The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-13

COLUMBUS, O.. Aug. 12.-Charles r. H.
Ferrell. former employe Of the Adams
Express Company. was arrested this aft
ernoon In this city and confessed to the
killing of Messenger Lane and the rob-
berry OF the way safe of the Adams Ex-
Press Company on the Pennsylvania east
bound train Friday night. One thousand
dollars Of the money he stole was recov-
cred Ferreil was to have been married
Thursday next 20 Miss Lillian Costlow.
daughter Of an engineer on the Pennsyl-
vania line. He had been discharged from
the employ of the Adams Express Com
pany and confessed that the motive OF the
robbery was TO secure money for the ap-
preaching 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 q years OF age. He was
at the home of his afiianced and In her
company when placed under arrest.
When the officers took him into custody
he assumed nonchalant demeanor but
when he found that he could no longer
carry out the deception he made fun
confession.
After his statement had been taken by
Chief Of Police Tyler and ne was led TO a
cell In the police station, he was In a state
OF nervous collapse and orders were CIV
en- that he be watched closely to prevent
his doing himself bodily intury.
Hood CurdIing Confession.
The confession OF Ferrell disclosed .
premeditated and blood-curdlfng crime. al
most impossible to believe. He said he
had become desperate because OF his In
ability to secure employment and real
izstion Of the fact that he must have
money TO defray the expcnsese of his ap-
preaching marriage. The robbery. in
cludfng the murder Of Messenger Lane.
had been planned carefully. Ferreil had
no accomplices and no confidanfes. He
knew Lane well. In fact they were
friends and he relied upon Lanes conf
dence to help him execute the crime.
He knew that considerable money was
always carried by the messenger between
St. Louis and Columbus. and that he was
certain to secure large sum IL he robbed
theIw safe. Having provided himself
with a six-shooser. Ferrell went to rr-
bana Friday morning and waited for
Lanes train. When the train arrived Fer
rell went at once to the express car and
told Lane that he was out of money and
asked permission to ride to Columbus.
Lane consented. For a short time after
the train left Urbana they chatted pleas
antiy. Lane sat in the chair I'm the end
OF the car with his back slightly turned.
Nerved Himself for the Deed.
When Terrell had finally nerved him.
self for the crime he drew his revolver,
stepped up behind Lane, unobserved and
fired three shots In rapid succession into
the messengers back. Lane rolled or the
chair on the floor on his face and Ferrell
quickly fired the remaining shots at the
PROSTATE body. Lane was unconscious.
but Fcrrell. fearing that the wounds al
ready inflicted would not cause death,
took Lanes revolver and fired two more
bullets from Il into the body
Ferreil than took from the pocket OF the
dead messenger the key 10 the way safe.
opened the safe and as precaution
against surprise. laid Lanes revolver
close by. After he had taken out all the
sacks containing the money packaSes
money orders and way bills he placed the
packages IN a eatchei and waited until the
car arrived al Plain city. There he slipped
of the train. He walked about for few
minutes. to regain his eomposurc. and
then inquired for the hotel
Dtsposinn of the Plunder.
He secured a room and retired FOR the
night without registering. Locked IN HIS
room Ferrell proceeded 20 20 through the
packages and take out what money they
contained. The orders he tied 10 pack
age and planned to get rid of it and HIS
revolver The revolver he placed IN the
springs under the mattress.
lie concluded TO get rid Of the bundle
by expressing II to a fictitious address.
Early the mex; morning he sauntcred
down 20 the railroad station and ex-
pressed the package 10 K. w cayiar,
ioekport. N. "" bought a ticket ard took
the s.ss train for Columbus, when he ar