Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-04-18
Attorney for State in Kan
sas City Murder
Opens Case.
WAS CRUEL AS A BOY
Declares Staying of Col. SWope
Part of Deliberate Plot to
Gain Money.

Kansas City, April 1S.-Betore a
court room crowded to the utmost ca
pacity James Reed today delivered the
opening statement for the prosecution
in the Hyde murder trial. The defense
objected to the court permitting Reed
as special counsel delivering the open
ing statement. Judge Latshaw held
it entirely legal, but suggested that
Reed be appointed special prosecuting
attorney. This was done.
Called Liars and Thieves.
Frank Walsh, leading consul for the
defense, interposed objection to the
prosecution introducing statements re-
garding any feature Of the case except
that dealing directly with the death
Of Colonel Swope. He was overruled.
Walsh branded many persons who
gathered evidence against Hyde as
liars and thieves" Reed sought later
to tell the story of the courtship of
Hyde and Mrs. Hyde. and the objec-
tion of Walsh to this feature was sus-
tained.
Painted as Cruel I'm BoyhOOd.
Kansas City, April 1S.-Picturing
DR.. Hyde as a man whose evil propen-
stiles led him during boyhood TO tor
ture animals and in later life TO abuse
the poor and helpless and in the full
ness. OF professional success 10 con-
ceive the most colossal murder plot
in the history OF criminality. Attorney
James Reed made ne Opening state
ment for the state in the physicians
trial here today.
Money at Bottom of II.
In leading up to the motive which
the state claims caused the alleged
murders he committed Reed explained
the overpowering greed for money had
manifested itself in Hyde. With the
purpose of adding 10 his wealth. said
Reed, the physician made love TO
women and then obtained money from
them. The greater part Of the state
ment was a repetition of the charges
made by the states witnesses against
the physician in depositions given be-
fore Hyde's attorneys recently.
The deaths of Colonel Thomas II.
and Chrisman Swope and James Moss
Hunton were dealt with in detail. The
charges that Hyde was responsible
for the spread Of typhoid fever in the
Swope house and that on three occa-
sions ne tried to poison Miss Margaret
Swope composed a considerable part
of the address. "The charge that
brings the defendant to this bar of
justice is that of having with delibera-
tion, premeditation. cold. calculating
purpose murdered one of Missouri's
most distinguished citizens. kinsman
of his wife and a benefactor TO him"
In, hso oId
Death After Medicine.
Details of Colonel Swope's death
were entered into. II was rehearsed
how, at Hyde's orders, Miss Kellar
gave Colonel Swope a capsule. Con-
vulsions ensued Again at Hyde's or
ders hypodermic injection was given.
Death followed
Having completed the history of the
case to this point Reed said: The
foregoing evidence might be said 10
be the first evidential chapter that
makes plain the plan and scheme of
Hyde to accomplishe the acquisition Of
a large part of the Swope fortune.
Sought to XIII All Heirs.
"The next testimony that will be in
troduced will be indicative of the fact
the next move in carrying out this
plan the purpose was to remove as
many members of the Swope family
as might be to end that, the fall Of
each would swell the fortune that he.
through his wife, would be able to
control"
A lengthy recital how Hyde oo-
tanned typhoid and diphtheria germs
of DR.. Stewart and the appearance OF
typhoid fever in Swope followed.
Reed explained Hyde was being tried
only for the murder of Colonel Swope.