The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-27
Little Room for Men at the
Hyde Murder Trial.
Spectators Want to See Mrs.
SwOpe and Mrs. Hyde.
COURT ROOM CROWDED
They Bring Their Lunch and
Stay All Day.
Defendants Purchases of POis.
Ons a Feature Today.

Kansas City, Mo-, April 27.-Mere man
stands little show of getting a seat at
the Hyde murder trial unless he comes
early, very early, and avoids the rush
Of women.
A woman is backing the prosecution
and the majority of the witnesses ara
women which facts probably explain in
measure why so many women attend
the trial. The women spectators all
want to see Mrs. Swope and Mrs Hyde
Barring accidents, there are seldom
more than a score of men to be found
in the spectators seats. Lawyers are
given preference by the marshals in
admitting spectators. AT the opening
of each session the halls are crowded
with women.
Many women have been present at
every session of court since the selec-
ton OF the jury began more than two
weeks ago. The majority of them
bring their lunches and remain in their
seats all day in order to retain their
places.
One old woman pleaded with tears in
her eyes to be admitted. She was re-
fused. She whi:pered to the marshal
that she would send him nice present
II he would olly admit her to the court
room. He fell. The present came the
next day by messenger. 1t was a cigar.
41l0 SIOIy Oh 1. D. ClelIk 6OyQ0 s al-
legged purchases of poison. entered ac-
lively into this trial this morning when
Kiss Ada Hoover, a bookkeepcr and
pharmacist employed by Hugo Breck
lein, a druggist, took the witness stand.
She brought with her books in which
was Hyde's account.
Brecklein's pharmacy was burned
last December, but the books were
stored in a safe and were not injured.
The state said in its opening statement
it would show DR.. Hyde purchased
cyanide of potassium at the drug store
several times last fall.
Miss Hoover was questioned only
regarding DR.. Hyde's alleged purchases
of culture media and Eol1iden digestive
tablets during November, 1909. The
books showed that during tins month
media. 1t is in this media that typhoid
germs develop Several of DR.. Hyde's
accounts were offered in evidence and
passed without questioning the witness
Oscar Brec'xIein, another pharmacist
identified the entries made in the books
by Miss Hoover.
Cyanide of potassium was first mem
toned by Prosecutor Conkling when,
after Mr.. Brecklein had been excused,
he read the accounts offered as evi-
dence. They showed DR.. Hyde was
charged with purchasing four five grain
capsules of cyanide on September 13,
four on December 5, and II on Decem-
Der 9.
Fred w. Sulten, a druggist, of st.
Louis, testified that Coctina pills were
heart stimulants but contained no
strychnine. The pills were in use in
the Swope house.
Sale of Cyanide.
Lazier Williams, clerk at the
Brecklein store, testified to an alleged
purchase of six five-grain capsules cf
cyanide of potassium by DR.. Hyde on
December 5. The order, said Williams,
was first telephoned to the store, and
Mr. Brecklein, suspecting error, or
dered the clerk to telephone DR.. Hyde,
and see if it was correct.
''I called DIR. Hyde and asked him il
he ordered the cyanide said Williams.
s'FIe answered he had. inquired what
he wanted to do with it. He said he
Did YOU then I'LL the order?'' asked
Prosecutor Conkl1ng.
''I did"
the testimony, maintaining the events
narrated took place two months after
the death of Colonel Swope. The court
overruled the objection.
did you ever before sell cyanide Of
potassium to a plnysician?' Queried Mr..
ConkHng.
ssDid you. ever sell it in capsule form
to anybody but DR.. Hyde?"
Mr.. Williams said the customary
method of selling the poison was in
solution form in which photographers
use it.
Attorney Walsh asked but one ques-
tion on cross examination, if the poison
was ever sold in lump form. The wit
ness said it was not
John Massman, another of Breck-
1ain,s clerks. was next called. Mr..
Massman merely corroborated the sale
of cyanide to DIR. Hyde on September
Hugo Brecklein was the next wit
ness.
He Cautioned the Doctor.
DR.. HYDE, said Mr.. Breck1ein,
called at the store for capsules on De-
cember 5, and conversation 1oiloWeo
between them told him, sald Mr.
BreckIein, "that he knew the poison
Gus nature of the drug and 1t was very
dangerous to have around the house.
Some one, I told him, might mistake
the capsules for some other kind and
take them, which would result in
death. 1 told him I would give him
the poison only with the understand
ing that he handle 1t himself and de-
stroy the part of 1t he did not use.
CDR. Hyde told me he wanted to kill
some dogs which had bothered him
considerably.
s'Did he mention that he wanted to
kill bugs or 7ockroaches in his office 2"
asked Mr.. Conkling.
HE did ncI," answered the witness.
Mr.. Brecklein said in % years he
had been druggist he never had sold
cyan1de Tor me0lclndl purposes ana
never before in capsule FORM In his
experience, he testified he never heard
of cyanide's being used to kill vermin.
Neither did he recall having sold any
cyanide in lump form.
did DR.. Hvde ever ask you if your
books were burned in your fire? asked
Mr.. Conkling.
zone of my clerks told me he -
began Mr.. Brecklein, but the remain
ler OF the answer was lost In the OBJ