Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-16
the ST. LOUIS TRAGEDY.
A Description Of the Victim, Arthur
PreIIer.
THE MURDER STILL A MYSTERY
The Order Of Which PreIIer and the Father
of Maxwell Were Mem
bers.
MAXWELL A RICH ENGLISH NoBLEMAN

New York, April l5.-The night clerk
of the Hotel Belvedere thus describes Ar
thur Preller, the victim of the St. Louis
tragedy: HE was tall man Of slight,
1.-THE figure, most gentlemanly and refined
in manner. He had rather a Jewish cast
Of countenance, prominent nose, cured
Gps, dark complexion, extremely black
curly hair, with light but very dark
mustache and mutton chop side whiskers.
l would say he was 80 years Old. Hs re-
mained here Just three weeks, leaving on
March "a. l never saw any one with him
during the entire time he remained with
US. he was always on the rush, as if he
hadn't moment to spare, and he never
came in or 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
great big trunks were sent through to San
Francisco, while he carried two large hand
satchels and several small bundles and
boxes. Each OF the large trunks weighed
at least 250 pound', and was much too
heavy to have contained clothing only. He
took especial pains to prevent the porter
from assisting in packing and strapping his
trunks, and only allowed him to come into
his rooms after everything was ready for his
departure Then he came down from the
Office and told me to stni any mail that
night come for him to the Continental
L 0lel in Philadelphia. did send mum
btr of letters there" Richard W. Owens
an Irishman and euploye Ct E. J. Denning,
who lives at No. 81 Clinton Place, was seen
asst night at No. I Seventh avenue, the
pace Of meeting of the Plymouth Brethren,
which Mr.. Owens is pastor. His
Account of Mr.. PrelIer
filed out by suggestions from another
member of the congregation, who knew
him we'll, was substantially as follows: &c.
Arthur Prellar, was the son Of Z. Preller,
of London, dealer in the highest grades OF
decorative print cloths and the finer quail
ties of embroidering silks. His brother
and himself were also interested in the
III m, and he travelled as its representative.
Be was Of q retiring almost etfeminater
nature, pure-minded man and an earnest
member Of our order, he being member
OF the Dalston Read Assembly in London.
BE was q good deal OF an artist and a
musician, having music in his trunks
which he valued at $500. 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
u years Of age, but very young in appear
ance.
Carried Much Money With Him.
He was Of contemplative caste oI
mind caring nothing for society and the last
man in the world to take up with fast com
panions. He dressed richly but quietly,
and often carried as much as $500 about
bis person. He WAS of medium height and
size and resembled creole in his features
AID wore a dark mustache. ] gave him
letter of introduction to the Rev. DIR. James
Brooks pastor OF the Walnut street Presby'
rerian church in St. Louis. | know OF nc
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 de
sire 10 explore the slums Of great city
When here / took him through the lower
wards and he was much interested in the
missionary work being done there. Ol
Walter Lennox Maxwell know but little
He is a wealthy English nobleman, baro
net and, think, a relation Of the Hon,
Somerset Maxwell, present Lord Farnham
| who is an active member Of our order. Sir
Walter was to be Mr.. Prellers travelling
companion through Australia and India
back to England. Mr.. Preller had rela
tions in Brooklyn, aud was man who told
| little of his affairs to Others but was almost
cbild.like in bis simplicity
| Preiler's Body at the Morgue.
ST. LOUIS, April lj.-There are no neH
| DEVELOPMENTS in the murder mystery. Prell
| er's body remains at the morgue, and the
police are taking active steps to discover the
shereabouts OF Maxwell, but decline tt
make public the nature Of their proceedings
| They say, however, that important develop
ments may be expected.
| HaxwelI in San Francisco.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, April l5.-Walter b
Lennox Maxwell. the supposed Southern
| Hotel murderer purchased through unlimit
| ed ticket 10 San Francisco on Monday morn
ing, April 6. He signed his name to tb'
| icle. before leaving. He left the same
evening on the San Francisco railroad, snt
was recognized on the train by tSo ST
| Loui,isps, who talked with him and sa
| him ne far as Pierce City No.