The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-03
MAXWELL'S DEFENSE.
Tho Case For the Accused Opened
By His Counsel
The Prisoner, On the Stand, Relates the
Story OF the killing Relying On the
Plea of Accident to Save His
Neck From the Moose.

own defense was sufficient to pack the
Criminal Courtroom at IN early hour
this morning. As early as eight O'Clock
hundreds were in waiting 10 secure good
seats, and some of the women came
provided with lunch, rs they intended 10
stsy it out all day. The deputy sheriFs
had more difficulty than usual in pre-
serving order, ~ the crowd did large
amount of whispering and commenting
OH the probabilities of the defense.
At 10: 80 Mr. Fauntleroy commenced his
opening.address to the jury, in which he
outlined the defense, which is that of ac-
cidental homicide. His speech lasted IN
hour.
MAXWELL on THE STAND.
Tho defendant then took the stand
amid great excitement, the noise and
demonstration becoming so violent that
Judge Van Wagner Threatened to clear
the court.
Clerk Finnev swOre the defendant,
nho looked little flushed, but otherwise
calm.
Mr.. Fauntleroy commenced the direct
examination as soon as anything ap
preaching order could be restored.
''Staec your full name!" was the first
question.
"IIugh Motham Brooks"
"How old are you?"
"Twentyfive years"
"Where born?'
CLYDE, England"
"That is your homer"
eyes, Sir.''
care your parents living?'
"They are, sir"
"When did you first engage in bust
ness?"
"EiGht years ago entered a law Office
| in Stockport, where | remained four
years. After 1 left Mr.. Browns Office
went to London agency, in which Mr..
Brown was interested, and completed my
course"
care you lawyer by profession?'.
81 am"
"Haye you ever studied medicine?"
al have i'll the school at Manchester.
studied chemistry, physiology and allied
branches. l have studied medicine more
or less ever since left school"
"Where did you first meet Mr.. Prel-
Ier?"
81 first met Mr.. Preller at the North
|
before the sailing of the steamer. | was
looking at the sailing list i'll the hotel land
remarked that the Cunarder sailed late
in the afternoon, and he asked me if l
was going aboard the Cephalonia. | re-
piled that l was. | was not introduced
to him until we were on board the vessel.
/ met Mr.. Warren on board, and rs there
were only five gentlemen passengers on
! ho ffN
gcther good deal. Mr.. Prellcr and N.Y.
self were En"lishmen, coming to 4
strange country, and our acquaintance
ship ripened into Il firm friendship, and
we were together great deal.
at is true as stated by Mr.. Warren
that Preller and myself were more to-
gcther than any other of the passengers.
talked to him sbout my plans and pur-
poses in life, and told him what they
were, and he talked about his. | hal
with me the medical books shown 10 the
jury and number of OtherS-ahout six
or seven altogether. had the books
four or five years and h2d studied them.
should say that an rot 4 skilled physi
clan and surgeon.
81 had the case of surgical instruments
with me alluded to By Mr.. Warren, and
told Mr.. Warren that was IN attorney
at-law and had studied medicine and
chemistry.
eve landed in Boston February 3, and
we went TO Young'S hotel, where Mr..
Preller remained three or four days, and
then went to Cauada."
Continuing, the witness told of his
ripening acquaintance with Preller; his
IF orir II in ,x-gl in
St. Louis; life at the Southern; his tinan-
eial condition while a sojourner there;
his visit to the drug store; his meeting
with Preller, and Ills inseparable COM
panionShip with that unfortunate young
man; all of which was supplemented
with his own version of the killing of
Preller.
After detailing the causes leading to
the performance of the proposed opera
tiOn, witness said:
"Mr. Preller took off his pants and
drawers. Then he laid down upon the
bed. I placed the four-ounce bottle of
chlOrofOrm upon the waShstand, where l
had previously been engaged washing my
instruments, and took out the cork. |
then poured about q fluid dram of the
chlOroform upon piece of linen lint
that is to say, linen one side of which
had been rubbed or furred up-replacing
the bottle upon the stand. The lint I
folded three thicknesseS and held in my
hands fiat-so. Preller was lying upon
the bed. held the lint above his face,
about six Inches from the nOstrils."
"Why did you hold it at that dis
tance2"
$50 that the vapor of the chlorOfOrm
might be well mixed with the atmospheric
air."
"WeIl. what theD?"
"I told him to breathe naturally, and
the inhalation began. In a moment l
turned to the bottle of chlOroform, when
found that it had been upset and nearly
emDtied."
The narrator paused and passed his
hand across his forehead, which was
damp with perspiration.
"What them"
'1n my opinion enough chloroform did
not remain in the bottle to produce
anaSthesia or uncensciouSness to pain.
I accordingly left Prcller lying there and
went down to Mr.. Fernow's drug store
to procure some more"
'Who did you see there?"
Mr.. Fernow's boy. l told him / had
accidentally spilled the ehlorOfOrm l had
and wanted some more. Mr.. FernOw,
who was In the rear of the store, called
out: 'Ali right, doctor, III give it TO
you in moment | told him when he
came out what | wanted, and he said that
two ounces was all he could let me have,
as he was very short of it just then. /
took that aud went out"
"Werc you ut that time excited?"
'Not at all. was in a hurry-that |
was all.''
"Did you leave Preller in that IN
dressed condition."
eyes; he was still lying upon my |