The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-19
ST. LOUIS SENSATION.
An Inquest Being Held on the Victim =.
Several Witnesses Examined but
Nothing New Developed.
Elk. President Hayes Eulogizss the
Results Of the Late War Be-
fore the Loyal Legion.
INQUEST On PRELLER,
The Victim of the Southern Hotel Trunk
Tragedy.

Ing tegan the inquest on the body OF {. Arthur
Preller, the victim &C the Southern Hotel trunk
tragedy. A. S. Hunt. cashier st the Southern
Hotel, was the first witness. He identified the
photograph OF Preller as the man who registered
the hotel. Ee told o, the arrival OF Preller snd
Newell. Did not recollect OF Maxwel n ~
tioning the expected arrival OF Prellef. Nnen
Maxwell paid his first weeks bi !. April c, he did
not speak OF leaving, He had not been brought
into contact with either man 10 any exten'.
A. T. Aloe, cptician, was next called. Two weeks
ago last Thursday two gentlemen esms TO his
store. He was called from bis Office to lhe front
OF the store and was asked by the smaller of the
men if lie desired to purchase some magic lanterns
Il at he had brought from England. The man said
the lanterns were at his hotel but were unpacked.
He would show them in the afternoon. In the
afternoon he called and said the trunk con-
tanning the lanterns had not yet arrived
when they came he wos Id let the witness know.
Witness bad seen two photographs, the oaes sup
posed 10 be Preler and Maxwell The man be-
iieved to be Maxwell did the talking. The next
Mondsy the msn who had talkel about the lam
terms called, purchased field-gass, spsctscles
and manicure outfit When questioned about
the srrivsl of the trunk he passed the thing of
lightly. He had a roll of bills at the time, and
tenoeTed in payment for his purchases sl0O bill
James Johnson, salesman for A. T. Aloe, was
shown the photograph. He was shown the pic
ture supposed to be that of Maxwell, and also that
was not positive of, as the man who called at the
store had on hat and different Clothing
fro from .aTo the one IN the picture tho AAI%e
who had negotiated the sale OF the stereopticon.
and views. he did not want the witness 10 send
up 10 the hotel to see tue snters at that time. Ii
the afternoon he called and purchased some
smoked glass spectacles. He spoke about payment
steTeOptcon bad been completed. He paid $40 and
was given the change. Then he asked for change
for a sloo bill, displaying a large roll While In
mittsn nee from sbroad was then mentioned.
Charles Beiger, of 10 Broadway, being shown
picture of Maxwell, testified: 1 recognize the
face, but would know him better py bis speech. ]
frst saw him on April g. He bought two trunks
mustache. I asked his name so / could deliver
~ 20 oIso ba honobt bnt ha csJriaS ~ with hin,
He asked what 1t was specially made for. / said
t. was waterproof l charged five dollar
On Tuesday was called TO the hotel to open a
trunk. noticed blood where the trunk lay:
could uot unite the rope as il hsd been sealed a.
intervals. Some one shouted, Gu. the rope"
cut ii and when lifted the lid the dead man s
leg fell outward over the side OF the trunk. saw
the body of man in the trunk. When the police
man saw the body he shouted, "Shut the trunk"
When the man bought the trunk he ssid he want
ed no tray with ii.
that three weeks ago the occupant OF room la
asked me to take up some baggage: one trunk is
weighed about 100 pounds. Iwent to take rope
and strap of OF il. but he said not 10 mind"
Thomas Marion. another porter, was shown the
two pictures, and said: Il recognize one OF these
as Preller, but can't Identify the other so well
the two men at the hotel"
Tony Freitag, another porter, said: | identify
this ss the picture OF the man called Prefer.
can't identify the other. Last Tuesday brough
two trunks ont Of room H. he room smelled
out OF the trunk, and when taking il down told
the bar keeper thought there was dead man in
wsm FIsn %"n anOher lo porer saa
! Cgnize this picture as that OF Preller /. and
the other looks like Maxwell l saw
n. took two empty trunks to room Ia 10 one
was in the room; lot OF clothes and tools we're
heeped on the floor Later, when at the room
/ take down an iron trunk. he was very nervous.
! The clothes bad disappeared from the floor. and
catth bus. he came right down and got in
| the bus.
Fred BIGGER, brother OF the trunk maker. tesli-
two trunks and a vsise and two strr os at their
store early in the morning OF April G, and had
them sent TO The Southern Hotel
Maggie Cuddy, a cham bermaid at the Southern.
identified the picture of Maxwell. He game TO
the house two weeks seo, and had two trunks.
| gether in MaxwelPs room. and never
ssw any one else with them. / saw
them last together in the room between land
| clock Easter SUNDAY when L took In the
towels Preller leaning against tne window
and Maxwell sat near the table: both were smOk-
in the room ready to go Out; Max Sef went in lust
| after Came out. 1he baggage was still there
| Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday, aud sup
| posed the room was occapied all the time. o le
! towel was used on Monday bat nothing else was
disarranged; can't remember whether the bed
seemed 10 have been occupied by one or tive per.
sons. Maxwell left the room generally between
| 10 and 1880. Saw Maxwell on the morning OF
Easter Monday. He rushed into the room as If in
| great hurry: he seemed excited. / think the
/ cody at the morgue is P.eller's.
A. s. Aloe recognized one OF the photographs a.
| one OF the men who called al his store and bar
! gail Cd for the sale of a lot OF scenery views.