The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-08-14

Columbus, Aug. 13.-Charles H. Fer
rell, former employe Of the Adams
Express company. was arrested last
evening and has confessed to the killing
Of Messenger Charles Lane and the rob-
berry of the way safe of the Adams Ex-
press company on the Pennsylvania
east bound train which arrived in this
city at midnight Friday. One thous-
and dollars Of the money which he had
stolen was recovered.
-, Ferrell was to have been married
Thursday next to Miss Lillian Costlow,
daughter of Patrick Costlow. an engl-
neer on the Pennsylvania lines. He had
been discharged from the employ OF the
Adams Express company about three
months ago and had not since been able
to secure employment. He confessed
that the motive Of the robbery was to
secure money Of which he felt in great
need on account Of his approaching
marriage. The money received he had
given to Miss Costlow to keep for him,
saying that 1t was money he had saved
from his earnings.
BLOOD-CURDLING STORY.
The confession of Ferrell discloses a
premeditated and blood-curdling crime
that seemed almost impossible of belief.
He said that he had become desperate
because of his inability to secure en-
ployment. The robbery had been care
fully planned, and his plans included
the murder of Express Messenger Lane.
He had no accomplices and no conf
dants. He knew Lane well. In fact,
they were friends, and he relied on
Lanes confidence in him.
He went to Urbana Friday morning
and waited for No. s. When the train
arrived there Ferrell 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. For short time after they
left Urbana they chatted pleasantly,
Lane sat in a chair at the end OF the
car with his back slightly turned. When
Ferrell had finally nerved himself TO:
stepped up behind Lane unobserved
and fired three shots In rapid success
sion into the messengers back. Lane
rolled off the chair on the floor on MS
vice and Ferrell quickly fired the re
naming shots into the prostrate BODY
Lane was unconscious, but Ferrel
fearing that the wounds inflicted wouit
not cause death, took Lanes revolver
and fired two more bullets from 1t intt
the body. Ferrell then took the key tt
the way safe from the pocket OF the
dead messenger and opened the sate
After he had taken out all the SACKS
containing the money packages, money
orders and way bills, he placed then
in a small satchel and waited till the
car had reached Plain City, where III
slipped off the train. There he went I;
q hotel and secured room without
registering, the proprietor being tot
sleepy to notice the omission.
COVERING HIS TRACKS.
In his room Ferrell proceeded to 3,
+ through the packages and teke out al
the cash. The remainder he tied up II
q bundle. Lifting up the mattress OF th'
bed he placed the revolver In a secure
place in the springs. 1t was not 81
easy to dispose OF the Dunuie oL eApEes'
sacks and envelopes. After thinking
the matter over he concluded he coult
get rid of the bundle best by expressing
1t to a fictitious address in some distan
city, knowing that 1t would remain
there for year before 1t would b'
opened IL 1t was not intercepted.
Ferrell arose early the next morning
expressed the package which he hat
addressed to c. w. Coyler, Lockport, N
Y, bought ticket and took a train To-
Columbus at $3.50. When he arrived II
the city he went at once to his boarding
place on the north side Of the city ant
changed his clothes. Ferrell said n
was much disturbed by the talk abou
the murder and robbery, which he hearf
upon every hand. but he kept UP hi
nerve. Saturday night he went to SCI
Miss Costlow and left the money will
her.
At Plain City the detectives learned
that stranger had stopped at the no
tel there the night before. They search
ed his room and found the revolver