Complex sentence: Beilhart preached in Chicago and elsewhere, but was not known to proselytize strongly; however, while the group typically kept to themselves, their mysterious nature led to misconceptions and suspicion in the press.
Split into simpler sentences: Beilhart preached in Chicago and elsewhere, but was not known to proselytize strongly. However, while the group typically kept to themselves, their mysterious nature led to misconceptions and suspicion in the press.