The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-20
rRRox THE SUNDAY SENTINEL.
ST. LOUIS SENSATION.
An Inquest Being Held on the Vietlm---
Several Witnesses Examined but
Nothing New Developed.
Elk. President Hsyesi Eulogizes the
Results of the Late War Be-
fore the Loyal Legion.
INQUEST on PRELLER,
The Victim of the Southern Hotel Trunk
Tragedy.


Tragedy.
81. LOUIS. April Is.-Coroner Nidelet this morn
ing began the inquest on the body OF c. Arthur
PreIler, the victim OF the Southern Hotel trunk
tragedy. A. s. Hunt cashier at the Southern
Hotel. was the first witness lie identified the
photograph OF Preller az the man who registered
1T the hotel lie told OF the arrival OF Preler and
Maxwell. Did not recollect OF NaxwelIs men
tioning the expected arrival OF Preller. When
Maxwell paid his first weeks bill. April 6, he did
not speak of leaving. He had not been brought
1nto contact with either man 10 any extent.
A. 7. Aloe, opticisn, was next called. Two weeks
ago last Thursday two gentlemen came to his
store. He was called from his Office to the front
OF the store and WAS asked by the smaller of the
men II he desired to purchase some magic lanterns
that he had brought from England. sThe man said
the lanterns were at his hotel but were unpaeked.
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 would let the witness know.
Witness mad seen two photographs, the ones sup
posed 20 be Preler and Maxwell. The man be.
lieved TO De Maxwell did the talking. The next
Monday the man who had talked about the Ian
terms called, purchased feld-glass spectacles
and manicure outht When questioned about
abe arrival of the trunk he passed the thing of
lightly. He had roll Of bills at the time, aud
rendered in payment for his purchases 500 bill.
James Johnson, salesman for A. I. Aloe. was
shown the photograph. He was shown the pic
fure surDosed TO be mat of Maxwell and also tlst
thought &c DC OF Preller. The latter, he said. he
was not positive OF, Gs the man who called At the
store had on a hat and different clothing
che gave his nsme) was the man
who had negotiated the sale OF the stereOpiicOn.
mp TO the hotel to the lanters at that time In
the afternoon he called and purchased some
smoked glass spectaeles. He spoke about payment
being deferred until the transaction relative to the
EieTeOpteon had been completed. He paid $40 and
was given the change. Then he asked for change
the store he purchased the feld glasses No re-
Inittsnee from abroad was then mentioned.
Charles Beiger. of l6 Broadway, being shown
face, but would know him better by his speech. /
first saw him on April 6. He bought two trunks
ct my store. He wore full, short light beard and
musfache. I asked his name 50 I could deliver
the veIise he bought but he carried it with him.
He asked what II was specially made for / said
dill for it. tie a new sloIch hat.
On Tuesday was called to the hotel to open a
trunk. ] noticed blood where the trunk lay. /
could not unite the rope as IL had been sealed at
intervals. Some one shouted 'Cut the rope" /
cut il and when lifted the lid the dead mans
leg fell outward over the side of the trunk. saw
the body OF a man in the trunk. When the police
man saw the body ne shouted "Shut the trunk"
When the man bought the trunk he said he want
Joha Lyons, porter OF the Southern testified
that "three weeks ago the occupant of room al
asked to take up some baggage one trunk is
the same the body was found in. The trunk
and strap of OF it, but he said not to mind
Thomss Marion, another I1 porter was shown the
IS Preller, but can't identity the other so WELL /
saw the two men at the hotel"
Tony Freitag. another porter, said: l identity
this as the picture OF the man called Preler. /
can't identity the other Last Tuesday brought
two trunks ont Of room l4l. he room smelled
out OF the trunk, and when taking il down told
the bar keeper thought there was dead man in
1t; / think the man in the trunk is Preilef,
ErQf
. Ognize this picture as that OF Preller and
the other looks like Maxwell. | saw
N. took two empty trunks TO room IA. No one
was in the room: a lot OF clothes and tools We're
ssPeu 49,, on snS @ IN IA -ro ed tod ne ~
take down an iron trunk. He was very nervous.
The clothes had disappeared from the floor snd
supposed his agitation was caused by his hurry 10
catch bus. He came right down and got in
the bus.
Fred BIGGER, brother OF the trunk maker testi-
fed that the man supposed 10 be Maxwell bought
two trunks and valise and two STRAPS at their
store early in the morning of April 6, aud had
them sent to the Southern Hotel.
MaeRie Cucdy, a cbambermaid at the Southern.
Identified the picture Of Maxwell. He game to
the house two weeks $50. and had two trunks.
i frequently saw Maxwell and Preller to-
gether IN Maxwelfs room, and never
saw sny one else with them. / saw
them last together in the room between isnd.
O'Clock Easter sunday: when took in the
towels Preller was leaning against the winao"
and Maxwell sat near the table. both were smok-
ing. Next morning all the baggage was packed
IN the ready TO go OUT Max well went in lust
after came out. The baggage was still there
Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday, and sup
posed the room was oCcupled al the time. y ne
towel was used on Monday. but nothing else was
CiisarraDged can't remember whether the bed
seemed 10 have been occupied by one or two 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 il in
q great hurry: he seemed excited. think the
body at the morgue is Prelleris.
A. S. Aloe recognized one OF the photographs as
one OF the men who called at his store and bar
gained for the sale OF a lot OF scenery views.