Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-08-16
MURDERED MESSENGER,
Robbed the Express Safe of Penn
.. sylvania Train
AND CONFESSED HIS CRIME.
Former Emnloye of the Adams Ex-
press Company Now in Prison-CoId
pronching Wedding.

pronching Wedding.
Columbus, Aug. 13.-Charles r. II.
Ferrell, former employe of the Adams
Express company, was arrested yes
terday 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 re-
covered.
Ferrell was to have been married
Thursday next to Miss Lillian COstlow,
daughter OF Patrick Costlow, an en-
gineer on the Pennsylvania lines. He
had been discharged from the employ
of the Adams Express company about
two months ago and had not since
been able to secure employment. He
confessed that the motive of the rob-
berry was to secure money of which he
felt in great need on account of his ap-
preaching marriage. The money re-
covered he had given to Miss Costlow
to keep for him, saying that it was
money he had saved from his earnings.
I1e WAS DIT the HOllt vi HIS dilldhItu
and in her company when placed under
arrest.
Ferrell is but q years of age and has
a splendid physique, being six feet in
height, with dark hair and an at
tractive face. When the officers took
him into custody he assumed a nom
chalant demeanor, but when he found
that he could no longer deceive the Of
ficers he made a full confession. After
his statement had been taken by Chief
of Police Tyler and he was led to a cell
in the police station. he was in state
of nervous collapse and orders were
given that he be watched closely to
prevent him doing himself bodily in
jury.
The confession of Ferrell disclosed a
premeditated and blood curdling crime
that seemed almost impossible of belief.
He said he had become desperate be-
cause of his inability to secure en-
ployment The robbery had been care
fully planned, and it included the muir
der of Express Messenger Lane. He
had no accomplices and no confdants.
He knew Lane well. In fact, they were
friends and relied upon Lanes con-
llutlltt " HtIj Ullll tAttulc INC VI llllt.
Having provided himself with a Smith
and Weston six shooter, 3S calibre, he
went to Urbana Friday morning and
waited for No. s. When the train ar
rived 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 con-
sented, never for moment suspecting
the treachery of his pretended friend.
For a short time after the train left
Urbana they chatted pleasantly. Lane
sat in a chair in the end of the car
with his back slightly turned
When Ferrell had finally nerved
himself for the crime, he drew his re-
volver and stepped up behind Lane un-
observed and fired three shots in rapid
succession into the messengers back.
Lane rolled off the chair on the floor
on his face and Ferrell quickly fired
the remaining shots at the PROSTATE
body. Lane was unconscious, but Fer
rell, fearing that the wounds already
inflicted would not cause death, took
Lanes revolver and fired two more
bullets from it into the body.
Ferrell then took the key to the way
senger, opened the safe, and laid
Lanes revolver inside where he could
reach it easily in case he was detected
and needed it to defend himself After
he had taken out all the sacks contain
ing the money packages, money or
ders and way bills he placed them in a
small satChel and waited until the car
arrived at Plain City. when he slipped
off the train He secured a room in the
hotel and retired for the night without
registering, fact of which the land
lord took no notice at the time. as he
was half asleep. Once in his ROOM Fer
rell proceeded to go through the pack
ages and take out all the cash. The re-
mainder he tied up in bundle.
The question of how to get rid of the
debris of his plunder and his revolver
then confronted him. Lifting up the
mattress of the bed, he placed the re-
volver in a secure place in the springs.
Ferrell arose early the next morning
and saunteved down to the railroad
station and sat there for a time read
ing a book. Then he expressed the
package which he had addressed to C.
w Coyler, Lockport. n. Y, bought a
ticket and took the train for Columbus
at $50
The detectives of Plain City set to
work to r~n down the mysterious
stranger who, they had become con-
WINGED, was an ex-employe of the
Adams Express company. Suspicion
soon rested on Ferrell. After learning
! of the express package, the detectives
at once telegraphed to Columbus and
had it intercepted. The package was
opened and the stolen sacks contain
| Ing the money orders, checks and other
| things which Ferrell desired to get rid
of, were found.
The detectives first went to his
| boarding place in this city and were
| informed that he was probably at the
| home of his sweetheart on the east
| side. They at once went to the Costlow
residence where they found Ferrell. 1t
| was a trying duty for the detectives
when they were ushered into the room
| where Ferrell sat conversing with the
| young lady. Ferrell appeared annoyed
at the intrusion. The detectives did not
| broach the subject of the train rob-
| berry but told him that he was sus-
| pected of burglary and that they
| wished him TO accompany them to the
! police 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 sta
| tion the detectives told Ferrell what
he was wanted for and what they knew,
and he reluctantly admitted that he had
committed the crime. At the police sta
ton a written confession was taken by
the chief of police.
AS soon as it was learned that Fer
rell had given the money to his sweet
heart, Inspector Barron went to the
house and secured it. The young lady
had never doubted his story that the
money which he placed IN her keeping
had been earned and saved by him as
he stated.
FeTells home is in Steubenville, 0.
His father is said to be a bridge car