The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-04-21
BLACK DEEDS OF
CRIME LAID AT
| DOOR or HYDE
|series of Poisonings to Obtain
Swope Fortune Hurled at
the Physician.

was crowded to its utmost
capacity long before the regular
opening hour, James A. Reed to-
day delivered the opening
statement of the prosecution of
the Hyde murder trial.
The opening of the case was
marked by a sharp clash be-
tween attorneys for the two
sides. The defense waged a
hard fight on the court permit
ting Mr.. Reed, as special counsel,
to deliver the opening state
ment. Judge Latshaw held that
1t was entirely legal, but as a
precautionary move, suggested
that Mr.. Reed be appointed
prosecuting attorney. This was
done.
Many Crimes Alleged.
The greater part of the statement
was repetition Of the charges made
by state witnesses against the physi-
clan in dispositions given before Dr.
Hydes attorneys recently. The deaths
of Colonel Thomas H. and Chrisman
Swope and James Moss Hunton were
dealt with In detail. The charges that
Dr. Hyde was responsible for the
spread Of typhoid fever In the Swope
house, and that on three occasions he
No
composed a considerable part of the
address.
Little new developed regarding the
findings Of the Chicago scientists who
made the analysis in the cases Of the
two Swopes. 1t was stated by Mr..
Reed for the first time that the state
would show Colonel Swope was pois-
oned with cyanide Of potassium as
we'll as strychnine, and that strychnine
and cyanide had been given to Chris
man Swope.
The story Of Colonel James M. Hun
tons death was made a little more
clear. According to the statement, DR..
G. T. Twyman protested against Dr.
Hyde bleeding Hunton to such an ex-
tent as he did. DIR. Hyde was indicted
for negligently killing Hunton by
bleeding.
For the first time since the trial
started the court room seats could not
came to hear Mr.. Reed speak and were
turned away. They who were fortunate
enough to obtain seats heard DR.. Hyde
severely grilled. for Reed did not mince
words.
"The charge that brings the defend
ant to this bar of justice is that of
having, with elaboration, premedita-
ton and cold and calculating purpose
murdered one of Missouri's most dis
tnguished citizens. the kinsman Of his
wife, benefactor to him." said Mr..
Reed in opening his address
THE proper investigation Of this
charge compels. the state believes, the
Investigation Of series Of crimes, each
of which is a part and parcel of a
gigantic scheme Of criminality; an in
vestigation Of a sequence of law in
vading wrongs, so far reaching, so
tremendous and ruthless in it's concep-
ton and partial execution as to chal-
lenge the horror and establishment of
the world and to stand without parallel
In the annals of crime"
Early in his address Mr. Reed dwelt
at some length upon the Introduction
OF Dr. Hyde into the Swope family.
Mrs. Swope, when importuned by the
physician to give him the hand OF her
daughter, started an investigation of
the physician, and thus, said the at
torney, Hyde's character was first
shown her in it's true light.
Wndt MOtner Oun0 Out.
Regarding the investigation, he said:
Her Investigation disclosed the fact
that he was possessed Of abnormally
cruel tendencies. That as a boy he
tortured animals, characteristic
which manifested itself when as man
and a physician he held the position
of city surgeon and in that position
he so demeaned himself toward the
unfortunate pauper patients that fell
to his charge that he was discharged
for cruelties.
The specific occasion for his dis
charge was the injection of oil Of mus
ta-d into the body of an unfortunate
woman, who was in his charge as po-
lice surgeon. The injection of oil OF
mustard is as productive of acute
agony as would be occasioned by scar
ing the part so treated with a white
hot iron.
Her further investigation disclosed
upon his part an abnormal longing fol
money. In the qualification of his de-
sire of money, though in reasonably
good practice. he made love to women
and. under the guise Of sweetheart
obtained from them large sums Of mon
ey amounting to thousands of dollars
Two distinct instances of this kind fell
under her observation. 1t transpired
also that he had been a grave rob-
ber"
soninlaw later, however, 1t was ex-
planned, and accepted him into hei
family and worked for his best in
terests.
Hyde's Calm Demeanor.
popularity which many people have
noted in DR.. Hyde is his unconcerned
manner. He has never shown signs
OF perturbation since he was first ac-
cused of the murder and tragedy in the
Swope home In regard to this phase
OF the accused mans nature, Mr.. Reed
spoke in passing. Hyde's only exclama-
ton when he was first told by DR.. G
/. Twymann. of Independence. OF the
suspicion against him was:
Well, wouldn't that beat you,' ac-
cording to Mr.. Reed.
The deaths in the household Were
taken up chronologically Mr.. Reed at
tempting to show that DR.. Hyde hao
planned his conquest Of wealth OF the
Swope heirs with careful cunning. The
nrst step, according to Mr. Reed. was