The Story of Thomas Swope: Developer, Philanthropist, and Victim of an Unsolved Murder

Portrait of Thomas Swope. Courtesy: Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO

Thomas Hunton Swope was a highly influential figure in Kansas City's history, renowned for his success as a real estate developer and philanthropist. Born in Kentucky in 1827, Swope graduated from Yale University and ventured west to the Kansas Territory in 1855. At the age of 28, he became involved in decision-making and quickly amassed wealth through shrewd investments in downtown real estate.

Known to be mild-mannered and frugal, Swope lived for most of his life as a bachelor. It wasn't until later in life that he moved into his brother's grand red brick castle in Independence, where he resided with his sister-in-law and their seven nieces and nephews. From that household, Swope commuted daily to his downtown Kansas City office in the New England Building.

The Swope residence, located at 406 South Pleasant Street in Independence, was a red brick and red sandstone house built in the early 1890s. It had a long asphalt driveway for horse-drawn carriages and featured a ballroom on the third floor with a platform for musicians. The house was owned by Logan Swope and his wife, not the more famous millionaire Thomas Swope. Both brothers amassed wealth in real estate. Courtesy: MVSC

Despite being a lifelong bachelor, Swope's later days were consumed with thoughts of how best to distribute his wealth. His real estate alone was valued at three and a half million dollars (over $100M in 2023 dollars). Unfortunately, Swope fell under the influence of Dr. Bennett Clark Hyde, who had married one of his young nieces. Dr. Hyde was regarded with suspicion by some as a potential gold-digger.

Tragedy struck on October 3, 1909, when Swope died suddenly at the age of 81 in his sister-in-law's home. Dr. Hyde was present during his final moments, and a brief and violent illness preceded Swope's passing. Following his death, Swope's body lay in state at the Public Library, where thousands paid their respects. However, as a tomb was being prepared in Swope Park according to his wishes, his body temporarily resided in a holding vault.

Portrait of Bennett Clark Hyde. Courtesy: Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO

Three months after Swope's death, Dr. Hyde, his nephew-in-law, came under suspicion in connection with a plot for money built around a string of mysterious deaths in the Swope family. The accusation was based on evidence that Dr. Hyde had recently acquired cyanide capsules and typhoid cultures. Swope's body was exhumed, and an autopsy revealed traces of a convulsive and paralyzing poison.

The trial of Dr. Bennett Clark Hyde became one of the most notorious in Kansas City's history. Strong evidence was presented, including the purchase of cyanide capsules, testimonies that Hyde had given a pill to Swope before his death, and the acquisition of typhoid samples before the outbreak of the disease. Nonetheless, the guilty verdict was eventually overturned by the Missouri Supreme Court.

View of Swope Memorial with columns, steps, and lion in view. Courtesy: Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO

Subsequent trials ended in a mistrial and a hung jury, leading to the dropping of all charges against Hyde in 1914. The case remained unresolved, leaving the public to speculate about what truly happened in the Swope mansion (pictured above) in 1909. The trials had a lasting impact on Hyde's life, as he faced public suspicion and had his career ruined. His wife eventually divorced him, and Hyde died in 1934 without ever confessing to the crimes attributed to him.

In 1918, almost nine years after his death, Thomas Hunton Swope was finally laid to rest in Swope Park. A Greek temple of white granite, guarded by stone lions, was erected to honor his memory. Today, Swope Park stands as a testament to his philanthropy and his significant contributions to the city of Kansas City.

1933: An autochrome photograph looking northwest towards the lagoon in Swope Park. Courtesy: Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO