Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1901 — The Lyda Murder Trial. [ARTICLE]

The Lyda Murder Trial.

Evidence tor tne Defence. John McCormick testified that when he knew Cox, eight jears ago, his reputation for morality and peacefulness was good. Robt. Cbenoweth testified as to excellent relations existing between Mr, and Mrs. Lyda, having visited them. On cross examina* tion said he had heard neighbors talk concerning Mrs. L’s goed reputation but could not name any particular one, Mrs. Cbenoweth testified to practically the same as her husband; had heard Mrs. Jones, of Fowler, say Mrs. L was a good girl.- ----- - • ' 4 Mrs. Hartrider as to Mr. at.d Mrs. Lyda’s friendly and affectionate relatipns and always being together verified that Mrs. Lyda’s reputation was good; that Starr' Cox’s reputation as to morality,' peace and quietude was good; On oross examination she said she had never heard anything against Cox. Dr. Wm. Walker, of Lafayette, was the next witness. Dr. Walker is a physician and surgeon of thirty yearß practice in Tippecanoe county and impresses one as knowing what he is talking about. He j testified that he had studied poison, including strychnine, and its effect on the human system; that a fatal dose of strychnine varies owing to conditions, but generally within twenty minutes. Condition of Mr. Lyda was described to him and he said that it does not indicate a strychnine poison but urinary poison. The defense then asked of Dr, Walker, after giving the physical condition of Mr. L for two years preceding his death, with symptoms of disease and giving in detail the movements and sufferings of Mr. L and the medicine, its composition and the periods at whioh each kind of medicine was taken, what in his opinion was the cause or the man’s death. His answer was “Uremia.” Saidjhat presence of strychnine was not reliable proof that it was the cause of death; that the stryohnine which is absorbed causes death.* On examination the witness said that strychnine could not be taken in any form without one noticing the taste. Mrs. Mary Anstili was called to the stand and testified that Mr. Lyda once said that he didn’t want Mrs. Lyda to ever permit him to be cut up. Dr. E, C. Davidson, of Lafayette, was the next witness He had studied strychnine and uremic poison and gave symptoms of each; that a person could not be held up by two persons in a strychnine convulsion; that strychnine, takes effect in from 3 minutes to, an hour, generally in 20 to 30 minuted: did not think it reliable to drafl conclusions us to death withofl microscope- The same hypotM tical question being given hinfll to Dr. Walker he said the Lyda’s death was “Uremia.” JB| next question was the samfl - given to Dr. Walker and hefli|| again said “uremic poison. '’MßS® <-r> >-n amination admitted M' 7-1 person might have twitcbijH spasms from strychnine afl walk immediately afterwa USslM could not have a convul* walk immediately aft .-rvva M .-! ryimine p usoning ''"M j'yM clear to the last; same M l)r. Walter 11. iVterJBHBI si", a physieian. T M.-Vk of questioning was oti.'-r -- v j n-r the -a!: M ing tin- tentmiony of A ;■> m if a person had a h M m

given about later he had another, Afnad taken another dose of and if he had another convulsion he took some more strychnine; said person could not tjit upTior be held op in a strychnine convulsion badM enougu to prove fatal; that strychnine does not cahae vomiting. In reply to the hypothetical questions whioh were given to Drs. Walker and Davidson, the witness gave the same opinion, that Lyda’s death Wis caused by ‘‘Uremic poisoning,” He thought that came of death by strychnine poisoning could not be absolutely determined with eyes. On cross examination hetsaid he I could not account for presence of strychnine without knqwing the care with which the stomach was handled. Said that A patient might be able to wa* between | convulsions if they did not involve J the whole body. Admitted that 1 Mr. Lyda might have been snffer- ■ ing from strychnine in fie doctor’s office at Fowler and aff&rwards. — Monticello Journal.