, 1888-08-11
TWO HANGINGS.
Maxwell Pays the Penalty of
the Law
For the Murder of Charles
Arthur Preller.
Landgraf Hanged for the Muir
der of Annie Fisch.

@'0 Az 800 fN1
hanged at $3.50 this morning.
Henry Landgraf, who murdered his
sweetheart, was hanged with Maxwell.
MAXwELL's CRIME.
The crime for which Hugh Nj. Max
well paid the extreme penalty OF the law
this morning was the murder of Chas.
Arthur Preller at the Southern hotel in
this city April e, 1855. The acquaintance
between the two men began at Liverpool,
England. when both were on their way to
this country. Arrived on this side tie
two separated at Boston, Brooks coming
to st. Louis and registering as Walter
Horace Lennox Maxwell. A few days
later Preller arrived and the two were
thereafter almost constantly together.
Preller was
asst sEEN ALIVE
Sunday afternoon, April 6, in Maxwell's
room by the bell boy. Twice that day
Maxwell purchased a large quantity of
chloroform at a drug store near by, telling
the druggist that he was using it in an ex-
pertinent.
The next day Maxwell made a number
OF purchases at various places, spending
money very freely, although before he
had not appeared to nave an abundance of
cash. Among his purchases was a ticket
to San Francisco. He left that night
over the st. Louis & San Francisco road.
Nothing was thought Of his sudden de-
parture until the 18th day of April. For
several days prior to that date the cham
bermaids noticed an unpleasant odor COM
ing from room IA and connected it with
Maxwells trunks. On the l4th the
smell became so pronounced that the
trunks were removed to the lower floor
and opened and
H BODY FOUND,
which proved to be Preller. On the
breast of the body was a cross cut and on
the inside of the trunk a card which bore
the inscription, 80 perish all traitors to
the great cause"
1t was a very easy matter to trace Max
well to San Francisco. He represented
himself as L. S. d'Auguier, a French
army officer. Sunday, April -, he
sailed for New Zealand on the steamer
Sydney.
Detectives had been close on his track
and when the steamer arrived at Auck-
land
III WAS ARRESTED
and returned to st. Louis. The defense
made at the trial was that the death of
Preller was accidental, he having admin
istered chloroform preliminary to an opcr
alton he was about to perform. He fed
because he presumed he would not be
permitted to testify in his own behalf.
The most damaging testimony against
him was that of Detective Dingfeldcr.
who became his cell mate and .confidcd
and secured a confession Of the crime.
Maxwell was found guilty and sentenced
to hang.
The history Of many subsequent efforts
to secure a new trial or Communication of
the sentence is still fresh in the public
mind.
MAXwELL's Asst HOURS.
A postponement of the execution for
two hours was made by the sheriff at the
request of Maxwells attorneys. who
hoped against hope for British interior
ence. The announcement was made to
Maxwell and Landgraf at G o'clock. Max
well was nervous, pallid, and i'll at ease in
the last hours. He ate sparingly at
breakfast, and shortly after 5 o'clock,
having dressed himself in an entire new
suit, partook of the holy communion.
Landgraf remained cool and collected
throughout the night. lie ate a hearty
breakfast and received the sacraments
soon after Brooks had done 50.
Maxwells attorneys waited till the last
in the hope Of receiving a dispatch from
the British government which would in
luce a further stay Of proceedings. Max
well received the news of the two hours
postponement from 7 to 9 O'Clock calmly,
though an expression of great relief
WAS PLAINLY VISIBLE
on his features. Landgraf paid no atten-
ton to it in any way.
The crowds on the housetops surround
ing the Jail yard where the execution was
to take place remained patiently in their
elevated positions from 8 a. m. until the
hour of execution. The view was clear
and unobstructed from the roofs of a
dozen buildings in the vicinity and hun
dreds of people took advantage Of the
same.
The number of spectators admitted to
the jail was unusually small. For the
first time in the history of the St. Louis
four courts telegraph instruments were
placed in the building by the Associated
Press for the prompt transmission OF news
to the public, unusual interest being man
Tested in the execution.
LAND 1RAF's CRIME.
The crime for which Henry Landgraf
suffered the death penalty was committed
on the night of March 5, 1885, his victim
being his sweetheart, Annie Tisch, a beau
tiful girl of less than IS years. Jealousy
prompted the deed.
THE EXECUTION.
At 8 o'clock a telegram was received
from jefferson City saying that the gov
ernor had received another dispatch from
British Minister West in Brooks behalf,
but he declined to change his decision.
AT S:45 the sheriff entered the cell
where Maxwell and Landgrat had been
placed together and read the death war
rant. Maxwell paled p%erceptibly and
showed signs OF increasing weakness, and
as his arms were being pinioned he bit
his lips and guided several times. Land
graf remained stolid.
The procession to the scafiold was
formed with the sheriff and deputies in
front. followed by the condemned men
with the priest between them, then the
police, then the reporters and witnesses.
A. Tho party ,,nvnI gl,plv Mavual1