Haunted.
The room in the Southern Hotel, St Louis, where Maxwell murdered Preller, and was afterwards arrested in Australia, brought home, tried and executed, is said to be haunted. The ‘Examiner’s’ St Louis dispatches of January 21st, says of a reputable business man who was assigned to that ill-fated room, the number of which has been changed since the murder:
“He went to bed early the first night and soon fell asleep, but was awakened by a tapping on the head of the bed, which kept up at intervals through the night. He was worried, but said nothing to any one of the matter, and occupied the room the next night. The tapping began about midnight, and he arose and examined the room, but could find no one there. He noticed, however, that the bureau drawers were open. He shut them, but they opened again, and the tap on the bed continued to disturb him until morning. He returned to the dread department last night, mad at himself, and determined to sleep in spite of the mysterious rapping. He retired early and slept well until about 1 o’clock, when he was aroused by a loud explosion in the fireplace. A second and a third followed in rapid succession. The gentleman, who was not afraid of spirits, sprang from his bed and struck a light. Several bricks had been blown from the fireplace and pieces of some sooty substance were scattered about the room.
The occupant of the chamber called the night clerk, but that individual refused to enter the chamber. The disturbed guest removed his things from the abode of spirits before breakfast, and at his own suggestion was transferred to another apartment. The mysterious affair has caused a tremendous sensation here, and it will be some time before the proprietors of the hotel can find any one hardy enough to occupy the dreaded chamber.”
Golden Gate, 26th January 1889.