Gilpin observer., 1900-08-16
KILLED HIS FRIEND
TO GET MONEY.

Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 13.-Charles r.
III. Ferrell, n former employe of the
Adams Express Company, was arrest
ed this afternoon in this city and con-
fessed to the killing of Messenger
Charles Lane and the robbery of the
way safe of the Adams Express Com
pNny on the Pennsylvania east-bound
train Friday night. One thousand dol
lars of the money he stole was recov-
cred.
G. r. Ferrell, who confessed to the
murder and robbery was to have been
married Thursday next to Miss Lillian
Costlow, daughter of Patrick Costlow,
an engineer on the Pennsylvania line.
He had been discharged from the en-
ploy of the express company and con-
fessed that the motive of the robbery
was to secure money for the approach
ing wedding. The money recovered he
had given to Miss Costlow to keep for
him, saying he had saved it From his
earnings.
| Ferrell is but twenty-five years of
age and has splendid physique. being
six feet in height. with dark hair and
an attractive face. He was at the home
of his atfianced and in her company
when placed under arrest
w ilth tut olll'tIS tooh
custody he assumed nonchalant de-
meanOr but when he found that he
could no longer carry out the deception,
he made II full confession. After his
statement had been taken by Chief of
Police Tyler and he was led to cell
in the police station. he was in state
On nervous collapse and orders We're
given that he be watched closely to
prevent his doing himself bodily injury
| The confession of Ferrell disclosed
premeditated and blood-curdling c:ime,
almost impossible to believe. He said
he had become desperate because of
his inability to secure employment and
n realization of the fact that he must
have money to defray the expenses of
| his approaching marriage. The rob-
berry, including the murder of Express
Messenger Lane. had been planned
carefully. Ferrell had no accomplices
and no contidnnts. He knew Lane well.
In fact the, were friends. and he re-
lied upon Lanes confidence to help him
execute the crime. He knew that con-
siderable money was always carried
by the messenger between ST. Louis
and Columbus. and that he was certain
to secure a large sum If he robbed the
way safe
Having provided hmsets with six
shooter, Ferrell went to Urbana Friday
morning and waited for Lanes train.
When the train arrived FeIrell went III
once to the express car and told Lane
that he was out of money and asked
permission TO ride to Columbus. Lane
consented For short time after the
train left Urbana they chatted pleas
antly. Lane sat in n chair in the end
of the car, with his back slightly
turned.
When Ferrell had finally nerved him
self for the crime. he drew his re-
volver, stepped up behind Lane, unob-
served, and fired three shots in rapid
succession into the messengers back.
Lane rolled off the chair on the floor
on his face and Fcrrell quickly fired
the remaining shots at the PROSTATE
body.
Lane was unconscious. but Ferrell,
fearing that the wounds already in
fiicted would not cause death, took
Lanes revolver and fired tive more
bullets from Ii into the body.
Ferrell then took from the pocket OF
the dead messenger the key to the way
safe, opened the safe and, as II pre-
caution against n surprise, laid Lanes
revolver close by.
After he had taken out all the sacks
containing the money packages, money
orders and way-bllls. he placed the
packages in satchel ana waited until
the car arrived at Plain City. There
lie slipped on the train.