Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-08-14
Ohas. H. Ferrell Committed d
Pennsylvania Express Crime.
HAS CONFESSED TO DEED
Ex-Adams Express EmpIoye, Friend
of Dead Messenger, confesses the
Killing, Saying He Needed the Mon
ey with Which tc Wed.

Columbus, O., Aug. 13.-Charles R.
H. Ferrell, former employe Of the
Adams Express Company, was arrest
ed yesterday afternoon in this city and |
has confessed to the killing of Messen-
ger Charles Lane and the robbery Of |
the way safe of the Adams Express
company on the Pennsylvania east
bound train which arrived in this city
at midnight Friday. One thousand
dollars of the money which he had
stolen was recovered. Ferrell was to
have been married Thursday next to
the young daughter OF Pat
rick Costlow, an engineer
on the Pennsylvania lines.
He had been discharged from the EN-
ploy Of the Adams Express company
about cnree months ago and had not
since been able 70 secure employment.
He confessed that the motive of the rob-
berry was to secure money, of which
he felt III great need on account Of
his approaching marriage. The mon
ey recovered he had given to Miss
Costlow to keep for him, saying that
it was money he had saved from his
earnings.
The confession of Ferrell disclosed
a premeditated and blood-curdiing
crime that seemed almost impossible
of belief to those who looked upon the
man of gentlemanly and refined ap-
t<,l ST
of the murder anG robbery. He said
that he had become desperate because
of his inability to secure employment
and realization of the fact thai ne
must have money to defray The ex-
penses of his approaching marriage.
The robbery had been carefully plan
ned; and it included the murder of
| Express Messenger Lane. He, had nc
accompIices and no confdants He
knew Lane well. In fact, they were
friends, and he relied upon Lanes con-
| fidence to help him execute the crime.
He knew that considerable money WAS
always carried by the messenger on
the Pennsylvania train No. s between
st. Louis and Columbus and that lie
was certain to secure a large sum il
he robbed the way safe on that train.
having provided himself with j six
shooter, 3S-calibre, he went to Urbana
Friday morning and waited for num-
Der s. When the train arrived there
Ferrell went at once to the express
car and told Lane that he was ont OF
money and asked PERMISSION TO ride
to Columbus with him. Lane consent
ed, never for moment suspecring
the treachery of his pretended frend
10. a 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.
Commits the Deed.
When Ferrell had finally nerved
himself for the crime he drew his re
volver and stepped up behind Lane
unobserved and fired three shots in
, rapid succession into the messenger
back. Lane rolled off the chair or
the floor on his face, and Terrell
, quickly fired the remaining shots al
: the PROSTATE body. Lane was uncon
scious, but Ferrell, fearing the wounds
!, already inflicted would not cause
!, death, took Lanes revolver and fre(
, two more bullets into the body. Fer
, rel then took the key to the way safe
{ from the pocket OF the dead messen
gerand opened the safe and laid Lanes
} revolver inside, where he could reacl
t / 1t easily in case he was detected ant
, needed it to defend himself. After ht
: had taken out ali the sacks containing
the money package, money orders ani
, way bills he placed them in a small
satchel and waited until the car arriv
ed at Plain City, when he slipped OF
the train.
!. Preparations for Trial.
$ Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 13.-RosslyI
= Ferrell, the confessed murderer of Elk
A press Messenger Lane, will be takeI
7 tomorrow morning to Marysvilie, Un
4 ion county, in which the crime wa'
\ committed, for trial. An affidavit vii
: be filed against him this afternoon
J Ferrell is losing his nerve and is be
d ginning to show deep lines of care OF
y his face. He still maintains that HI
t was alone in the crime. There is n,
d doubt but that Ferrell fully realize
S his position in which he has place,
l. himself by the confession and expect
II the electric chair will be his end. A
l. noon yesterday quartette rehearse
music for FerrelPs wedding, he bein
present, and complimenting the sing
ers on their excellent rendering Q
q church music. At that very hour tn
4 detectives were preparing the pre-
- :. gram for his capture. Ferrell had eve
y ordered his wedding invitations.