The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-16
Antecedents of the Victim.

New York, April I5-The night clerk OF
the Hotel Belvidere thus describes G. Ar
thur Preller, the victim of the st. Louis
tragedy: He was a tall man of slight, 1.-THE
figure" said the clerk, ''most gentlemsnly
and refined in manner. He had rather a
Jewish cast of ceuntenance, a prominent
nose, curved lies. dark complexion, and ex-
tremely black, curly hair, with a slight but
very black mustsche. and little mutton chop
side wbiskers / would say he was thirty
years old. he remained here Just three
weeks, leaving on March 24. / never saw
any one with him dueug the entire time he
remained with Us. He was always on the
rush. as II he had not S moment to spare,
aud he never came In or went out without
quite load of packages. He received q
large mail every day. He was richly dressed
ana 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 Francisco, while be carried two large
hand satchels and several small boxes and
bundles. Each of the trunks weighed *
least go pounds, and was much too
heavy 10 have contained clothing only.
He took especial pains to prevent the porter
from assisting in the packing and strapping
OF his trunks and only allowed him to come
into his rooms alter everything was ready
for bis departure. Then he came down to
the office and told me TO send any mail that
might come here for him 10 the Continental
Hotel. Philadelphia. did send a number
/ of letters there"
Richard w. Owens, an lrishmap and an
employe of E. J. DenniDg, who lives az -
Clinton Place, was seen last night at Sew
enth avenue, the place of meeting of the
congregation of the Plymouth Brethren. OF
! which Mr.. Ovens 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:
1 &C. Arthur Preller was the son Of Z.
/ Preller, of London, a dealer in the
higher grades OF decorative print cloths
/ erlng silks. His brother and himself were
also interested in the firm, and he travelled
! as its representative. He was Of a retiring,
1 almosts effeminatei nature, a pure minded
man and an earnest member Of our order.
/ He being q member OF the Dalstone Road
( Assembly in London he was good deal OF
\ an artist and musician, having music in his
! trunks, which he valued at $500. This was
| his third or fourth trip around this country,
aDd be reached this city about March with
s-x big trunks containing quite little library
I among other things. He was about twenty
seven years of age, but very young in sp
| peaIance. He was of contemplative cast Of
mind, caring nothing for society, and the
| lest man in the world to take up with fast
companions. He dressed richly, but quietly,
/ and often carries as much as $500 about his
! person. He was ot medium height aud
size, Iesemblinga Creole in his features.
| and wore q dark mustacbe. l gave
him a letter Of introduction to the
Rev. Dr. James Brooks, pastor OF the Wal
nut Street Presby terian Church, in ST.
| Louis. l know of no other person in that
| city with whom he would come in contact
He bad no enemies, and the only trait which
would bring him in contact with rough
| characters was a desire to 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.
"Of Walter Lennox Maxwell I knox but
little. He is 9 wealthy English noblemsn,
Baronet. and l think, a relative of Hon.
| Somerset Maxwell, the present Lord Farm
| ham. who is an active member OF our order.
| Sir Walter was TO be Mr.. Preller's travelling
companion through Australia and India back
to England. Mr.. Preller had relations in
| Brooklyn, and was 9 man who told little o.
mis- affairs to others, and was almost child
like in his timplicity.n