The Springfield herald., 1900-08-17
KILLED HIS FRIEND
TO GET MONEY.

Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 13.-Charles X.
III. Ferrell, 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
pany on the Pennsylvania east-bound
train Friday night One thousand dol
lars of the money he stole was recov-
cred
c. 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 1t from his
earnings.
Ferrell is but twenty-five years of
age and has n splendid physique, being
six feet in height, with dark hair and
an attractive face. He was at the home
of his afiianced and in her company
when placed under arrest.
When the officers took Ferrell into
custody he assumed nOnchalant de-
meanor, but when he found that he
could no longer carry out the deception,
he made a 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
OF nervous collapse and orders We're
given that he be watched closely to
prevent his doing himself bodily injury.
The confession OF Ferrell disclosed n
premeditated and blOod-curdling crime.
almost impossible to believe. He said
he had become desperate because of
his inability to secure employment and
a 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 confidnnts. He knew Lane well.
In fact they We're 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 large sum If he robbed the
| way safe.
Having provided himself with n six
shooter. Ferrell went to Urbana Friday
morning and waited for Lanes train.
When the train arrived Ferrell went 1T
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 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 fred three shots in rapid
succession into the messengers back.
Lane rolled Off the chair OH the floor
on his face and Ferrell quickly fired
the remaining shots at the PROSTATE
body.
Lane was unconscious. but Ferrell,
fearing that the wounds already in
tiicted would not cause death. took
Lanes revolver and fired two more
bullets from 1t 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 Il surprise. laid Lanes
revolver close by.
After he had taken out all the sacks
containing the money packages. money
orders and way-billS. he placed the
packages in Il satchcl and waited until
the car arrived mt Plain City. There
he slipped of the train.
ri