Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-01
DR.. HYDE SUES.
Brings Actions for Damages Amount
ing to 100000 for SANDER.

Kansas City, Mo-, Jan. 31.-A sensa-
tional phase in the Swope case devel-
oped today when DIR. Bennett Clarke
Hyde, highly connected professionally
and socially, filed two suits at indie
pendence, Mo, one against John G.
Paxton, an executor of the sSwope es-
tate, to recover 100000 for alleged
SANDER, and another against Paxton,
DR.. Frank l. Hall, bacteriologist and
Dr. Edward l.. Steward, asking for adj
ditional damage aggregating 100000
for alleged defamatory statements by
them against the plaintiff in connection
with the death of the Swopes.
Today DR.. 3. c.. Hyde and his wife.
the niece of Col. Swcpe, for the first
time since the publication of the
question regarding the cause of ill
ness and death in the Swope family,
broke silence. Each issued state
ment, both of them signed DR.. Hyde's
statement in part follows:
at has been Is days since I was in
describably shocked by the newspaper
statements regarding the suspicious
surrounding the illness and deaths in
the Swope family. 1 have refrained
from giving expression to my feelings
in the face of palpable insinuations
contained in various statements.
Il cannot and do not believe any per-
son of fair mind could consider me
such monster as TO have even wished
the death Of any or all of these unfor-
tllnate people, who were near and
dear to me, much less to have had a
hand in any of their deaths.
My counsel and friends have urged
upon the county coroner during al!
these days of terrible suspense that
justice to me demanded a fair and
speedy investigation and we will glad
ly render this official all the assistance
in our power in such an inquiry.
"The suits which / have brought to-
day 1 expect will present the opportu-
nifty which / most earnestly crave of
making searching investigation under
oath into every circumstance sur
rounding these deplorable illnesses and
deaths" Mrs. r. G. Hyde in her state
ment says in part:
''No person in the world is more in
terested in the outcome of an investi-
cation into the deaths of my beloved
relatives than myself. OF the three
who have passed away, Col. Swope
was my fathers oldest brother and
Chrisnan Swope was my dear broth
er. Mr.. Moss Hunton was my fathers
first cousin and ever since the death
of my own father. Mr.. Hunton has
been as kind and affectionate as q IA
Their could have been to me.
"When | arrived at the house in In
dependence on Dec. 3, found both my
brother and my sister in bed, Chrisman
with a high fever and Margaret with
severe chill.
Il Immediately called DIR. Twyman,
who examined and prescribed for my
sister Margaret
Mrs. HYDE made the significant
statement that Chrisman Swope was
taking medicine that he obtained from
a man in Kansas City, Kansas. This
medicine" she said, consisted of white
Mills and was contained in an ordinary
pill box.
INV husband went to my mothers
house upon this occasion at my most
earnest insistence and at great per-
sonal sacrifice. / was at my husbands
side during the entire time that he
was at the house. was familiar with
his every movement and knew better
than any other living person how
cruel and unjust is any insinuation
that ne was responsible in the slight
eat degree for any of the unfortunate
conditions that existed at my mothers
house in Independence"
Mrs. Hyde's statement that she
would stand by the doctor, in effect ar
rays her against her mother, who
pushed the investigation, and the 9TH
er Swope heirs. Mrs. Hyde is wealthy
in her own right. She received 100000
from the Swope estate and previously
possessed considerable valuable prop
erty. Because he had secretly married
Mrs. Hyde against the wishes ~ her