The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-08-15
sya.n Sunday afternoon.


was sleeping In on upper room and
asked the proprietor If any strangers
had registered OF had been seen about
the hotel. The proprietor said that
he did not remember having seen any
strangers. Later III the afternoon the
detectives again asked tie proprietor
# he had seen ary strangers about
and he Remembered then that man
who had forgot ~ register had stayed
at the house ovei night and had gone
away on the eany morning train to
Columbus. Tha detectives at once
searched the room and were rewarded
by inding Lanes revolver where Fer
rell had secreted il. They also found
several waybills that hal been over
looked by Ferre'l in his hurry and
excitement while making up the eX
press package The hotel keeper was
able to give on'y an imperfect de.
scription of the strange guest, because,
as he said, he was too sleepy at the
time to take any particular notice Of
him. After learning of the express
package the detectives at once tele-
phOned to Columurs and had it inter
ceptcd. The package was opened and
the stolen sacks containing the money
orders, checks and other things which
Ferrell desired to get rid of were
found.
Chief OF Detectives Kelley and De
tectiycS O'Npil and DundOn then set
to work to run down the mysterious
stranger whom they had become CON
vinced was an eX-employe of the 'Ad-
ans Express company Suspicion soon
rested on Ferrell and information Sc
cured In regard to his recent move
mentS was considered sufficient to war
rant his arrest. The detectives fist went
to his boarding house and were inform
ed that he was probably at the home
of his sweetheart on the East Side.
They at once went to the Costlow resi-
dence where they found Ferrel. 1t
was Il trying duty for the detectives
when they were ushered into the room
where Ferrill sat conversing with the
young lady. Fcrrell appeared annoyed
at the intrusion. The detectives did
not brOach the subject of the train
robbery, but told him that he was
suspected of burglary and that they
wished him to accompany them to the
police station. where the chief of pO-
lice wanted to interview him. Think
ing that perhaps the detectives were
on the wrong scent, Ferrell nerved
himself and said with apparent COM
posure: II guess there must be some
mistake" He excused himself to the
young lady and accompanied the detec-
tives to the city prison. On the way
to the station the detectives told Fer
rell what he was wanted for and what
they knew, and ne reluctantly admit
ted that he had committed the crime.
At the police station written con-
fessiOn was taken by the chief of po-
lice. Ferrell tried to keep his nerve,
but he could not stand the ordeal
much longer. He did not tell con-
nectcd story. Most of the facts were
brought out by questions. which he
StNIltN W ullSNNl pNNNl-
al times he broke down and he was
finally led to Il cell, where he was in a
state of collapse. He then seemed to
fully realize for the first time the aw-
full nature of his crime and the fact
that he will. in all probability, atone
for it with his own life. As soon
as it was learned that Ferrell had
given the money to his sweetheart
Inspector Barron went to the house
and secured it. The young lady was
utterly prostrated by the disclosures.
She had not suspected Ferrell Of
wrongdoing. and the news was Il ter
rible shock to her and her parents,
who had regarded Ferrell as model
young man. The young lady had
never doubted his story that the
money which he placed in her keeping
had been earned and saved by him, as
he stated.
Ferrell's home is in Steubenvilie, o.
His father is sad 80 be a bridge car
penter and q highly respected citizen
of that place. Ferrell worked for tie
Adams Express company ut Steuben-
vile. coming to Columbus a yeau aud
four months ago wnen lie was given
a run as messenger between Columbus
and Pittsburg. He was discharged
about three mCnths ago after three
complaints had been made against
him on account of broken packages.
Fcrrell was not able to give Il very
satisfactory explanation in any in
stance, and after the last complaint
he was discharged from the service.
The express company does not charge
Ferrell with croOkedness in any Of
these cases, but say that he did not
give satisfactory service. 1t is be-
lieved that all the cash taken by Fer
rell. except about $50 which he had
spent. has been recovered. The
amount in the hands of the police is
$1O.G0.31. \ bundle of money orders
which Ferrell says he threw into a
vault have not been recovered.
t has been determined by Ferrclrs
confession that the murder and rob.
berry were committed in Union county
and that he will have to be tried there.
He states that he shot Lane just after
the train left Milford Center and the
robbery must have been committed in
Union county. also as he left the train
at Plain City, which is almost OH the
line between Union and Franklin
counties.
Later Ferrill recovered his composure
after eating a hearty supper and smok-
ing a cigar