The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-11

| the papers that the Governor ought to
disregard the request of the British gov
ernment on the ground that was an
Englishman, and that the British govern
ment had not taken any notice of the
United States interference in the 0'Don-
nell case tried at the c. c. c.
'lluGH NJ. Brooks"
THE STORY OF MAXwELL's CRIME.
The crime for which Hugh NJ Brooks,
alias Maxwell, paid the extreme penalty
OF the law this morning was the murder Of
his friend, Charles Arthur Preller, in room
No. la of the Southern hotel Sunday,
April d, 1850. The acquaintance between
MaXwell-as he is best known-and Prcl-
Ter was formed in Liverpool, England.
Early in 1885 Maxwell had left his home
IN Hyde, against the wishes OF his parents,
and came TO America. He had no funds
to speak Of, but relied upon smattering
OF science, law and general information
and large amount of assurance He met
Preller in England and they came aross
theocean on the steamer Cephalona Later
they became fast friends. lie told reck-
less tales of family anccstry-his parents
were dead and the estate had been badly
settled for his pocketbook. Preller was a
refined gentleman of means. The friends
separated in Boston, and in the latter part
OF March, 1885, Maxwell arrived at the
Southern hotel in st. Louis A few DAYS
later Preller arrived, and although occupy
ing different rooms they spent their wax
ing hours together. Sunday morning,
April q, they were seen together in
room No. IA. That afternoon bell
boy called TO the room, saw the two friends
there. w. X. Ross, travelling salesman,
heard water run and heard repeated
groans. Maxwell had formed the nc
quaintance OF n druggist, j. W. Fernow.
Twice during the day he purchased chic
reform, the second time excited, and
would not brook delay, saying he had
spilled the first. That night Maxwell ap.
peared In the dining-room without his
friend. lie ate little and was very ner-
yous. The next morning porter was
sent TO room No. liI 10 take down Max
wells trunks. There were two trunks,
and goods were scattered about the room,
and rs Maxwell was not there the porter
went away. Maxwell made a number OF
purchases at various places, spending
money freely where lac had previously en-
| doayored 10 negotiate loans. lie bought "a
ticket for san Francisco. Monday night
he left 81. Louis west bound. The trip 10
san Francisco was such rs 90 blaze the
way for the detectives. he making himself
so conspicuous that he was remembered
| by all who saw him. On Saturday, April
| IL, Maxwell arrived in san Francisco
Sunday, April II, he sailed for New Zeal
and in the steamer Sydney rs a stceragc
passengers.
For several DAYS prior 20 April II, cham.
bermaids at the Southern hotel had de-
tectcd an unpleasant odor coming from
No. IA. On that day the odor became 40
| pronounced that the room was entered and
/ trunks which some connected with the
stencil were taken down stairs. A trunk
maker was called aud broke the lock and
the cover sprang up, followed 10y the knees
| OF n man. Crammcd into the trunk was n
/ putrid body, shrunken and distorted, and
not feature recognizable. Not until after
| the body had been taken 10 the morguc
aud several days OF treatment given could
| IL be decided whether IL was the body of
Maxwell or Pellcr. Finally, however, the
remains were identified rs those Of the lat
| ter. On the breast Of the body was cross
cut, and on the inside Of the trunk card
/ bore the inscription: $50 perish all trait.
| ors 20 the great cause" II WIS an easy
matter TO trace Maxwell and when the
| Sidney anchored in Auckland harbor hC
was placed under arrest until Detectives
Tracy and Badger arrived with ex.
tradition papers. Maxwell began his
legal fight there, being defended by
| W. j. Napier. TO whom lac paid twenty
eight sovcrcignz. the last OF the $1,000
with which he left 81. Louis. On July u
the detectives set sail Tor home. arriving In
| II. Louis ON August 10. Not until then
| did he admit that his true name was
| Brooks. lie was indicted, waived prclim.
mary hearing aud was put on trial May !,
| 1856, in the criminal court. The motive
for the crime was shown in Maxwell hay.
ing taken Prcllcr's money, over $500, and
lot Of his wearing apparel and personal
effects, but the clinching testimony was
that Of John +. Mccullough, q detective
| who, under the name oi Frank Dingoldor,
had been Jailed with Maxwell ~ iorger,
| and from him secured a confession Of the
crime. MaxWcl's defense was that the
death Of Pfcllcr was accidental. lie had
administered the chloroiorm Ia operate on
Pcllcr for structure. lie fled because he
presumed he would not be permitted "a
testify In his own behalf, that being the
law In England. lie was found guilty Of
murder aud sentenced 90 be hanged. A
new trial was sought on the ground that q
Juror had expressed himself In favor Of
conviction before the trial. The action
was denied. An appeal TO the supreme
court resulted In affirmation Of the
lower courts judgment, though the dcicc'
tive episode was ccnsurcd, and one Of the
Judges, Sherwood, disscntcd. Application
was then made 10 Justice Miller Of III,
United States supreme court, for n new
trial on error, which was granted, and III,
execution st for August 20, 1857, indch
nitcly stayed. Later the matter was dis
missed by the supreme bench, holding
there was nothing 10 show that Maxwell
had not had fair trial. Maxwell
attorneys then sought executive elem
cncy, asking the Governor 10 com
mute the sentence 90 life imprisonment
Meantime Maxwell had been rscntcnccd
the date of the execution being fixed 70
July "a last. Gov. Morchouso granted I
respite ior two weeks. but declined 10 com
mute the sentence. Through Maxwell
father the British government was induce
10 ask ior a respite until the case could b
injured into, aud the final effort Of Max
wells attorneys was the presentation
"Wednesday, OF two ailidnyits Ia Gov More
house. showing the prejudice Of one Of ia
iurOn.
HENRY LANDGRAT's CRIME
The crime for which Henry Iandgrr
, suffered the death penalty WIS commiite
, on the night 0i March ., 1885. The vi,
tim was his sweetheart, Annie lisch,
! beautiful girl Of nineteen ycan Of ag'
. Jealousy prompted the deed. On the da
1. Of the murder he took the girl out wall
! d a.. a. -.