The Forrest City times., 1888-01-28

to-day rendered decision In the case of Hugh M Brooks, alias W. H. Max
 well, against the State of Missouri.
 This is the famous Maxwell-Preller case. Brooks, or Maxwell, the plain tiff in error, is now in prison in the city of St. Louis under sentence of death for the murder of c. Arthur Preller, in April 1885. The case was brought to this court upon . writ of error to the Supreme Court of Missouri, and the decision here is upou motion made by the Attorney General of that State to dismiss for want of jurisdie- tion. This Court is unable, after a careful examination of the record. to find shat the plaintiff in error has been deprived Of any right, privilege, or i'm. munity guaranteed to him by the Con- stifution of the United States, and tho motion to dismiss for want of jurisdic- ton is therefore granted.
 The decision WAS announced by Chief Justice Waite, and its effect is to affirm the sentence Of death pronounced by the Snte Court.
 HOW NE RECEIVED THE NEWS.
 When the news from Washington was received At the Four Courts Build ing tt spread ike wiiSGre. Men rushed exoitedly about informing each other of the news and cried it out in the oourt-rooms, offices and corridors. It created more excitement than any news that has been heard in the building for . long time. At first the rumor came that the motion had been overruled and that Maxwell would get hearing be- fore the United States Supreme Court. This was denied, however, before 1t had time to spread far, but not before 1t had reached the little prisoners ears. Whom a reporter visited the jail to break the news to him Maxwell dis played more excitement than he has at any time since his arrest. He was at tho screen, pacing impatiently up and down, evidently awaiting his attorney with news from Washington. His face wore the pallor of death and he was extremely nervous In all his movements. As the reporter approached the outer gate of the Jail Maxwell espied him and stopped in his walk. lie leaned his face against the screen and peered anxiously through. There was impa- tience displayed in his every movement and look, and he appeared to be anx- ious to yell out aloud to the news gatherer and ask what tidings he bore. The time 1t took to open the gate to admit the reporter must have seemed an age to him, for he left his stand and commenced his nervous walk. As the reporter reached the screen the little prisoner threw himself against 1t and said: "Well?''
 sI have news which is not very cheerful for you" began the reporter. "The United States Supreme Court sus- tained the motion of the State to dis miss the writ of error in your case, and you will have to hang"
 As the words were uttered Maxwell's face seemed to grow even paler than 1t had been and he trembled perceptibly with emotion. For once his wonderful iron nerve, which has surprised all who met him, was gone. He was an or the news was broken to him he replied nervously:
 "But have just heard differently. I have been told that the motion to dis miss the writ has been overruled." "Yes fknow you have, but 1t was a mistake
 "But how am I to know that what you say is not a mistake and the other information correct? Could not your representative have made the blunder?' There may be bare possibility that he has, but 1t Is almost certain that he has not. Have you anything to sayY" "N0; don't know what 1 can say. Walt until see Mir. Fauntleroy first. Ifyour information is correct why has he not received 1t also? He has ar- ranged to hear from there the instant the decision is made"
 "I don't know why he has not heard, but the motion has been decided as ] tell you. Isuppose 1t Is surprise to yous"
 1t most assuredly Is. l was posi- | tive the motion would be overruled, | and 90 was MT. Fauntleroy. l cannot | understand 1t at all"
 "What will you do now? Apply to
 the Governor for executive clemencyYn II can not tell you anything until see MT. Fauntleroy. Go see him." "Then you have nothing at all to
 says"
 roy. He Is the one to talk to you" Two or three other questions were put to him, but only brought out the replies nervously spoken. "Go see MT.
 Fauntleroy," or "I can say nothing uu- | til I see Mir. Fauntleroy."
 l As the reporter was departing from 1 the jail the little chloroformer was still near the screen paelng nervously, us
 aRd down and looking out anxiously | toward the outer gate for glimpse oi his attorney. It Is the first time he
 has ever shown his feeling. Ever since his arrest he has taken all the various changes in the phase of his case with g wonderful calmness which defied the reading of the thoughts which he held
 below his placid exterior. No man who has ever been in jail here for courage and composure.
 STORY OF THE CRIME. At about l0:30 o'clock on the morn. ing of April IA, 1885, 8 most startling discovery was made at the Southern Hotel by Charles Biegers. the trunk dealer who had been called in to open . suspicious-looking trunk found in room No IA. The trunk was the pro perty of man who had registered on March 31 as Walter H. Lennox Max well, D. D. On opening the trunk the body of . man was discovered jammed Into the box in distorted position, with the head to one side and the knees drawn up a close as possible. The po- lice were immediately notified ana an investigation made. At first the body was supposed to be that Of Maxwell, but further investigation proved 1t te be that of Maxwell's companion, who had lately joined him and was regis tered as "C. Arthur Freller, London. England" The body and trunk, just e they were first discovered, were transferred to the Morgue. A more repulsive sight had never been seen in the Norgue.
 The corpse was almost n1de. Not . feature of the countenance was recog- nizabls, being so diseolored and dis torted. Just beside the head was past cd piece of white paper, with the in- l arrfrffnn tsSa r,oriah all fraffar& n fha