Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-04-11
OPEN DIR. HYDE
MURDER TRIAL
One of Most Sensational Cases in
History of Country
CHARGES AGAINST DIR. HYDE


Murder of Col. Thomas H.
Swope. millionaire uncle by mar
riage. Died October 3, 1903.
Murder Of Chrlsman Swope,
nephew OF Colonel Swope, and
legatee under his viii. Became !
Ill December 3. 1903; died Der
eember 6.
Manslaughter, in connection
with the death Of James Moss !
II Hunton, cousin OF Colonel Swope. !
Died October 1. 1909.
Poisoning with disease germs:
Margaret Swope. niece Of Col
onel Swope, became Ill with ty-
phoid fever December /, 1909.
Legatee under Swope will.
Sarah Swope, niece of Colonel :
Gwope. and legatee under his !
will: became III December 8.
1909. :
Lucy Lee sWope, niece OF
Colonel swope. and a legatee un-
der his viii; became i'll with ty-
phoid fever December q, 1909.
Stella swope, niece OF Colonel
Swope, and legatee under will.
Georgia Compton, dressmaker
for the Swope family.
Mildred Fox, friend of the
Swope family.
Nora Belle Dixon, governess in
the swope household.
Leonora Copridge, negro ser
want in the Swope household.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-. April 11.-Dr
Bennett Clark Hyde was placed OF
trial here today for the murder o
Col. Thomas H. SwOpe, millionaire
and benefactor OF Kansas City, whit
presented to the city before hi
death one of the most beautiful park
in the middle west. The charge o
numbering Colonel Swope is but ont
of many indictments found agains
DIR. Hyde. following the deaths o
Colonel Sw0pe, his nephew, Chris
man Swope. and cousin, James Mos
Hunton. as well as the malady o
typhoid feyed that swept the Swop,
household and for time threatened
to exterminate the family. II is al
legged that Colonel Swope came to hi
death directly as the result of ;
strychnine capsule prescribed by DIR
Hyde. At the same time it is alleged
by the state that he placed typhoi'
fever germs in the food prepared TO
the family with the intention of kill
ing them. As a motive for thes'
deeds the state claims that DR.. Hyd,
desired to kill OF the heirs to th'
Swope estate, as each death increased
the share which his wife, Mrs. Fran
els Swope Hyde, niece of Colone
Swope. would inherit Mrs. Hyde
who is in no way connected with tn
charges against her husband, stand
By him and refutes all charges a
base SANDERS.
The state places its strongest cas-
on trial today aad on the outcome Wi
undoubtedly hinge the result OF tn
trials that may follow. With this Il
mind both sides were represented b
an imposing array OF legal talent
States Attorney COnklin win cOnduc
the prosecution in person, assisted b
John G. Paxton. executor OF tn
swope estate. On the defense's sid
are Frank p. Walsh. former Judg
William T. Johnson and several othe
able attorneys. II was assured BY DI
Hyde, himself, that there would b
no delay In the trial. The physicial
insists that he Is innocent. II is ais
whispered that a visit OF the storl
Is soon expected in the Hyde HON
and for this reason the doctor
anxious to be cleared OF the charge
against him. IL possible, so that b
can be with his wife.
The ease is certain to be one OF tn
most bitterly fought in the history O
Missouri. Colonel svoPe was one q
the wealthiest and most respected eli
izens Of Kansas City. He died at hl
hnma October 3 1903. but two day
after Moss HuntOn. a life long con
panion, had died in the same housl
Hyde attended Hnnton in his la'
hours and the death OF Colonel swop
followed the administration OF cal
lsule By a nurse, who later went