Evening journal., 1910-04-12

and cousin, James Moss Hunton, as
we'll as the malady of typhoid fever
that swept the Swope household and
for a time threatened to exterminate
the family. II is alleged that Colonel
Swope came to his death directly as
the result of a strychnine capsule pre-
scribed by DIR. Hyde. AT the same
time il is alleged by the State that
he placed typhoid fever germs in the
food prepared for the family with the
intention of killing them. AS a motive
for these deeds the State claims that
Dr. Hyde desired TO kill Off the ncirs
TO the Swope estate, as each death
increased the share which his Wife
Mrs. Drancis Swope Hyde. niece Of
Colonel Swope. would inherit Mrs
Hyde, who is in no way connected
with the charges against her hus-
band, stands by him and refutes an
charges as base ISLANDERS.
The state places its stronges; case
on trial and on the outcome will
undoubtedly hinge the result of the
trials that may follow. with this IN
mind both sides were represented by
an ianposing array of legal talent.
States Attorney Conklin will conduct
the prosecution I'm person, assisted by
John 6. Paxton executor of the
Swopc estate. on the defense's side
are Frank p. Walsh, former Judge
/ William r. Johnson and several other
able attorneys. II was assured by Dr.
] Hyde. himself. that there would be
no delay in the trial. The physician
/ insists that he is innocent II is also
whispered taht a visit of the stork
is soon expected in the Hyde home
and for this reason the doctor is
y anxious TO be cleared of the charges
against him, if possible, so that he can
be with his wife.
Bitter Fight Ahead.
The case is certain to be one Of the
most bitterly fought in the history of
! Missouri Colonel Swope was one OF
the wealthiest and most respected cit
liens OF Kansas City. He died at his
home October 8, 1909. but two days
after Moss Hunton. n life long COM
panion had died i'm the same house
Hyde attended Hunton in his last
/ hours and the death of Colonel Swope
/ followed tho administration of a cap
| sule by a nurse, who later went 10
/ look for the box from which Doctor
/ Hyde had taken the capsule and could
not find IT, Following this eight mem-
bers of the Swope household were
stricken with typhoid fever. Colonel
Swopes body was placed In the fam
/ lily vault but, at the request OF tho
| executor of the estate, the vital organ.
/ were removed and sent to Chicago
where they We're Xamined By noted
scientists. They reported that strych-
nine was I'm evidence in great quanti-
ties i'm the stomach and liver Tn,
coroner's jury then held Doctor Hyde
responsible for Colonel Swope's deatl
and later the Grand Jury returned in.
dictments against him, not only viii
the death of Swope, but of ChrismaI
/ Swope, his nephew. and James Mos
Hunton, as well as the poisoning bl
disease germs Of the members of tn
houseohld stricken with typhoid
Family Before Grand Jury.
In the course of the Grand Jur
hearing every member of the Swop
family, with the exception of Docto
Hyde and his wife. appeared and tes
, tihed. Mrs. Logan Swope sister in
law of Colonel Swope, appeared eigt
] times and related in every detail IN
) death of her brother-in-law. She tol
t Of Doctor Hydes visit to the hous
e Of Colonel Hunton's death. of Colon
. Swope's death a few days later and
her son. Chrismans death. Then 81
r related the story Of the typhoid whic
{ attacked every member OF the hous,
S hold. The defense sought TO bring
u Charles Hatred Jordan. a Chilea
"ysrb doctor" into the case, but tn
/. move was considered so FAR from be-