for first degree muir
Ger. It was voted 8 against him on
March 5. At the same time ten other
indictments were returned against the
physician. One charges first degree
murder of Chrisnan swope. a nephew
of Colonel SwoDe. by administering
robson to him. An Indictment for man
slaughter was voted accusing DR.. Hyde
of negligently killing James Moss Hun
ton, q cousin of Colonel Swope, by
bleeding him. The eight remaining in
dictments charge the physician with at
tempting to poison Misses Lydia Lee
Swope, Mildred Fox. Sarah Swope,
Stella Swope, Margaret Swope, and
Leonora Copridge. AL of these people
were attacked by typhoid fever when it
was prevalent in the Swope home and
it is avered Dr. Swope caused their ill
ness.
No Indictment but that one relating
to the death OF Colonel Swope enters
into the case which went on trial to-
day. however.
Judge Ralph S. Lattshaw is hearing
the case The state is represented by
Prosecutor Virgil Conkling, John G.
Paxton, Thomas j. Mastin, John H. At
wood, James A. Reed and Henry L.
Jost. DR.. Hyde's legal representatives
are Frank P. Walsh, John McLeary,
Judge w. T. Johnson and John Lucas.
Crowd Is Small.
Contrary to expectations the crowd in
the court room was small when the case
was called.
Less Than a score of persons occupied
spectators chairs. Two women were
present. No restrictions are being
paced on seats. Seventy-five of the $50
veniren1en called were present. The
court ordered attachments issued for all
OF them not answering.
For the first time since that memoir
able Decennbe 1S last. when DIR. Hyde
left the Swope home under fire. Mrs.
Hyde and her mother. Mrs. L. o.
Swope. met today. Although they sat
in court within a few feet of each 9TH
er, there was TO sign of recognition
between them.
1t was a few minutes before court
opened that DR.. Hyde and his wife ap-
Feared. Accompanied by Miss Mary
Flaven, q friend, they walked into court.
Few persons recognized them.
Ten minutes later Mrs. Swope enter
ed with Thomas ]. Mastin and Judge
G. Lee Chrisman. her brother. AS she
walked dowE the narrow aisle, her
clothing brushed the chair in which
her daughter sat. Mrs. Hyde gaZed
straight ahead, apparently oblivious of
her mothers presence. AS Mrs. Swope