Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-05
MEETING OF FATHER AND son.
Maxwell, tke Murderer of C. A. PreI-
Ter, Proves to be Hugh Brooks

ST. LOUIS, Mo-. Oct. 29.-Samuel
n. Brooks, the Hyde schoolmaster.
and his son, Hugh, better known as
W. H. Maxwell, met in the Circuit
attorneys Office at a few minutes past
10 o'clock this morning. The prev~
ious arrangements which had been
made for bringing father and son
together in the quiet of the jallor's
parlors were abandoned, and at 10
o'clock the old gentleman sat in a
chair in Mr.. CIover's back room, at
tended by his counsel, John I. Martin
and w. Fauntleroy, and was watch
ed with deep interest by the circuit at
torney's assistants. The intense ner-
vous excitement, the result of an I'M
necessary mental strain to which he
had been subjected, and it was ap-
parently only by great effort that he
retained q semblance of composure
The door opened, and Hugh Brooks,
alias Maxwell, entered accom- panied
by Deputy Sheriff Kenefck. At the
sound the father turned in his chair,
and for the first time in many months
father and son looked upon each oth>
or. At sight of his father the young
man, whose face was pale with sup
pressed emotion, moved rapidly to-
ward the chair in which he was sit
ting, and the father springing quick
ly to his feet at the same mo-
ment, they met and clasped hands.
The old man gave way, and flinging
his left arm
AROUND HIS SONS NECK,
LIE drew him up to his breast. Max
wells arm EMBODIED his father, and
for a few moments they stood there
silent. When they parted each buried
his face in his hands, and wept bitter
~. A chair was handed Maxwell,
and father and son sat down, and
controlling themselves, entered into a
conversation which lasted over an
hour.
The scene was devoid of sensational
features, but the sight of the old and
young man meeting SO far away from
their home under such circumstances
brought tears to the eyes of several
of the bystanders. After the inter
view with his son was over the old
gentleman babe him an affectionate
farewell and left the building.
After the interview Brooks, ST.,
said he found his son but little chang
ed. Il first thought my son was
connected with this case last May,
when read an article In a Manchester
paper in which my sons name appear
ed. Then came little corroborative
circumstances, articles that [ knew
my son had, and finally the letter
from my sons counsel telling me
that the prisoner was my son. He
never studied medicine and knew
nothing about it, nor do know any
body named Maxwell. Ny son was
fond of natural science, and liked
chemical experiments, carpentry, and
other little amusements to pass away
time. He never attended college,
but passed through the grammar and
high schools. Iattributed his present
trouble to the curate, Evans, who,
believe, had a bad influence upon
him, and whom I would
HOLD RESPONSIBLE
if l could meet him. I never knew
any of Preiler's family, but I have
private and reliable information that
his life was insured for Ell 900 CSC, 00O.
Whether this money was paid Or not,
I will find out when return, but I
heard that the insurance company was
contesting the claims. I have not
spoken to my son about his defense.
He is a lawyer, and he and his coun,
sci know best what to do. I am, and
have been from the first, satisfied of
his Innocence, and if he has gotten IN
to bad scrape through bad associa.
tons, an explanation will clear it all
up. l will advise him that if he has
entered into conspiracy to defraud
an insurance company, to tell the truth
no matter who suffers"
The prisoner was seen lately. He
appeared very serious, and said: 81
have been called fippant and light,