Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1919-03-18
HARVEY
WAS SUBJECT To
BRAIN TROUBLE
Inflammation May | lave
Been Old One, Physi-
clan Asserts.
COULDN'T SAY CONDITION
WAS RESULT OF BLOWS

Livingston, March 17.-The entire day
was consumed in taking testimony Of
two expert witnesses in the trial of
Joseph e. Swindfehurst on a charge of
having murdered Attorney Oliver NJ.
Harvey
DR.. r. D. Alton Of Livingston, who
performed the autopsy, testified that he
found evidences of meningeal inflam-
nation. which he said evidently had ex-
listed for some time, and also an adhe-
sion between the three membranes which
cover the brain. He said he found upon
these membranes a deposit of pearly
nature. indicative somewhat of what
would have been in life an inflammation
of the meningeal area.
DR.. Alton testified that he was look
ing for such condition because during
life he often had treated Harvey for
headaches. He said Harvey had gone
east to consult specialists, and had had
his eyes fitted to glasses but did not en-
tirely recover from his trouble.
Face Muscles Twitched.
The witness also testified that twitch-
ing of Harvey's face muscles had been
noticed in life. leading him to the sus-
picion that brain trouble might have
been responsible for the headaches. In
reply to questions of Colonel Nolan for
the defense. the witness said he did not
know whether or not this condition
might have rendered Harvey susceptible
to an apoplecic stroke.
DR.. Alton said it was his understand
ing that in concussion of the brain there
was no rupture of the blood vessels or
arteries or capillaries, that death results
from injury to the nervous centers and
80 Ev<x~ .~& a.
CIot on Brain Was Thin.
When asked concerning the effects of
pumping embalming fluid into the arter-
les, the witness said that in cases of sud-
den death it was his impression some
blood remains in the arteries. and that
he thot it reasonable to presume that
the embalming fluid would wash such
blood to the place of its final determina-
ton. He said the clot of blood found
on Harvey's brain was thin clot. which
he said be wiped away with piece of
cotton. 1t amounted to three or four
he testified.
The following question was put to the
witness by Colonel Nolan:
Having in mind the external injuries
on Harvey's body and his condition as
you saw him in the Elite Cleaners i'm
mediately after the fight. did you come
10 duS CoECluSiOu us 10 the cause OF HIS
ieath?"
Drew No Conclusion.
II did not the witness replied.
"Could you say the condition of the
brain was the result of blows admins
tered upon the head?"
mo, sir; can't say that
In cross-examination. George Hurd, for
The state. attempted TO sho wthat DR..
Alton had made statements to certain
persons after the coroner's inquest at
'ariance with the testimony he gave upon
he witness stand.
The witness was asked if he had said
o W. S. Hartman after the tragic fight.
L told or warned Swindlehurst several
lines that he must not do this thing
hat he mustn't strike Harvey"
Dr.. Alton denied that he had made any
uch statement.
CogsweIl on Stand.
DR.. W. +. Cogswell secretary of the
tate board of health, also called by the
License, enumerated several causes of
of the brain other than vio-
ence. He said it was not usual for
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