Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-27
MAXW ELLIS TRIAL.
The Prisoner Takes the stand and Gives
HIS Testimony.

Sr. LOUIS, May 26.
In the Maxwell trial today the defendant
was placed on the stand He testified that
his name is Hugh NJ. Brooks and his age 25
years; was born in Chester, Eng; studied
law four years and also medicine; first met
Preliar in Liverpool, but did not get acquiu,-
ed with him until We met on steamer Cepha-
lonia grew very friendly; we reached Bos-
ton Feb. Sd; Prellar started on business
trip four days later; had correspondence with
Prellar about going to New. Zeland together /;
agreed to meet in st Louis and 90 there ;
treated him several times medically in Bos-
ton; he knew had never practlsed medicine
regularly; never used any deception with
him in this regard. Witness then described
the various events about Prellar's leaving
Boston for Canada, about their arrival aud
stay in st. Louis and their movements for
some days after their arrival.
The prisoner continued: Easter Sunday
Prellar and had conversation about the per-
formance of the operation before alluded to.
Sunday Prellar described to me his symptoms
and concluded he was suffering from stric-
ture, and the best method of treating him
was by passing the catheter. ! took my au-
thorltles on medicine and read to Prelar the
directions as to the proper method of admin
isterlDg chloroform, and refreshed my own
mind as to the precautions to be used. lie
then told how when he had administered 4
little OF the chlOroform that he found the
bottle had been upset and its contents spilled
so he hurried down to drug store for some.
Upon his return he finished giving the drug,
and began the operation. Prellar show ing
signs of pain, he gave him some more cho-
roform, but almost at once the prisoner saw
his friend began to breathe very heavily
The witness proceeded with voice impress
sively husky, made every effort to revive
my friend for over half an hour, but it was
useless, entirely useless, and shortly after
my friend ceased to breathe and his heart
stopped beating. All my efforts were to re-
store him, because when chloroform takes
hold of a man and he sinks in a few seconds
the man is dead. The time thought had bet
ter be occupied in efforts to
| was convinced he was dead but continued
TO dash cold water on his face. | finally de-
cided he was dead and past hope; then l
hardly knew what to do. My first impulse
was to notify the authorities. Imagine my
feelings. l was in strange land, a stranger.
| didn't know man could make a statement
in his own behalf; thought the same rule
prevailed here as in England and that
would not be allowed to make my statement I;
| emptied my trunk out of the window. Ii
would be impossible, gentlemen, to describe
to you feelings when knew my friend was
dead. The prisoner paused and brushed
away the tears from his eyes and then pro-
ceeded: drew the empty trunk up to the
side of the bed and put Prellar in it. There
was some difficulty in forcing the body into
the trunk, but | succeeded, and after cover
ing it up went down to the bar. l was in a
dreadful state of mind and tried to drown the
thought by drinking. | wandered about the
streets of the city till about 3 or 10. 1 visited
a shooting gallery and came back to the
hotel; | went up to the dining room; | cant
very well give an account of what took place
in the dining room then went to my room
and stayed there all night. To say / slep,
would be untrue. | waited for the morning
then thought the only thing to be done wa.
to get away took Prellar's pants and looked
through them and found a quantity of money
in bills | can't say how much there was
probably $500 or $500. l took it and went
to the ticket Office and bought a ticket fol
San Francisco. On the same morning
made several other purchases. He denied
most empbaticaly that he had any design on
Prellar's life or that he intended to iDjurt
him when ne administered the chlorotorm
TIE defendants examination will be contin
4