THE ST. LOUIS MURDER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 124, 3 June 1885, Page 4

THE ST. LOUIS MURDER.

AWMTIO-iAL PARTICULARS,

The following additional particulars relating to tho St. Louis tragedy aro of interest:

Chief of Detectives Burke said to-night: "Tho dead man is undoubtedly C. A. Preller, who arrived- at the hotol on the 3rd instant. Ho was undoubtedly killed by Maxwell, who rogistered there on the 31st March, The murder took place in Maxwell's room, and tho trunk in which the body was stored was one which Maxwell brought with him from the East. On last Tuesday he bought the second trunk at a store on Broadway. Into this he transferred tho books, clothing, papers, instruments, photographic views and other articles, probably in a great hurry, as they were found in confusion. He also placed the tray of his old trunk in this to give him more room to pack the body in. His intention thon was probably to remove this trunk, which could pass out of the hotel withtholcastfiUßpicion. There was dangerof discovery, of course, at any minute, and on this account ho probably changed his plans and decamped, and to avoid discoveiy he went away without taking any of his effects with him.

Broiler's trunks arc of much bettor quality than thoso of Maxwell's, being mado of lino leather, and their contents indicate that their owner was a gentleman of means and culture. Tho trunks have on thcin labols of tho Cunard Steamship Company, and tho Continental Hotel, Philadelphia, whoro ho occupied room 180 on March 2G.

Maxwell generally drossed in a brown tweed suit of English cut, a Nowmarket ovorcoat, and a high Derby hut. In his manner ho was very ell'ominate, which he even carried so fur as to walk with short, mincing stops, like a woman.

_. his afternoon tho body of I'reller was exposed on a slap in tho exhibition room at tho Morguo, with the following description givon by Superintendent Began : Tho deceusod man was about sft 9in in hoight, weighing übout 1701b, black hair, eyes of a brown colour ; woro white knit drawers. ISo other clothing camo with the body. Ho was about 22 or 2!! years old, Tho body is very much decomposed, has beon dead 10 or 12 days, tongue protruding, largo blisters on both lcya. There is a cross cut into the llcsh on tho breast.

'lho following telegram found among the papers of Preller, is the best clue to the relations of Preller and Maxwell:

"Boston, March 19,1585, "(.!. A. Preller, Bolvidore Hotel:

" Yes. Could go direct to Auckland from bore. Will write Philadelphia to-morrow. —W. H. Li'Ni.o.. MaxwkMj."

From a letter from tho steamship company it is inferred that Prollor sailed from England for this country ou tho Cophalonia Jan. 21, ISSS, on a commercial tour of this country and Austrnliu, Tho tologram givon abovo would indicalo that Maxwell agreod to accompany him to Australia, Tho articles found in Maxwell's room, which ho hud abandoned in his llight, aro believed to bo worth about $1,000. Boston, April )..—lt is learned that Walter H. Lennox Maxwell arrived lv this city by tho steamer Ckphalonia in tho oarly prut of January. Ho boarded with a Mrs .'ook, at 1,508, Washington-street, and soon became acquainted with tho attendants in a neighbouring drug storo, to whom ho represented that ho was about to open a doctor's ollico on Shawmut Avonuo, On tho strength of this staicmont, a number of prescription? blanks woro givon him, but thoy were novor filled out or returned. In conversation with tho elorks ho casually mentioned his acquaintance with Prollor. Maxjvoll's manners showed him to bo intensely English, and ho frequently expressed his contempt for tho so-called Irish agitators. Ho also mentioned the fact of his having friends in Allston. Maxwell loft Boston suddonly about tho last of March, and nothing has t-ii-co been known of hi. whereabouts.

Richard \V, Ovens ia ono of tho loading members of tho Plymouth Brothorn, who hold religious exercises overy evening at 7, Seventh Avonuo. Do said last night:— "Mr Prollor camo to mo about two years ago with a lottor nf introduction from ono of tho brothers in London. Mr Prollor travels tor a largo London firm dealing in fancy trimmings, and his father is a member of tho firm. Hoth aro members ot our sect. Young Mr Preller was n line-looking young man, very quiet in his ways, and a conscientious Christian. Ho has boon thoroughly educated, and has travelled all over tlio world. Ho always dressed richly, and carried largo sums of money. Ho arrived here from London on his third trip to this country about eight weeks ago ami called on mo. Mo stopped at tho Bolvidore, as ho said it was the quietesthotel ho could find. He didn't like tho Union Square, because thorovvore so many actresses thero. Ho was hero nearly every evening, nnd always wont to our Brtilo readings. Ho left tho city about thrto weeks ago." " Who is Dr. Maxw.ll .'' " All 1 know about Maxwell is that ho camo ovor from London in the same steamer with Prollor. When thoy arrived here Maxwell wont on somewhere. Prollor never mentioned him. Some timo before ho loft, despatches woro exchanged botweon them, arranging for a mooting at St. Louis. Thence thoy woro going on togothor to San Francisco, and through India homo.