The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-08-16
Is SOON FOUND OUT.
An Awful Crime Traced to Charles
Terrell at Columbus, o.

Columbus, o., Aug. 13.-Charles II. r..
Terrell, former employee Of the Adj
ans Express company, was arrested
Sunday afternoon in this city, and has
confessed 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 which arrived in this city at mid
night Friday. One thousand dollars
of the money which he had stolen was
recovered.
A Prospective bridegroom.
Terrell was to have been married
Thursday next to Miss Lillian Costlow,
the beautiful young daughter of Pat
rick Costlow, an engineer on the Penn
sylvania lines. He had been discharged
from the employ Of the Adams Express
company about three weeks ago, and
had not since been able to secure EN-
ployment He confessed that the mo.
tive Of the robbery was to secure money
of which he felt in great need on ac-
count of his approaching marriage.
The money recovered he had given to
Miss Costlow to keep for him. saving
that it was money he had saved from
his earnings He was at the home Of
his affianced and in her company when
placed under arrest. When taken into
custody lie assumed nonehalant de-
meanor, but when he found that he
could no longer deceive the officers, he
made fun confession. After his state
ment had been taken by Chief Of Police
Tyler and he was led to a cell in the
police station, he was in state ofnerv-
Gus collapse, and orders were given
that he be watched closely to prevent
him doing himself bodily injury. His
age is %.
HIS Confession.
The confession Of Terrell disclosed a
premeditated and bIood-curdling crime
that seemed almost impossible of belief
to those who looked upon the man Of
gentlemanly and refined appearance,
who reluctantly told the story Of the
murder and robbery. In substance his
story is as follows:
He said that he had become desperate
because OF his Inability to secure employ
ment and a realization OF the fact that
he must have money to defray the ex-
penses OF his approaching marriage The
robbery had been carefully planned and
II included the murder Of Express Messen-
ger Lane. He had no accomplices and no
confidants. He knew Lane well. In fact
they were friends and he relied upon Lanes
confidence TO help him execute the crime.
He knew that considerable money was al
ways carried by the messenger on Penn
g te
Columbus, and that he was certain to Sc
cure a large sum il he robbed the way
safe on that train Having provided him
self with Smith & Wesson six-shooter, 49,
caliber, he went 10 Urbana Friday morning
and waited for No s. When the train ar
rived there Terrell went at once to the
express car and told Lane that he was out
Of money and asked permission to ride
to Columbus with him. Lane consented
never for a moment suspecting the treach-
cry OF his pretended friend. For short
time after the train left Urbana they
chatted pleasantly. Lane sat in chair
in the end Of the car with his back slightly
turned,
When Ferrell had finally nerved himself
for the crime, he drew his revolver and
steuped up behind Lane unobserved and
fred three shots In rapid succession into
the messenger's back. Lane rolled on the
chair on the floor on his face and Ferrel
quickly fired the remaining shots at the
PROSTATE body Lane was unconscious
but Terrell, fearing that the wounds al.
ready inflicted would not cause death, TOOK
Lanes revolver and fired two more bullets
from ii into the body. Terrell then tooh
the key TO the way safe from the pocket
of the dead messenger and opened tht
safe and laid Lane revolver inside, where
he could reach II easily in case he was
detected and needed II to defend himself
After he had taken out all the sacks con
tanning the money packages. money or
ders and way bills, he placed them In {
small satehel and waited until the car
arrived al Plain City where he Stopped OF
the train, and went TO q hotel
The rest OF the confession IL devoted t
a narration of how he disposed of his re
volver and the rifed express packages.
omcers Find Chew.
II was in Plain City last Saturda,
night that City Detectives oFNeil ant
Dundon obtained the clew that led 4
Ferrell's apprehension. Theyhad beer
at the hotel at daylight, while Ferrel
was sleeping in an upper room, AM
asked the proprietor If any stranger
had registered or had been seen abou
! the hotel The proprietor said that h