Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-01

her husband
The first suit was filed against Attorney
John G. Paxton. exector of the Swope es-
tate, who has been prominent in the in
quiry SANDER is alleged. DR.. Hyde
charges that Mr. Paxton openly declared
the physician had poisoned Thomas IL.
and Chrisman Swope, causing their
deaths. Actual damages of $4,000 and
punitive damages of $4,000 are asked
in this suit.
Second Suit for 100000.
Mr.. Paxton, DIR. Frank ]. Hall, bac-
teriologist, and DR.. Edward L. Stewart
are named as defendants in the second
suit, which is for $6OO,OoO. DR.. Hyde
alleges that these men made defamatory
statements regarding him in connection
with the Swope deaths. DR.. Hyde heard
Swope's organs, but declined to make any
statement
The letrargic state into which the case
had fallen here while awaiting the report
of the Chicago physicians gave way to
one of activity with the filing OF the suits.
From Chicago Mr.. Paxton retained At
torney John H. Atwood to look after his
interests in the case. Mr.. Atwood i'm
mediately notified John NJ. Cleary. DR..
Hydes attorney. that he would expect
III the case u Ut uduC ny
DR.. Hyde next Thursday.
DR.. Hyde and his attorneys held
lengthy conference last night. 1t was
stated by one of the attorneys that other
suits may be brought.
Henry L. Jost. the first assistant prose
cutting attorney, said the bringing Of the
suits would in no way affect the plans
Of the state. 1t was announced prior TO
the departure Of Prosecutor Virgil Conk-
ling for Chicago. where he met with the
physicians when they returned their Of
fetal report, that no action would be
taken toward an arrest until after the
coroners jury had held an inquest over
the remains of Col. Swope. The inquest
Will be card either today or Wednesday.
Accused Mans Statement.
The statement given out by DR.. Hyde
follows:
'It has been eighteen days since 1 was
indescribably, shocked by the newspaper
statements regarding the suspicious sur
rounding the illnesses and deaths in the
Swope family. have refrained from CIV
ing expression Of any feelings IN the race
of palpable insinuations contained IN
statements alleged to have been made by
various persons connected In one way
or the other with the matter, on the ad-
vice of friends who stood Loyalty at my
side in this trying situation, as well as
my counsel.
II cannot and do not believe that any
person of fair mind could consider me
such monster as to have even wished
the death of any or all OF these un1ortu-
nate people, who were near and dear to
me, much less to have had hand IN
any of their deaths.
1.-THE first publication came at time
when I was convalescfng from an attack
Of typhoid fever, and I fastened to sug-
gest through the press that any thorough
P,fr {,n,,a <terot h1 yIo
by me.
my counsel and friends have urged
upon the county coroner during all these
days of terrible suspense that Justice to
CATION, and we will gladly render this
official all the assistance in our power
in such an inquiry: and I have no doubt
that the efforts put forth In my own liti-
cation will be helpful in arriving at
truthful conclusion
Opportunity for Hearing.
"The suits which have brought today.
expect. will present the opportunity
a searching investigation under oath into
plorable illnesses and deaths. to the end
that I may be completely INDICATED in
the minds of my fellow men.
The consciousness of my own limo
who were in the best possible position to
judge my conduct have sustained me
this most trying ordeal.
Il feel that with the bringing of these
suits my vindication is at least to some
extent in my own hands, and rely upon
that sense Of fair play which am sure
exists in this community. to withhold
judgment until l have an opportunity Of
carrying conviction to every mind that I
am an innocent man."
r 10 to- Dr <p<A Av,f
in part:
mo person in the world is more inter-
terested in the outcome of an investiga-
ton into the deaths of my beloved rela-
tives than myself. OF the three who
have passed away, Col. Swope was my
Swope was my dear brother. Mr.. Moss
Hunton was my fathers first cousin, and
ever since the death of my own father
Mr.. Hunton has been as kind and affec-
me. My brother Chrisman was the Oldest
of our family and l am next to him in
point of age.
IT was present during the last sad hours
Of all of them. My husband and I were
called to the house on the evening of my
cousin Moss death and remained in the
house continuously until a week after the
death of my uncle.
Summoned Another Physician.
my husband and I were at my mothers
house on the evening of Thanksgiving
day, which was on the 25th Of November,
and neither of us returned to Independ-
ence until Friday, December 3. when 1
was called to the house on account of the
illness of my brother Chrisman, and my
sister Margaret. At that time my mother
was visiting in Chicago.
when 1 arrived at the house in Inde-
pendence on December g. I found both my
brother and my sister in bed. Chrisman
with a high fever and Margaret with
severe chill.
IT Immediately called DR.. Twyman. who
examined and prescribed for my sister
Continuing, Mrs. Hyde made the signif-
cant statement that Chrisman Swope was
taking medicine that he had obtained from
a man in Kansas City. Kansas. This
medicine" she said. CONSISTED Of white
pills and was contained in an ordinary
pill box"
Referring to the day on which she dis
covered that her brother was taking this
medicine. Mrs. Hyde said:
"Discovering that he had a severe
headache. / then insisted that my brother
cease taking the medicine and place him
self under the care. of DR.. Twyman. My
brother appeared to be growing rapidly
worse and finally consented to see DIR.
Twyman. From that time until he passed
away DIR. Twyman gave him the most
careful attention.