The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-13
TOOK TRAIL AT PLAIN CITY

TOOK TRAIL AT PLAIN CITY
1t was at Plain City last Saturday nipb+
that City Detectives O'NeiI and Dundon
obtained the clue that led to FerrelPs an
prehens1on. They had been at the hotel
at daylight while Ferrell was sleenine in
an upper room and asked the prourietor if
any strangers had registered or had been
seen about the hotel. The proprietor said
that he did not remember having seen
any strangers, Later in the afternoon
the detectives again asked the pronrietor
If he had seen any strangers about. and
he remembered then that a man who had
forgotten to register had stayed at the
mouse over night, and had gone aWav on
the early morning train to Columbus. The
detectives at once searched the room and
were rewarded by finding Lanes revolver.
Wnere he had secreted 1t. They also found
several way bills that had been overlook
ed by Ferrell in his hurry and excitement
WnlIe making up the express package.
Inc hotel keeper was able to give only an
imperfect descript on of the strange guest.
because, as he said, he was too sIeenv
at the time to take any particular notice
OF hln The detectives were dumbfound-
ed ana not a little distressed when thev
found the murderer and robber had Slip
pea through their hands SO easily, and
the luckless hotel keeper was given a
very sharp lecture. After learning of
the express package, they at once tele-
phoned to Columbus and had it intercept-
ed. The package was opened and the
stolen sacks containing the money or
ders, checks and other things which Fer
rell desired to get rid of, were found.
SUSPECTED SOME OLD EMPLoYE.
Chief Of Detectives Kelly and Detectives
ONeil and Dundon then set to work to
run down the mysterious stranger who,
they had become convinced, was an ex-
employe of the Adams Express company.
suspicion soon rested on Ferrell, and In
formation secured in regard to his move
ments during the last three days was con-
sldered sufficient to warrant his arrest
Ihe detectives first went to his boarding
place, and were informed that he was
probably at the home of his sweetheart
Miss Costelow, 25O Twenty-frst street on
the East side. They at once went to the
Costelow home, where they found Fer
rell 1t was a trying duty for the de-
tectlves when they We're ushered into the
room where Ferrell sat eonversing with
the young lady FerrelI appeared annoy-
ed at the intrusion
INVITED HIM TO THE STATION
The detectives did not breach the SUBJ
1ect OF the train robbery, but told him
he was suspected of burglary. and that
Il
the station where the chief of police
wanted to interview him. Thinking that
perhaps the detectives were on the wrong
scent, Ferrell nerved himself and said
with apparent composure:
Il guess there must be some mistake -
he excused himself to the young lady
and accompanied the detectives to the
city prison. On the way to the station
the detectives told Ferrell what he was
wanted for and what they knew, and he
reluctantly admitted that he had com
mitted the crime.
CONFESSION IN WRITING.
At the police station a written confess
sion was taken by the policemen. Fer
relI tried to keep hisHnerve, but 1t was
evident that 1t. was under a severe strain
and that he could not stand the ordeal
much longer. He did not tell a connect
ed story. Most of the facts were brought
out by questions which he seemed to an
swer reluctantly. Several times he
broke down, and when he was finally led
to cell he was in q. state of collapse.
He then seemed fully to realize for the
f1rst time the awful nature of his crime
ana the fact that he will in all probab-
Aity atone for it with his life.
AS soon as it was learned that FerreIl
had given the money to his. s..sweetheart
inspector Barron went to the house and
secured it. The young lady was utterly
Frustrated by the disclosures She had
not suspected Ferrell Of wrong-doing for
an instant, and the news was terrible
shock to her and to her parents, who
had regarded Ferrell as a model young
man. The young lady had never doubt
ed his story that the money which he
placed In her keeping had been earned
and saved by him, as hef stated
Ferrell's home Is at Steubenville, O.
His father is said to be a bridge carpeu-
ter and g. highly respected. citizen of that
place Ferrel1 worked. for the Adams
Express company at Steubenville, coming
to Columbus year ago. when he was
given run as messenger between CO.
lumbus and Pittsburg He was discharg-
ed about three months ago, after COM
plants had been made against him on
account of broken packages. Ferrell was
not able to give a very satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION In any instance, 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 says that he did
not give satisfactory service 1t is be-
lieved that all the cash, taken by Ferrell,
except about $3.50 which he had spent,
has been recovered. The amount In the
hands of the police is $1,O60.31-
bundle Of money orders, which Fer
ren says he threw into vault, have
been recovered.
1t has been determined by FerreIls con-
fession that the murder and robbery were
committed in Union county, and that he
will have to be tried there He states
that he shot Lane just before the train
left Milford Center, and the robbery must
have been committed in Union county,
as he left the train at Plain City, which
Is almost on the line between Union and
Franklin counties.
Tonight Ferrell has recovered his com
posure, after eating a hearty supper and
! smoking fine cigar.
The Following is a copy of FerrelPs
confession to Chief of Police Tyler:
My name Is Charles r. H. Terrell,
and my parents live in Steubenville, O.
formerly worked for the Adams Express
company, but was discharged two months
ago. / was to be married to Miss Lillian
CosteioW next Thursday, and ! needed
money. This was what caused me to
do as | have done. / looked for work
and did not find it, and the thought of
being Idle and without money made me
reckless. Friday thought l might get
Immediately began to lay my plans.
Il went to Urbana Friday afternoon
about o'clock with the messenger on
NO. 8, and left the train at Urbana. I
several times when he first came to CO.
lumbus. He had not been over long
| When No came into Urbana l boarded
| the express car, and Mr.. Lane, knowing
that ] had been a messenger, let me in
| the car / cannot tell how long I was
| in the car, nor where got off, and have
! but little recollection Of what occurred. I
| know that when I got ready to go to
| work Mr.. Lane was standing with his
back to me. fired on him and he start
| ed for the door He did not make a
sound until he got to the door. When he
! got there he cried out. I shot him sey-
| eral times, emptying my gun / then
took the money and goods from the safe.
| revolver I don't kun1r how many tim &c