Connecticut western news., 1886-05-26
nIAxwELL,s CONFESSION,
Explanation Made by Him of the Trunk
 Mystery.

Tho Maxwell trial was resumed in the Crinl- final Court of St Louis, and progressed to the point of completing the trial jury.
 fence has been rife, there being many surmises based on hints dropped by the prisoner and his lawyers, but the publication of Q state ment made by H. M. Brooks, alias Maxwell, this afternoon settles the matter definitely. The story was approved by his counsel after it was told. and, with circumstances surrounding the case, will be relied on to clear him of the charge of murder
 The story told by Maxwell began with statement that from the moment of his arrival at the Southern Hotel until his departure for San Francisco every act and almost every word of his has been the property of the public, which acts and words form the strongest links in the chain of circumstances which have been forged to hold him guilty of the crime of murder.
 thereshas been any doubt at all has been the act of which am now accused. recognize now as much as anybody could that made mistake in withholding my defence, but what could l do? l was here alone in strange world, with no one to advise me but my coun- sel, and I followed the advice they gave me to the letter."
 'sMr. Preller was suffering from private disease, for which had previously prescribed, mixing the medicines myself from the bottles
 
 his ailment had reached stage when it was necessary for me to make certain investiga- tions. was obliged to use catheter, and in using catheter when the parts were inf1amed had previously applied chloroform in order to produce 8 condition of narcotism. I used chloroform in this manner on 8 man named Harris, of Liverpool, without any serious re- suit. explained the process to Mr. Preller and told him what should have to do. He was not only willing, but was very anxious for me to treat him in this manner. During the day I purchased four ounces of chloroform, which was standing in bottle oD the edge of my washstand when was washing some sur. gical instruments. This washing of the in- struments took place Sunday afternoon, and was intended as preparation for the opera tion. In washing the instruments I over turned the bottle of chloroform and it went headlong into the basin, the cork coming out and all but about one ounce and quarter or an ounce and half going down into the sink.
 "This was probably three o'clock, and after getting my instruments ready went out to secure some more chloroform. don't know where, but the one nearest the hotel Fernow's) and asked for the chloroform. The clerks or some persons there have said that was ex cited and in hurry. This was not SO. sat than a quarter of an hour and was altogether very leisurely about my business, for there was no hurry. If am not mistaken I had long conversation with some one in the drug store. When got the chloroform repaired to my room. Preller had been in and out of my room and his own all the afternoon. About five D.. m. we began the operation. I administered the chloroform in the usual way, holding a saturated cloth to the nose. MT. Preller passed through the first stage all right-it took sever. al moments; I don't know exactly how long then he entered tho second stage, and here the terrible result came. discovered too late that he was dying. Imagine my horror when this fact dawned upon mo. l was wild with fright but had presence of mind enough to cut the shirt and undershirt from the body, and getting 8 wet towel beat him around the neck and shoulders for half hour or more. did not give up until was ready to drop from ex- haustion, and my efforts wore not relaxed un- til he had been dead some time All the clothes he had on at the time were his shirt and undershirt; he had stripped to these for operation.
 "What did I do when I saw my friend was dead? What could do didn't know what to do except drink, and drank freely. drank everything could get--wine, whisky, every thing. What were my thoughts had not any. All I remember is drew on 8 pair o1 drawers-the first that fell into my hands and put the body into my trunk from which had removed everything. put it in the trunk an hour after Preller's death. What was done beside this l have no recollection of. Liquor and consternation had possession of me, and knew only that my feelings were those oi the utmost horror. I remained in my room that night-the same room in which the re mains were-and it would be lie for me tc say slept, for did not, and was glad when morning came. What did after leaving my room you know, for it has all been printed"
 "Was catheter found among your medica. instruments ?"
 II don't know. I carried some of my in struments away in valise and threw then | into the Pacific.''
 "Had you any plans about disposing of the | body?, ... ''None whatever. meant to leave it there l expecting that it would be discovered sooner than it was, and thinking that postmorten would reveal the true state of facts-that Prel Ter had met his death while undergoing sucf | an operation as have designated" ''How about Preller's money?'' | T know nothing about Preller's money. | had plenty of money of my own, or I could not have made the long trip which die 1 make."
 The cutting off of Preller's mustache, tht | inscription about "traitor" found in the trunk and all the other queer incidents connected with the tragedy are to be attributed by hi attorneys to his liquor and fear-crazed condi tion after the fatality.