The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-16
THE ST. LOUIS MYSTERY.
Testimony of New York People as to the
characteristics Of the Murdered Man.


Hotel Belvdere thus describes c. Arthur Prel-
was tall man. of slight. 1.-the figure and most
gentlemanly and refined in manner. He had
rather a Jewish cast of countenance, promi-
nent nose, curved lips, dark complexion, ex-
tremely black, curly hair, with a slight bu. very
black mustache, and little mutton-chop side
whiskers. would say he was thirty years old
He remained here just three weeks leaving on
March "a never saw any one with him during
the entire time he remained with US. He was
spare and he never came in OF went out without
quite load Of packages. He received large
mail every day. He was richly dressed, and
seemed to have plenty of money. When he left
here, on the morning of March "a, his three
great big trunks were sent through to San Fran
cisco, while he carried two large hand-satchels
end several small boxes and bundles. Each Of
the trunks weighed at least 250 pounds, and was
much too heavy to have contained clothing only
He took especial pains to prevent the porter
from assisting in the packing and strapping of
his trunks, aud only allowed him to come into
his rooms after everything was ready for his de-
parture. Then he came down to the Office and
told me to send any mail that might come here
for him to the Continental Hotel, Philadelphia
did send a number of letters there"
Richard w. Ovens an Irishman and an en-
ploye Of T. j. Denning, was seen last night at
No. Seventh avenue, the place Of meeting of
the congregation of the Plymouth brethren, of
which Mr. Owens is pastor His account of Mr.
Preller filled out by suggestions from another
member of the congregation, who knew him
well, was Substantially as follows: &C Arthur
Preller was the son of E. Preller, of London, a
dealer in the higher grades Of decorative, print
clothes and the finer qualities of embroiderings
and silks. His brother and himself were
also interested in the firm, and he
Travelled as its representative He
nature; pure-mnded man and earnest member
Of our order. He was member of the Dalstone
Road Assembly, in London. He was a good
deal OF an artist and musician, having music in
his trunks, which he valued at $780, This was
his third Or fourth trip around this country, and
he reached this city about March l, with six big
trunks containing quite little library. among
other things. He was about twenty-seven years
OF age, but very young in appearance. He was
of contemplative cast of mind, caring nothing
for society, and the last man in the world to take
up with fast companions. He dressed richly, but
quietly, and often carried as much as $500 about
his person He was of medium height and size,
and resembled creole in his features; he wore
dark mustache. gave him letter of ins1o-
duction to the Rev. DR.. James Brooks, pastor
of the Walnut-street Presbyterian Church in
St Louis. / know of no other person
in that city with whom he would come in
contact. He had no enemies, and the only trait
which would bring him in contact with rough
characters was desire to explore the slums Of a
great city. When he was here l took him
through the lower wards, and he was much in
terested in the missionary work being done
there. Of Walter Lennox Maxwell, / know but
little. He is wealthy English nobeman,
baronet and think, a relative of the Hon.
Somerset Maxwell, present Lord Farnham, who
is an active member OIL our order Sir Walter
was to be Mr.. Preller's travelling companion
through Australia and India back, to England.
a man who told little of his affairs to others.
but was almost childlke in his simplicity"
A st. Louis dispatch says: walter III. Lennox
Maxwell, the supposed Southern Hotel muir
derer. purchased a through unlimited licked to
San Francisco on Monday morning. April 6.
He signed his name TO the ticket before leaving.
He left the same evening on the San Francisco
railroad and was recognized on the train by two
St Louisans, who talked with him, and who
saw him as far as Pierce City, Mo-"
1t has been learned at ST. Louis that Maxwell,
two or three days before the murder, was in
great need of money, and that he attempted to
pawn his watch and to sell his stereopticon ap-
paratus and views, but failed. On the Monday
ocAoro nc iclL VIC City 10 was known TO nave
money. as he informed persons to whom he had
tried to sell these articles that he no longer
needed money, and displayed plenty of cash. He
also purchased several articles. including valu
able field glass and pair of spectacles.
A San Francisco dispatch says: ION receipt
Of telegram, yesterday. from Chief-of-police
Harrigan, of St Louis, the police here
commenced a search for Maxwell the alleged
murderer of Preler. Investigation developed
the fact that man answering Maxwells de-
scription arrived here Saturday last and put
up at the Palace Hotel. He only stayed there
over night and it is believed that he sailed in
the steamer City OF Sidney for Hawaii and Aus
tralia, which left here the next afternoon. Later
developments. however incline the reporters to
the belief that the police his trail, and an
arrest may be looked for at any time.